Page 44 - ESPC Magazine - October2021

AT HOME WITH...

Can you talk us through the renovations
you’ve carried out, and any top tips for
aspiring renovators?
In the beginning, we did some structural
work; we knocked down a wall to make a big
family kitchen-diner, installed a new kitchen
and created a new downstairs wet room. We
reinstated the partition between the vestibule
and the hallway, and created a walk-in closet/
office on the upstairs landing, using space
gained from the spare bedroom.

We rewired and replumbed the whole house
before starting on the decorative work,
which included lots of painting, wallpapering,
stripping the original pine floorboards and
staircase and salvaging cast-iron radiators and
mantlepieces.

I’d say that renovators should invest in the big,
boring hidden expenses from the beginning
as we learned to. We spent our budget on the Is there anything left to do to the linen-like colour for walls that makes any
rewire, damp-proofing, skimming some of the property? space feel cosy, regardless of the light.
walls and fixing the cupula. When our savings The final room on our list is the family
ran out, we made do with things like not bathroom. We need to start from scratch, What’s your favourite thing about your
skimming some of the walls, and now these as it’s very old and very ugly! After that, home?
are the things that bother me most! we’ll look at the exterior of the house, and I love that each room in the house is
keep on growing in our garden. well-used, and that the layout works well
for our little family. That said, it would be
How does your day job as a colour handy to have attic space for storage; I try
consultant impact your own design to be minimal to combat this, but that can
decisions, and what’s your favourite be difficult with three children!
colour to use in the home?
I help people to choose colours for their Is there any advice you’d give to buyers
homes, but I am most cautious when searching for something similar?
picking for my own home! I am inspired I know the market at the moment is quite
by Scandinavian design, and I’m drawn to difficult, but keep positive in your search.
bright, warm neutral interiors, with accents If you lose out on a property, assume that
of colour in soft furnishings, furniture and it wasn’t right for you, and the perfect
wallpaper. I thrive on creating calm spaces property is still out there. Keep looking, and
with muted palettes, rather than bold be realistic with your search requirements.
colours. Easier said than done, I know!

My favourite colour has always been
Farrow & Ball’s ‘Slipper Satin’. I love using it
on woodwork as a much softer alternative You can follow Siobhan’s interiors journey
to bright white. It’s also a very easy, warm, on Instagram @home__stead.

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