I speak and host workshops for…

Consumer-facing Events
Panel Discussions
In-person Workshops
Virtual Workshop Downloads
In-store Events
Internal B2B Events
Radio Shows
Trade Fairs

I love verbalising my thoughts on all things interiors (and am happy to speak on your behalf, too)

Do you need an interiors expert to inspire and educate your team with a curated workshop, bring an authoritative voice to your production or publication, or create and deliver a tailored talk or interactive workshop at your customer-facing event?

As a natural extension to the rest of my work, i enjoy sharing my pearls of wisdom with others through teaching and speaking.

My wealth of experience across styling, writing and trend forecasting within the interiors industry has naturally led to speaking and teaching opportunities on the same subject, from creating workshops and delivering talks to popping up on expert panels and demo’ing DIY makes.

I’ve also been a guest speaker for dozens of podcasts, given countless expert tips and interview insights to the press, and answered listeners’ burning design dilemmas live on BBC Radio London.

Whether it’s discussing the nuances of styling baubles for a TV clip show or talking upcoming lifestyle trends at a trade fair, I can help provide your brand or publication with scintillating soundbites and authoritative, actionable advice.

I’ve also popped up in various places as a guest speaker, panelist, podcast guest and occasional host/interviewer (including hosting the official press launch of my book, Interior Design Masters, to coincide with the new series launch - where I got to fangirl over Season Three winner Banjo Beale).

I am very happy, willing and able to create or join talks for both B2B and B2C discussing anything related to interiors, lifestyle, trends, neuro-aesthetics and design for wellbeing, as well as more business-oriented themes like ways to gain press coverage for your products or design work, how to bag a book deal, and various other topics.

How it all connects:

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    Style your event space (and talk about the rationale behind it in relation to your workshop or event)

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    Use my trend forecasting knowledge to offer unique, informed insights relevant to your brand or launch

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    Create any corresponding literature or articles which delve deeper into the subject matter, for use in your print publication or as accompanying blog posts and social media content

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    Interested in learning some decorating tips for your own home? Head this way…

Upcoming events:
West Dean School of Design
dates coming soon - from Nov25

As a guest lecturer, I’ve previously taught an in-person, one-day workshop - Interior Styling for Beginners - at KLC School of Design’s former base in the prestigious Chelsea Harbour.

Now, following their merger with West Dean College and a move to Bloomsbury, central London, I’m currently redeveloping this workshop into two brand new offerings, which I’ll also be teaching on site, aimed at both design professionals and curious homeowners.

Online Workshops
91magazine Creative Sessions

In collaboration with 91magazine, I’ve created two Creative Sessions for their network of informative, design-focused deep dives into all things interiors. Suitable for all levels of experience, both of these workshops offer a taste into these two favourite topics of mine.

  • 91magazine: How to Design an Authentic Home

    Does your home sometimes leave you feeling a bit ‘meh’ but you can’t put your finger on why - or you know what the problem is, but can’t find a solution?

    Focusing on all things wellbeing for your home, this 90 minute workshop walks you through how to decorate with your desired mood rather than (just) aesthetics as the steer.

    With an easy-to-follow framework, you’ll learn how to identify the underlying needs that your and your co-habitees might need support with, and how to address them (without necessarily needing to get the credit card out).

    To find out more, or purchase the replay, head here 

  • 91magazine: How to Work with a Publisher

    Whether you’ve got a burning idea for a lifestyle book but you’re not sure how to bring it to fruition, or you’re simply curious on how the whole process works, this information-packed session walks you through the entire pitch-to-publication process.

    As a six-times published author with personal experience of both pitching book formats and being commissioned to write to a brief, this talk is directly from my personal perspective of how to make it in the publishing industry.

    From how to hone your ideas to the nitty-gritty of striking a deal, this replay includes insights from other design authors, useful resources and lots of actionable advice to help move your idea forward and impress those commissioning editors.

    To find out more, or purchase the replay, head here

Bespoke workshops

I’ve been commissioned to create and present numerous presentations, workshops and multi-part courses for brands - can I help with yours?

Acting as a guest expert, I’ve talked brands’ customers and readers through various topics, ideas and themes, linking together relevant aspects of interior design and lifestyle with my clients’ promotional objectives - whether that’s generating interest in a new product range or more general relationship building and enhancing brand awareness.

I’ve also worked extensively B2B, creating talks and workshops for in-house teams, as well as small business owners, journalists and design professionals, ranging from educational to holistic.

Whether it’s online or in person, I come armed with beautifully presented PDF’s and oodles of insights. As a seasoned event stylist, I can also work on the dressing and decoration of IRL event spaces, from creating styled backdrops which reflect the topic, showcase your products and provide a photo-perfect backdrop for those all-important selfies, as well as making or sourcing specialist props to help bring any demonstrations to life.

  • CLIENT: Good Housekeeping

    I had the honour of speaking at Good Housekeeping Live in November 2023, where I created a 30 minute presentation focused on ways to decorate your home to enhance your wellbeing.

    Tailored to the brand’s readership, my talk contained oodles of practical tips to try at home, advice on pairing paint colours, and some styling demonstrations using products on-sale at the event by partner vendors. Attendees were also given access to an exclusive link to download a PDF with additional resources, for future reference.

  • CLIENT: Immediate Media

    Publishing house Immediate Media commissioned me to create a four-part online workshop on mindful home design, as part of their company wellbeing initiative.

    Broken down to discuss many different talking points, and spread across four one-hour workshop presentations, the course included homework exercises and feedback, to help aid the students’ learning experience.

  • CLIENT: Dulux

    Held inside a DIY store, the Dulux PR team approached me to host and produce an interactive in-person talk and demonstration for key interiors influencers, to promote a new product launch.

    I created some bespoke props and a display area to bring the presentation to life, explaining how to combine colours to produce tonal, harmonious and contrasting schemes, then advised each participant on shade combinations they could use in their own home.

  • CLIENT: Hearst Publishing

    Incorporated into their Live Well Week, I hosted a one-hour, in-person talk and workshop for publishing house Hearst, aimed at interiors and lifestyle journalists and editors keen to learn more about integrating wellbeing into design.

    Designed to inspire the attendees with ideas for their own homes, as well as provide talking points and stats that could be used in their own features, my talk included a copy of my PDF presentation, full of clickable links to resources and data discussed.

  • CLIENT: Society of Garden Designers

    As part of their members-only workshop series, I designed a one-day, in-person event for the Society of Garden Designers, aimed at educating professional garden designers on how they could use press and publicity to grow their business.

    Talking through all aspects of gaining press coverage - from who to approach to how to go about it - I also advised on photographic styling ideas to increase their chances of catching an editor’s eye. This event was subsequently re-commissioned and hosted at several different regional locations.

I’ve created workshops and spoken for…

  • “Jo was the first person I thought of when we ran a Wellness Week here at Hearst - I loved her book The New Mindful Home and knew it would inspire the magazine staff who work here. Jo brought such knowledge and insight, with a wonderfully engaging presentation that really resonated with the room and left them all wanting a copy of her slides. Big thanks again for doing this presentation - everyone loved it!”

    ●•Sarah Keady, Style & Interiors Director, Hearst UK

  • “This workshop contained loads of great info and was really interactive; Joanna clearly knows her stuff! Lots to think about both on the day and to take away to action. Jo understood her subject inside out and was able to relate well to our [workshop participants'] circumstances."

    ●•Workshop participant, custom in-person workshop created for the Society of Garden Designers

  • “Joanna’s four-week course offered so many refreshing interior tips that I’d never thought of before. They all felt achievable, with a focus on small hacks that can make a big difference. I liked how the emphasis always came back to how one feels in the space, rather than just following trends, and how good interior design can make us feel calmer, happier and more creative. Joanna’s lessons on living sustainably at home were also super useful, she offered proactive advice for keeping an eco-friendlier home, and subsequently, an eco-friendlier life!”

    ●•Katie Dutton, workshop participant - custom four-part live online workshop series, Immediate Media

  • "This course exceeded my expectations - Joanna was so knowledgable, the teaching day whizzed by. I loved it!"

    ●•Course participant, Interior Styling for Beginners in-person workshop, West Dean

  • “Jo’s brilliant course got to the heart of why certain schemes just don’t feel right. She shared useful tips on creating calm spaces that transcend trends and support your well-being, as well as how to make more sustainable interiors choices... [hosted during the pandemic,] it was particularly useful for those of us (most of us!) who had to quickly change how certain rooms or spaces in the home are used.”

    ●•Beth Crane, workshop participant - custom four-part live online workshop series, Immediate Media

Brand ambassador / expert

I’m available for commission as a forward-facing interiors expert for your television programme, event or project, whether that’s speaking on camera, hosting a workshop or combining my styling work with filmed or written expert advice to add credence to your project.

Alongside my professional shoot styling work, I can also work with brands to create more informal social media content for your own platforms, or as a cross-account paid partnership

PROJECT: Hitched at Home (single-episode factual-entertainment TV production)

MY ROLE: As the show’s on-screen stylist and design consultant, I designed and installed a backyard wedding ceremony space for a couple’s ‘lockdown wedding’, which was remotely ‘officiated’ by TV presenter Fred Siriex and served as a filming backdrop. I also contributed an interview talking through my designs with Fred, which featured in the final edit.

CREDIT: Multistory Media/Channel Four

PROJECT: Housesimple - online estate agency home staging makeover

MY ROLE: This branded production - filmed to launch a new pilot estate agency service which focused on styling-to-sell - acted as a case study for the business. I was paired with a couple getting ready to sell their home and given a tight budget and just a single day to install this multi-room makeover.

Filmed like a TV makeover show, the final footage included tips, behind the scenes footage, and those all-important after shots.

CREDIT: Ogilvy PR

PROJECT: The Joy of Plants event in association with Red magazine

MY ROLE: Red magazine took over a London townhouse and installed a different stylist on each floor for this fun consumer event. Housed in the cosy attic space, I was commissioned to transform my area into a greenery-filled oasis, to inspire visitors on ways to bring more greenery into their homes.

As well as greeting guests and talking through the scheme across the course of the weekend, I also ran a set of simple macrame workshops, teaching participants how to make a hanging basket for a single potted plant (which they got to take home at the end).

CREDIT: Flowers of Holland / Hearst UK

Sizzix brand photoshoot

As part of a commissioned styling job for this popular craft brand, alongside styling various set-ups for their promotional and advertising activities, I was also asked to step the other side of the lens to provide some behind-the-scenes insights, as well as content and tips for Sixxix’s social channels to inspire and inform their customers.

Courtesy of Cliqq Studios