All images credited to Catharine Devine Photography
On the day of the final of Interior Design Masters 2026, I thought I would share a home tour and interview with one of the previous winners of the BBC series. Do you remember who was the winner of Interior Design Masters in 2024? Yes, it was fabulous Roisin Quinn!
I was lucky enough to chat with this talented designer while writing a feature on her house for Reclaim magazine a few years ago and today I’m sharing plenty of pics of her dopamine decor, along with the story of her home and her success on series 5 of Interior Design Masters.
When interiors are revamped, it can often lead to a transformation in other areas of life too. This was certainly the case for Interior Design Masters winner Roisin Quinn. After working as a travel advisor for six years and celebrating her milestone 30th birthday, she began to feel a burning desire to pursue a more creative career.
The inspiration that led to Interior Design Masters
Her parents’ period property on the Isle of Man had undergone major building works, with rooms being knocked down and the floorplan doubling in size. The original Georgian design was meticulously rebuilt and, although many of the major period elements were restored, there was still a significant amount of work to be completed.
Roisin stepped in to breathe new life into the house she had grown up in. ‘The most incredible aspect of the house is its views; from the windows you can see fields, the sea and even England,’ enthuses Roisin. Taking inspiration from the countryside surroundings of Primrose Lodge, Roisin poured all her energy into the renovation, filling it with fresh florals, unexpected design details and her favourite greens, from forest to grass.
Buoyed by the results and loving every minute of the process, Roisin knew she had found her passion in life and her desire to pursue interior design intensified. She applied to university, but was initially turned down by her first choice, so when the opportunity arose to apply for the fifth series of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr, it seemed like fate.
‘I took the plunge because it felt like a now-or-never moment. Encouraged by friends, family, and even my manager, I thought, “Why not?” I had nothing to lose. So, I took the leap, and here I am. My life has undergone a remarkable transformation, for the better. I’m brimming with excitement for what lies ahead.’
Transforming a blank canvas
Once rebuilt, her parents’ house provided the perfect blank canvas for Roisin to experiment with, allowing her to meticulously design every aspect of each room, from the curtain material and trim to the bespoke rugs and soft furnishings.
But she soon discovered that some of her more innovative ideas would be difficult to achieve; ‘The main challenges I faced were coordinating the tradesmen, many of whom refused to do certain tasks because they weren’t considered standard practice,’ Roisin recalls. ‘Additionally, ordering items to the Isle of Man proved difficult.’
So, she tackled a lot of the work herself, learning DIY skills along the way. This enabled her to be creative with the effects and finishes she envisaged, leading to a truly standout interior. ‘Don’t be afraid to be bold; you’ll never know what works until you try. Patience is key as you experiment with different colours and patterns to find the perfect combination. Embracing boldness will pay off!’
Her best advice? ‘Use colours you love when designing – don’t play it safe. Choose a wallpaper print you adore, select a colour from it that you’re drawn to and use that hue for the woodwork, walls or furnishings in the space.’
It perhaps comes as no surprise to learn that Roisin’s most favoured interior designer is Swedish architect Martin Brudnizki. Designing grand interiors with dashing patterns, standout colour and opulent finishes, his work displays a level of innovation and creativity that Roisin admires. ‘He creates a sense of fantasy in every design, an inspiration I strive to achieve in my own work.’
As such, Roisin’s style can be described as daring, colourful, sophisticated and traditional, both in her interiors and in her uplifting wardrobe full of vibrant pieces just made for dopamine dressing. When pressed for her favourite space from the rainbow of rooms in Primrose Lodge, Roisin chooses the family bathroom.
‘It’s a true fantasy, with floral wonderland wallpaper cascading from the ceiling to the walls, complemented by traditional tiles and bathroom features. It’s simply a magical space.’
Revamped with a rainbow of colours
Roisin’s passion for design extends to revitalising old furniture. During her downtime, she enjoys nothing more than scouring antique or charity shops at the weekends, hunting for treasures and hidden gems and breathing new life into cherished pieces.
As such, she was determined to salvage some of the original Georgian features from her parents’ home before the building work began in order to preserve the character of the property. This included the old fireplace, which, after a thorough repair and clean-up, fits perfectly in the new living room, adding back a heritage feel.
‘Each piece of old furniture carries a unique story and I’m captivated by the history imbued within them. I found a large Welsh dresser on Facebook Marketplace and immediately saw its potential,’ remembers Roisin.
‘Even though the rooms were still under construction and just bare walls at the time, I knew it belonged.’ She cleaned and painted it to match the panelling and it now adds a touch of vintage charm to the interior.
A preloved work in progress
Although still a work in progress, her own home in the Wirral is a testament to her love affair with preloved pieces; ‘It’s adorned with an array of second-hand furniture and ornaments. I simply can’t get enough of it!’
This ethos saw her creating unique, upcycled interiors week after week for the BBC competition, which got Roisin noticed by designers and brands from around the world. ‘The journey was rife with challenges. When you’re truly passionate about something, you pour your heart and soul into it, even if it leaves you feeling drained. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way,’ reminisces Roisin.
‘I’ve found myself immersed in a career I’m passionate about – guiding others in the realms of interiors and design. Collaborating with brands that resonate with me deeply has been immensely rewarding’.
The ultimate prize for the winner was a contract with La Redoute and Roisin has since been tasked with creating a soft furnishings collection for them, designing pieces that encapsulate the joy, vibrancy and colourfulness of her time on the show, and which would certainly look at home in the magnificent Primrose Lodge.
Let me know which room you love the most in the comments below. I’d love to hear what elements you’d like to include in your own dopamine decor. Keep up to date with Roisin’s latest colourful décor projects via her Instagram account @roisinquinn and visit La Redoute to shop her collaborative collection of wallpaper and homewares.
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