In the News: Colour Brave Interiors launches in the Tees Valley with vision to make a splash.

A former assistant director of marketing at Teesside University is excited to announce the official launch of her new interior design company, Colour Brave Interiors.

Michelle Eaves’s company, based in the Tees Valley, offers a range of services designed to help homeowners and property investors create vibrant and joyful spaces. The 44-year-old cultivated her passion for interior design while studying at Teesside University alongside her role in the student recruitment and marketing department.

“As a teenager, my parents always encouraged us to be creative, using our home as a canvas,” said Michelle. “My interiors include colourful inspiration from my childhood and are designed with the
client to help reflect their personality and bring joy to the people who use them.”

The early exposure to design, coupled with her experience in fashion and retail, increased her desire to pursue interior design professionally.

In 2021, Michelle took a short course in interior design at Teesside University, which inspired her to pursue a HNC with the British Academy of Interior Design. “That six-week course changed my life," she said. “It sparked my enthusiasm for a totally different career.”

While continuing her work at the university, the married mother of two boys spent the next four years building her portfolio, working with clients in the region and in her native Lancashire.
Michelle’s projects included designing a bar, a loft conversion, Whitby holiday rental and a boutique hotel-style suite with a living, sleeping and bathroom area.

“I'm incredibly grateful for the support and flexibility Teesside University provided," she said "I worked hard to pursue my studies and build my business while maintaining a fulfilling career.”

Michelle is now excited to dedicate herself full-time to Colour Brave Interiors, offering a variety of services. Her colour and design consultancy aims to create cohesive colour schemes, while suggesting textures and materials. The company’s design consultancy develops specifications for lighting, fixtures and finishes.

As an interior designer she provides mood boards, furniture suggestions and sourcing. And Michelle can project manage to oversee the entire design process, including managing trades, purchasing, installation and styling. She will also stage empty properties in preparation for sale or offers furniture packs for entire homes or serviced accommodation.

Michelle's unique approach focuses on embracing colour and helping clients overcome their fear of using colour in their homes.

“A lot of people are afraid of using colour,” she said. “They are not sure what combinations to use, what accessories and furniture to go with and much of the inspiration online lacks colour.”

She works closely with clients to develop personalised colour schemes that reflect their personalities and create spaces that are both beautiful and functional. Michelle said: “My focus is on colour. I work with all the colours in the colour wheel to make sure the client is happy with the scheme.”

Michelle is also passionate about helping clients avoid costly design mistakes.

"You are paying money for an interior designer, but over the long run, it saves time and money," she said. "It helps a house have a sense of flow, it helps it to be functional.”

Catering to the needs of holiday lets and other serviced accommodation is a particular focus of Colour Brave Interiors.

Michelle said: "For a holiday let, it is important you have an impactful finish. Our aesthetic works incredibly well with holiday homes because customers want to stay somewhere unique. Properties also need to stand out online and I use my marketing skills to help with that too.”

And Michelle is confident that her experience, combined with her passion for design and commitment to client satisfaction, will make Colour Brave Interiors a success.

“I have worked with a wide range of clients," she said. "The 13 years I have been at Teesside University has set a great foundation to build a great business and forge my own path.”

(Image: Chris Booth)

Featured in: Teesside Live, Bdaily, Northern Echo, NE Connected