Interior Design Masters burst back onto our screens this week, and among the new bunch of aspiring interior designers was Retail Executive Jon from Worthing. He's also known as the contestant, who, if he had to describe himself as a sound, would choose 'ta-da!' (we love him already). However, Jon has already made an impression on guest judge Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. Wowing the famous interior designer with a genius paint hack in the first challenge of the competition.
Tasked with decorating a bedroom in a show home, Jon went for a pretty-in-pink scheme featuring wallpaper with a shiny gold geometric pattern, pink curtains and accessories, plus a deep green feature wall.
Series judge Michelle Ogundehin and her guest judge Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen had a lot of good things to say about Jon's design, particularly his smart use of paint.
'I think he's shown you what you can do with some very simple moves, because we've seen some really full on treatments behind the bed, with panelling and lighting, and he's created exactly the same effect using paint,' series judge Michelle says.
See also: Bedroom color ideas
'But, he's been clever enough to also take it up over the ceiling,' she adds.
'He's given us a post-modernist four poster bed. The entire nation is going to be doing this soon,' guest judge Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen observes. 'It's just a smart thing to do.'
We couldn't agree more with the former Changing Room's star. We absolutely love this idea and are itching to give it a go.
Jon used a lampshade in the same forest green of the painted wall behind the bed to create a feeling of cosiness. With circular rose gold side tables, house plants and floor length curtains, the room is stylish and practical. He toed the line between expressing individual style and delivering on the brief for a show home.
We recently shared how the Bridgerton effect has caused sales of four poster beds to rocket, and sleigh beds have also been seeing a revival. If you don't want to fork out for a brand new bed, this paint trick is a fantastic option to create the illusion of height.
Speaking about his design inspiration, Jon says that Kelly Hoppen, Sophie Robinson and Jonathan Adler are key figures that have shaped his own style. 'I’m also inspired by drag culture. Drag is about self-expression and I believe interior design is. I see Drag as a kaleidoscope of expression and I love it and it enables me to think differently.'
See also: Surprising interior design trends having a comeback thanks to Bridgerton
Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr continues at 8pm on Tuesdays, on BBC Two.
