Live up to the ideal with Linda's advice

Bradford-born designer Linda Barker is one of the ambassadors at this year's Ideal Home Show. Here, she offers some advice on achieving your own ideal home.

Q: What are your tips for revamping your home on a tight budget?

A: Always have a go yourself if you want to save money, but be realistic about your own set of skills. It might be better in the long run to pay someone to do a job for you. Hanging wallpaper though is something we can all do, but give yourself time and go slowly. Painting is another rewarding job to do yourself but make sure your finish is as good as a professional one. Remember, 75 per cent of a job is about the preparation.

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Don't scrimp on low-grade materials. Shop around for deals on materials and always get price comparisons. Use the internet for price comparison – it is your most valuable resource.

Make friends with your local traders and ask for advice at the builders' merchants/plumbers' merchants – these are great places to find a talented workforce. Always check that your skilled labour has accreditation such as the NICEIC governing body which approves electricians

Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?

A: Magazines, books and I visit as many trade shows as I can as these are the places where the best talent showcase their products.

Q: What projects are you working on and what would you like to work on?

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A: I love the fluidity of my job. I like that one minute I'm designing a bedroom collection and the next day I'm doing a voiceover for the TV or art directing a photo shoot. Long may it continue. However, I'd love to find a partner to work with on a small hotel and lifestyle store I have in mind... I love working and I'm always full of ideas for new adventures.

Q: What qualities do you need to be a good interior designer?

A: It seems mad but the better you are at business the better your interior design career. Designing is only a small part of interior design.

Q: Has anything ever gone drastically wrong on TV?

A: Yes, particularly on Changing Rooms when we were up against time constraints. Although I was watching and horrified on my last 60 Minute Makeover programme when the ornate mahogany wardrobe top and base were sawn off in order to get the furniture up the staircase. We glued it back in the end but it was a scary moment.

Q: What are the current trends for this season?

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A: Think eclectic, mis-matched everything and crazy colours. It's a tough look to pull off.

Wallpaper is fabulous again this year. There are birds on everything, too, from plates to fabrics. You name it and there's a bird on there somewhere.

Q: What are your home comforts and do you have an item you can't live without?

A: My sofa is the place I go to relax and find instant comfort. I can't live without my bed. It's got the most lovely Egyptian cotton sheets that make it heavenly.

Q: What's your favourite room in your house?

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A: My kitchen. It's where I get to be creative in a culinary way as an escape from the emails at the end of a day. I love to cook for friends.

Q: What makes a house a home?

A: Love.

Q: What's the most expensive item in your house?

A: My home gym. No pain, no gain I'm afraid. I work hard at it and I'd

love a chip butty but I haven't had one for more than 10 years!

Q: What essential item should every house have?

A: An iPod dock.

Q: What makes an Ideal Home for you?

A: I like my home best when the cleaners have just left. Then I'm happiest, but the moment doesn't last long though.

Q: What is your guilty pleasure?

A: Haribos.

Q: How do you unwind and relax?

A: Walking is my absolute joy. The North York Moors

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are unbelievable and if I'm at the top of Ingleborough I'm happy.

I'm looking forward to walking Coast to Coast this summer.

Linda started her career in interior design after studying Fine Art and went on to star in a host of TV shows from Changing Rooms to I'm a Celebrity. She also has her own interiors store, www.really lindabarker.co.uk.

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