Interior design takes courage: a conversation with Siobhan Hayles

Some homes stay with you because of the way they make you feel. It might be a confident use of colour, an unexpected combination of textures, or a collection of objects that tells you something about the person who lives there. The effect comes from the relationship between those elements and the life unfolding around them.

My recent visit to the Ashburton home of interior designer Siobhan Hayles, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, offered an opportunity to explore that idea. We filmed a conversation about her distinctive approach to interiors and the philosophy behind creating homes with personality, character and confidence.

The courage to make a home your own

A central theme of our conversation was courage. Making a design decision can feel surprisingly personal. Choosing a colour, a piece of art or an unusual item of furniture means trusting your own response, sometimes when the safer option would be easier to explain.

Siobhan encourages clients to create spaces that reflect who they are. That approach invites a different starting point: how do you want to feel at home, and what do you want your surroundings to say about you?

Boldness does not have to mean filling every room with strong colours or dramatic objects. It can mean committing to one distinctive choice and giving it room to work. Confidence lies in making a considered decision rather than automatically retreating to the familiar.

Colour, texture and the things we collect

Our conversation explored colour, texture, art and furniture as parts of a wider composition. Each contributes something different. Colour can shape the atmosphere of a room; texture adds depth; art and objects introduce a personal story.

The interesting question is how those elements work together. A home can feel carefully considered while still allowing variety, contrast and the unexpected. Its character often comes from the choices that make it specific to its owner.

For anyone renovating or designing a new home, that is a useful reminder to look beyond individual purchases. Consider the room as a whole, including how you move through it, what you touch and where your eye naturally settles.

Timeless design with individuality

Timelessness and personal expression can sit comfortably together. A room can have a lasting sense of proportion and purpose while including something unmistakably individual.

The balance discussed in the film is especially relevant when people feel pressure to make every decision future-proof. No one can predict every change in taste. A more useful aim is to create a home that works well, feels coherent and allows its occupants to enjoy it now.

That might involve holding on to something meaningful, mixing furniture from different periods or choosing an artwork because you love living with it. A personal interior needs space for those decisions.

What this means for property presentation

As a property broker, I am interested in how people connect with a home. Interiors help communicate its atmosphere, the purpose of its spaces and the life someone might lead there.

When presenting a property for sale, there is value in understanding its individual character. Good photography and film can help viewers appreciate the relationship between rooms, materials and details. Thoughtful preparation can make those qualities clearer without stripping away everything that makes a home distinctive.

Designing for your own enjoyment and preparing a home for sale involve different priorities. Both benefit from a clear understanding of the spaces and the people using them. A strong interior is also a pleasure to inhabit long before a sale is considered.

Watch our conversation

Filming at Siobhan’s own home gave us a setting in which to explore these ideas. Whether you are planning a renovation, designing a new home or looking for inspiration, the conversation offers a thoughtful challenge to the instinct to play it safe.

Explore Siobhan Hayles Interiors