Renovating a room or indeed the whole home has become a bit of a lockdown challenge. DIY and furniture stores reported huge online sales, and it seems that giving our property a facelift helped a lot of us relieve the boredom of the 12 months we were effectively stuck behind doors.

Buying furniture for any room can be a bit of a nightmare, some of the things that may influence your choice include cost, taste, and what we, or our partner likes.

New research has revealed that a year of watching lockdown TV hasn’t just been a boredom banisher; it’s influenced the way the renovation-mad amongst us are decorating our homes.

We are looking to shows like the Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, set in the 80s, with it’s bright colours and everything matching Laura Ashley style. The classic sitcom Friends with its coffee shop chic and oversized mugs. And what home would be complete with something straight out of the set of the Netflix hit Bridgerton.

Carol Smillie is one of our best known TV faces. From her early career on Wheel of Fortune to the BBC’s  CHANGING ROOMS, which earned her invitations to Buckingham Palace, Downing Street ,an Indie award a National TV Award, a Bafta nomination , and of course Ronni Ancona’s alter ego ‘Smillie Smillie Carol Smillie.

Carol has seen her fair share of DIY success stories and more than a few disasters over the years.

We’ve been chatting to Carol about television and Interior Design, and what indeed influences her when it comes to buying furniture.

As Carol mentioned if you’d like to know more just go to HABITAT, Argos or selected Sainsbury’s stores.

And if you’d like to see what Carol is up to now, just go HERE. And we really couldn’t resist this ‘back in the day’ picture.