At Home With Scotland’s Home Of The Year Judge, Kate Spiers

Meet Kate Spiers, the New Zealand-born, Glasgow-based Instagram sensation who is the break-out star of the BBC Scotland cult programme, Scotland’s Home of the Year…

Have you always been passionate about interiors? 

I've always been a homebody, which is where my love for interiors comes from, but I never thought I'd be making a career out of it! I started sharing simple updates during the renovation process of our first flat, and it went from there really—the more people on social media reacted to the photos of my home, the more I felt inspired to create a beautiful space. 

What are the biggest lessons you've learnt from decorating? 

Live with a space for a while to understand how you use it, how the light sits and what you want to change. The more time you have to understand how you'll use a room, the more time you will fine-tune your decorating decisions. 

How do you think your style has evolved?

I'd say I've found my style in the last few years—I'm heavily inspired by Southern California trends like natural textures, rattan, and all of the plants! I also like to keep my interiors sympathetic to the building; my flat is a Victorian property, so you have to work with the original details and find a way to make the space more contemporary while still honouring the era. 

You've recently moved into a new flat; how has that been? 

It was certainly a challenge to get here! We were renovating during the first lockdown, so it was really tricky, and we had to make a few hurried decisions to get it done in time, which was not what I had in mind. Saying that, after doing a bit more work since moving in, we really feel at home here and it's a beautiful flat. We're fortunate that we've been locked down somewhere we love to be in. 

What are your favourite spaces in your new home? 

I love our living room, it's big and bright, and one wall is taken up by custom shelving I designed and had built—they're huge, almost 6m long and 3m high, and painted a lush leafy green, so they are definitely a feature! Our dining table is also in his room, and we have a beautiful mustard velvet corner sofa, so it feels very plush and welcoming.

What advice would you give to someone looking to take on a renovation? 

Plan it out using mood boards, seek out inspiration wherever you can, and don't be afraid to take risks! Clashing colours is huge right now, and it's always fun to play with tones. 

Which interiors trends do you think are on the way out? 

I'll be honest; I don't pay too much attention to interior trends because I think everyone has their own style, and it's that added personality that gives the space that 'lived in' feel! I think people are opting for lighter furniture, and less white—colour on walls, and lighter wood and rattan are really having a moment. 

How can we make our interiors more sustainable?

Upcycling old pieces, buying second hand, swapping out furniture with friends and family. I love a good mix of old and new; it's something I always look for when I'm judging homes on Scotland's Home Of The Year. There is no better feeling than finding a beautiful vintage piece—I love coming across something unique that I know no one else will have. I usually roam charity shops for smaller items like vases I can paint or old books as decoration. Then Etsy, Trouva, and Not on the High-Street for personalised and unique finds. 

The next series of SHOTY is underway; what can viewers expect?

Some stunning homes! This year was a tough one; we were really put to the test when judging the homes this series—narrowing down the final three was incredibly difficult. It's also going to be fun to see some breathtaking scenery from around Scotland—we went as far as Harris and Shetland this year, so expect lots of gorgeous Scottish scenes. 

As a judge on the show, what do you think makes for successful interior design? 

I think being confident in your decisions and not getting too caught up in what's on-trend at the moment. The homes I find myself most drawn to are always ones that are unique, full of character and charming—I love a busy home, with ornaments and books on display, signs on life everywhere. A home should reflect the people who live there, in my opinion. 

What's next for Kate Spiers? 

I think I'll always stay in the lifestyle realm; I love sharing everything from my home to my outfits on social media and my blog—as well as travel content, recipes and more. One day I hope to write a book, perhaps, and maybe renovate another home at some point soon! I like to keep my options open; the fun thing about my job is you never know what might come your way. 

Catch Kate Spiers in the third episode of Scotland's Home of the Year, which airs tonight (Wednesday 21st) at 8pm on BBC Scotland.

You can also follow her on Instagram