‘I wanted to win but I wouldn’t change my final design’

I wish if I had the time, I would have just knocked down the walls. It just felt cute and little. That is it, really, because, honestly, that was the first week I really enjoyed the whole thing. I enjoyed the design. I was really proud of picking colours and being bold and it was quite smooth as a week. I surprised myself how smooth it was.

The final was — emotionally — the best week. I felt really no stress and everyone was doing their things. I managed it all well and Briony [Ace] was just phenomenal to work again with because I loved working with her in the shop week.

From a little girl fleeing a war to inspiring others

Part of me doing Interior Design Masters, I wanted to inspire other women to follow your dreams at any age. It doesn’t matter what your background was; if it was difficult or challenging. There is always hope to do something that you love and inspire others.

So I think I had a big push in my head that I wanted to reach out every week, another week, so then a 9-year-old girl that may be living the same experience [where she has to flee from a war like I did with my parents in Iraq] will think one day “I could be somewhere else and I could do what I love.”

I was so proud of myself to be able to be part of Interior Design Masters. So that was the highlight: that first moment I knew I would be taking part of the show. It was beyond all my expectations. It was a positive experience, a good experience. I could fully be myself and no one stopped me — even the way I dress. It was just beautiful.

I felt I was celebrated as a person as well as a designer, and I think we all felt the same, you know? It was just like a safe, cool space to be creative. I just loved it. I don’t want it to end.

What I’m trying to say to myself is: this is not the end, it’s only the beginning.

It’s the end of this chapter but what I’ve learned throughout the whole competition, I know I’ve learned so much to be able to go now outside of the show and prove to myself that I can do that.

Future in interior designs

Currently I still freelance as a visual merchandising consultant for local businesses or whatever company calls me. I’m working on a cottage. It’s interesting because I said to the client, “I have never done a cottage before.” I realised, no I have done one! You almost forget about it because it is the show.

When they said to me, “Have you ever done a house or a cottage?” I was like, “Oh, never.” And then I paused and I said to them, “Oh, I have done but I cannot tell you yet.” Because I met them a couple of weeks ago.

The ultimate dream to be a full-time interior designer. I will carry on with what I am doing and I hope that Interior Design Masters will open up new doors for me.

Rita Millat told her story to Lily Waddell.

Interior Design Masters is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.