Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Coath

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I began my career in Interior Design when I was 18. I always knew after A Levels that I wanted to go straight out to work so at 17 I was working in a luxury handbag design studio in London as at this time I thought I wanted to pursue a career in Fashion or costume design. After a six month internship there I learnt quickly ‘on the job’ that I was far more passionate about rearranging the studio, styling the space for photoshoots and the Interior side of things – more so than the fashion industry. So, I started applying for any creative jobs I could. I loved drawing and painting too so applied for anything and everything from textile design to digital marketing for homeware brands and then I saw the advertisement for an Interior Designer at a large household name homeware store…the one catch was that it said in large letters at the top of the advertisement DO NOT APPLY UNLESS YOU HAVE A DEGREE…I applied anyway…I thought this job would just be a pipe dream, something I would never actually be lucky enough to get at age 18. As it was, I put more effort into my interview presentation than is ‘socially acceptable’ – I wore a navy velvet suit, learnt a speech / pitch and carried in a 2m board that I had filled with illustrations, fabric samples, floor plans and product pictures. I then put on this whole ‘performance’ for my interviewer…who either took pity on me, admired my gumption or had a soft spot for me as her daughter was called Molly and was the same age as me! Either way, by fluke, luck, effort (whatever you want to call it) I got the job. I was there for 3 and a half years, I thrived and loved every minute of it. I went to see different clients every day, I was my own boss and I excelled through the company. I will forever be grateful to Annette for taking a chance on a kid who had no experience, no degree – just passion. After this the next few years sort of spiraled (in a great way!) I setup on my own and started my own business – ‘MoCo Interior Design,’ went on Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr on BBC1, became a senior Interior Designer and started working with Stella Mannering & Company and the rest as they say, is history!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I think in a creative industry (particularly when you work for yourself) it is never going to be all smooth sailing. When I first setup on my own I HUGELY struggled with getting a consistent stream of clients and the up’s and down’s of being self employed. I have struggled with self promotion and knowing what avenue’s to follow to ‘put yourself out there’ and ‘get noticed’ – this industry is VERY competitive so it is NOT easy but my argument has always been: If you bang your head against a brick wall long enough EVENTUALLY it WILL fall down! – Simply meaning that I tried everything and I DID NOT STOP. When I was first building up my own business I couldn’t make the leap of faith to fully commit to myself (financially) so I would work my full time job in Interior Design, get home at 7 / 8ish then start MoCo and do all my ‘side hustle’ work until around 1am/2am every day…eventually it paid off but my other half did get very bored of only seeing me from the neck down as my face became a laptop screen for a while there!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

As an Interior Designer I think the thing that makes me stand out and gives me a long lasting relationship with my clients is the way I interact with the people I work with. We ALWAYS end up becoming more than Client and Designer – we end up feeling like old friends. I pride myself on being friendly, open and transparent with my clients which hopefully makes the experience of designing your home FUN, laid back and not too serious or corporate!

I also think I have quite a clear ‘look’ ‘vibe’ and ‘aesthetic’ that people are drawn too. I care hugely about building a space that feels homely, cosy and enveloping with a use of rich, deep, autumnal hues. fresh, layered prints, plenty of texture and some eclectic, vintage pieces of art and objet’dart.

My ‘Tag Line/Ethos’ is “Interior Design with more heart and less pretension.” This is both in the way I work and the homes I create – full of heart!

What makes you happy?

I am lucky enough to have the most exceptional, tight-knit small family who are all my biggest supporters and are just wonderful people. They have encouraged me throughout my career and LIFE and spending time with them makes me very happy. Particularly my mum – she is the best person I know and my best friend. I also have a wonderful group of life-long friends – all mad, all from different walks of life – all completely brilliant in their own way and they are an extension of my family. I also got engaged last year and am getting married in October 2024 we’ve been together for 8 years and he is a kind and crazy man – my biggest cheerleader and there is nothing I love more than sitting in our garden in the summer or snuggling up with our 2 little kittens of an evening.

Finally, my job makes me very happy. I feel so grateful every day to be able to be one of the lucky ones who comes to a job that they look at as more of a ‘hobby’ than a chore. If you have a job you love you never have to go to work again as they say! So I’m always very thankful for that.

Pricing:

• £250 – Initial Home Meeting / Visit
• £500 – Per Room – Digital Design Service
• £700 – Per Room – Full Design Service

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mocointerior.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly.coath.design/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mocointerior/about/?ref=page_internal&locale=en_GB&_rdr

Image Credits
Jo Woodford – Studio Florere
Matt Bramston