A Journey into Junior Interior Design Trends

What a two and half years it’s been, but all good things must come to an end.

It truly only feels like yesterday that I stepped foot into Tobias Oliver Interiors (TOI) on Berkhamsted High Street in the height of my job search, and here we are two and half years later, with my journey at TOI coming to an end.

As I prepare to take my next steps into the world of interior design, I felt it was the right moment to pause and reflect on everything this chapter has given me. My time at TOI has shaped me not just in terms of design skills, but in confidence, creativity and growth.

Whether you’re a recent graduate eager to break into the industry, someone contemplating a career change, or simply curious about the inner workings of interior design here at TOI, I invite you to join me as I look back on the chapters of my time here.

Straight into the deep end!

What first became apparent to me very quickly starting here with TOI, was collaborative nature of the team, regardless of your experience and qualification. In my first week, I was tasked with producing a series of technically for a client presentation; I had been thrown into the deep end with my skillset being tested and pushed from day one.

As a newcomer to the industry, this level of responsibility came as surprise. However, this increasing responsibility as my time continued with Toby, from technical drawing packages to independently presenting schemes to our clients, I was continuously given opportunities that allowed me to grow. These experiences were instrumental in shaping the skillset I rely on the today as a designer.

But what else surprised me?

A common misconception within this industry is the level of work involved in administration, client relations and project management. This aspect of the job has been a significant part of my experience throughout my time here.

The ability to troubleshoot during various site visits as a project evolves is crucial from the beginning also! This often involves liaising with a range of contractors and suppliers to ensure that the many moving parts of a project run smoothly and on schedule, with the confidence of making these decisions there and then.

It’s a perfect example of learning on the job!

A snippet of the wonderful projects I worked on here at TOI

No day has been the same here; and no project either! There have been a variety of projects I’ve had the pleasure of working on over the past couple of years, with some below to name a few.

Wyndcliffe

A 5-bedroom farmhouse, bursting with maximalism and playfulness. The clients gave us full reign in our creative freedom to explore their artistic side and flair, a gorgeous blend of fabrics and textures to evoke their love for travel, fashion theatre and music. This was an absolute delight to watch unfold and be a part of, with my love for all things textural with an abundance of colour.

Old Cottage

A 200-year-old project with all its quirks, low ceilings and uneven flooring; the clients requested a shaker style kitchen to cater for their loving of cooking and to entertain as a chief in a previous profession. Optimal storge and ergonomics were key here and was a fantastic project, to design a fully bespoke kitchen with all the challenges the property presented itself.

High Close

Our returning clients approached us for a full redesign of their master bedroom and ensuite, proposing a full heigh headboard to cleverly divide the run to allow for a walkthrough wardrobe, with a more considered colour palette and furnishings. This is where my skillset of drawing bespoke cabinetry and liaising with the cabinet makers was a gratifying process.

From Junior to Midweight

With my fast-tracked growth and responsibility here at TOI, my promotion to mid-weight designer allowed for a much greater level of responsibility, new challenges to face, but a greater reward to overcome such challenges!

Greater responsibility and accountability for project managing from concept to completion, independently costings a project and cost controlling as they went into production, allowed me to further gain my independence and confidence as a designer.

It allowed me for further creative freedom, to make creative decisions independently, but to also be the sounding board for certain troubleshooting on site for various projects, where my skills and experience were at times, put to the test, especially if an issue on site had to be resolved quickly. Additionally, I could mentor our junior designers, passing on the knowledge and insights I had gained.

Personal Development as a growing designer

As a designer, it’s essential to keep your skills and knowledge continually up to date. With every project taking a highly bespoke approach, our team regularly took part in supplier visits and brand discovery days. These outings offered invaluable insight into the craftsmanship and story behind the beautiful products we specified. This deeper understanding not only enhanced my appreciation for the materials and makers we worked with but also allowed me to translate that knowledge to clients, bringing authenticity and added value to the design process.

A couple of my favourite suppliers’ days out!

Tom Faulkner:

We had the pleasure of visiting Tom Faulkner HQ, where Tom himself generously spent the day with us. He shared the story of how the brand was founded, the inspiration behind many of its beautiful pieces over the years and gave us an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the full design and production process,from concept to completion. It was incredibly insightful to gain a deeper understanding of the materials used, the craftsmanship involved, and the journey each piece takes before being specified in our projects, and my love for such a fantastic British brand which I hope can be once again specified for future projects I may be working on.

Porta Romana:

Before I had even officially started with TOI, I was invited to meet the wonderful team at Porta Romana for a discovery day, where we learnt all thing PR! Understanding he inspiration behind the brand, product design and even getting our hands dirty at the workshop, it was such a wonderful insight into understanding Porta Romana’s unique and captivating products which TOI has continued to use over the years and represents here at the studio in Berkhamsted. As time as gone on, this has become a brand that is very close to my heart that I will use time and time again throughout my career as a designer.

These experiences have been instrumental in shaping me as a more capable, resilient, and forward-thinking designer with skills I carry with me into the next stage of my career.

My mentor; the man himself…Tobias Trigg!

From day one, I was taken under Toby’s wing.

Alongside learning the day-to-day responsibilities of being an interior designer and understanding the full design process from concept to completion, Toby guided me through everything from assembling mood boards and developing brand awareness, to building supplier knowledge and presenting confidently to clients.

His mentorship covered every aspect; project management, on-site troubleshooting, and the finer details that bring a project to life. He has given me the confidence and skillset to spread my wings as I move into the next chapter of my career.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have consistent support and development throughout my time here. Monthly 1:1s provided the space to reflect on my progress, identify areas for growth, and explore what truly motivates me as a designer. These conversations played a key role in shaping my creative direction and allowing that part of me to really shine.

It’s safe to say I wouldn’t be the designer I am today without Toby’s guidance, encouragement, and belief in me throughout this journey.

Pre-Event Dinner

Milan Trip

Bittersweet

Change certainly equals growth, but blimey, it’s not easy!

Trying to sum up my journey with TOI without writing an entire handbook (or shedding a tear or two) feels almost impossible. Working in the creative industry, where everything is constantly evolving, has taught me how important it is to recognise your own evolution too. And sometimes, that means knowing when it’s time to part ways with where it all began to reach new heights, and step into something that’s equal parts scary and exciting.

So where may that next step be you ask? Well, that’s the scary part!

What has really cemented here for me as a designer is my love for all things textures and colours and my desire to carry that through in my next journey, hopefully in a very quirky hospitality environment, so watch this space! (or follow my design account on Instagram @phoebe__barron)

But for now, I will sign off with a heartfelt thank you to Tobias Oliver Interiors and to Toby, for welcoming me into the world of interior design, shaping and moulding me as the designer I am today for to take on the next chapter in my exciting journey.