CELEBRITY INTERIOR DESIGNER, RUTH HAMBLEY
After working for many years at the BBC in Cardiff, both on air
and off, Ruth took the plunge last year and set up her own interior
design/decorating business. She had, for many years, been steadily
building a reputation for her fantastic designs in both fashion
and interiors. She was so much in demand that she knew she had to
make the choice. Giving up her safe and exciting position with the
BBC was something she thought long and hard about, knowing she would
miss the excitement of live broadcasting.
Ruth, the daughter of a Baptist Minister, was always particularly
keen on environmental issues but, motherhood made her even more
aware of our ‘carbon footprint’ and the reality of climate
change. More and more clients had been really interested in using
the Eco-friendly products Ruth would promote. It was no accident,
therefore, that when Ruth finally decided to leave the BBC and set
up her business, it was on the premise that only the safest of products
would be used. ‘Pink Hat’ was incepted in early 2006.
‘Pink Hat’ uses only natural decorating products and
furnishings, thereby avoiding toxic fumes and asthma inducing allergens.
To prove her point, during her demonstrations, Ruth will open a
tin of paint and actually eat a spoonful – this is extremely
effective at getting the attention of any audience.
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‘Eco-chic’ is what Pink Hat set out to
achieve; simple and stylish interiors with the emphasis on natural,
reclaimed and sustainable materials. Ruth uses wooden flooring from
sustainable timber sources; natural fabrics, dyed using organic
pigments; low-energy lighting; reclaimed fixtures and fittings etc.
No petrochemicals are present in the products she uses and she ensures
that all the raw materials come from environmentally managed sources,
produced using a sustainable ecological cycle.
Art was always Ruth’s great love and she worked in a wide
variety of utensils from soft pencil through to oil paint. At the
age of 13 she sold her first piece of work to a TV set designer
and from that time she had many pieces featured in newspapers. Even
at that young age, her designs often graced the front of production
programmes and other publications.
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She left school at 16 to study art, printmaking
and theatre studies. At this time she became highly creative with
dressmaking and her lace and beaded bodice creations gained much
acclaim.
On completing her studies she went to work for a local antique
restoration firm where she learned to perfect the art of painting
clock and watch dials, restoring very fine enamel jewellery and
painting delicate scenes in enamel paint.
There followed a busy period during which Ruth juggled being a
mother, reporting for the BBC and undertaking many building/restoration/interior
design projects.
Ruth can hardly believe the success of ‘Pink Hat’ –
there is a constant demand for her as an interior designer but also
as a speaker on environmental issues. She never thought that she
would actually end up with the best of both worlds – combining
her love of interior design with appearing in public – and
making a great success of both.
Ruth’s hobbies include: horse riding; parachuting; walking;
caving; climbing; rowing and running. Actively living the healthy
lifestyle she promotes in body and mind.
ELITE MANAGEMENT 01792 207779. www.welshstars.co.uk
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