Q&A with Jo Duerden, North winner of the BIID Awards 22

Please tell us about Design By Jo Bee and your design ethos?

My studio aims to combine creative flair with business acumen, to create exquisite and unique interiors for both residential and commercial projects.
I feel that home is where you should feel enveloped in love, warmth and happiness. It fills me with joy to surround myself and others with beautiful spaces and objects. Interiors full of colour, art and with a hint of humour, or an unusual juxtaposition of items, make me smile. Nothing gives me such a thrill as finding a delectable, perfect piece that makes my heart sing, often providing the finishing touch to a project or sparking my imagination to begin the next.

Congratulations on your win at the BIID Interior Design Awards for your Howgill Lodge project - please tell us about the project?

Howgill Lodge is a picturesque campsite set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, on the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth Estate. My clients acquired the site during lockdown and were eager to get it ready for when the gates could re-open. Four tired and old fashioned lodges needed to be transformed into colourful country retreats with a real wow factor. 
I had to be very creative with the use of space and created an impact with bold use of colour and textures. We incorporated wood-burning stoves into the lodges and layered textiles to create an ambience of relaxation and calm. The BIID Award judges commented that it was a ‘fun and inventive project’ with clever use of panelling, savvy sourcing, repurposed furniture and upcycling to successfully meet the brief.

What elements of sustainable design did you incorporate into the project?

The budget was tight so repurposing and reusing existing items was really important. We kept the kitchens and re-painted them, adding new brass handles. We sourced accessories and artwork from local artists and antique shops.
We re-covered existing sofas where possible and painted existing bedroom furniture & bed frames to keep the costs down, as well as reduce our waste.
All the shower-rooms were kept and spruced up rather than thrown away and replaced.

What prompted you to enter the BIID awards?

I have always followed the BIID and know it is a superb professional community to be a part of. When I saw the awards advertised I didn't think twice about entering and knew if I won it would be a wonderful accolade for my business.

Please tell us about some of your favourite or stand-out features from the project?

Some of my favourite elements incorporated into the designs are the various art works, there is so much to see in each lodge, the spaces are truly a feast for the eyes. I used pieces from local artists as well as sourced vintage and antique pieces, also creating lots myself; which was lots of fun! The other favourite has to be all of the scrumptious textiles used throughout, on the headboards, upholstery and cushions, it was so much fun putting all of the schemes together for each room.

What does wining the BIID Interior Design awards mean to you?

Winning the North Region BIID award feels like a huge achievement amongst a year of great success for my Interior Design business, Design by Jo Bee. I have worked alone until recently when I took on a design apprentice. Having two young children, I wasn't sure how much was possible with juggling family life and running a business, but it just goes to show how much you can accomplish if you really set your heart on something and I look forward to the exciting future ahead. Having accolades to back up your work and portfolio is a great way to instil confidence in your future clients and I am super proud to have won such a prestigious award at the inaugural BIID awards.

Enter the BIID Awards 23