DESIGN TALK: Instagrammable interiors with Kate Watson Smyth and Paul Craig

800 413 Hamish Kilburn
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Live from London Design Festival, interiors influencer Kate Watson Smyth and photographer Paul Craig explain how to make your designs insta-worthy…

To kick-start London Design Festival, bathroom specialist Victoria + Albert hosted a unique talk at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour about the secrets to styling and sharing interiors on social media.

Kate Watson Smyth, who is the proud owner of Mad About The House instagram account (@madaboutthehouse) started by explaining how she went from journalist to social media influencer. “I think you can start by finding other accounts that you like the look of,” she said. “Then, you will naturally find your niche and start to find a really consistent look.”

Another tip from Watson Smith was to post at consistent times. “I also find that it’s really important to set aside time after you have posted to like other Instagram posts from the same topic.”

Paul Craig is known in the industry for his dynamic styling and having the ability to make a shot work from behind the lens. Craig took the microphone to share his tips on how to make a social media post pop.

Paul’s tips to help your posts pop:

1) “The key to any good shot is in the styling. If you have to move that prop 2mm, then do it.”
2) “Declutter the shot. Get rid of anything unnecessarily, but don’t be afraid to add in props for the styling. You don’t want your photo to look like it was taken by an estate agent.”
3) “Line up the verticals and horizontals. Use the ‘grid’ feature on your phone for this.”
4) “Get down low. This is especially important in the bathroom in order to capture the detail.”
5) “Avoid reflections. You can use your effects to help soften these.”

The talk follows Hotel Designs’ rolling feature of Designing Instagrammable which, over four weeks, investigated how Instagram can help build your business.

The 16th edition of London Design Festival is nine days introducing the latest projects, installations, exhibitions, events and talks happening in the design industry. Hotel Designs is following the action as it happens.

#LDF18

 

Hamish Kilburn / 17.09.2018

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Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

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Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher atSPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.
Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.