Anouska Lancaster knew she’d always use her artistic flair in her career. “It’s what drives me,” explains Anouska. “I originally wanted to be an illustrator. I loved drawing; particularly cartoons, but I pushed my ambitions to one side when I got married and started a family.” Interior design was a natural progression for Anouska. “It went hand in hand with my lifestyle at the time, and allowed me to reignite my passion for art and design.” Here, Anouska talks to Inex about her passion for interior design and what inspires her designs.

Who has been the biggest influence throughout your career?

I have always been very sure of my own unique style, be it how I dress myself or how I dress a room. I am not one for following trends or being influenced by the masses. If I had been; then I would not be where I am today. Someone I look up to and admire in my industry is Kit Kemp. I looked to her and her work when people questioned my judgement, or naysayers tried to influence my decisions. Kit Kemp has a very strong sense of style and lives by the same ethos as me, in that ‘there are no rules in interior design’. If I am ever doubtful, then I’ll read her books and reassure myself that I am right to trust my instincts.

What is your most notable project to date?

I would say that my most notable project to date would be for a boutique nightclub that I designed in Soho, London, called ‘Green Carnation’. It won the award for ‘Best London Night Club’ at the London Bar and Club Awards. It was this design that really put me on the map.

What advice would you give newly-qualified interior designers?

I would say to leave behind a lot of what you are taught in the classroom and follow your instinct. From experience, when mentoring with newly-qualified interior designers, they are too wrapped up in the text books and what they’ve been taught. I think that to be a ground-breaking, successful interior designer, the vision has to come from within. You have to have passion and natural artistic flair; it is not something that can be taught.

How important do you think sustainability in design is?

It’s hugely important and I am always conscious of incorporating this into my designs wherever possible. I am very ‘old school’ in my approach to interior design. I am not a fan of the ‘flat-packed culture’, whereby furniture is produced and sold cheaply on mass, to be replaced a year later. It is not environmentally-friendly, nor is it possible to create a visually pleasing or quality design scheme. I am a huge fan of antique furniture and I am an ambassador for ‘luxecycling’. This is the process of taking preloved and unwanted furniture and reinventing it; giving it an entirely new lease of life.

Do you have a design style?

I do have a design style that is unique to me. If I had to describe it; I would say that it’s creating a brave, bold room that is a visionary feast for the eyes, which reflects the individual’s unique style and personality. My goal is always to design a space that is exciting, enticing and that has huge impact. Most importantly, every room I design must tell a story.

Do you have a preferred colour palette to work with?

The colour palette will vary from client to client, because naturally every individual is instinctively drawn to different colours. It is hugely important to me that my clients get a sense of joy and calm from the colours they are surrounded with. Everyone is different, so choosing the correct colour palette is vital to creating a bespoke design scheme for each individual. Personally, I will always choose bright colours. My favourite colour combination is mixing bright colours with black and white for the ultimate ‘wow factor’. It is the surest way of making an unforgettable statement.

How do you encourage your clients to think outside the box?

I believe that to create a successful interior it needs to be a true reflection of the client’s unique style and personality, whilst showcasing their passions and lifestyle. To achieve this, you have to think outside the box; otherwise your interior will simply look like one from a catalogue. It can take time for a client to understand the process, but this comes from building trust and spending time working together.

What trends are you currently witnessing among your clients?

I encourage my clients to ignore the trends. Trends come and go. Whilst they may seem fun at the time, they soon disappear resulting in a scheme looking dated within six to 12 months. I will often use fashion as a parallel. You wouldn’t choose the latest outfit off the catwalk to wear, you’d choose an outfit that suits you and your personal style – interior design is exactly the same.

What would you class as an ‘inspiring’ interior design scheme?

To me, an inspiring design scheme is one that successfully breaks the rules and one that is unforgettable.

What is the source of inspiration for your designs?

I am always thirsty for inspiration and absorb it wherever I go. I am very inspired by art and will often visit art galleries and exhibitions. I am always intrigued to witness new techniques and colour combinations. Artists are great risk-takers and I find this courage through experimentation utterly awe-inspiring.

Do you believe there is a strong link between fashion and the interior world?

There is undoubtedly a strong link between the two. If you follow both, as I do, you will soon draw strong and numerous comparisons between the two; season-to-season. This has become even more prominent with fashion designers such as Matthew Williamson doing interior design collections for fabric houses.

Can you describe a typical Noushka Design client?

I actually can’t! The beauty of what I do is the array of different people I am privileged enough to work with. I have designed for all sorts of people, from DJs to doctors and from bachelors to families of six. The variation is what makes my job so exciting.

Is there anyone that you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

I would like to collaborate with my favourite Artist Louise Dear. I am a huge fan of her work and have found myself designing rooms around her artwork on many occasions. Her paintings evoke such passion and energy, whilst pushing the boundaries of colour and genre. I have had the privilege of getting to know Louise over the last six months and we are totally on the same page when it comes to art and design. I truly believe that we could do something very exciting together in the future.

What do you believe is the key element to interior design?

I believe that the key element to successful interior design is surrounding yourself with colours and items that make you happy. If you don’t, then your house is simply a house, not a home. A home should be a unique sanctuary, a place where you feel content and happy. This can only be achieved by creating a design scheme that reflects you and your style. My top tip would be to dig deep, trust your intuition, follow your heart; and not your head.

What can we expect to see from Noushka Design over the next year?

There are lots of exciting opportunities on the horizon for Noushka Design. As well as more writing and TV work, I would like to launch my own collection of items for the home. Encapsulating my quirky, unique style with a furniture and accessories range would be incredibly satisfying. I really feel that there is a gap in the market for a brave and bold capsule collection that pushes boundaries and encourages people to be brave and bold enough to think outside the box.