A BUSINESS woman is celebrating the launch of her dream interior design company.

Karen Nichols has more than 35 years business experience and has now created Vanilla Bay, based in Richmond, which tackles everything from cushion designs to whole house decoration. The company has already attracted interest from individuals to hotels, holiday cottages, businesses and residential homes.

For the last eight years she co-ran Nu-Interiors, one of the largest decorating shops in Darlington, with husband Martin. She said: “It’s so exciting to be on the path of a new business adventure. This is a dream of mine and I truly love my job – how many people can say that?

“Over the last few years the interior design business has grown stronger as people have less time and have become out of touch with the latest trends.

“The housing market has definitely turned and people are on the move – a lot of people have already asked me to give their home a makeover to help sell it.”

The business currently has four employees – an interior designer, curtain technician and two seamstresses – and Mrs Nichols hopes to recruit more as the business grows.

Prior to Nu-Interiors she was a director of a family business which operated 24 decorating stores.