‘I’ve designed nurseries for stars including Dani Dyer and Ferne McCann – but there’s one mistake that everyone makes’

When Dani Dyer was thinking about how to decorate the nursery ahead of the arrival of her twin girls, she knew just who to turn to.

But while the Love Island winner was thrilled with interiors expert Abby Keene’s design ideas, the decorators charged with the task were a little less than convinced…

“It was the wallpaper on the ceiling – they thought I was nuts! But it’s a big trend, and Dani trusted me, we went with it and it turned out beautifully,” reveals Abby, founder of Ginger Nest Interiors.

Dani, who gave birth to Summer and Star in May 2023, admits she was initially taken out of her comfort zone with the proposal but says the room became the “perfect princesses’ haven”.

Abby also worked with reality TV star Lucy Mecklenburgh on a stunning green colour palette for her son Roman’s room.

“I’ve known Lucy since I was about 14 and she got in touch with me when she knew I was an interior designer. It was really fun to work with her. We have the same taste,” says 33-year-old Abby.

Other celebrity mum clients include Jessica Hayes and Ferne McCann, who Abby says “didn’t actually know what she was having when we started the designs so we went with something lovely and neutral”. And former TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong opted for gorgeous “girlie touches” in a neutral scheme.

But despite her famous customers, Abby, who has two sons, Louis, nine and seven-year-old Max, is adamant that anyone can access her services.

It was this determination to ensure what she did wasn’t just for the rich and famous that led the Essex-born entrepreneur to offer a method enabling anyone to get the interior designer experience without breaking the bank.

“I saw a gap in the market to offer virtual design, simple as that,” explains Abby, who has now extended her business from nursery and children’s rooms to include whole houses.

“Interior design can be seen as an expensive route to take – I wanted to shift that idea.” Each client is looked after in the same way, she says.

“There’s no, ‘Oh, you’re on the back burner because we’ve got this big project coming in.’ And it’s always collaborative.”

Abby adds that clients usually find her through her Instagram account or word of mouth. She then supplies a detailed questionnaire about budget and themes and then, courtesy of her “how to” guide, customers take photos of and measure the room in question. They are also encouraged to share any inspirational images that they’ve spotted and like.

Abby – or one of the five designers she now employs – then develops a floor plan and a design page is set up featuring furniture, paint colours and even accessories, as well as shopping links direct to the products.

“This way you’re not paying as much for a designer’s time – there are no expensive house visits – while clients can do it at their own pace; there’s no pressure.

“It’s opened the door to many more people being able to have an interior designer and access that help and support,” she says.

Ginger Nest now has clients all over the world, including the US. A typical budget to overhaul a room using its services might come in between £500 and £1,000.

“We will work to your budget, but you have to be realistic,” says Abby, who has been known to seek advice from her own children about what may – or may not – work in a little one’s bedroom.

So what are her top tips when it comes to trends for our nurseries – and our homes in general – this year?

“Wallpaper on the ceiling is quite a big thing at the moment – even something subtle like clouds in a nursery. It has the effect of making the room feel bigger.”

Abby also highlights a technique she uses called colour drenching. “This where you literally paint everything the same colour – the woodwork, skirting boards, radiator, coving, walls and ceiling.

“Obviously you have to go with the right colour – I’d never recommend black! – but it is dramatic and will make a room feel bigger.”

Her number one tip for pulling together a nursery or child’s room comes down to furniture – and longevity.

“Make sure it all fits before actually ordering. A lot of people make that mistake. They may buy sets of things – cot, wardrobe and dresser – but when it comes to putting it all in the room it can be a problem.

“I would always suggest using tape and physically masking the dimensions out on the floor. I always make sure there’s enough movement and space in the room, too – but nothing should be too far away. And if you’re going for a particular theme, incorporate things that can easily be changed, such as cushions and posters.”

As for her hopes for the future, Abby would love to branch out even further and as her sights set on Dubai. “I just love putting a smile on people’s faces – what we do brings joy and that’s what it’s all about.”

For more details, visit gingernestinteriors.com