Since Sarah Moore won BBC Two’s Great Interior Design Challenge, the West Sussex designer has barely had a moment to herself.

“My dream commission? The time and budget to do up my own house. It’s a total mess!”

laughs the mum-of-three.

Moore has run an interiors business from her house in Northchapel since 2012, where she has developed her trademark style – floral, vintage and eclectic. Seven Days caught up with her to find out more about keeping her win a secret and staying calm under pressure.

The series was filmed last year but only screened last month. How did you keep quiet about winning?

“I told my immediate family and there was a lot of celebration but no one else knew. I had to tell the children I’d reached the finals because I was away from home so much, but I didn’t tell them I’d won. It’s been rather nice – I feel like I’ve won twice!”

What did you find hardest about the competition?

It was quite intense. Filming took place over five weeks and I still had to run my business and look after my family in that time. The logistics of juggling it all was very tricky and I did have a bit of a wobble towards the end. I only got the brief for the final four days beforehand and had to have my design ready to present and everything set to go in no time.”

You began your career as a chef – are there any parallels with being a designer?

I used to run an events catering kitchen in my 30s, where I was regularly cooking for hundreds of people, and when we were filming the show it felt just like a catering event. Everything had to be delivered on time and on budget, and we were working long hours. It was a baptism of fire but a great way to pick up skills really quickly.”

How did your style develop throughout the show?

I have a very distinctive vintage floral style but I enjoyed working to other people’s briefs and coming up with something original that both of us liked.

We were asked before the show started whether we would struggle not to recreate our own styles in each challenge but that didn’t concern me.

It goes back to being a chef again; my favourite style of food is rustic Italian but I’m just as happy making up a Thai menu if that’s what someone wants.

What are you working on now?

I’m about to do some master classes with Great Interior Design judges Sophie Robinson and Daniel Hopwood, then I’m launching my own workshops in the spring. I’m also jotting down ideas for a new book [Moore has already published two] which will focus more on lifestyle ideas – making a tree den, cooking on the beach and other wholesome family stuff.

I’m also enjoying designing new products for my website – particularly lighting.

Do it yourself: “It might sound excessive but I always recommend people make a mood board – it really does help. Paint it with big swatches of colours you like, rip out pictures from interiors magazines and make notes of designers you admire or styles you like. Think carefully about who uses the room – can you easily hide the kids’ stuff if it needs to become an adults’ room in the evening? Lastly, don’t buy anything that’s just for show. A room should be beautiful and useful.”

Where to buy it: Moore recommends Hazlemere’s Haus Interiors (haus-interiors.co.uk) for a “great selection” of furniture, glass, antique linens and interesting objects. “The owner, Stephanie, is incredibly helpful too.” Moore also enjoys hunting out treasure in Midhurst’s junk shops and going to auctions at Bellman’s in Billingshurst: “They’re a great place to find pieces to inspire a room – I’ve picked up everything from antique mirrors to lovely old dressers there.”

Find out more: Sarah will be running interior design workshops this spring. Keep an eye on her website for more details. Fans can also snap up a piece of her style – including lighting, furniture and decorative items – at her online shop – sarahmoorehome.co.uk.