From Graphic Design to Beach Hut Makeovers: Frankie’s Interior Design Adventure!

Frankie Ratford, who grew up in Burley in the New Forest, Hampshire, is one of the contestants on the new season of the BBC One show Interior Design Masters. She described her experience on the show as a whirlwind, saying it was very different from anything she had done before. Frankie will be competing against nine other designers in the seventh series of the popular TV show, which is hosted by Alan Carr. The first episode will air on Tuesday evening and will feature the contestants transforming beach huts on Avon Beach in Dorset into their own unique styles. Alan Carr, who is from Weymouth, said the episode is full of standout moments and that the designers did an impressive job.

Frankie has an interesting background. She has visited 100 countries and spent 20 years working as a graphic designer. In 2025, she decided to switch careers and started working in interior design and branding spaces for herself and her clients. Frankie said that being on the show was outside her comfort zone because she had never wanted to be on TV before. However, she found the fast pace of the show exciting and enjoyed having a team to help her bring her creative ideas to life. She said, 'It's funny because I've renovated my own spaces and I'm a very impatient person, so I work very quickly. I found having a carpenter and a painter on hand was just the biggest dream because you could come up with your creative ideas and they could implement them straight away. ' Frankie also mentioned that working with Alan Carr was a lot of fun and called him a legend.

The show is not just about decorating; it's about how people think about space and how they handle pressure. Alan Carr said, 'Gorgeous beach, glorious weather and 10 beach huts to transform on the south coast - what's not to love? They might look like a simple hut, but they are deceiving. There's not much space, they have to be multi-functional, and you really need to think on your feet as a designer. I was so impressed with the designers, and I knew right there and then that it was going to be a brilliant series. ' Michelle Ogundehin, the head judge, added, 'This series feels more confident than ever. The level of talent is high, but what I really love is the range of perspectives. You're not just seeing people decorate, you're seeing how differently people think about space, and how those decisions play out under real pressure. ' The contestants, including Ben, Sophie, Ajeet, Kate, Duran, Jonni, Lia, Teo, and Emmely, all worked hard to make their beach huts stand out. Frankie said she learned a lot from the experience and hopes viewers will enjoy watching the show and get inspired to try new things in their own homes.