Catwalk in the home: Hedgeroe Home's Rebecca Roe fuses fashion and interior design

Rebecca Roe epitomises the stylish fusion of fashion and interior design, writes Eve Kelliher.

FASHION and interiors have stepped out as chic companions in recent years and whether we’re talking couture or cushions, an “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” vibe informs trends in both.

A Dublin woman who has segued seamlessly from the London fashion scene to the world of interior design, Rebecca Roe is the glamorous go-to when it comes to offering an insight into how the catwalk has sashayed into our kitchens and living rooms.

Having worked with such leading labels as Beulah London, Jenny Packham and Bergdorf Goodman, Rebecca’s passion for colour, creativity and sustainability has accessorised her subsequent role, as creative director of Hedgeroe Home, the interiors lifestyle brand established by her mother Rhona Roe eight years ago.

Rebecca is the creative force behind the Dyson Wellbeing Showhouse, a key attraction at the permanent tsb Ideal Home Spring Show, which takes place from April 12-14 at the RDS.

“My fashion background has inspired my approach to interiors,” says Rebecca.

Interiors and fashion have always had a close relationship, with one inspiring the other. This used to take several years to translate from runways to the space in which we live but the connection between the two industries is faster now than ever before.

Design houses such as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein have ensured the relationship between fashion and interiors is even closer by presenting successful interior design and fashion lines themselves, adds Rebecca.

“We have seen trend colours from the catwalk evolve into interiors: Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Living Coral, is a good example of this,” she says.

So what’s the key advice Rebecca has for the 30,000 or so people that are expected to attend the three-day Ideal Home show in a quest for ideas and inspiration?

“We are drawn to designed spaces where we feel the most comfortable, focused or stimulated, depending on our state of mind,” she says.

“Whether your interests lie in fashion or interior design, styles are now interchangeable from season to season.”

An interior featuring cushions and fabric by Hedgeroe Home.

Her showhouse is designed around two garden areas and Rebecca has chosen finishes that mix a variety of textures, from stone to wood and stainless steel.

Living and sleep zones wrap around an internal courtyard and the house is open-plan in layout. “I wanted every aspect to be interconnected and to flow around the gardens,” adds Rebecca.

As someone who describes herself as fully involved in the entire creative process “from design to shipping to gauging customer reaction”, Rebecca says she is passionate about transparency and sustainability.

This is a perfect fit for the environmentally friendly theme of this season’s Ideal Home Show. In a study carried out by Coyne Market Research among homeowners, 72% consider it important to factor in the impact on the environment when planning an upgrade for their home.

A piece designed by Rebecca Roe based on a Jacobean antique.

Rebecca’s showhouse offers a vibrant take on this concept. She has drawn from an earthy palette to unite all the spaces and has used fabric made from natural yarns.

Rebecca’s design tips when decorating a new home

Live in it for a while first. People tend to buy a home and fit it out very quickly. But it’s best to wait and find out where the best lighting is and where you tend to gravitate as a family. There’s no point spending money until then.

Paint has a big impact and my advice is always do a sample test. Sometimes a paint colour you love might look like a completely different colour when on the wall and it can be an expensive mistake.

Natural light is a key consideration and is a source of wellbeing in itself.

Take a holistic approach to design, considering the space in question and its function.