A teacher from Wilmslow High School is currently starring as a contestant on BBC's Interior Design Masters, hosted by Alan Carr.
John Cooper who teaches Design and Technology teacher is one of ten novice designers looking for their big break in the world of commercial interior design. Over eight weeks they'll be competing to win a life-changing collaboration contract with John Lewis to produce their own line of homewares.
He has been working at Wilmslow High School for the past three years, though he previously worked here some years ago, where he teaches DT to pupils from year 7 all the way up to year 13.
John, 46, lives in Stockport with his wife Aggie and two children.
What was your main motivation in applying to be part of Interior Design Masters?
After watching every season of Interior Design Masters and becoming a bit of an armchair critic, my wife dared me to prove I could do better. That challenge sparked something in me. Beyond just the competition, I've always had a deep passion for interiors, and I saw this show as the perfect opportunity to combine my love for design with a chance to express myself creatively and step outside my comfort zone.
What can we expect from this series?
Get ready for all your favourite design challenges, plus a few wild design briefs that nobody will be expecting. The bar is set incredibly high from episode one, with each designer bringing their own one-of-a-kind style and creative background to the table. We experienced mostly highs but we each face our fair share of challenges, with plenty of drama and laughs to keep things exciting.
How would you describe the experience of starring in Interior Design Masters?
Participating in Interior Design Masters is a real dream come true. As a big fan of the show I often wondered about applying, finally my wife convinced me that I should give it a go. The whole experience is very surreal, you are doing the thing you have enjoyed watching for all these years. It is an incredibly intense but even more rewarding adventure, you become really good friends with the other designers you are competing with, so it's very sad that each week one of us had to leave.
Was it how you imagined? Were there any surprises?
On the surface it was just like I imagined, however, every series is unique, from the locations and briefs to the group of designers assembled. I certainly experienced surprises in my time on the show but also a lot of personal and creative growth. Each challenge in the show is harder than the last and I gained a lot of clarity about my own strengths as a designer and areas for development.
In three words, describe your design style.
Graphic, Dramatic, Bohemian.
Which was your favourite challenge?
I wish I could tell you that. But what I can share is that there is a challenge in this series that has always been a dream space for me to design. It was everything that I had hoped it would be, just so much fun!
If you could design a room for any celebrity/public figure, who would you choose and why?
It would have to be Helena Bonham Carter. She is cool, quirky and marches to the beat of her own drum. I think she would be open to an imaginative and eccentric interior.
You can follow John's story on the show with regular updates on Instagram @john_cooper_design
