Changing Rooms' Gordon Whistance gave talks at a new development. KERRY ANN EUSTICE went to get some design tips.

It seems the design stars of Changing Rooms cannot get enough of property in the south east.

Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen lives in Blackheath, Linda Barker in Dulwich and the show's Gordon Whistance ran workshops at the Woolwich Green development on Shooters Hill recently.

The development is a perfect choice for a designer. Each apartment is a blank canvas, with neutral walls and without flooring prime for owners to personalise their own space.

As part of the site's launch, Gordon was there to speak to potential buyers about design tips they could employ in the apartments.

He opened his style sessions by admitting how much he liked the project and by showing just how much potential he thinks the homes have.

He said: "I believe in developments like this. They help to regenerate an area, bring in new people and are fresh and exciting.

"They may not be the biggest apartments but they are good and interesting spaces and you will be able to work with them."

At the start of the session the idea of working with an apartment' meant nothing to me. But by the end of Gordon's one-stop interior style class, I considered myself something of an expert.

He revealed a string of his, and the rest of the Changing Rooms team's, tricks of the design trade, covering every aspect of interiors from colour and layout to lifestyle.

Gordon first urged the audience to whittle down their worldly belongings and get rid of clutter as, according to Gordon, nothing can dwarf a room like unwanted tat. I guess I'll be binning those fluffy cushions, then.

Another way of creating space, he said, is how you choose and apply colour.

Gordon explained: "Making a home lighter as you get closer to the centre dark hallways leading to bright lounges, as they have done in the Woolwich Green showroom, for example can give the illusion of a large space.

"But walking into a room and being hit by the overpowering colour on the wall opposite can shrink a space straightaway. A paler rear wall will, similar to the effect of lightly-painted objects in the distance of a landscape painting, appear to be further away."

Although Gordon said if you really want to apply an eye- catching colour, such as a deep red, paint it onto a side wall so it does not stop the eye in its tracks.

At the workshop I learnt it is all about allowing the eye to travel as far as possible, or at least tricking it into thinking it's looking further away.

Laying flooring, for example, at a slanted angle from corner to corner, opposed to horizontal rows, will break down any visual barriers and will subliminally stretch a room.

Another key theme to Gordon's talk was affordability. He feels good design has become much more accessible and urges us to scour second-hand stores and suggested making our own soft furnishings to cut costs, which is fitting because Woolwich Green is aimed at first-time buyers and those on a budget.

He said: "Buying everything new is a bit footballers' wives. Don't be tempted to buy a lifestyle in a box, a couple of years down the line it will have gone out of fashion. Accessorise instead. It is much cheaper to change a cushion than a sofa."

It seems Gordon cannot escape the Changing Rooms enthusiam for all that is home-made but he has a point.

Making features for your home yourself can be very rewarding. Creating your own painting rather than buying one from a shop is much more meaningful.

Gordon concluded: "Woolwich Green invited me here as I'm known for good design which doesn't cost masses of money.

"Afterall, why should style be exclusive to the rich?"