Are you Tweedy or a Deco-Ista? Gabrielle Fagan delves into the tribes that inhabit the world of interior design with Hannah Sandling are tell-tale clues in Hannah Sandling's house that point to the fact the glamorous TV presenter is in love.

For a start, the former fan of bright colour and funky feminine style has embraced a more male-friendly colour scheme of muted browns and creams, and banished her trademark frilly cushion from her tiny Chelsea cottage.

Hannah, 31, who has been living with 26-year-old property developer, Oliver Felstead, since January, beams as she says: "Your home is so revealing of your personality and your mood, and when your life changes your house changes with you.

"Because I am madly in love with a guy I want to spend the rest of my life with there's much more of boy's element in this place now ,because it has become our' home. Your circumstances and times in your life affect your taste and influence how you decorate your home so much."

Hannah, co-presenter with Nick Noakes of wedding programme The Big Day on BBC One, has been busy proving that by putting the nation's homes under the microscope, with the help of DIY homestore, B&Q.

She has discovered although we may assume we have our own unique home taste. In fact generally we fall into four interior tribes' or groups, each with a distinct style.

Young and funky - you are probably a Funshiner who loves colour and following home trends. If you're more settled and eco-aware you're an Edenist, but those with a grand home in typical English style, can consider themselves a show-off Nouveau Tweedie.

Those aspirational divas, who lavishly create homes inspired by the pages of the glossy interior magazines are Deco-istas.

Hannah said: "It is fascinating to find our rooms reveal so much about us, and what stage we are in life.

"Some of us may stick with one style while others may embrace all of them over the years - depending on our income.

"I was definitely a Funshiner when I was in my twenties and, looking back, my rooms were almost blindingly colourful, but now I'm settled I'm turning into an Edenist.

"My home has become softer in style, and as I'm more aware of the environment I'm much keener on using natural, eco-friendly materials."

Most of us, according to the research which marks the launch of B&Q's latest homeware, regard having a beautiful home as the ultimate status symbol, more important than a good wage, a sports car or holidays abroad.

Hannah said: "I think our homes say so much about us and we probably enjoy spending more time in them as we entertain more at home."

8 Funshiners are career-driven, independent twenty-somethings who love being creative in the home, and spend around £500 a year on their rooms. Hannah said: "Their style is totally individual, even daring at times, and they love witty, original touches. They are always making small changes - inspired cheap, impulse buys - so that their home never looks out-of-date.

"As dedicated followers of fashion they've already decorated using this season's hottest shades - plums and purples - or are using purple accessories to echo the trend."

A limited budget coupled with their concern for the environment means Funshiners usually shop in markets and at auctions for secondhand bargains which they artistically transform with clever makeovers.

Celebrities who inspire the style: Lily Allen and Peaches Geldof THE DECO-ISTA 8 Deco-istas are design devotees who pore over the glossy interior magazines for inspiration. They spend the most out of all the tribes and love their homes so much they'll splurge thousands on creating the 'wow' factor in their rooms rather than taking holidays. Hannah says: "These types ooze urban sophistication and are always looking for ways to conjure chic, sleek simplicity in their homes. "Their style is timeless - 'less is more' is their mantra - and they have a grand, show-home to die for with visually stunning rooms that are perfect in every detail." Style rules over comfort here. A neutral colour scheme with punchy hints of colour such as orange or red gives drama to light, airy spaces that are a perfect backdrop for modern chrome and mirrored furniture and dramatic artworks.

Celebrities who inspire the style: Stella McCartney and Jude Law.

NOUVEAU TWEEDIES

8 Nouveau Tweedies are successful, high achievers - normally aged late 30-40s - who furnish their period homes in a traditional English style, but give it a sophisticated modern twist.

They spend at least £2,000 making sure their rooms impress and their retail therapy is spending on treats for the home rather than themselves. Hannah said: "They don't follow fashion as they're confident of their own taste - a style inspired by the elegance of the past - but they do see their home as enhancing their prestige. "They'll save for special investment pieces, either old or new, and display them cleverly for maximum impact and drama. They will bring alive that traditional room with a well-chosen contemporary design classic, perhaps a chrome and leather Eames chair." Lavish, textured fabrics and a rich colour scheme of gold, tarnished silver, purples and classic shades like Racing Green characterise their comfortable, sensual sanctuaries.

Celebrities who inspire the style: Madonna, Elton John and Emma Bunton

Find out how your personality and style is reflected in your home.

1 How would you describe your current home? a) Fun, bright and colourful b) Authentic, rustic and simple c) Traditional, decorative and inspired by elegance of the past d) Minimalist, stylish and chic

2 Thinking about your home, which of the following statements most applies to you? a) It is untidy with CDs and magazines everywhere b) It can seem quite cluttered with quirky knick-knacks c) It is populated with a few antique, ornate objects, carefully placed d) It is immaculate and highly organised. There is a place or gadget for everything

3 Which of the following gadgets would you aspire to having in your home? a) Stereo system with speakers throughout the house b) A wind turbine or solar panel c) Digital grand piano d)Voice-activated lighting 4 Your perfect weekend is: a) Spending time with friends at music festivals b) A long walk in the country c) Visiting galleries and museums d) Shopping and lunching with the girls/enjoying the VIP area at a sporting event

5 If you had to choose one of the following for your home, what would it be? a) A primary-coloured shag-pile carpet b) Floral curtains c) Gold taps d) A white sofa

6 When choosing your dream home you would automatically look for: a) Quirkiness - you want it to have its own individual style and not be like any other house on the street. b) Green potential - you want to lead as green a life as possible so a headstart is a must. c) Period charm - you want your home to be steeped in history and reflect the glamour of past eras. d) An amazing view to wow your friends - with floor to ceiling windows and views across the city.

7 Thinking about your clothing style, you normally wear: a) Colourful, unique pieces from second-hand boutiques b) Floaty and floral designs. c) Modern basics mixed with vintage clothing d) Predominantly black, white and grey clean-cut, sleek outfits

8 In your perfect kitchen you would have: a) Colourful appliances b) A large wooden kitchen table c)Antique cutlery d) Under-unit lighting

11:32am Tuesday 22nd January 2008

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