This article was written by Stylemongers Of Bristol.

Overlooking Turbo Island might seem an unlikely location for a masterclass on interior design but with so many artists and designers, just a stone’s throw away in the creative hub Hamilton House, it’s the perfect venue. Taught by Zoë Hewett of award-winning interior design studio Stylemongers Of Bristol, who also hold a studio within the building, the workshop is aimed at homeowners who are planning to refurbish one or more rooms in their property this year.

Taking place in The Mild West Room, right next to the Banksy mural of the same name, it is a chance to get inspired right in the heart of where the creative magic happens in the city. The idea is to get participants away from screens for the day and go through a hands-on design process to promote confidence in their creativity.

“People lose so many hours seeking interiors inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram, often without reaching any real conclusion about how they want to design their kitchen-diner, living room or whichever space it might be. I help my workshoppers identify the feeling they want for the finished space, as well as the functionality, and work backwards from there to find an aesthetic they’ll enjoy for a long time. We do it in an analogue way with paper, pencils, scissors and glue sticks so it has an art therapy quality to it as well”

says Zoë.

Participants will have the opportunity to make a moodboard for their chosen room with access to a large selection of magazines, fabrics and other materials to choose from. Zoë hopes the moodboards will have a lifetime beyond the workshop, enabling attendees to not only visualise their interior more clearly by committing ideas to paper but also to support conversations with any partners they might need to convince.

“When two people are talking about design it can be really hard for them to imagine what is in each other’s mind, so having a visual aid like a moodboard can really help them agree on joint decisions more easily.”

There is a sustainability component to the workshop too, with a focus on upholstery and reconditioning furniture. As a leisure class, it is also suitable for anyone who would enjoy a day of creative learning for pleasure’s sake, and there will be time for a sit down vegetarian lunch at the Canteen halfway through the session. Tickets are £200 and lunch, all-day refreshments and all workshop materials are included and no previous experience is necessary. The next dates are Sat Feb 25th and Sat March 25th 10am-4:30pm at Hamilton House (Mild West Room), 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY.

For more information including testimonials and previous participants’ moodboards head to: www.stylemongersofbristol.co.uk/workshops.