[today i'm excited to share a quick interview with one of my favorite stylists, selina lake. d*s reader and chicago-based freelance writer lauren raley was kind enough to talk to selina and share her interview with us, so a big thank you to her and...take it away lauren!]

Selina Lake, one of the most celebrated stylists in the UK, has been kind enough to share her thoughts on her incredible career and own personal style, as well as advice and tips for styling your own home. Lake is the author of Bazaar Style and her new book, Romantic Style will be available in August. With a background in surface design and a real eye for details, her trademark “girliness” and bright pops of vintage colors has made her the go-to girl for all things feminine and fun in the world of interior styling. Lake currently lives in London and is working on her next design book; a big thank you to her for taking the time to speak with me! -Lauren

CLICK HERE for the full interview after the jump!

Lauren Raley: As a prop stylist, how to you plan the design of a space?

Selina Lake: I usually start with a style or color theme when styling features for magazines. I make mini mood boards, then see what products I can borrow from companies in exchange for a credit in the publication and go from there.

LR: What projects have you been working on recently?

SL: I’ve been working on features for Country Homes & Interiors magazine, BBC Homes & Antiques and also shooting a floral feature for the July issue of Prima. Plus I’ve been working on commercial projects for Tesco homeware, Hotpoint, The Contemporary Home and Retreat Home.

LR: How does your prop style compare to your own home?

SL: It’s pretty similar although I can’t use too much pink and make it too feminine, as I have to consider my boyfriends tastes a little bit! Our home is bright and quirky and is definitely not minimal! (That’s Selina’s home above!)

LR: Your style is very colorful and feminine. How do you decide on color palettes in a room?

SL: I choose colors that I like together. I’m a big fan of white walls with different colored accessories, which can be changed around to create different looks.

LR: Are there any websites you go to for inspiration or for pieces you use as props in your spaces?

SL: Flickr is a fab website full of creative images, I also love oncewed.com and Zara home. I’d love to go to New York flea market shopping one day.

LR: What are some of your favorite pieces you have in your own home?

SL: I recently painted a couple of old junk shop wooden chairs with neon pink paint for a shoot and now have them round our dining table mixed with my boyfriends more modern style chairs from Habitat. I also love bedding and have lots of vintage eiderdowns and I mix and match floral pillowcases.

LR: Do you have any tips on how to pull a room together and make it look both stylish and comfortable?

SL: Choosing items that you are drawn too and make you feel happy will always create a stylish and comfortable space. Soft lighting helps too, I use lots of lamps and fairy lights in my home, and you can’t go wrong with a vase of your favorite fresh cut flowers.

LR: What are your top three “must-haves” for a room to really make it pop?

SL: Good color theme, fresh flowers and pretty lighting.

Lauren Raley is a freelance writer living in Chicago