Janine Stone is one of the UK’s foremost interior designers with homes in London and Cheshire, which she shares with her husband who is the Managing Director of the eponymous firm.

Janine talks to us about where she finds her inspiration and shares some of her favourite shopping haunts and memorable places.

What informs my design philosophy… elegantly crafted spaces in which to live comfortably and relax. The combination of contemporary and classic styles and treatments working in harmony to deliver an exciting and engaging aesthetic. I relish being able to transform the ordinary into something quite beautiful. Visualising the space and then imagining how it can be realised, achieving this is both satisfying and rewarding.

My favourite places to draw inspiration… Marrakesh and Tangier for their sheer exuberance of colour and intricately designed and patterned ceramics, mosaics and tiles. Paris and London for some of the very best period furniture and key decorative pieces. Rome and Florence for their cultural riches and extraordinary architecture.

My advice for the next generation of young interior designers… Enjoy your work, it is very important to actually enjoy the stages and process of designing and developing the schemes. If you enjoy the process you will be a better designer. Be realistic about managing clients’ expectations and work to out-perform those expectations.

The most common decorating mistake… lack of focus and attention to the space in relation to the furniture. I often see far too much ‘noise’ within decorating schemes. Calm, fluid treatments which flow within the space are the level to achieve.

Great interiors shopping … Vaughan, Porta Romana and Charles Edwards have beautiful things. For exquisite glassware and crystal it has to be Baccarat and William Yeoward. Jamb is superb for one-off pieces and unusual finds.

I resist the temptation to follow trends… I have a preferred style which I call contemporary classic; it’s all about living well and living comfortably in some style. But I passionately believe it is key to listen to your Client and really understand how they want to live the space. Their reception to your design is paramount and successful projects make the experience so enjoyable and rewarding.

The most creative time in history… 16th Century Florence, The Renaissance, The Medici and not least the huge legacy of Michelangelo – an extraordinary time and place in which to have lived. Bringing it slightly up to date: The 1920’s – 1930’s Art Deco period was an elegant era combining style, sophistication and craftsmanship with a dash of fun and verve.

I adore… Marrakech to relax and enjoy some down-time. My favourite hotel in this area is the La Mamounia – the richly patterned and sumptuous interiors work effortlessly with the outside space and the beautiful gardens. As a contrast the west coast of the US has wonderful light, memorable beach walks and some of the very best vistas anywhere in the world. La Jolla in San Diego is fun and the Napa Valley region and its wine trail is a delight, great food at The French Laundry too. When staying in San Francisco I choose The Huntingdon it’s the perfect base from which to explore this fine city and all it has to offer. Perfect.