Ben Smith, who is dyslexic, has built his career through creativity and hands-on craftsmanship by restoring and reimagining furniture.
He hopes his journey will inspire others with dyslexia to pursue creative, hands-on careers.
Ben Smith is set to appear on the new series of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr (Image: BBC)
Working from his home he has helped local people and businesses transform their spaces, bringing new life to interiors through his passion for heritage design and upcycling.
The talented 28-year-old recently completed work at the Cat pub in Enville.
Ben said: “I’ve always connected more with making and creating. Taking something old and giving it a new life is what I love, interiors should feel full of history and character.”
His girlfriend of two years Mia Thornley and sister Kloe Brewin saw an advert for the popular TV show and said he should go for it.
Some of Ben Smith’s designs (Image: Handout)
Ben said: “It was my first time applying to be on it and I managed to get onto the show so was very excited
“Working with Alan was brilliant he is exactly like he is on tv, so funny but also very kind making sure we were all okay during the process.
“It was such a incredible experience, I met such lovely people.
“It was definitely stressful at times but wouldn’t change the experience.”
Ben went to Heathfield school in Wolverley which is a private school as he struggled with his dyslexia which he said he is grateful to his parents for. He is on social media under the name Ben Smith Interiors.
One of Ben’s eye-catching designs (Image: Handout)
He said: “People can buy my items and also come to me for interior design work.
“I can use pieces people already have or I can buy them and do them up for them as well, I recently been working on the Cat in Enville on one of their pub areas and have more rooms to do.”
Ben will now take his signature style to a national audience as a contestant on the upcoming series.
The new series begins on April 21 on BBC One.
