In this episode of The Interior Lovers, Sam and Naomi are joined by Anna Blakey to talk about renovating a family home… while living on a houseboat.

What began as a practical solution during building works became something far more memorable - an unexpected adventure on the water, complete with tight spaces, shifting routines and a strong sense of community. Anna shares the realities of adapting to boat life, the practical compromises it demands, and the surprising lessons it taught her about functionality, storage and what really matters in a home.

The conversation moves from life afloat to life mid-renovation - navigating builders, budgets and decision fatigue, while trying to protect the character of an older property. Anna reflects on balancing old and new, involving her family in the process, and resisting high-tech features that look impressive but don’t necessarily serve daily life.

This episode blends the practical with the personal. From future-proofing layouts and respecting original features, to managing communication on site and creating a home that feels layered with memory - it’s about designing with intention rather than ego.

Because renovating isn’t just about the end result. It’s about how you live through it.

If you’re mid-project, dreaming of one, or wondering how to make your home feel more personal and less trend-led, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now - and explore 50+ episodes of honest interiors chat, colour therapy and real-life design dilemmas.

✨ Love what you hear? Come hang out with us on Instagram for more interiors chat and behind-the-scenes moments:
@the.interiorloverspodcast

Find Sam @sam.grigginteriors and Naomi @curated.interiors.copenhagen

And Anna @trufflesandruffles.london

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In this episode of The Interior Lovers, Sam and Naomi explore what designers really notice the moment they walk into a room.

It’s rarely about whether you’ve fluffed the cushions. It’s about proportion, lighting, flow and how everything relates to everything else.

Within seconds, they’re clocking rug size, curtain length, artwork placement, furniture scale and whether the lighting feels layered and warm - or flat and clinical. They’re noticing if the TV is dominating, if pieces feel disconnected, and whether the space feels cohesive or slightly unsettled.

This episode blends practical fixes with emotional insight. From using masking tape to mock up layouts, to choosing the right bulb warmth, integrating technology more thoughtfully, and avoiding over-coordinated “showroom” energy - it’s about understanding why a room feels the way it does.

Because good design isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness.

If your room looks fine… but doesn’t quite feel right, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now - and explore 50+ episodes of honest interiors chat, colour therapy and real-life design dilemmas.

✨ Love what you hear? Come hang out with us on Instagram for more interiors chat and behind-the-scenes moments:
@the.interiorloverspodcast

Find Sam @sam.grigginteriors and Naomi @curated.interiors.copenhagen

Send a text

In this episode of The Interior Lovers, Sam and Naomi dig into copycat colour - that familiar moment when a palette looks beautiful online, but somehow feels wrong once it’s in your own home.

They explore why colour choices that are lifted directly from Instagram or Pinterest can leave us feeling unsettled, disconnected or even anxious - and why that reaction isn’t about “getting it wrong”, but about missing personal and emotional alignment.

This conversation goes beyond aesthetics. Sam and Naomi talk about colour as a sensory, emotional experience - shaped by memory, light, risk tolerance and the realities of how we actually live. They unpack why so many people play it safe with colour, how imitation can stall confidence, and what it really means to develop a palette that feels like you.

You’ll also hear practical guidance on choosing colour more intentionally - from understanding how light transforms shades throughout the day, to using inspiration as a starting point rather than a template.

If you’ve ever copied a colour scheme that looked perfect on screen but never quite settled in real life, this episode will help you understand why - and what to do differently next time.

🎧 Listen now, and catch up on over 50 episodes of design chat, colour therapy, hot takes and real-life interiors talk.

✨ Love what you hear? Come hang out with us on Instagram for more interiors chat and behind-the-scenes moments:
@the.interiorloverspodcast

Find Sam @sam.grigginteriors and Naomi @curated.interiors.copenhagen

Send us a text