Shaynna Blaze's accessible design style and practical advice have made her a firm favourite with viewers of The Block and The Lifestyle Channel's Selling Houses Australia, where she makes amazing improvements to some very rough diamonds, all while maintaining her sense of humour. She has her own blog and online shop selling her own original artworks, as well as a very healthy collection of Pinterest boards. You can also follow her on twitter @ShaynnaBlaze or Instagram @shaynnablaze for updates on her super busy life. Her new book 'Design your home'  is a room-by-room guide full of ideas about how to make your home work for your lifestyle. We talked to Shaynna about clients, Pinterest and jazz...

When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?
It didn't really kick in until I had been working in my first job for a couple of years that I really knew this is what I should be doing. I was doing interiors in my home and friends' places long before I even knew it was a career so I just thought everyone was able to do this. It wasn't until I realised how much design can change your home and work environment on a visual and personal level that I knew this is where I should be.

How would you describe your decorating style?
I love a classic base of clean lines, good function and I try and inject pure white and black where I can. Then from there it becomes about the room and how we want to use it. My personal style has altered with the stages of my kids from very 'homey' and soft tones to now strong colours of navy, black - a very modern Parisian look and feel.

Which part of your work do you find most satisfying?
Meeting and working with the clients. Initially they are full of ideas but lost about how it would ever make any sense let alone be a house they would love to live in. I am a people person and making a space that makes them smile is what my job is all about.

What's the most common mistake you see home decorators make?
Too many mood boards! Pinterest is lovely but I feel it is over stimulating and people are getting so many ideas that it is like being a little kid in a lolly shop wanting one of everything and then getting a pain in the tummy when they get it all.

What trends do you see coming out of The Block All Stars?
The individual is  the trend in interiors and you see that more than ever in The Block All Stars.

Quick fire questions:

Favourite neutral paint colour: Taubmans Chalk Wash
Pet hate: Dishes on the bench when the dishwasher is right underneath it
Most admired designer/decorator: Kelly Hoppen
Favourite holiday spot: Paris
One thing people don't know about you: I was a jazz and cabaret singer for ten years.

Update 5 April: Congratulations to our winner, Sally Hasson! This promotion is now closed.

Update 16 April: The images from this post were removed pursuant to our agreement with Penguin/Viking.