Overview so far!

I have enjoyed everything so far on my work placements. They have both been very interesting and inspiring. I would say the most important thing I can take from my experience so far is to work hard and to work through every challenge I face, never to give up. I now know what I want to design for and what career path I want to go down. I have one more placement at Graham & Brown in June which I am extremely looking forward to. 

My experience at Milan Interiors

Work experience at Millan Interiors has been amazing so far. I have an insight to how interior designers work and how they offer advice on how to decorate and what patterns work well with what colours. Milan Interiors is based in Parbold. It's a lovely boutique that sell a range of household items to accessories your home. This boutique is very stylish and modern with a classic/contemporary atmosphere. 

This image of me in Millan Interiors shows off my arranging of new products. I was able to rearrange the store for a fresh look. New products had arrived which gave me the chance to create a lavish setting.

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Debbie Peers is the proprietor/designer for Millan Interiors and Adele Headley is the interior designer. Debbie and Adele work harmoniously together. While working with them both I quickly understood how they work. Debbie has a more financial role in the business. Whereas Adele is more creative and hands on, all decisions are decided together as a team. Each Client is different with their own style. Millan Interiors are here to guide you into decorating your home in a profession manner. 

A client can bring in a small sample to give the team an idea of what style/colour theme to begin with. I was able to create this theme for a client for their living room. They brought in a small sample of there neutral carpet and were keen on the colour purple and were wanting a not so busy floral pattern somewhere. I came up with this theme of a nude, textured wallpaper with a metallic gold and purple floral pattern for curtains. Also to add more vibrancy in the living room I chose 3 colours for cushions on the couch. This splash of colour would lift the room so it wouldn't all be in the same tone of colour. 

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Interior Design Boutique

I have been speaking to a lovely woman who owns her own Interior Design Boutique. They have offered me a months work placement for me to gain experience in a batch production company. They have a modern boutique where they go into peoples homes and offer their expertise in colours, textures and patterns to create an inspirational setting.

Cliq Designs

These are a few images of Cliq Designs work.


Cliq Designs have been making soft furnishings for contemporary hotel bedrooms across the UK and around the world since 1986. They have a unique approach to... 
- Bed throws
- Valances
- Cushions
- Headboards
- Feature walls
- Curtains


From concept to reality – we can take the widest spectrum of fabrics and convert them into the finished products that will appear in your clients’ hotels.  We possess excellent relationships with both leading and niche fabric manufacturers, broadening your choice and expanding your horizons, and we can also make test pieces for you to try out new ideas that will wow your clients.

Adding value - we’re more than manufacturers; we’ve our own distinctive design pedigree and can work with you proactively and reactively to enhance your design options.  We’re also constantly pushing the boundaries to understand what’s possible with combinations of fabric and manufacturing.

A vital link in the chain - we’re an enabling business; we partner with designers, contractors and commissioning clients to deliver on time, on cost and to the specified quality standard.

In control - because we own and manage the production process we can go beyond the standard production range to create new design options specifically tailored to your requirements.

Working together - we appreciate you’re busy, so we always minute actions and manage our relationships with designers to take the hassle out of working with us – and we always make ourselves available so you can talk to us about a project and how we’d approach things with you.


This was taken from their website to give you a perspective of what they offer. 


Cliq Designs gave me a chance to experience the manufacturing side of this working industry. I was able to see how all the machinery worked and how Cliq deal with clients. I noticed a few orders came in from small interior designers which shows how Cliq have a range of clients from residential to top hotels in the UK and abroad. I was able to see how their database worked and how clients got their design ideas across. I also got a change to speak to all the staff at Cliq Designs which gave me an insight of how they work as part of a team. Each member helps another to make sure all upholstery is put together at a high standard. I was fortunate to see how rolls of fabrics come in and watch the process of how they are turned into well crafted upholsteries and dispatched. 

Preparation!....

Tomorrow I am starting my work placement at Cliq Designs in Preston. I have to be honest and tell you that I'm nervous as I don't know what to expect, or whether this industry will be right for my future career. However this is a great opportunity to gain a lot of experience on the manufacturing side of a business. Cliq designs looks like a great company so it should be good!! :)

Finding a work placement is not the easiest task. Getting in contact with various companys is the easy bit. Most company's are too busy and don't have time to reply so I have now leaned not to expect replies. If I do get a reply then JACKPOT!
This is going to sound slightly mad but if you are in need of a placement opportunity the best thing is to keep nagging at them until they reply. This will show that your keen and that you are willing to go that extra bit further. At first when I got no replies from various company's it made me think my work wasn't good enough and I began to question is this industry right for me.
When I got a reply from Graham and Brown, a hugely successful wallpaper manufacturer I was over the moon. Graham and Brown has been a great inspiration throughout my design work. It's regarded as a huge international company that is very popular in Elle Decoration magazines.

Organisation is key!

I have been in search of work placements contacting different company's who are willing to take me on. I have managed to get a placement during summer with Graham and Brown which has boosted my confidence. I have also been in contact with a local interior designer who seems willing to give my an opportunity . My tutor has some amazing contacts and she has been in contact with Cliq Designs who also seem willing to take me on. :) The next step is to confirm the two placements and organise the dates. I am excited to learn about the design process and the working industry. Things are looking up! I shall keep you updated! :)