Beautifying property earns edge in market

Jun 17 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

CATHERINE HARLAND has grand designs for the future of a company which transforms houses into homes.

Ms Harland moved from running two beauty salons, in Durham and Sunderland, to become business development manager of Interior Nation a year ago.

And now she is about to take over the Newcastle company and expand a business which is growing despite relying on the housing market in a downturn.

Indeed it is the increased competition in the sector which is fuelling the success of her business, which furnishes and decorates houses so they can be sold or let more easily.

The 39-year-old from Lanchester in County Durham has been finding new customers for the business by working not only on show homes, but for landlords looking to rent out property. “It makes it a lot easier for developers to sell a house if it has been turned into a home into which people can move straight away and I can do this more cheaply than they can,” she said.

“And I have been really busy working with landlords looking to rent out their property as holiday lets as well as investors looking to let their properties. Both of those markets are doing well at the moment …”