WHEN Cassandra Hall insisted on regular revamps of her childhood bedroom in Morecambe, her parents, Linda and Alan, probably had an inkling that their daughter’s future may lie in interior design.

That’s exactly what she studied at the University of Salford, after completing an art foundation course, though she originally thought her talents lay in the dramatic arts.

“I did know I wanted to go into something creative,” said 28-year-old Cassandra.

“I always loved the idea of making imaginative sets and it sounded like a really interesting industry, but at university I just fell in love with the commercial side.

“I did love decorating though and changed my bedroom pretty often. My mum used to help me – she’s quite arty and does some exhibitions. Dad was good at building stuff so he helped me a lot too.”

After graduation Cassandra did an internship with a Manchester architect who specialised in regeneration projects, then with a company which focused on commercial and leisure design. She moved on again to a job with a Bolton furniture manufacturer, which is where she honed her skills in spatial planning.

After Cassandra and her boyfriend Hunter Moore decided they wanted to move back to the coast, they got a house together in Heysham. That’s when she decided to take the plunge and start her own business.

She runs Triangle Design Studio from her home but says modern technology means she can work from anywhere.

Her work involves everything from city office blocks to plush show homes, as well as buy-to-let properties for developers and true family homes.

“Every client is really different,” she said. “Sometimes I have free rein; sometimes they don’t have a clue what they want. Others have multiple Pinterest boards but need help to bring them to life.

“A lot of my work is London-based, but my most recent project was a coffee shop, the Bristly Hog in Kendal. It was nice to be working locally, it was much more hands-on. It had been taken over by new owners and they wanted to give the ground flood a face lift, with a complete renovation upstairs.

“They had lots of old furniture but they now had two floors to use, so I could create a new layout from scratch.

"We made the place look lighter and brighter, with a long, fixed bench to make a better flow through the space, and gave it a relaxed, elegant feel. It’s cosier and casual upstairs with two feature walls with a teal blue and mustard paper.”

Cassandra works on residential properties too – and some of them are so remote she never even sees the room.

“I freelance through Homewings,” she added. “The client submits a brief, some photos and measurements then I build the plan.

"You start with a concept to give an idea of styles and colours. The client can even get deliveries straight from the retailers you recommend. They don’t have to do anything.”

But one of Cassandra’s most challenging projects was with a charity called Sea Sanctuary in Cornwall. It works with people with mental health issues, offering sailing sessions as part of its treatment.

It was applying for grant funding and needed someone to use 3D design skills to create the interior of a boat, including things like classrooms and a gym.

“I used calming colours and worked in a communal inside space as well as an outdoor space," said Cassandra. "They did their presentation and got the funding. The build is in process at the moment then I can tweak and adapt the design to suit the finished shape. I’ll love to see it when it’s done.”

Eight ways to make good use of tiny spaces - Cassandra’s tips for fitting everything in: 

Multi-purpose furniture

From coffee tables that turn into dining tables to sofas that turn into beds, multi-purpose furniture can be a great way to save floor space in your home.

Hidden storage

No room for a wardrobe? Choose an Ottoman bed which lifts up and allows you to store your clothes beneath.

Vertical space

Use your ceiling heights to their full potential by choosing bespoke or modular shelving customised to fit your wall.

Wall-mounted furniture

It’s not just shelves that you can attach to your walls, everything from floating sideboards to fold down desks can now be wall mounted to retain that extra floor space.

Less is more

Reducing the amount of items in your home can make it feel more spacious and relaxing. Don’t need it or love it? Then sell, donate or discard it.

Colour palette

Run the same colour palette and materials throughout your home to provide a cohesive look. This will make all rooms feel connected and your home larger.

Layout

Don’t be tempted to push all your furniture to the edges of the room. Instead, cluster furniture together to create sociable conversation areas.

Natural light

Lighting is key in small spaces. Maximise the natural light coming into your space and reflect it around with the clever placement of mirrors.