Art has a wonderful ability to bring personality and individuality to a home.

Beyond its decorative qualities, it can influence the atmosphere of a room, introduce an unexpected colour or texture, and create a connection between the architecture of a space and the people who live within it.

Whether it is an original painting, a photograph collected on your travels or a piece discovered in a small gallery, the artwork we choose to surround ourselves with often tells a story about who we are.

After more than twenty years working in interior design, I have learnt that creating a successful home is rarely about following a particular style or set of design rules.

Every client has a different idea of what home should look like. Different routines, priorities, collections, families and ways of living all shape the spaces we create.

But while every project is different, there are certain things I find myself returning to time and again.

From clear communication and realistic timelines to trusting the design process, a successful interior design project is built on a strong working relationship between client and designer.

One of the first questions many clients ask is, "How long will my project take?"

It is a perfectly reasonable question, but the answer is rarely straightforward.

The honest answer is that every project is different. The timeline for refreshing a London apartment is very different from a full renovation of a period family home, and every client's brief, property and level of structural work will influence the programme.

We often think about interiors in terms of how they look. The colour of the walls. The materials. The furniture. Yet the homes we remember most are rarely defined by any one object. They're remembered because of how they make us feel.

There is a moment, when you walk into a well-designed room, where something shifts. It is not always easy to name. The light is right. The proportions feel generous. There is nowhere your eye snags on something out of place. You simply relax.