Interior designer Maggie Smith has just celebrated 30 years in business.

Completely self-taught, she has won plaudits from big-name clients such as Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA), the Institute of Directors and Kent's own Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

Her business, Vine House Interiors, Wrotham, is used by customers wanting a special design job from someone who says she enters into their world before offering advice.

"You have to stand back, let people have their own personality in their home and not keep putting in your input all the time," she says.

Richard Gamble, former RSA group chief executive, said: "The special skills she has in interpreting the needs of the customer are unique."

Her Royal project won a City Heritage Award in 1996.

Maggie, a young-looking 66 who tones up with a swim every morning before work, was born in London's East End and came to Kent when she was 10. She went to school in Sidcup.

Her eureka moment came when she read a book by Tricia Guild, the renowned fabric and wallpaper designer. She enrolled on a Sanderson's course and bought a second-hand sewing machine.

Thirty years after founding Vine House Interiors, she has seven staff, one of whom has been with her since the start. She says: "My girls are fantastic. They put in 100 per cent."

While the boom years were good to Maggie, recession has been tough. She has lived through some tough economic times but admits this recession has been the worst.

And she faces more competition than ever, with multiples tempting away customers with special offers. But Maggie often has the last laugh when they bring items back and ask her to sort out the problems.

This glamorous grandmother - she has seven grand-children - keeps up to date with the latest styles and is happy designing for young people. "My head is full of younger ideas because I'm seeing the latest things all the time."

She has no plans to retire. "I can't imagine doing nothing all day.

She dislikes the thought of one day having to sell up. "I have huge job satisfaction and really enjoy my work. Who knows, I might be doing it at 75."