Designing and dressing her first show home for one of the country’s leading housebuilders was an exciting challenge for Jo Nock, an interior designer from Solihull.

Jo designed the stunning four bed Harborne show home at Persimmon Homes’ Longbridge Place, a development of 215 houses and apartments that is part of the £1 billion regeneration of what was the Longbridge MG Rover plant.

But hitting the client’s brief to be bold and stand out while retaining design and professional integrity is not the easiest of partnerships.

Jo said:

“I had the brief, did my research and picked out ideas and themes that I thought were lovely, but it was a big challenge and initially out of my comfort zone.

“To go from the greys and neutrals that private clients were requesting in their own homes, to striking design statements needed for a show home, including a car themed bedroom to reflect the MG Rover plant’s history, was quite a step.

“The four-bedroom Harborne is built over three storeys and the layout can be adapted very differently by different people. We chose to showcase how well it works for families.

“I was really happy with the finished result, which as a designer you have to be. You have to put a little bit of yourself into every project, put your stamp on it and love what you do! The feedback I received was unbelievable, it was really positive.”

Mum of two Jo set up her business Room4 Interiors in 2018, driven by her passion for interiors. What started out as an extension of her husband’s construction business, showcasing the gorgeous interiors she created in their own home, in just a few short years became her own business.

While in lockdown, Jo was happy to share some of her design tips when moving into a new build home.

She said:

“When you move into a new build property, it is a blank canvas – but your furniture, accessories and furnishings come with you from your old house.

“My top tip is don’t be in a rush! Enjoy your home while taking time to think about it, live with it, see how it feels, see what the light is like on different days. Then maybe pick a focal point to a room and work around it or take a statement piece of furniture that you love and work with that.

“Start neutral and slowly introduce colours and textures, bringing in some richness. If you no longer love a particular painting, put it away for a while and switch things round. Introduce mood lighting with lamps and colour with greenery. Get to know your new home.”

• Jo’s latest design project for Persimmon Homes can be seen at Perry Park View, Perry Barr where the Souter show home opens this weekend.

• Room4 Interiors create beautiful, stylish, aspirational homes across Solihull, the West Midlands and Warwickshire. To see Jo’s work in the Persimmon show home visit www.room4interiors.co.uk

• To view the 2, 3 and 4 bed houses for sale on the development, visit www.persimmonhomes.com