Designer Spotlight Series: Hill House Shepherd's Huts

Interior design is a passion of ours at The British Blanket Company. We love the conversations we have with customers who call to chat over their design ideas and seeing how they incorporate our pure wool throws in their gorgeous schemes. To showcase more of the inspiring designs people create with our blankets, we've created this new blog series we think you'll love.

In the first instalment of our Designer Spotlight Series, we speak to Helen Hood of Hill House B&B in Wiltshire, to find out how she combined colour and cosiness when designing two new luxury shepherd's huts.

Meet the Designer

In a previous life Helen was an interior designer and stylist. She has a love for applied arts and studied History of Art at Oxford University as a mature student. Helen still undertakes design projects, but these are usually conservation or research based.

Helen now divides her time between hosting guests at Hill House B&B and running a social enterprise supporting independent craftspeople.

How did you get started in interior design?

I’d say my interest was sparked at the age of five, when I was given a huge Swedish doll's house - it is an amazing time capsule of mid century design!

My first job after leaving Central St Martins was as a window dresser for Heal & Son, but I didn’t like the ephemeral nature of visual merchandising. My real interest lay in interior design and I was lucky to get a job working for Nina Campbell, the doyenne of English decorating. I spent many happy years there, travelling across the globe helping to create her amazing interiors. I learnt so much from her!

Where do you find inspiration?

My Inspiration often comes from textiles and choosing fabrics to decorate our shepherd's huts has been such a treat! Tiny houses don’t need to be bland. You can mix up pattern and texture in a small space if you do it thoughtfully and with an eye for balance. Nina’s fabrics remain top of my list. 'Parvani', which I chose to decorate The Nest, is exceptional and clever - I can’t wait to see the next collection.

The Nest Bedroom of Luxury Sheppard Huts

In The Nest, Helen combines patterned fabrics by Nina Campbell with the Mustard Treetop Throw from The British Blanket Company to create a look that's light, yet cosy

What elements are essential for a cosy room?

Being comfortable and practical. Nina taught me every chair needs a companion to talk to, a place to put your drink. And of course in the country, it’s often about being warm - wool blankets are so perfect for that.

Is there one piece of advice that you can give to someone who is looking for a quick refresh in their home?

Rearrange the furniture and paintings! Sometimes you don’t need to spend anything, you just need to see your space with fresh eyes. I loathe throw away culture and "buy well, buy once" is my mantra. If you buy things you truly love, you don’t tire of them and interior style goes round in circles. About time too, as I have seen enough greige to last a lifetime - colour really lifts the soul!

It can be fun to ring the changes by having two sets of cushions, throws and lampshades - a summer set and a winter set - and change with the seasons. This way you can take advantage of differences in light and create splashes of seasonal colour.

Helen has embraced subtle colour in all her interior design choices - even the glassware is tinted to add interest and warmth

What was the inspiration for Hill House B&B?

We were inspired by a couple who ran an incredible B&B on the Helford River (to us they had created perfection) and by houses I had stayed in in New England. I would love a clapboard house!

Why did you decide to use The British Blanket Company throws in your interior scheme?

Buying quality products made in this country is really important - we all need to support British manufacturing and be proud of the premium products we create. It’s worth spending the money on really good things which last. Not to mention the fact that The British Blanket Company creates really interesting weaves and colourways, which worked in the most dreamy way with my schemes for the huts.

Tell us the 3 essentials for your dream room?

A huge, soft bed, lots of books a view and an open fire… and my dog!

Sleeping close to nature is one of the pleasures of staying in a shepherd's hut. Helen provides a wool picnic blanket and hamper so guests can grab and go when the Wiltshire weather is fine

We hope you enjoyed this new blog series - stay tuned for more interior design inspiration coming up! To see more of Helen's beautiful B&B and to book a stay, visit www.hillhousebandb.co.uk and follow on Instagram at @hillhousebandb.