Daniela Potter is rightly proud of her journey into interior design.
Working with homeowners and businesses across the county, she formed Daniela Potter Interiors in Canterbury in 2020. Designing and producing beautiful interiors, she offers personalised and tailor-made packages to suit budgets, colour consultation, as well as a hands-on service from concept-creation to styling.
Daniela, lives with her husband Joshua, and their two daughters, near Canterbury. The couple work closely together, Joshua is a qualified residential and commercial electrician, and his current focus is site management and assisting Daniela with the smooth flow of projects. With his support and amazing diy skills, together they have converted their bungalow to a five-bedroom home and one which Daniela describes as a “great achievement together.”
Daniela’s creative journey began with a dream as a little girl that one day she would have her own interior design business. Appreciating and loving the vintage pieces her grandma had, she learnt practical skills like sewing, hand embroidery, knitting and rug making from old clothes. The obvious choice in her studies was art and design, which then led her to a 2:1 Honours degree in interior design in 2005.
Daniela said: “Ten years ago, while raising my daughters, I learned how to upholster and upcycle furniture as a hobby and loved it. I saved us quite a bit of money by repurposing furniture, painting and upholstery to match the current flat we were living in.”
Feeling her gift of creativity should be shared and not restricted to just her own home, Daniela loves to share it with others, adding “a home should be unique, a space where you can relax and where you can celebrate special moments with your loved ones, a home that you all can enjoy and appreciate.”
Her Christian faith is incredibly important. The values of work and learn with integrity, practice honesty, demonstrate respect, show forgiveness, prayer, grace and community are all natural elements of her work.
Created to Create, “God gifted me with the skills to design things as they were intended to be designed, with the meaning and purpose that he intended for me to do” is very important to her.
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4). The beautiful treasures of Christian values are far more valuable than any antiques we may ever own.
“Our family business was officially launched in August 2020 and we triumphed through the Pandemic, praise to God.
“I love my family and we work well together. I enjoy being a mum and spending time together. It is important to encourage our two girls and teach them new skills. Anything from mood board making, learning how to measure a room and design a layout, and painting. We are keen on growing our own veggies and spend time gathering foliage for decorating our vases at home and making seasonal wreaths. We go for lots of walks, too.”
Other family members are also her inspiration. “My parents are my number one inspiration with their determination. Growing up watching them work together as a team, building their own home, I watched my mums’ busy hands knitting, sowing, cooking and gardening. We didn’t have much as a family, I remember mum knitting things to sell so we could go and buy bread or milk when it was tough financially. They worked very hard to look after us four girls.”
Designers in the industry, including Kelly Hoppen, Joanna Gaines and Sophie Paterson also inspire her.
“The first interior design book I bought was Kelly Hoppen Home by Helen Chislett. Learning about modern design philosophy, exploring the entire process of creating a home that meets all your needs - one that is as functional and versatile as it is beautiful and nurturing.
“Joanna Gaines, founder of Magnolia and Fixer Upper is a favourite show of mine. I admire her signature modern, rustic and oh-so-comfortable look she can bring into any space.
“I came across Sophie Paterson on Instagram, I admire her as a designer, businesswoman and mother and her luxurious interiors that give a sense of calm and comfort, sophistication and practicality.”
For her own business, Daniela has a six-stage process which enables a smooth process for every client. The initial meeting enables her to understand the client’s vision, aspirations, likes and dislikes. Whether they have ideas or pictures of things to include, she’s happy to provide some fresh inspiration if there’s a blank canvas.
Communication throughout is key, she can source a trusted team of trade professionals and her attention to detail ensures a high-quality finish throughout the entire project from initial concept to the finished turnkey solution.
Daniella adds “I work closely with my clients and with friends that are local artisans, in supporting their business and community, incorporating unique furniture or accessory pieces to fit your style. Fabrics, wallpapers, furniture, accessories, floor coverings and all other relevant components can also be sourced.”
Working with brands including Samuel and Sons, Sanderson, Warwick, Wemyss, Clarke and Clarke, Ian Mankin and Little Greene, Daniela loves to choose paint that is “kind to the environment”. She can also create “beautiful” schemes, due to a “wide variety” of colours and unique wallpaper designs. “I love Farrow and Ball’s paint and wallpaper, its pigment has a unique depth of colour that brings your home to life from its wide range palette of 132 colours.”
Once building work is completed Daniela dresses the room with those finishing touches.
She can provide bespoke upholstery and also upcycle treasured family furniture, using painting techniques to transform and incorporate into a new design scheme.
“I am passionate about reducing waste. I believe sustainability has staying power and a sustainable approach to decorating homes, advocating a more mindful approach to decorating offers a much lower environmental footprint.
“I am an advocate for investing in long-lasting design, investing in high-quality, yet practical items and up for supporting companies that design sustainable homes.”
When it comes to favourite projects, Daniela says there are many.
“If I must pick one, it will be Roobarb Cottage, a charming cosy cottage, designed for a special couple.
“It’s been a journey from consultation to design implementation and the cottage’s style embraces casual comforts and simple charms, reflecting their unique style beautifully.
“Soft colours, natural textures, and cosy accents make the space feel relaxed and homely. “We sourced all that was needed for the entire cottage, incorporating mix patterns, textures, and colours to create a collected look. Simple furnishings have been painted and cosy accessories make the cottage an inviting spot to relax.
“It’s such a great feeling to know they love their space. It gives them the escape they needed and brings in a colour scheme that reflects their beautiful well-kept gardens.”
Daniela’s inspiration varies by project and client. “It could be something that catches my eye, a piece of jewellery, particular pattern or clothing they wear. Antique stores also contain a wealth of unique items which spark my imagination. You can find items from decades ago complete with old typography, illustrations, and designs.
“Films are visual feasts, scenes, colour costumes, especially 18th century country houses filmed at Chatsworth House, Blenheim Palace, and Wilton House.
“Decorex is my avenue for interior design discovery and I find myself bursting with new ideas every time I visit.
“Visiting new places in the UK or abroad, for example a place like Morocco, was truly inspirational. From the sand colour to the city of Marrakech with its vibrant colourful textiles and accessories such as authentic bags, shoes, or clothes, sound, smell of spices. The beauty of Morocco pretty much blew me away from the moment I arrived!”
Daniela’s hard work and determination has paid off, but she admits it was “difficult” at the beginning. With two to three years of experience often required, she also offered to volunteer to be in the design environment, but it just didn’t happen.
“After many closed doors and disappointment, surprisingly I got offered an interior designer job for Laura Ashley’s Nottingham store. I was shocked but soon freaked, fear set in and I felt I couldn’t do it, so I turned it down.”
All was not lost as through this connection; Daniela went on to meet Joshua. “God had it all planned. I didn’t lose hope, this factor made me even more determined to pursue my dream. I considered it a blessing, all the stepping stones, the jobs I’ve had… I’ve learned valuable lessons and finally I am where I was meant to be, to do what I am meant to do, finding purpose, achieving my dream. It’s all part of the story and the puzzle pieces tell a bigger picture.
“If you are reading my story, do not give up on your dreams, keep pursuing them, don’t lose hope, persevere, maybe you have to use the stepping stone route, too.”
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MORE ABOUT DANIELA
Favourite part of her job
“I have a few favourite aspects including the design installation and when it all comes together but also the first stages of design consultation. I love getting to know my clients, their likes and dislikes, then I take joy in putting together all the possible fabrics in texture colour patterns and wall colour. A friend referred to me as the ‘fabric queen’, as I do love to incorporate a variety of fabric textures. Providing solutions, creating a home incorporating family heirlooms and in-keeping with the design scheme is also something I love.
Her home
“Decorated with a cohesive neutral colour scheme, we wanted to create flooring continuity throughout the ground floor, zoning the different areas, whilst keeping a common colour palette.
“I love nothing more than to relax in our minimal stylish neutral master bedroom. A clutter-free bedroom is bliss. The recently upholstered bespoke headboard (by me!) offers style and comfort to read a good book.
“Our girls had great fun with project painting and sewing during one half term with very clear ideas from the start! My eldest daughter wanted Farrow and Ball ‘Sudbury Yellow’, as a feature wall teamed with her favourite fabric from Fryetts ‘Birds Fabric – Multi’ a contemporary scandi look for the roman blind and complementary patterns and textures for a multitude of cushions for her daybed. She loves her room to be very clean and organised, it’s her happy, cosy space.
“The youngest daughter went for Farrow and Ball ‘Dix Blue’ paired with her favourite fabric ‘Fryett's Wild Wood Multi Fabric’, she loves nature and climbing trees, so very appropriate, her room is a place to be creative and inventive, her room looks very different day-to-day, I always find intricate inventions and creations.”
“My favourite room is the kitchen diner and lounge, it’s a great space for entertaining. It’s a welcoming and relaxed homely feel with accent chairs providing a pop of colour and chalk painted furniture with wallpapered panels giving a unique updated look.
“We needed to create a space for the whole family in a range of different situations. Friends always comment on how often we change the layout and how surprisingly it works well.”
She’d take a peek around…Rita Koning’s Home, her interiors have a very relaxed style, her designs are rather charming. I am inspired by the way in which she is layering pattern, texture and colour to create a beautiful story.
Daniela’s tips
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE
“As an interior designer I have learned the importance of planning spaces well. Understanding my client’s needs, including their personal belongings, creating zoning areas and ensuring they will work for everyone who lives there, is crucial. A well-designed space makes everyday life, and trying to find things, much simpler. Using available space to its full potential, homes feel peaceful and clutter-free.
USE WHAT YOU’VE GOT
“Our current economy tells the story of turbulent times for many of us, a time we can’t afford to whizz off to the shops as easily. Create ways to decorate with what you have, nothing is more gratifying than making something look and feel new without actually buying anything.
Change the furniture arrangement, re-upholster existing pieces, paint your wooden furniture or add new knobs to a soulless cabinet. Often many of the things you own are fine, they just need a tweak to make them fresh. Shopping at home can be your most inexpensive resource.
