From Ruins to Riches!

Live Life in Colour with Justine Knox

In this episode of "Live Life in Colour," Justine Knox, an award-winning interior designer, shares her journey from a childhood fascination with decorating to becoming a successful business owner. Justine recounts her early experiences, including her first interior design project as a child and the challenges of renovating a derelict property with her husband. She discusses the evolution of her career, from running a scuba diving centre to establishing her own interior design and home staging business. With personal anecdotes and professional insights, this episode offers inspiration for aspiring designers and anyone interested in the creative process behind stunning interiors.

0:00 Intro

3:40 Sibling Recorder Story

8:38 Lack of Exposure to Interior Design

10:41 Living in a Fixer-Upper

14:22 Starting from Zero

18:50 Learning from DIY Home Renovation

21:09 Importance of Practical Knowledge in Project Management

23:52 Transition from Scuba Diving to Interior Design

31:13 Transition from Labourer to Business Owner

35:54 Starting a Home Staging Business

39:52 Visualizing Floor Plans

Welcome and Introduction

- Justine Knox introduces herself as an interior designer and queen of dopamine decor.

- She shares her passion for creating environments that inspire happiness and comfort.

Early Inspirations and Childhood Memories

- Justine recounts how a childhood bedroom project sparked her lifelong passion for interior design.

- She shares anecdotes about growing up with her older sister, Tracy, and their shared bedroom.

Family and Home Life

- Justine discusses her birth at home in the UK and the bravery of her mother in choosing a home birth.

- She describes the unique features of her childhood home, including skylights above the doors and a dormer house design.

First Interior Design Project

- Justine talks about moving to a bigger house and choosing a small room to decorate herself.

- She details her first interior design project, including selecting furniture and creating a practical, cosy space.

Living in a Ruin

- Justine and her husband Bruce's brave decision to buy and renovate a derelict property in Andratch.

- The challenges they faced, including no electricity, running water, or sewage, and how they overcame them.

Building Skills and Knowledge

- Justine shares how living in and renovating the ruin taught her valuable skills in building and project management.

- She discusses the importance of appreciating simple things like electricity and running water after living without them.

Transition to Interior Design

- Justine's journey from running a scuba diving centre to becoming an interior designer.

- Her first staging project: preparing the dive centre for sale by making it appealing to prospective buyers.

Developing a Business

- Justine's decision to start her own company focused on home staging and interior design.

- The challenges of introducing home staging to the island and shifting her focus to second homeowners.

Building a Team and Managing Projects

- The importance of having a reliable team of tradespeople and the time it took to build that team.

- Justine's role in managing projects and ensuring high standards are maintained.

Client Relationships and Project Management

- Justine's approach to working with clients, offering practical and creative solutions.

- The value of her hands-on experience in building and renovating homes in understanding project requirements.

Educational Journey and Continuous Learning

- Justine's commitment to learning, including courses in home staging, feng shui, and interior design.

- The impact of her education on her ability to provide professional and personalised services to her clients.

Conclusion and Call to Action

- Justine encourages listeners to subscribe to the podcast and leave a five-star review.

- She expresses her passion for living in a colour-filled world and sharing that message with others.