How did you discover your artistic passion and talent?

CC: As a child, I spent most of my free time drawing and making things. One of my earliest memories is receiving a beautiful art set for Christmas when I was about seven years old - a wooden box filled with paints, crayons, and pencils in every colour imaginable. I was completely captivated by it, and I think that’s when my love of art really began. Looking back, creativity has always been a part of my life.

I went on to study Applied Arts at university, where I had the freedom to experiment with different materials and processes. During one project, I created a wallpaper sample using stitched textiles. A visiting lecturer commented on how beautiful it was, and that moment really stayed with me. For the first time, I realised that what I loved doing could become a career.

From that point on, I began to see the possibilities of combining art, craft, and interiors. That early encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my own creative path, and it ultimately led me to the work I do today.

How did your career journey unfold, and what has shaped your path?

After finishing university, I was fortunate to have some exciting opportunities early in my career. I worked with Liberty on a wallpaper display, and my work was featured by Elle Decoration in a campaign with Selfridges. These experiences gave me confidence and helped introduce my work to a wider audience.

I then moved into Cockpit Arts, where I was surrounded by an incredible community of makers and artisans. Being part of that environment played a huge role in helping me develop my practice and forge my own path as a designer.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a range of inspiring brands, which have continually challenged me creatively and helped raise my profile. My work has spanned private residential projects, retail spaces, and hotels, as well as textile designs for licensing.

Collaboration has always been central to my practice. I love responding to an interior designer’s vision and working together to develop new ideas and designs. That collaborative process has undoubtedly shaped how my work has grown over the years, pushing me to explore new directions while continually refining my craft.

Having first exhibited at Decorex in 2023, what motivated you to take part, and how did the event impact you both professionally and creatively?

I initially applied for Making Spaces because it felt like a great opportunity to share my work with a wider audience and to see whether the show was the right fit for me. I returned in 2024 to exhibit in Making Spaces, one year on from my first application.The following year, I took the leap into the Main Hall, sharing a stand with Aimee Betts and Louise Heighs.

The opportunity to progress from Making Spaces to having my own presence in the Main Hall has been invaluable for the growth of my business. Speaking directly with interior designers about the handmade and bespoke nature of my work has given me a much deeper understanding of what they are looking for, helping me refine both my offering and the way I communicate my practice. The experience has also increased my confidence and opened up new opportunities and connections within the interiors industry.

Tell us about your design concept for the 2026 Decorex show creative?

Well, it was always going to be something botanical!

I wanted to create a floral design that balanced femininity and nostalgia with a contemporary edge. A key aspect of my work is capturing a sense of movement and growth, so it was important that the design felt dynamic, with individual elements that Decorex could layer, animate, and move throughout the creative.

I wanted the palette to feel vibrant and rich, drawing on some of my favourite tones—deep greens, blues, and warm rust shades. The final design combines hand-painted elements with vintage papers and suede appliqué, creating depth, texture, and a tactile quality that reflects my wider practice.

The overall aim was to create something immersive and organic, as though the floral forms were growing and unfolding across the space, while still feeling fresh, contemporary, and distinctly Decorex.

Clare Coles x Decorex 2026

What was your design inspiration & influences?

Nature is my greatest source of inspiration, alongside the long history of floral decoration in interiors. I'm drawn to the endless variety of shapes, colours, and textures found in the natural world, and I love exploring how these elements can be translated into large-scale mural work.

Through layering materials, patterns, and processes, I build depth and texture within my designs. I want my murals to feel as though they have grown organically across a surface - playful, tactile, and full of life - transforming a space into something immersive and unexpected.

Can you talk us through the process of creating a new design?

A new design often begins with a response to a place I’ve visited, whether that’s a beautiful natural landscape or a historic interior with decorative details that have captured my imagination. I’m constantly collecting inspiration from my surroundings, and these experiences often become the starting point for a new piece.

Initial Inspiration and Development

The process usually begins with drawing, exploring shape, form, and composition. From there, I start to develop colour palettes and experiment with texture, thinking about how different materials and techniques can add depth and character to the design. Once those elements start to come together, I move into the sampling stage, where I can test ideas and refine the final outcome.

Collaborative Projects with Interior Designers

When working on a bespoke project with an interior designer, the process becomes even more collaborative. I offer a sampling service and create design layouts to show how I envision the work interacting with the space. I always aim to respond thoughtfully to the client's brief while retaining my own artistic style and the organic, layered qualities that define my work. The most rewarding projects are those where there is a genuine creative exchange, resulting in something that feels both personal to the client and true to my practice.

What does collaborating with Decorex mean to you?

Collaborating with Decorex has been a real honour. It’s always exciting to see which designer they choose to work with each year, and I think it’s a fantastic initiative to collaborate with exhibitors to create something new and distinctive for every campaign.

When I was approached about the opportunity, I was absolutely thrilled. Having exhibited with Decorex over several years, it felt like a meaningful milestone in my journey and a real celebration of how far my practice has come. From starting in Making Spaces to exhibiting in the Main Hall, Decorex has been an important part of my professional growth, so being invited to contribute to the show’s creative identity felt especially significant.

The collaboration has also given me the opportunity to share my work with a wider audience and introduce more people to my designs. It has been incredibly rewarding to see my work become part of the Decorex story and to contribute to an event that champions creativity, craftsmanship, and the best of contemporary design.

What are you excited about for Decorex this year?

I’m really excited to be returning to the Main Hall this year with a larger stand and the opportunity to showcase a new wallpaper mural. It’s always rewarding to unveil new work at Decorex, and I’m looking forward to seeing how visitors respond to the latest developments in my practice.

For this year’s stand, I’ve invited the work of other makers into the space to create an environment rich in layers, texture, and craftsmanship. Bringing together different materials and disciplines feels like a natural extension of my own work, and I’m excited to create a space that feels immersive and inspiring.

I’m also looking forward to seeing the Decorex campaign come to life at the event and how the collaboration is presented within the show. Most of all, I’m excited to reconnect with interior designers, meet new people, and have conversations about future projects and creative opportunities. Those connections are always one of the highlights of Decorex for me.