Fleur Jackson, interior designer
I suppose I like to pick ugly things and make them beautiful. I get a lot of stuff in charity shops, auctions or the East Belfast Mission, which is basically a warehouse of forgotten furniture, rows on rows of dressing tables and wardrobes and chairs. With a little bit of effort you can have something unique. The first piece I customised was a G Plan enclosed bookcase. I printed a chandelier onto one of the doors. It gives a really opulent feel to a very functional piece of 1970s furniture.
I wanted something flat and plain that was easy to transform. I sanded it and primed it and then I gave it its first coat of paint. Then I made a photocopy of the image I wanted and transferred it onto the panel. It's a technique I learned in art college. You basically apply matt medium to the copy and whatever you want it to adhere to. Leave it overnight and then wipe away the paper with a wet cloth. I finished this with a light coat of water-based varnish over the top.
I've been collecting furniture, especially chairs, since I was about 14. I've a real weakness for chairs. I love pattern. I love minimalism, too, but I have to put a highly ornate piece into it. I can't resist fabric, pattern and texture, silks and colours.
What I love about customised pieces is that they are unique. It's so hard to find anything interesting. Everything is lacquered walnut. But something being hand-made means you've put love into it. Some people get it and some don't.
A lot of my work as an interior designer is about the person, and inspired by who they are. You've got to know what makes them happy and then just give it to them. They need someone to say "that's who you are" and put it into their home.
I just love old things and I love mixing things. One thing I cannot abide is everything matching in a room. It's great to take a piece of furniture that people just think is yuck and put it in its context so that they can see it's an amazing piece, even if it cost you £15 (€22).
I advise people not be seduced by a style, but to take a piece of it and then do something else, because otherwise it will date. When you mix stuff, it's timeless. I'm not into changing your home every three years. You should love everything in your house.