Hi,
This week has been a whirlwind of colour—literally! I’ve been back at B&Q, filming content to help you actually feel excited (not overwhelmed) about choosing colours for your home. There’s something magical about watching someone’s face light up when they find their shade—the one that makes their space feel theirs.
I get asked all the time about the processes and tools people should use when designing their dream home. In my new book, I break this down into 6 simple steps, but this week, I wanted to share one of those tools with you. It is the one free tool that is a huge part of my process.
I know you’ve heard me rave about it before, but now here’s my ultimate guide to using Pinterest like a pro. A tool you can easily use to find your unique style that is authentically you.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the endless possibilities of interior design or unsure where to even start, Pinterest might just become your new best friend. It’s been such a game-changer for me, and a tool I use daily with all my clients —and I just know it can be for you, too.
In fact, Pinterest is one of the very first tools I use with clients before anything else. They love using it so much. It takes the pressure off, and their ‘fear’ of choosing colour schemes just fades away while they are pinning. All my clients really enjoy this part of the process, and it makes all the steps after it a breeze. They get to be creative (even if this doesn’t come naturally to them), and it helps them see a route to their dream home.
It’s a way my clients can distinguish between a trending style or if they really do love it. By pinning loads of images, you can then find that colour story – a connecting thread. This is how you really hone your authentic style to create your dream home.
The best part is, it’s a process that works for every project, whether it’s a full home renovation or just a bedroom refresh. You can start to collate your ideas, form your colour story and style and make it your reality.
My Journey with Pinterest
When I first started exploring interior design, I was like many of you—flipping through magazines, bookmarking pages, and saving scraps of fabric. I also love, love, LOVE taking photos of everything I see when I’m out and about. But I needed somewhere to collate them easily. It was inspiring but also chaotic.
Then along came Pinterest, and suddenly, my creative process became so much more streamlined and joyful. It’s like having a digital scrapbook that’s always evolving with your tastes.
I use Pinterest not only to collate my own photos and gather ideas but also to discover my own preferences. Sometimes, we don’t even know what we love until we see it pinned right there in front of us. It’s a space where your imagination can run wild without judgment or pressure—just pure inspiration.
Honestly, whether you’re drawn to calm, light spaces or more cosy and colourful homes, Pinterest has it all. You can search for something as broad as “cozy living rooms” or as specific as “emerald green velvet sofas,” and voilà—a treasure trove of ideas awaits you.
There is no limit to the number of boards or pins you can create and save. I certainly haven’t found a limit yet. So even if you are drawn to an image, but it’s not right for now, pin it in a different board. It may be perfect for 5 or 10 years' time. I’m constantly revisiting my old boards. Also great to see your evolution of tastes and trends.
How I Use Pinterest to Crack the Colour Code
If you’re new to Pinterest—or if the idea of diving into its endless scroll feels daunting—here are some tips to make the most of it
1. Start with a Blank Canvas (and Zero Rules)
Create a board called “Dream Home” or “Colour Crushes.” No overthinking.
Pin anything that makes your heart skip: a sunset, a rug, or even a painting. Colour doesn’t live in “rooms”—it lives in feeling.
A little tip here: Pinterest is really clever at showing you images similar to the ones you’ve just pinned. But don’t let that algorithm narrow down your search. Go back out, start searching for something different, and keep browsing.
This is so important so I’m repeating myself: Your pins don’t have to be a photo of an interior. I love getting inspiration about colours from fashion or art (more on this at a later date). See an image you love? Pin it. You analyse what you pinned and why you pinned it later.
2. Let Pinterest Work for You
Click “More Ideas” under your pins. This is where the algorithm becomes your best friend.
It’ll show you hidden gems you’d never search for (like that perfect mustard-yellow hallway you didn’t know you needed)
Don’t forget you can add your own pins too. You can pin directly from an online article, or you can upload a photo. Pinterest will then cleverly find related pins for you.
3. Start your sections
Walk away for 3 days. Then, revisit your board. Delete anything that doesn’t still give you that “ohhh” feeling. Your gut knows before your brain does.
Now start categorising your board into room or theme. Pinterest has an excellent ‘folder’ feature called sections which is excellent for this step. I like to go by ‘room’ for big projects (think ‘Nursery’, ‘Dining Room’) or theme for smaller, one-room projects (so ‘sofas’, ‘art’, ‘fireplace’ or ‘shelving’).
This will help you see patterns and common threads in your pins.
You might start noticing a recurring colour scheme or a fondness for certain textures. Maybe you love lighter walls and a really bold coloured kitchen cabinet, or are you noticing an affinity for a bold orange sofa?
Open your top 3 pins in one of your sections. What’s really speaking to you? The bold trim? The way light hits the wall?
4. Get Offline
Choose 2-3 images that really stand out to you. Print them (yes, print—it’s different on paper!).
Now, grab a tray and some paint/fabric/floor samples and start layering up to create a clear moodboard.
You should really start to see and visualise your own room now and how it will all come together to create a space that you will really love.
Seriously, this is such an important step and saved me from some disasters in my own home!
And remember…
See a room you love? Don’t copy it—dissect it. Love the vibe but not the teal? Swap it for your favourite sage. Pinterest isn’t a prescription; it’s a playground.
And that room in that photo isn’t your home. The lighting, windows, flooring, layout, and ceiling height will all be different.
Understand what you love about the image and adapt that for YOUR home.
What I love most about Pinterest is how empowering it is. It takes interior design out of the realm of professionals-only and puts it into your hands. You don’t need a degree in design or a massive budget to create something beautiful—you just need curiosity and a willingness to explore.
So this week, I encourage you to carve out some time (maybe with a cup of tea in hand) and dive into Pinterest. Start dreaming about what your perfect home could look like—and remember, there are no wrong answers here. Your home should be as unique and wonderful as you are.
Tash x
P.S. If you create some boards this week, reply to this email and tell me about them! I’d love to hear what’s inspiring you right now—and who knows? Maybe I’ll feature one of your ideas in an upcoming newsletter!