Tell us a little bit about yourself, who you live with and what city/country you live in?

I’m an Exec PA 9-5 and an interiors content creator/part-time blogger the rest of the time! I live with my two grown up daughters in Leicestershire, UK. My love for interior styling really took hold when I started doing up my house about three years ago. I had a tonne of ideas in my head, a fixed budget and a boat load of motivation to turn my uninspiring home into something colourful and creative. I started my Instagram account at the same time and became totally consumed by the world of interior styling.

How would you sum up your style?

I’m often asked what my style is and I usually default to ‘eclectic’ as I don’t think my décor choices fall into any one specific category and I love mixing old and new, colour, pattern and textures.

What sort of condition did you buy the house in? Have you done much structural work to it, or has it been mainly decorative changes?

I bought the house with my ex-partner just over 20 years ago and it was in relatively good condition but we did inherit a few dated features such as a 70’s brick fireplace that ran the length of the living room and some questionable DIY wardrobes! We removed the old fireplace and replaced the ceiling in the back lounge and the rest of the rooms were decorated to our own taste but no structural changes were made. Due to change in personal circumstances, the house was pretty much left untouched for several years until more recently when I embarked on a total overhaul. This included a new boiler and heating system, window replacement, a new kitchen and bathroom and fitted wardrobes in the two larger bedrooms.

Decorating is very much a learning curve – can you tell us about a decorating mistake that you’ve made over the years which others could learn from?

When we first moved in my partner talked me into painting all whole living room red, convincing me that it would create a cosy and cocooning space. I personally found the room overwhelming and I could never fully relax in there, in fact it actually agitated me!  Nowadays I always consider the psychological effects of using a certain colour and think about the feel/atmosphere I am creating. I love the colour yellow and I have it in three separate spaces but I’m careful on the tone and generally use it as an accent – large quantities of bright yellow can lead to feelings of anxiety and irritation.

You totally nail gallery walls – what are your top tips for creating these?

Gallery walls are a great way to inject personality into a space. When I started my main gallery wall I decided to keep the frame colour uniform by using all black but a mix can be just as effective. When it comes to choosing prints it really is just a case of whatever speaks to you in some way, I once read that the sign of a great gallery wall is that it sparks a conversation from other people that view it – I really like that. The best advice I can give it to place all the prints onto the floor first and keep rearranging them until you’re happy with the layout, I would also use a larger piece in the middle and then work outwards from there.

You’re not afraid to use some beautiful, bold colours. How do you go about choosing colours for a new room scheme?

When I first started the house makeover I opted to use pale grey in most of the rooms as it felt like a safe place to start. I did have accents of colour in soft furnishings but over time I gained more confidence and soon realised the positive effects of colour and how they can affect the feel of a room. I’ve learnt that my happy colours are green, pink, black and yellow and I have pretty much stuck with them throughout the house. That’s not to say I wouldn’t consider using other colours; I’m about to revamp my kitchen and my mood board is a combination of black (there it is again!) nude and terracotta.

We love the way you’ve used totally different patterns within one room scheme! Do you think care needs to be taken when clashing patterns, or did you just pick them and go for it? 

I absolutely love using pattern in my home as it’s a great way to add personality and life to a décor scheme and also avoids a room looking too flat. My front living room is a good example of this as I have a mix of stripes, spots, floral and geometrics. Prior to adding a bold wallpaper to the fireplace wall the room was solid blocks of colour; on the wall, flooring, furniture etc. I think the real character of a room is achieved by adding patterned soft furnishings; cushions, rug and throws and even decorative items such as vases. I tend to keep to one anchor colour, so for instance in my living room that would be black – across the array of patterns I have used there is that one common element that ties it all together.

For anyone wanting to experiment with pattern clashing I would say the easiest approach would be to start off small and cushions are a relatively inexpensive way to do this.

What’s your top styling tip?

My top styling tip is to use the rule of three, especially if you are styling a sideboard, console table or shelf. This comes from the design principle that’s says items grouped in odd numbers are more appealing and effective and it’s something I’ve always adhered to. I do the same with cushions too and either have 3 or 5 on the beds. Apparently, it’s related to how our brains respond to seeing an odd number of things, our eyes are forced to move around more, which makes for an interesting visual experience – fascinating!

Jo is also a master at creative hacks, so take a look on her blog, Cloud Nine Interiors for ideas on how to transform Ikea cabinets.  It’s certain to get your creative juices flowing.  I particularly like the black cabinet with gold leaf tree branches that picks up on the design of the wallpaper in the bedroom, it looks fun to do as well – I do like messing about with gold leaf.   And Jo’s tip about using a variety of patterned cushions to become more confident if you are unsure about pattern clashing is inspired.  What do you think to Jo’s glamorous, welcoming home?

You can follow her decorating adventures on Instagram: @cloud_nine_interiors.

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Green Tropical Palm Outdoor Rug | Outdoor Planters & Decor

The first step was to call in Henry (my brother, the gardener) for a quick makeover, so we could at least have some patio to sit on.  He trimmed back all the evergreens on the right-hand side and cleared out all the remaining greenery to make the space bigger. So, we had a bigger space, but not much of it usable.

But as we are thinking of moving house, we didn’t want to spend too much transforming it.   And so it stayed like this until we had the idea to install a DIY gravel patio at the bottom to extend the seating space, and gravel down the left hand side for plant pots and seating.

The bottom of the garden was now an empty flower bed which we wanted to turn into a gravel patio.  As it was stepped up, we decided to put sleepers along the edge of the existing patio as a retainer, and then levelled the soil and flattened it with a tamper to create a solid base.  Next up we laid a weed membrane and pinned it in place across the patio and down the left-hand side of the garden.

We wanted a pale colour for the gravel to make the space seem bigger so we chose Cotswold cream from Wanlip Sand and Gravel.  We enlisted the help of my brother Henry for some extra muscle and within a day, we had barrowed the gravel in and then raked it over the weed suppressant.  This is the result after our day of labour.  Doesn’t it look amazing?

The beautiful cream gravel made the patio look even grubbier so we pressure washed it the next day and, surprise surprise, the patio is cream as well.

All it needed now was the addition of a sofa on the bottom raised patio and a selection of potted plants and we now have an amazing outdoor space.

Green Tropical Palm Outdoor Rug | Outdoor Planters & Decor

This is the finished courtyard garden and we absolutely love it – we sit outside most evenings when we get in from work.  It really is a joy to be in, and all for a couple of day’s work building an easy DIY gravel patio.  The outdoor rug from Audenza really finishes off the whole Mediterranean courtyard feel.  What do you think?

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Tell us a little bit about yourself, who you live with and what city/country you live in?

Hi, I am Angie and I am an interiors stylist with a penchant for bold and colourful interiors. My home is a shade of blue feast where I share snippets of and other lifestyle bites over on my instagram page called Something Blue Home.

I live here with my partner, K in the North West of England. I eat, breathe and sleep interiors and I’ve just launched my virtual interior styling & e-design support service. My home is a burst of bold colour, patterns and print. I love to keep things refined by playing around with the tones and hues of the colour blue whilst mixing it with pops of accent colours here and there. I have no rules when it comes to decorating, just find it, buy it and style it!  As soon as you walk into our home, you’re greeted by the vibrant splash of the gorgeous yellow on the banister!

How would you sum up your style? 

My style is definitely eclectic! It mixes the house’s Edwardian Period heritage with bold colour, beautiful artwork and traditional elements.

What sort of condition did you buy the house in? 

To be honest, the house was in pretty good shape structurally! It was just very beige and had no character or soul – which is perfect when you’re like me, who is always looking for the next interior challenge.  The only structural change we made was knocking down a wall to create a big open plan kitchen living space and building in a downstairs cloakroom! That was a palaver in itself because the waste pipe was on the other side of where I wanted it to go. All the builders suggested putting it on the same side because it would be an easier job to do but in the end, I put my foot down because I knew that from a design point of view, it wouldn’t work!  In the end, we knocked two walls, replaced a decorative stain glass window, and installed a new kitchen.

You have created a home that looks elegant and timeless, and won’t go out of style as trends come and go. What’s your top tip for pulling this off?

I think the biggest tip is to go for what you love because it will never go out of style. I do believe that style changes as your home evolves and I do change things around from time to time. It’s about listening and trusting yourself that you and only you, know what’s right for your home.  For example, with the hallway, I chose to paint the banisters yellow, as I like the idea of having something unusual and unexpected in a space. I do that a lot with colour and I think it a great and fun way to experiment with your decor! I believe that if it’s something that YOU love, it will never go out of style!

More commonly people tend to design each room in their home with different colour palettes, but you have boldly stuck to a beautiful, cohesive colour palette throughout your entire home. What made you decide to do this and why do you think it works so well? 

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been drawn to blue, I love the classic combination that you see in blue and white export china. I also like to wear a lot of Navy Blue.  I wear Navy like most people wear black. There’s just something very uplifting and alluring about the colour blue.

The thing is I love colour, not just blue, but all colours. I find colour incredibly effective in creating different moods in the home.  In my home, I have gone for the darker, richer, inkier blues because they create the most beautiful and cocooning atmosphere, which is always the look I want to create in a room! When we first moved in, all the walls were magnolia and I could not wait to get the paintbrush out to transform them. I DO like neutrals – it’s just that I need to feel a certain way when I am in my home and I create that feeling through bold colour, mood lighting and lots of texture!

You have used lovely dark blues all over your home. What’s your best piece of advice for making dark interiors work?

When we first moved in, it was all beige and I couldn’t wait to put my own stamp on it. I wanted to create a cosy home that we can entertain, dine and also just relax in. The key to making dark interiors work is LIGHTING. You need to overdose on the lighting and aim to have at least 8 different light sources, this is what is going to transform the space and create the soft and seductive mood. I think pendant lights coming from above can be quite unflattering and harsh so I recommend having these on a dimmer switch so that you can adjust it. Put all lights on dimmers where possible. Oh and lots of lamps too!

Have you made any decorating mistakes over the years, which others could learn from? 

Oh gosh! YES! Many moons ago – when I was testing samples, I used to paint them directly onto the walls. I remember there once when there must have been at least 30 different spots that I then desperately tried to cover up with layers and layers of paint! Secondly, also about paint – when you’re upcycling furniture, it is really important to prep your surfaces properly. I’ve painted directly onto surfaces which were not prepped properly and the paint just chips and scratches off! Be patient! Do the prep work! I promise you, it will be worth it!

What do you think the secret to fabulous interior style is?

For me, personally, I think it’s to keep it simple and a keep a close eye on the colour palette. I tend to use one main colour and then accent with 2-3 others. I find if I have too many colours or things in a room – it starts to look a bit untidy and jarring. I find that by restricting the colour palette a little bit allows you to create a more refined and elegant space! This is just what works for me though! The key to fabulous interior style is to do what you love and the way you want to do it!

Angie’s home is a fabulous mix of styles curated for a pleasing family home. I love the vibrant yellow banisters but I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to do it myself. But it really works – it’s the sense of fun you get from that bright splash of colour. I also love the restfulness that comes from adhering to the same colour palette throughout the house, although I am too much of a magpie about colours to be able to restrict myself. Do navy blue interiors work for you or do you feel it restricts your choices and you want to break out?

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Image credits: Something Blue Home

How would you sum up your style?

With regards to my interior style, colour is everything. It makes me feel happy and my husband and I made a conscious decision to only have pieces that we absolutely love and that make us smile. Your home is an extension of your personality and your safe haven so it is vital for it to bring joy and feel like the place want to be most. I’ve gone for an eclectic style as where’s the fun in playing it safe.

What sort of condition did you buy the house in? 

I originally bought the house 14 years ago while still working in London which is when we made some initial renovations as the rooms were small and rather austere. Once our children came along, I moved to the seaside permanently rather than weekends only and we realised that we needed to rethink the space to suit our needs as a family and the main object was open plan living. We wanted to create a home filled with warmth and plenty of space for all our family & friends. We embarked on a year long renovation ensuring we respected the 1930’s feel in terms of architecture. As the building is locally listed we are restricted in what we can change structurally, however we were told we could extend on the ground floor and roof terrace as long as it was in keeping.

One of the main features of the interior became the steel spiral staircase to accentuate the curves of the art deco era. We designed it together with a local company called Mortek Welding who did THE most fabulous job as it was quite a complicated process but we are so delighted with the result.

We’re obsessed with your aqua window frames and front door – are these original, or did you put them in?

When we recently renovated, an essential (and costly) change was removing the pvc windows in favour of Crittall style aqua coloured aluminium windows. I’ve always loved the windows in the Hoover building and wanted to be respectful to the 1930’s era.

You use colour in unexpected places such as doorframes, is there anywhere else you think it works really well to do this?

Colour is so important to me as its mood enhancing so I filled my home with all the colours of the rainbow. When we started designing the interior we wanted mainly a blank canvas so that the furniture would incorporate colour and make the statements. But I’m a huge fan of feature walls with wallpaper or a splash of neon in a doorway, that way it doesn’t detract from the other pieces in my home and rather compliments them.

What’s your best piece of advice for styling/curating a colourful and bold home?

My best piece of advice is be brave, trust your vision, surround yourself with things that bring joy and have fun.

What’s your favourite piece in your home?

I have so many favourite pieces in my home. The amazing Lily pad tiles from Ca Pietra on our doorstep make a dramatic entrance.

The Marilyn Monroe painting and the large abstract painting on the landing were commissioned by us and painted by a local artist that we went to school with called Ben Winters. We were very specific about what we wanted and the colours and Ben was so patient and professional. He is seriously talented.

The Harlequin sideboard was another discovery from instagram. I had seen the Prism wallpaper by Cole & Son and loved it but felt it would be a little too much for our home so when I found it on an upcycled solid vintage G plan sideboard I was over the moon. It originally came in black but the highly creative Zoe @mucknbrass kindly painted it aqua for us and it couldn’t fit better into our home.

The peacock chair on the first floor landing was painted in neon orange by Bristol Paint. I will never say no to a touch of neon!

Who’s your ultimate ‘house lust’ for inspiration?

My ultimate house lust is undoubtably Matthew Williamson. I find his use of colour so uplifting and inspirational.

I’ve always been in love with Art Deco architecture, but the challenge is how to decorate. Do you remain true to the style or can you find a way to bring out the beauty of the house, but make it your own? You can see from the photos that Natalie has put her own stamp on this Art Deco house, and made a beautiful home for her family, with an exceptional eye for colour and design, which comes out in her photography work. The house is also available to rent for location shoots.

Image credit: Natalie Orton

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We’ll start with the ‘after’ photo of my colourful and maximalist living room, as it’s much more exciting. [*This post contains some gifted items]

Paint colour, Serpentine by Zoffany* | Princess Leopold Canvas | Dog Leopard Print Cushion | Love Coral Cushion | Flamingo Table Lamp | Queen of Diamonds Print

This is my first house (well mine and the boyfriends), so it’s been amazing to finally decorate it exactly as I like. I should point out, when I say ‘I’ and ‘me’, what I really mean is ‘we’, but since all he actually cares about is the size of the TV, I have free reign with the decorating.  Which is just as well!

Here’s what it looked like before – bland but serviceable – is the only way I can describe it.  The house had been rented out for several years prior to our purchase, so although in a good state of repair, it was somewhat lacking in personality.

It’s a two bed Victorian terrace, so small, or should I say compact – a much nicer word.  But small rooms have their challenges, in particular trying to fit in all the many things I love! So, I started with a mood board of ideas to get the creative juices flowing, which I shared in the teal living room scheme reveal, so you can see where I’m coming from with my scheme.

Princess Leopold Canvas | Pink Faux Monstera | Brass Planter with Stand | Pink Neon Heart Light | Crocodile Candle Holders

As soon as I painted a swatch of ‘Serpentine’, by Zoffany*, I absolutely loved it, so that was my starting point for the walls, and dare I say it, the ceiling as well.  I think a dark ceiling is a love or hate thing, but also a matter of braving it.  In a small room it gives continuity to the colour scheme.  I also painted the cupboard, mantelpiece and pine fire surround in Serpentine to keep a unified look. The eagle eyed among you may notice that ‘Louie’ our ceramic leopard has a hole in his nose.  This is owing to an unfortunate incident involving my boyfriend napping on the sofa and accidentally kicking Louie in his sleep. We repaired him as best we could, but alas, he still bears the scars from that sad day.

Gold Sunburst Pendant Light | Brass Plant Stand | Flamingo Table Lamp | Zebra Wall Vase | Orange Zebra Plate | Snake Print | Queen of Diamonds Print

After several disasters with sofa’s I took the plunge and had one made to order by a local company in the most amazing mustard velvet, and wow, I love it.  I daren’t eat or drink anything on it though, which my sister, Hollie found out when she was on the receiving end of some very severe looks when she dared to even attempt eating a chocolate brownie on it!

Cheetah Fabric by Mathew Williamson for Osborne & Little* | Gold Sunburst Pendant Light | Teal Cocktail Sofa | Pink Faux Monstera | Brass Planter with Stand | Pink Neon Heart Light |

Those were the two biggest decisions of the room.  Next up was lighting, but as I had already fallen in love with the gold sunburst pendant ceiling light, I knew this was coming home with me! And the great thing about a Victorian terrace is the high ceilings, so this was an easy decision – however, it was one hell of a lot of light bulbs to purchase in one go, but definitely worth it.

Cheetah Fabric by Mathew Williamson for Osborne & Little* | Teal Cocktail Sofa | Mustard Sheepskin (coming soon to Audenza)

I had a feeling that I fancied an animal print fabric for my blinds, so whilst researching, we posted our fave 10 on the blog (you can read them here: 10 animal print fabrics).  I fell in love with ‘Cheetah’ by Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little*, and in particular, the cerise colourway, which is just so amazing, and wow, and everything else I can think of, that I chose it for Roman blinds for my bay window, and I also made the leftovers into a couple of cushions.

Faunacation Velvet Fabric by Divine Savages** | Feather Mirror | Gold Beetles | Coral Lamp (coming soon to Audenza) | Giraffe Table

The chaise longue was my eBay mistake – I neglected to check the measurements and assumed it was full size. Turns out, it’s definitely not. As it happens, it was a fortuitous mistake, given that I bought it before the house, so it fits perfectly in my small Victorian terrace.  It’s now affectionately known as our ‘chaise short’.  A talented local upholsterer recovered it in this amazing fabric, ‘Faunacation’ a beautifully soft velvet by Divine Savages**.  Isn’t it stunning?

Dog Leopard Print Cushion | Princess Leopold Canvas | Queen of Diamonds Print | Zebra Vase

The room scheme is very much about being colourful and quirky, so for the accessories I wanted to be bold.  I chose some bold, bright prints and worked from them, introducing hot pink to tie in with the blinds.  The monochrome rug calms things down a bit and balances the rest of the room.  Throw in lashings of faux plants for that essential bit of greenery and warmth that makes it feel like home, and there you have it – done!

As this is my first home I didn’t have much furniture and only a few pieces of vintage accessories I had collected or been given by family, so it really is an Audenza home.  Most of the accessories are Audenza past and present goodies that just had to come home with me!  Over time some of them will become my vintage pieces that I can’t part with, whatever my style at the time.

Zebra Vase | Orange Zebra Plate | Gold Rock On Hand | Striped vase | Sunburst Dish | Ginkgo Leaf Ornament

The completion of my first room scheme in my Victorian terrace home has been an exciting experience and it’s so lovely to be able to relax in a room that really feels like me (and the boyfriend, of course).  And no disasters (apart from the first 2 sofa’s, but they went straight back), so I’m really happy with it.  What do you think to my Victorian terrace colourful and maximalist living room?  Love it or hate it, it certainly creates interest, if the amount of people peering in the window as they walk past is anything to go by!

I’ll be onto the bedroom next, but as you may have guessed from us, we don’t like to keep things too samey, so I’m going for a completely different look there! Watch this space…

Amelia x

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*Gifted – the Cheetah print fabric by Osborne & Little and the Serpentine paint by Zoffany have very kindly been gifted for this project.

**Part-gifted – the Faunacation Velvet Fabric by Divine Savages has very kindly been part-gifted for this project (we received the item at a discount).

Before & After: Victorian Terrace Colourful & Maximalist Living Room by Amelia Brooks

Elephant Head Wall Mount | Orange Tibetan Lambskin Cushion | Monkey Table Lamp | Brass Crane Statue | Pink Rug with Fringing

The guys from Michael John flooring (my local Amtico suppliers) simply screeded over the old tiles in the garden room and then laid the new tiles on top so no mess and a relatively quick job.

Before & After | Amtico floor tiles used: Composite Calcium & Graphite Slate

Back to the garden room revamp, and the decidedly gorgeous floor meant I had to have a new rug, and a change around of the accessories, of course! The soft, hand woven pink rug was perfect for the general soft pastel tones of the room and just the right size as I wanted a soft area to sit with grandkids and play, but some hard flooring left for Play Doh and painting, and I still wanted to be able to actually see the beautiful tiles, otherwise what’s the point of them. The tiles tone perfectly with the paint work and wallpaper base colour for a more seamless flow, with the added pattern of the black squares, cos I do love a pattern.

When you work in the industry it’s so hard not to be seduced by new stuff coming in all the time, which is something I’m trying to curb, but goodness it’s so hard – like a kid in a sweet shop. Back in early spring at the trade shows I fell in love with the orange monkey table lamp and knew I had to have it, although where it was going was a mystery. The mystery is resolved now as an injection of coral/orange was just what the garden room revamp (the second one, that is) needed, for a bit of zing to cut through the ice cream look. And then I had to have the orange Tibetan lambskin cushion – and so it goes on. I can feel a need for an orange zebra plate coming next, to continue the animal, orange/coral, pattern theme! My abiding love has always been green and pink in all their varying shades – for the home and the garden – but I do want a shot of colour running through and I think orange is the one to really bring on the razzle dazzle. But hey, I was here on the orange heyday of the 60’s and 70’s.

Lion Head Planter | Faux Areca Palm Tree | Gold Rock On Hand | Golden Monkey Bookends | Cobra Snake Ornament | Pink Rug

Palm Paradise Pink Cushion | Love Coral Cushion | Pelican Cushion | Dog Leopard Print Cushion

Cushions are the easiest way to revamp a room, so I added a couple of coral/orange cushions to keep the vibrant hits of colour going and, as gold is always welcome, my next new love is the gold lion planter. Another instant falling in love that called to me across a crowded trade show and couldn’t be resisted.

Pink Velvet Armchair | Mustard Palm Tree Cushion | Flamingo Table Lamp | Pink Rug

Still blank walls, you may notice, very unusual for me but I felt there was enough going on and I’m loathe to put up pictures and then want to change them and damage the paper, so blank walls it is, apart from the gold elephant head. Maybe one day I will find the perfect pictures and fall in love, until then blank walls. I really don’t like to rush doing a room and feel things acquired over time give a scheme far more vibrancy and depth and avoid the catalogue look so common to instant revamps that don’t change and evolve.

You can see how the room looked before on our previous before & after blog post, what do you think to the old ceramic tiles? Decidedly beige and very hard on the head when the babies fall over, and china doesn’t bounce on a ceramic floor. A very important point for a clumsy person like me! I love Amtico floor, and no I’m not being paid for saying that, it’s not only the range of styles, looks and colours, its Amtico’s ability to always look good and the ease of maintenance. And the orange/ coral – are you loving it or hating it? It is a colour people are shy of, but it has an amazing ability to glow, and create warmth and ambience if used sparingly.

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Marilyn Blush Velvet Armchair | Beaded Leopard Print Cushion | Palm Leaf Floor Lamp | Leopard Vase | Faux Monstera Plant | Faux Trailing String of Pearls | Espinillo Wallpaper | Extravagance Blind Fabric

It’s taken me a long while to go from home office to glam and feminine bedroom but I’m nearly there, at last! Too busy with Audenza, 3 small grandchildren and emptying the old family home which has an enormous attic stuffed full of 30 years of tat – and memories, of course. I seem to have kept every picture they ever drew, every school report and every school photo. Note to self – curate! Anyway, on with the glam and feminine bedroom reveal. So, how did I go from this below…

Golden Feather Mirror | Espinillo Wallpaper | Mustard Velvet Palm Tree Cushion | Beaded Pink Velvet Ostrich Cushion

…to this? Well, as it’s a spare bedroom I didn’t have to take into account anybody else’s viewpoint – which was a relief as it gave me full rein to do what I wanted, and I knew I wanted it light, airy and with touches of gold, with a very feminine and glamorous vibe – perfect for Audenza products then! My starting point was looking for wallpaper and, as I said to the lady in the shop when asked what I was looking for, “I will know when I see it” and ‘Espinillo’, a gorgeous gold acacia leaf design by Clarissa Hulse for Harlequin was the one. I did take a few other samples home with it, but really I knew it was the one straight off. Next was the bed – velvet, naturally as it always been my favourite fabric for its richness, but oh what colour? So many samples of so many fab colours, but the mustard velvet spoke to the wallpaper and that was it. The roman blind fabric is Extravagance by Harlequin and the colour echoes the bed. I painted the doors, ceiling, radiator and skirting boards in Wimbourne White, by Farrow and Ball, to blend with the background of the wallpaper.

Palm Leaf Floor Lamp | Monkey Bookends | Isla Blue Glass Vase | Artificial Areca Palm | Gold Rock On Hand | Faux Trailing String of Pearls | Leopard Vase | Espinillo Wallpaper | Extravagance Blind Fabric

I fell in love with the bedside table and sideboard as soon as I saw them – the white finish, textured fronts, and the gold handles are perfect for this bedroom. The truly difficult decision was the bedlinen, it took me weeks to make up my mind whether I wanted white or pale pink or a deep teal. In the end the beautiful barely there pink linen won the vote, and doesn’t it look fab with the mustard velvet palm tree cushions and the pink velvet ostrich cushion? The golden feather mirror was intended for the dining room but I loved it so much in here I shall just have to purchase a new one for the dining room – more decisions.

Golden Feather Mirror | Faux Trailing String of Pearls | Espinillo Wallpaper

I could have gone mad with colourful accessories, but restrained myself and kept to a theme of lots of faux plants for their injection of warmth, and just a bit of colour in the vases, with a gold lamp base and bookends to continue the gold theme.

Monkey Bookends | Artificial Areca Palm | Ginkgo Leaf Ornament | Isla Blue Glass Vase

The real star of the show has to be the antique bronze palm leaf floor lamp and I’m so excited to have one, at last, after weeks of waiting. We all want one but I’m the oldie so pulled rank, and its mine!

My main worry now is that my globetrotting son has moved in for a few weeks and really, it’s not a colour scheme for a lad who (temporarily) works in a potato factory. I feel like sheeting the carpet, (in fact my lovely Marilyn blush pink velvet armchair has a sheet draped over it for now) and banning him from going in there except to sleep. I’m not sure if he appreciates my glam and feminine bedroom as he is pretty much oblivious to his surroundings, but he is enamoured of the pure linen sheets and reckons it’s the best sleep he’s ever had!

Mustard Velvet Palm Tree Cushion | Beaded Pink Velvet Ostrich Cushion

Marilyn Blush Velvet Armchair | Beaded Leopard Print Cushion | Brass Weave Planter | Faux Monstera Plant

Well, what do you think? I love it. although its not finished yet as there is wall space, and that’s always a temptation. I usually have a more eclectic mix but wanted this room to be very stylized and a real Audenza bedroom and I think I’ve achieved that.

Jacqui x

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We asked Jess a few questions about herself and her living room makeover:

Hello! My name’s Jess. I’m a former showbiz journalist and I have an interiors blog called Gold Is A Neutral which I launched in April this year. The blog covers all aspects of interiors, from my own journey renovating our Victorian terrace in South East London, to trends, house tours, expert advice and a bit of stylish travel as well. I’m loving it and am excited for what the future holds. I’m married to David and have two children Rafferty, 5, and Nellie, 1. They are both full of beans, stubborn as hell (like their mama) and are the reason I gave up the 9-5 and never looked back. I’m proud to be a working mum, though sometimes the juggle is a struggle.

What is your favourite piece in the room?

It’s a close call, but my favourite thing would have to be the gold Drip wallpaper from Jonathan Adler. It took months to arrive from New York and was a nightmare to hang but it makes me so happy and I’ve never seen it in anyone else’s home. Which could just mean I have terrible taste of course!?!

The room now looks unrecognisable, what was the most challenging part about the whole process?

There was so much to get rid of!  The existing shelves and cupboards had a false wall behind them which was chockablock with wires from the very dated built in sound system and CCTV network which had been installed right across the house. I have no idea what on earth the CCTV was for but I do know it was a pain in the bum to get rid of. It all needed unravelling and deciphering to locate the few wires we actually needed to keep.

It was also a big challenge trying to find someone to hang the wallpaper. It arrived with a blank border on either side and every decorator I asked to come and look at it turned up, shook their heads and said they didn’t know what to do with it. Either that or they started furiously trying to google online instructions about how to hang it which didn’t exactly fill me with confidence. But after many rejections we eventually found our man and it was so exciting to see it finally go up!

What was the best?

Getting rid of the hideously ugly floating gas fireplace and replacing it with a reclaimed Victorian cast iron fireplace that I found on Ebay. It instantly changed the face of the room and gave it the focal point it desperately needed. Another high point was when the white walls were painted the inky navy (Basalt by Little Greene). It actually made the room feel bigger and so sophisticated. I still absolutely love the colour and how cosy it is in the evenings.

How long did the renovating process (on this room) take from start to finish?

Ages. We effectively gutted the whole room (except the floors, they are next on the list) and started again. I was heavily pregnant when we started and I was a bit too optimistic in hoping to get it all done and dusted before Nellie arrived. All in all, I would say it took about two months to do all the joinery, filling, plastering, priming, painting and electrics. Then a few weeks on top of that to find someone who could do the wallpaper. It was a labour of love but was worth it in the end.

Get the Look

Pineapple Candle Holder | Gold Rock on Hand | Artificial Areca Palm | Boho Rug | Gold Bar Cart | Gold Champagne Saucers

A stunning living room makeover that’s finished, but not finished, as in Jess still wants to replace the flooring and the PVCu windows, but you don’t even notice them, too busy absorbing the glorious colours, glam accessories, and that wallpaper.  Hollie has deep seated envy for that wallpaper and dreams about it haha!  The shutters work wonderfully for letting in light but blocking out nosey passers-by, I have them in my front rooms for the same reason, and they are great for small rooms where curtains would take up too much room.

What do you think to this before and after then?  Any favourite pieces?  Gold is a Neutral has been shortlisted in the top 5 for the Amara Interior Blog Awards ‘Best Newcomer’ category, and Jess is also a contributing interiors editor of Cosmopolitan magazine, which has to be good credentials, so if you want some more interiors inspiration you can follow Jess on Instagram: @gold_is_a_neutral and also pop over to her blog Gold is a Neutral.

Jacqui x

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Image Credits: Gold Is A Neutral

This is the dining room (and now living room) before Katie began work on the house.

Katie was a self-confessed neutral décor woman at heart, so this is her first foray into the wonderful world of colour and eclecticism, and her blog shines through with her new-found love of colour and pattern. The first room to get the treatment is their glorious family living room, so we wanted to share it with you and hear a little more from Katie about designing the room.

J: Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

K: Hi I’m Katie, I live here in the Peach Palace with Chris (Mr Peach) and our four kids, twins Maxwell and Felix (7), Toby (3) and Dottie (1). We have lived here since April 2016 but moved out for six months whilst we completely renovated and extended. The lounge was the first room that we tackled as I couldn’t bear looking at the swags and tails any longer. Both Chris and I are dentists and in between working, mumming and renovating I’ve been on a one-woman mission to delete the peach.

J: What is your favourite piece in the room?

K: Its not quite a ‘piece’ but my favourite touch is the Bert and May tiles behind the fireplace. They took some guts to go for but I’m insanely glad that I did. If I’m allowed to pick 2 favourites then my second is the bag&bones pink neon sign. I spent hours practicing my handwriting which I always thought was pretty neat. Turns out years of computers and texting has made me a very sloppy writer.

J: The room now looks unrecognisable, what was the most challenging part about the whole process? 
What was the best?

K: The most challenging part of the process was installing the fireplace. The house has more than its fair share of fires but annoyingly there wasn’t one in this room. After an eye watering quote to replace the windows we decided it would be cheaper to install a fire. A chimney breast was built and an external flue was placed for the wood burning stove. This meant that the parquet floor had to be altered and the coving adjusted. Cue more eye water! Best part for me is that Loaf velvet sofa. There is nothing better than curling up on that.

Hicks Blue, by Little Greene makes a great back drop to the lush dark blue velvet sofa, and shows off the neon pink sign Katie had made to celebrate her blog name.

J: How long did the renovating process (on this room) take from start to finish?

K: Whole process took about 4 weeks from start to finish, a week to install and finish the fireplace and then a few weeks to decorate and style.

The fabulous Bert & May tiles are a bold choice with the House of Hackney wallpaper in the alcoves but don’t they look fab together? The mix of 2 bold oversized patterns works well.

Katie bought the zebra wall vase from Audenza, and her ingenious idea of framing him with a fancy gilt frame won her a gift voucher to spend at Audenza (find out how to enter our styling competition). Doesn’t he look majestic?

And last but not least the bar cart. What home is complete without a bar cart these days? It’s an excuse for more display surface, and to purchase gorgeous bottles, of course.

Get The Look

Zebra Vase | Claret Velvet Shell Chair | Pink Neon Heart Light | Artificial Trailing Fern | Gold Rock On Hand | Gun Vase | Faux Areca Palm Tree | Gold Metal Bar Cart | Velvet Stool with Brass Base | Aarunya Monochrome Rug | Palmeral Wallpaper

I hope you liked that little excursion into the Peach Palace transformation. Katie worked with Catherine from @mayskiesstudio on this project.  To see more before and after shots, and take a look at the rest of Katie’s beautiful home, go to her blog, Come Down To The Woods or follow her on Instagram. I have serious bathroom envy for her fabulous ensuite bathroom, complete with pink claw foot bath. It’s one seriously sexy bathroom! And if you love Katie’s blog, and her dry wit, vote for her on the Amara blog awards.

Jacqui x

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Image Credits: Come Down To The Woods | Melissa Photography

Image: The Jungalow

Simple rectangular shaped tiles, but what a glorious colour, with so much depth and texture to them they give a real zing to the walls. Whether you play down the rest of the décor and go for simple country boho (as they are here), or go full tilt into flamboyant, these tiles will add drama for years. They have used coloured grout so you don’t get the white lines breaking up the design, which is a really good idea and gives a wall of colour.

Image: Homepolish

I absolutely love the fish scale tiles on the floor. I’ve never seen them used on the floor before but they are stunning and, with their muted colour way, will always make a strong design statement that will fit with many styles of décor.

Image & Tiles: Mandarin Stone

Simple tiles are a good backdrop to any scheme, but in a herring bone pattern they really shout different. Change your room décor as often as you want but these tiles will always look good.

Image: The Professional Cinderella

You can’t beat tiled steps for adding some glamour to your home. These steps immediately conjure up thoughts of Mediterranean sunshine and that laid-back holiday vibe but they also remind me of Victorian villas and their tiled paths and hallways. And so much more impressive than normal concrete or painted steps.

Image: of Gazelli House, taken by Vestiaire Collective

Now these tiles are truly wondrous and a joy to behold – well certainly for a flower obsessed person like me – not sure what my sons would think being in a bathroom like this though! So possibly not for everybody, certainly not the faint hearted amongst you, but a dream space for flower lovers wanting some drama in their décor. Not sure on the longevity though – would I get bored of it as it’s very limited in terms of what else you can do to the overall space – or would it be a case of a long-lasting love affair?

Image & Tiles: Fired Earth

Fabulous floor tiles that would give any room instant drama no matter the rest of the décor. Play it down and go for monochrome, as they are here, or jazz them up and add any colour or style you want and these tiles will still look the biz in years to come.

Image & Tiles: Domus Tiles

So what do you think? Do these bold tile statement make you want to rip out boring beige and white? I know I’ve played safe with tiles so that I can change the rest of the room more easily but it does make me want to splash out on some drama and pizzaz!

Jacqui x

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