Susie Watson Designs: a Q&A with interior designer, Rebecca Watson

We chatted to Susie Watson Designs Salcombe based interior designer, Rebecca Watson, about crafting unforgettable, elegant spaces for holiday homes. Popular for high quality classic designs that stand the test of time, from crockery to wallpaper and furniture, expert Rebecca Watson can help you bring your dream holiday cottage to life… that’s why we’ve picked Susie Watson Designs as one of our top 10 Devon brands for styling you holiday home. Now more than ever, customers are looking for places to stay that ooze the wow factor, and these photogenic spaces can help to increase booking demand.

How do you start the design process?

Initially we can meet customers in our showroom for an in-store consultation, or I can advise over the phone. We have a conversation about the project and any primary ideas, requirements, colours. Clients can choose from our services of; a £50 measuring service for curtains or roman blinds. Fabric books and curtain pole samples are always on hand. Or a full £250 interior design service will allow me to create a scheme using our range of paint, wallpaper, made to measure curtains and blinds, handmade wooden acacia furniture along with upholstered furniture.

How is hand printing used to produce some of your beautiful fabrics?

Our beautiful fabrics are designed by Susie who takes inspiration from the English countryside and her travels across the world. Our fabrics are carefully hand screen printed by talented artisans in Southern India. Our linens are printed using a traditional silk screen, each colour of a design is created with a separate screen. Our Foxglove design is printed using 13 screens and the Guinea fowl takes 9 screens.

What are the best hardwearing fabrics, and where is best to use them in a holiday home?

Our wools are most durable for upholstery and create a timeless look for your sofa or footstool. Our carved footstool is so versatile, sit can double up as a coffee table too – great if you’re tight on space.

What’s been your favourite interior design challenge, and can you tell us why?

I love how different each day can be, meeting lots of clients and working on a variety of projects, from sweet seaside cottages to hidden countryside gems.

What’s your favourite Susie Watson Designs item or collection?

I love so many products! My favourite design is the Smokey blue moonflower – it’s a mix of a grey/blue and looks lovely with blues and pinks.

So many of our properties look out to sea, the River Dart, Salcombe Estuary and South Devon’s rolling countryside. What are your favourite ways to frame a stunning view?

We have a great selection of blue and soft red cotton stripes which work perfectly for coastal properties. Our beautiful Foxglove or Hydrangea linen is almost made for a window with a view of the Devon countryside.

South Devon is a nostalgic area to so many, and so we get a range of generations visiting the area because of this. What’s your top design tips for creating the perfect holiday home for all generations to enjoy?

Our designs are little works of art, don’t keep your beautiful items for best. Whether it’s our hand painted pottery, embroidered cushions or hand carved furniture- it should be an everyday pleasure for everyone to enjoy.

What areas of a house should owners prioritise investing in when redecorating?

The master bedroom and kitchen living space. These spaces are used most frequently in modern living, and are the heart of the home for many families.

The master bedroom should be a space to relax and escape –  it should be restful as possible with subtle colours. We make beautiful made to measure curtains and blinds which compliment our acacia curtain poles perfectly and assortment of paint colours or wallpaper.

Can you share your top tips for making a small space look bigger?

Mirrors, good lighting and a soft palette of colours.

For owners wishing to welcome pets, what are your favourite design tips for creating the ultimate dog-friendly experience?

Susie designs products with functionality in mind, everything is to be used and enjoyed. A personalised dog bed would give dogs a place to rest up after a swim in sea. We always welcome dogs in our Salcombe showroom, we even have a jar of treats for well behaved dogs.

What are the most common things people forget about when decorating?

Wall colour. We have a selective range of colours that are designed to work beautifully with our fabrics. Our linens sit much better against our signature colours rather than white walls.

What are your five top tips for decorating a holiday property in South Devon?

• Avoid using brilliant white, which can be rather cold. Use a subtle wall colour or wallpaper to create the perfect backdrop to build on.
• Window treatments are a great way of bringing in colour and pattern to your room. Natural fabrics hang in such a relaxed way, they instantly make the room feel welcoming.
• Zone different spaces within open living, by choosing different fabrics whilst keeping colours complimentary.
• Face sofas towards each other where possible, as this creates a more sociable space especially for families.
• Add personal touches with decorative pieces of art or vintage treasures. This gives the space an instant homely feel; guests will feel at home rather than feeling like they’re in somebody else’s.

If you’re thinking of redecorating your holiday home, contact Rebecca on 01548 844286 or email salcombe.fabrics@susiewatsondesigns.co.uk. Or, if you’re in the local area, why not pop into their Salcombe branch located at 62 Fore Street?

It’s often the small touches that make the most difference when letting a holiday cottage. Understanding what will give guests the best experience when staying at your property will not only encourage repeat business, but will make your property attractive to more guests.

Whether you are considering letting your holiday home, or you already have a holiday letting business, the following owner guides may be useful to you:

How to furnish your holiday let

How to make your holiday let eco-friendly

How to optimise your holiday lets outdoor space

If you own a holiday home and you’re thinking of letting it out, visit our property owners blog for a whole host of advice for homeowners. With over 20 years’ experience, from cleaning, housekeeping and laundry to holiday let insurance, our team are here to help!

To find out more about holiday letting with Coast & Country Cottages, request your FREE owners guide today or call our team of holiday letting experts.

Click here to request an Owners Guide