insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 12 - February 2016 | Page 95

BUSINESS

THE
PAINTED
LADIES
A pioneer of the all-female decorating company, Gill Burn
launched her Billinghurst-based interior design outfit,
Lady Decorators, in 2003, and has since made huge strides
in a largely male-dominated industry. Gill spoke to Polly
Humphris about the vision behind her business and
overcoming personal tragedy to push it forward. Plus, she
shares her top interior design tips for spring 2016.

Hi Gill, what was the inspiration behind
setting up Lady Decorators?
Before starting Lady Decorators, I was working
as a private flight attendant, however, once I
started a family with my husband, I decided to
give it up to look after my children and became
a full-time mum.
Between giving up my job and starting my
business, my husband was unfortunately
involved in a life-changing plane crash and
at this point, as I hadn’t returned to work, I
was able to nurse him back to health. Two
years after the accident and with my three
children all at school I was ready to re-enter the
workplace. I set up Lady Decorators in 2003.
What makes Lady Decorators different
from its competitors?
When I started the business, I was one of
the first all-female decorating companies in
Sussex, so it was quite different from the other
decorating firms in the area and we received a
fabulous reaction from local people, especially
female homeowners. We pride ourselves on
our attention to detail, flawless finish and our
eye for interior design.
What has been the biggest high for the
business?
When I employe ^H