Meet Rebel Interiors
We originally met Rebecca from Rebel Interiors when she contacted us about redesigning her website, and as lovers of all things interior related, it was amazing working with her!
We’ve spoken to so many independent business owners who used lockdown as the catalyst for putting an idea into the real world, and Rebecca was no different. After 20 years working as a journalist, she knew it was time for a new chapter and having always had a passion for interiors, the idea of running her own interior design business wasn’t something she could ignore.
Sometimes it’s those chance encounters that spark us into action and after meeting up with an ex corporate lawyer who’d ditched law to retrain as an interior designer, Rebecca decided it was now or never.
Launching a new business during the Covid pandemic might seem like a risky move, (and we know, because we did it too) but sometimes you just have to scratch the itch and see what happens.
“I launched the business in the Covid pandemic and just assumed I wouldn’t get any clients but it was the opposite. I guess everyone was stuck at home looking at four walls and questioning their choice of interiors!
Making Interior Design More Accessible
After bravely taking the leap, Rebecca has now grown her passion for interiors into a fully fledged creative business, designing beautiful home interiors without the terrifying price tag. She knows that renovating and decorating your home can be an intimidating process but she works alongside her clients to take the stress out of their projects, helping them avoid the usual pitfalls whilst saving them time (and often money.)
Her signature style combines antique and contemporary pieces, creating spaces that feel personal and timeless but what stands out most is her commitment to making interior design feel accessible. For many people the industry can feel really intimidating and is often perceived as London-centric. Many designers aren’t transparent about pricing either, which can also make the process seem out of reach before it’s even begun.
“I wanted to be open, honest and approachable with regards to pricing. Yes, interior design is a luxury service, but no more so than a holiday.”
Interior Design That Improves Everyday Living
One of the things Rebecca loves most about interior design is the genuine impact it can have on people’s lives. Understanding the psychology behind a home is a key part of her design process and rather than focusing solely on furniture or finishes, she spends time understanding who uses the space, how they want to live within it and what isn’t working.
“It sounds odd but interior design can be life changing. Your home should be your sanctuary and if it’s not working then it can really affect the way you live and feel. Really understanding why someone doesn’t like their home is so important. More often than not, it’s layout and purpose of space rather than choice of furniture that makes a successful design.”
Images by Alexandra Wallace
Property Staging Services in Sheffield
In recent years, Rebecca has expanded Rebel Interiors into property staging and this has become a distinct arm of the business in its own right. Today, she has a warehouse filled with furniture and artwork used to transform empty or lived-in properties, helping sellers showcase their homes in the best possible light.
Property staging is well established in countries such as the United States and Australia, but remains a relatively new industry in the UK. Whether we like it or not, as presentation becomes increasingly important in the property market, simply listing an empty or poorly styled home isn’t going to cut it when trying to get it sold.
“We’ve had some great success with staging, from houses that have languished on the market, then staged and sold within weeks. Equally the uplift on price is impressive too. We staged a two bed apartment last year which achieved £35k over initial valuation which both seller and estate agent attributed to the stage which is amazing.”
Creative Communities
Like so many of us who run a creative business, Rebeccas finds the biggest challenge is trying to switch off when you have endless thoughts running round your head! It’s incredibly hard trying to balance daily responsibilities with long term planning, but she is still passionate about her role and supporting Sheffield’s creative community.
Collaboration, rather than competition, is something Rebecca strongly believes in and she actively enjoys working alongside other local designers, businesses and creatives. She has also taken on several pro bono projects, including designing bedrooms for children in foster care.
“For children who haven’t had many choices of their own, something as simple as choosing their own bedroom colour or duvet cover is very important to them.”
We talk so much about the role of good design and this is a reminder that design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about transformation and creating spaces that hold meaning and have a direct purpose.
If you’d like to take a look at Rebecca’s fabulous work then you can visit her website here or go and say hi on her insta. AND if you’re a creative, Sheffield based independent business owner and you’d like to feature on our blog, drop us a message here.
We’d love to meet you.
