THE FINISHED ARTICLE: Sophisticated Period Home

A short while ago the lovely Caroline McGrath invited us to photograph her historic cottage located in a sleepy Oxfordshire village. Her home is really pretty but inside it’s the kind of space many people would struggle to decorate, with low ceilings, thick walls and a quirky layout over three floors – the lower floor was originally a grain store, with living space above. However, Caroline’s confident use of bold colours has given her home a look that’s cosy without being too ‘country’ – and it works a treat! Let’s find out more about Caroline and her style…

Sophisticated Period Home photographed by David Parmiter

What do you love best about your home?

The period features

Describe your style in five words

Old cottage living with Scandinavian style

What’s your favourite homes buy and why?

My Russian oil paintings of two female heads by Alexei Bazanov – they’re contemporary and classic at once and get everyone talking over dinner!

What’s your favourite local interiors shop?

I love Fade in Woodstock because it combines a fresh Scandinavian look with a refined version of British shabby chic

What’s your favourite national or online interiors shop?

Caroline McGrath of course!

Tell us about your worst decorating disaster

It would have to be when I decorated our little drawing room bright yellow!

What’s your decorating secret?

Use stylish neutral tones, then add punchy, colourful accents

SHOPPING SHORTLIST: Coastal Fabrics

I’m almost buried under piles of fake snow and baubles at the moment (the joys of Christmas in July!) but haven’t forgotten what it’s really like outside in the real world! These lovely coastal-themed fabrics and textiles have been popping into my inbox so have a look through and choose your favourite…

I’m not keen on overly ‘kiddy’ designs for children’s rooms, so this vintage-inspired boat bedlinen is just right. It’s brand new from Cabbages & Roses and is also available as an oilcloth too which is ideal for the breakfast table. Lots of their signature florals are in the sale at the moment too so pop along and have a look.

For sheer Nautical Factor it’s hard to beat Ian Mankin… these new ticking fabrics are organic so you can shop, decorate and feel virtuous all at the same time! (actually, they’re not too bad at £25/m either)

These cushions are from Fabrics and Papers. They’re relaunching their website on 1st August but they sent me this sneaky peek of these cushions made from seaside-inspired prints. I absolutely love the vintage tea posters on the wall at this location house since seeing them in my number one favourite book of all time, At Home With White by Atlanta Bartlett. She’s selling them through her shop, Pale and Interesting… well worth a click if you want to indulge yourself in achingly beautiful products and photography that makes you feel inspired and inadequate in equal measure!

Finally, this bold Lighthouse Stripe fabric is from Runaway Coast. I love their colour palette and windswept photography. Happy shopping!

SECRET ADDRESS BOOK: Laura Ashley

Ok, so Laura Ashley‘s no secret in itself – if you want to get Emma’s classic, timeless look it’s the place to shop. But what you won’t have seen are these gorgeous new designs for autumn/winter. They don’t hit the shops until the 9th of August but I’ve managed to arrange a sneaky peak for your viewing pleasure!

I really love the strong crimson colour of the wallpaper and butterfly cushion. It’s one of those colours that adapts to any season – it will remind you of festive cranberries in winter and fresh raspberries in summer. And how beautiful is that ceramic lace pendant lamp – lace designs are going to be everywhere next season and has to be one of my favourite trends in ages. Check out these beautiful bowls, bird plates, and mugs on Etsy to whet your appetite. Have a great weekend!

BEFORE & AFTER: Furniture Makeover

Emma and Jeff’s serene coastal home had been used as a holiday cottage before they moved in and they inherited some pretty tired rental furniture, like this ‘1990s Chic’ orange varnished pine shelf unit. Mmmmm.

I’m always expounding the virtues of a coat or two of eggshell to update furniture but even I might have overlooked the potential of this nasty number. But not Emma – a lick of Farrow & Ball and some new shaker-style handles and… ta dah!

Lovely or what? If you’re wondering, the colour’s Borrowed Light from Farrow & Ball. If you want to have a go at painting furniture, there’s click on this easy three-step guide or head over to Design Sponge for loads more before and after transformations. Have you ever updated or customised a piece of furniture?

IN DETAILS: Serene Coastal Home

Love Emma’s coastal home in our August issue? Want to see more?

Here are some shots that we didn’t have space for in the final feature, including one of my personal favourites of her cat, Eva, who has the very significant honour of actually converting me from a strictly ‘dog person’. She’s a British Blue, in case you’re wondering. Don’t you think she’d go just beautifully with my living room scheme...?

FINISHED ARTICLE: Serene Coastal Home

Ever harboured a dream of upping sticks and moving to a quaint town by the sea? Emma and her husband Jeff did just that and are now living the good life in Topsham in Devon with their adorable baby son. Let’s find out more about Emma and her style…

Serene Coastal Home photographed by Jamie Mason

What do you love best about your home?

The blend of textures from exposed wood beams and soft throws set against a cool colour scheme

Describe your style in five words

Classical elegance meets crisp coastal

What’s your favourite local interiors shop and why?

Nest Interiors in Fore Street, Topsham for its coastal style and individual pieces

And your favourite national shop?

Laura Ashley – I love its classical, timeless style and the fabulous quality

Tell us about your worst decorating disaster

Don’t buy cheap paint! We did once and it was too watery and needed numerous coats. We ended up starting again with a good quality brand

What’s your decorating secret

Always use sugar soap to clean your walls before painting them. Although you may not be able to see the grease and dirt beforehand, you’ll notice the patchy paint afterwards
You’ll find the complete feature about Emma and Jeff’s gorgeous home in the August issue of Ideal Home, written and styled by moi!

INSPIRATION GALLERY: Coastal decorating ideas

Scorching day, check! Geeky sun hat, check! Off to the beach, check! I’ve always wanted my very own little beach hut to escape to and more importantly, decorate with cute coastal colours and accessories (a girl can dream!) There’s something calming about cool blues and crisp whites mixed with bleached-out wood. Just have a look at these lovely ideas (you’ll find loads more at House to Home)

Retro Ercol furniture wouldn’t necessarily be the most obvious choice for a nautical room, but the dining chairs and coffee table work perfectly here as the smooth, curved edges have an almost wave-tumbled look, like rounded pebbles. For something more traditionally seasidey, these rooms are packed with classic stripes and painted wood furniture..

Hope you’ll have the chance to be beside the seaside this weekend… pop back next week for some extra shots from Emma’s tranquil listed cottage in Devon and a really clever furniture makeover. See you then!

LIFE’S A BEACH: Wish you were here?!

Have you seen the August issue of Ideal Home? It’s always one of my favourites to work on as it’s our seaside special so we get to go to lots of lovely places like Topsham in Devon, where I went to style a cute listed cottage (more next week!)

Sunset image, BBC Devon

I was walking to the office this morning thinking about this lovely postcard template our Art Director Emma made for me to use for this glorious seaside sunset when I came across this Urban Beach Hut just a couple of streets from Ideal Home HQ. I think it’s meant to get people in a seaside-y mood. Hmmm. I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel like something’s missing….

IN DETAIL: Display Ideas

Check out these lovely detail shots from Martyn Steele’s smart converted home…

FINISHED ARTICLE: Smart Converted Home

Smart Converted Home Photographed by Simon Whitmore

We asked photographer Simon Whitmore and stylist Sarah Smith to make the trip to Sheffield to shoot this sophisticated Victorian home, which had previously been turned into flats. Homeowner Martyn used to just own the ground floor, but when the first floor came up for sale he decided to buy it started the task of painstakingly turning it back into one home again.