Interiors insider: Melody Roseveare

Canadian born designer-maker Melody Roseveare breathes new life into neglected teacups, plates and teapots. She studied ceramics at Chelsea College of Art and Design and Heatherleys. Last year, she launched her own website Melody Rose, selling her upcycled vintage ceramics.

One of my favourite places… to look for interesting accessories and vintage pieces is Portobello Market. I love shopping in the antique market in Hastings Old Town. It's a treasure trove for retro and vintage finds.

When shopping at markets… check the condition of the pieces you're buying and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you want to. Decide in advance what is the maximum price you'll pay for the pieces and stick to it.  It's easy to get caught up in the moment and pay too much. 

I am always… true to myself first, so I design pieces that I love for myself rather than following trends.

The most common decorating mistake is…trying to follow a trend rather than going with your own style. It's better to let a trend influence your look than to copy it.

When I start a design job… I first decide my theme and develop my ideas around that. 

I am a fan of… Vivienne Westwood.  I like the theatrical drama of her clothes, which can be both rebellious and beautiful. They are very eccentric and don't follow fashion. I like to think that I can create pieces with similar qualities.

To transform our home… I have used a lot of colour. I use Farrow and Ball paint and a current favourite colour is Pelt, which is deep, dark and rich in tone.

My favourite magazines are… World of Interiors and Architectural Digest. The images are always wonderfully shot; I love flipping through the magazines.

I couldn't live with… anything minimalist. My favourite trend is modern eclectic, mixing modern pieces with antiques or vintage pieces and bright colours.

I love the trend for… graphic patterns at the moment. I love the digitally printed designs on textiles. They are really just starting to push boundaries. There are some incredibly interesting things that can be done that weren't really able to do before this technology.

I would love to… work on a collaboration designing a range for a grand shop in New York, London or Paris.

www.melodyrose.co.uk

Annie Deakin is interiors writer for sofa and interior design website mydeco.com.