A former marketing assistant director has spoken of her excitement at launching her her own interior design company.
Michelle Eaves, who worked at Teesside University, has started Colour Brave Interiors in the Tees Valley.
The 44-year-old developed her passion for interior design while working in the student recruitment and marketing department at the university.
She said: "As a teenager, my parents always encouraged us to be creative, using our home as a canvas.
"My interiors include colourful inspiration from my childhood and are designed with the client to help reflect their personality and bring joy to the people who use them."
Her early exposure to design, combined with her experience in fashion and retail, fuelled her desire to pursue interior design professionally.
In 2021, Ms Eaves took a short course in interior design at Teesside University, which inspired her to pursue a Higher National Certificate (HNC) with the British Academy of Interior Design.
She said: "That six-week course changed my life. It sparked my enthusiasm for a totally different career."
While continuing her work at the university, the married mother of two boys spent the next four years building her portfolio, working with clients in the region and in her native Lancashire.
Ms Eaves' projects included designing a bar, a loft conversion, a Whitby holiday rental, and a boutique hotel-style suite with a living, sleeping, and bathroom area.
She said: "I'm incredibly grateful for the support and flexibility Teesside University provided.
"I worked hard to pursue my studies and build my business while maintaining a fulfilling career."
Ms Eaves said she is now excited to dedicate herself full-time to Colour Brave Interiors, offering a variety of services.
Her colour and design consultancy aims to create 'cohesive colour schemes', while suggesting textures and materials.
The company’s design consultancy develops specifications for lighting, fixtures, and finishes.
As an interior designer, she provides mood boards, furniture suggestions, and sourcing.
Ms Eaves can oversee the entire design process, managing trades, handling purchasing, coordinating installation, and taking care of styling.
She also stages unfurnished properties ahead of sale and offers complete furniture packs for whole homes or serviced accommodation.
Her approach centres on embracing colour, helping clients overcome any hesitation about incorporating it into their homes.
She said: "A lot of people are afraid of using colour.
"They are not sure what combinations to use, what accessories and furniture to go with and much of the inspiration online lacks colour."
She works closely with clients to develop personalised colour schemes that reflect their personalities and create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
Ms Eaves said she is also passionate about helping clients avoid costly design mistakes.
She said: "You are paying money for an interior designer, but over the long run, it saves time and money.
"It helps a house have a sense of flow, it helps it to be functional."
Catering to the needs of holiday lets and other serviced accommodation is a particular focus of Colour Brave Interiors.
Ms Eaves said: "For a holiday let, it is important you have an impactful finish.
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"Our aesthetic works incredibly well with holiday homes because customers want to stay somewhere unique.
"Properties also need to stand out online and I use my marketing skills to help with that too."
She said: "I have worked with a wide range of clients.
"The 13 years I have been at Teesside University has set a great foundation to build a great business and forge my own path."
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