TV presenter and designer Linda Barker shared her wealth of experience with Bucks New University students. 

The interior designer is well-known for her work on various house makeover television shows including Changing Rooms and 60 Minute Makeover. 

She visited students studying a foundation degree in kitchen design at Missenden Abbey to give them an inspiring talk. 

Linda, 56, told students on the course about her latest projects and spoke about her experiences at the 12th century abbey in London Road.

She said: “This is my first visit to Missenden Abbey. It’s beautiful and I’m looking forward to taking a look around.”

Speaking about her passion for kitchens, Linda said: “Kitchens are the heart of the home.

“Kitchens are the most important aspect to get right in the home and impact on so many ways in which we live our lives. 

“I find kitchens fascinating and, designed well, they can have a great effect on creating a beautiful home. 

“As designers, it is important you find your niche and part of finding that niche is being able to look around and see what other designers are doing. Good design is obvious, great design is transparent.

“That is where this course works so well, in ensuring that the kitchen designers of the future are competent and proficient in their style and approach. 

“The students are fortunate to have the resources and expertise on this course at their fingertips.”

The foundation degree in kitchen design is a distance-learning course and the students were attending a residential session at Missenden Abbey.

Course leader Paul Lighterness said: “The talk by Linda was very inspirational for students, showing a real passion for her desire to create, inspired by everyday objects and ceramics to influence the feel and look of a space, translating and transcending into innovative designs and spaces.”