Designer Linda Barker is now on a mission - to encourage people to think again about how they can give their dining area a fresh look.
 It seems a long time since the bubbly blonde Yorkshire lass first invaded our living spaces.
Linda Barker, with a down-to-earth practical approach to life, was the perfect foil for the flamboyant Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen who was another of the designers who first found fame on BBC's Changing Rooms.
The interior designers were influential in the revolution that quickly saw 'ordinary' people replace their carpets with wooden floors and paint over the flock wallpaper that had once taken pride of place.
The time when viewers hung on every word uttered via the tiny screen has now fizzled out, but Linda is still ensuring her ideas still influence the way we decorate our homes today. "I still have the same style really," says Linda, who will be one of the stars of the show at BBC Good Homes Show being held at the NEC this month. "My style is comfortable luxury. I have always had a bit of a Bohemia feel but I think people can see it working in their own homes." Her latest mission for people to reclaim their dining areas will be the theme of her presentations during the NEC shows - not only in the home but in the garden. Linda says: "I think eating outdoors is so wonderful and we can show people how a fire place in the garden and sofas can make it really become a living area." Metallics like silver and gold are part of Linda's palette and the revival of wallpapers has given her another opportunity to show how a simple touch can make all the difference. "People are now very aware of what they can do and what can be achieved. They are very interested in their homes and getting looks that say something about themselves," says Linda. "I think we were able to empower people. To show how they can do it themselves and get an original look for their home." Although the plug was pulled on Changing Rooms, after years of being high in the ratings, it still has an influence on Linda's life, who now has a thriving product range called Really Linda Barker. She works closely with developers across the world helping them create stylish looks for their projects - one of the latest is in Cyprus, while another has been given the Linda Barker touch in Bulgaria. The world travel is a plus for Linda but she still has her feet firmly on the ground in another role - ambassador for her home town of Bradford. "It is my home and there is a lot of regeneration there and I am involved with the team in the city that is responsible for making it work - spreading the word," says Linda. "We are working hard at showing how Bradford can be a positive force and why we are looking for investment. We want to show people we have the confidence in Bradford and its regeneration." The ambassador's role is not bad for a girl who never planned to become one of the country's favourite television presenters - her first passion is design. "I would like to think we are responsible for bringing good design into homes and empowering people in their own homes. Homes should be beautiful spaces and if we can make it a good space then it makes us all feel better about the way we feel." * BBC Gardeners' World Live, BBC Good Homes Live and the BBC Good Food Summer Festival, is at The NEC, Birmingham between June 13-17 2007. Advance tickets are on sale now. To buy advance tickets visit www.bbcliveshows.com/summer or call 0870 380 0143.
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