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In week 4 of Interior Design Masters, head judge tasked us with designing the mess decks for the RNAS Yeovilton.

Initially I had a lot of ideas for this and was very excited, having visited the dockyard at Portsmouth the month before and walking around the HMS Victory I was totally inspired to go full 'Nelson'.

However, upon reading the brief I had a change of heart, the group of sailors were young, uni-age recruits and I decided it would be more fitting to create something focused on socialising, with a hint of historic charm.

I went as far as sourcing a piano as a nod to the traditional naval camaraderie.

After doing my research I discovered the traditional navy board game 'Uckers', and used that as my starting point for the design.

Taking the primary colours of the game and muting them down into an academia palette felt sophisticated but still fun.

I used the colours to direct lines across the walls and ceiling and painted a huge Uckers board on to the movable kitchen island.

The kitchen was tiny, so I found a second hand kitchen to bring in and extend the cooking space, meaning the original kitchen could be used as a pantry.

When thinking about the feeling I wanted to emulate I kept connecting the social aspect to a 'pub vibe'. Despite this not going down well with the judges I still stick by design decision. At the end of the day, these sailors are all 18+, many of them enjoying their first time away from home, and even if they don't drink alcohol, the feeling of an old-time pub is welcoming, hearty and endearing.

The budget was hideously low on this one, and the brief stated we were not allowed to change the flooring, so it was a tricky one for me personally, as I kept referring back to the practicality of the space.

Many of my fellow designers used fluffy rugs, throws and gorgeous furniture pieces, but given our spaces were to be used by 24 sailors who would be in and out in muddy boots all the time and, let's face it, probably not the most house-proud people at that delicate age, I wanted to use furniture that was robust and long-lasting.

I sourced a super cool chesterfield and low bar stools, I also sourced some low tables and remove the fluorescent tube lighting to replace with pendants to create a cosy pub atmosphere.

Sadly my carpenter did run out of time and tasks such as getting the TV on the wall, getting my blind hung and other bits like pinboards and artwork didn't make it up in time.

It was the first week I ended up on the sofa and despite my design not being to the judges personal taste I was ultimately put through on the basis that I did, in fact, serve the client.

Not my best work, not my most enjoyable time on the show, but a good learning opportunity and a reminder that I'm not immune to the dreaded sofa!