When you step into the Home Styling section at John Lewis in Leicester, you’re entering more than a retail space—you’re stepping into a collaborative journey, where expert guidance meets personal taste to bring your vision to life…
At the heart of this service is Rhiannon Weaver, one of two in-store stylists dedicated to helping customers transform their homes into meaningful, joyful spaces.
Picture credit: Pukaar
“It all begins with a conversation,” Rhiannon explains. “If there’s potential for a bigger project, we encourage customers to book a 60-minute appointment—either in-store or virtually. If helpful, we’ll even visit their home to get a feel for the light, colours, and layout.”
For Rhiannon, the design process is deeply personal. “That first appointment isn’t about jumping straight into furniture choices,” she says. “We talk about lifestyle, colour preferences, whether they have pets or kids, and how they use the space. It’s more about function and feeling than following trends.”
Once she understands the customer’s needs, Rhiannon gets to work. “We create mood boards and use 3D room planning software to visualise layouts. We’ll send fabric samples, suggest paint colours, wallpapers—even design bespoke cushions and curtains. It’s a very collaborative process.”
A key part of this journey is walking the shop floor together. “That’s when we see people react to textures and colours in real time,” says Rhiannon. “Sometimes, what someone doesn’t like tells us more than what they do. And for those overwhelmed by online shopping, we help by curating options tailored to their style.”
One standout feature of the styling service? It’s completely free, with no pressure to purchase. “Our role is to support, not sell,” Rhiannon says. “Of course we hope customers love what we suggest, but it’s about helping them feel confident in their decisions.”
Confidence, she adds, often starts with colour. “Many people struggle with choosing palettes, so I’ll lay out warm and cool tones and ask what they’re naturally drawn to. It’s about how they want to feel, not just what looks good on Instagram.”
With a background in textile design, Rhiannon brings a love of fabric and colour to her work. “Fabric is my language,” she laughs. “I’m drawn to earthy tones—greens, terracottas, pinks. My colleague Martene has more of a clean, Scandi style, so together we cover a broad aesthetic range.”
Still, the customer’s vision comes first.
“ It’s not about our style—it’s about helping customers discover theirs. Whether it’s a room refresh or a whole- home transformation, we’re in it together.“
One recent favourite project? A two-bedroom flat inspired by travels through South America. “It was grounded, colourful, and very tactile—it really resonated with my style,” reveals Rhiannon.
Above all, she believes in “dopamine décor”—design that brings joy. “It’s about finding those pieces that make you smile. Especially for renters, we find ways to inject personality and warmth, no matter the limitations.”
As she puts it: “You don’t need all the answers—just a spark of inspiration. We’ll do the rest.”
Picture credit: Pukaar
Design Your Kitchen with Confidence
Transforming your kitchen is a major investment, and according to John Lewis Partner Madhiv Mistry, it’s about more than just units and worktops—it’s about lifestyle, personal taste, and peace of mind.
“We offer kitchens in a range of styles,” Madhiv explains, “from contemporary to more traditional designs. Our traditional shaker style is especially popular, and this year, the slim shaker—a modern twist—has really taken off.”
Picture credit: Pukaar
John Lewis offers two main kitchen ranges: Elements and Edition. While both offer high quality, Madhiv notes, “Edition is for those with a slightly bigger budget—it’s the finer details like hidden fixings that set it apart.”
From initial consultation to installation, the service is carefully structured. Customers start with an in-store appointment— typically lasting around one-two hours—where they explore styles, colours, handles, and worktop options, including granite and quartz. After a rough estimate, a planner visits the home, takes measurements, and produces 3D designs. “We don’t move forward until the customer is happy,” says Madhiv. “It often takes a few revisions.”
Trends currently include two-tone kitchens, combining colours like Limestone, Hunter Green, and British Racing Green for contrast. “Lighting plays a big role,” Mistry adds. “If a space is open and bright, people tend to choose lighter tones.”
Picture credit: John Lewis
While the range isn’t bespoke, it’s broad—thousands of unit combinations with flexible storage options. “We look at how people live—are they bakers, do they do roasts, how much storage do they need? That’s how we guide the design,” he says.
The full process takes around 12 weeks, but can be faster for customers with a clear vision. Structural work is the only limitation—John Lewis cannot begin until that’s complete.
What sets the service apart? “It’s the trust,” says Madhiv. “Customers come for the brand, the quality, and the aftercare. We offer a two-year warranty on fitting. It’s that peace of mind—knowing we’ll always be here.”
To find out more about the services on offer at John Lewis, visit: www.johnlewis.com/our-services
