Home Delivery

Home Milk delivers “daily, fresh, home interiors inspiration” on Instagram, sharing amazing things from amazing real homes, and letting you know where to buy them. Here Paul Lindt talks to founder Emma Merry.

Tell us more! There’s probably a home you’ve always wanted to have a nose inside, well I’m doing it. It’s me with a camera, in your neighbour’s house basically. The aim is to inspire our community and beyond, and reduce the boundaries between what you dream your home to be and what you can make a reality.

What a lovely way of sharing ideas, how did it all come about? It slowly formed over a period of time but I guess it all comes down to three things.

First of all we bought a home in E17 that needed hefty renovation. It was never the plan to do such a big job but I couldn’t bear the thought of buying somewhere with a new fancy kitchen that I’d want to rip out because it wasn’t my style. I hugely enjoyed the research phase for the interiors but was constantly frustrated when dream items I’d find online would be on some random blog with no link to the product, or in Australia with no way to deliver, or just way too expensive. Secondly I’m an incredibly nosey neighbour. If you’ve got your curtains open I’m looking in! I’m your local house perv. And finally I knew for years I’d wanted to be my own boss, but I just hadn’t figured out my idea. I then realised I could utilise my creative production skills, knowledge of digital content and passion for interiors to create Home Milk.

And your love of design…? I’ve always had a thing for interiors. I’ve realised it was from a pretty young age. My favourite thing was moving my bedroom furniture around. I loved waking up in what felt like a new room. I just wasn’t exposed to interior design as a young person. I studied TV and Photography at University which lead to small jobs on the TV series Byker Grove, Location Location Location and Eastenders. Then I moved into digital creative production, working for BSkyB, Design Council, then took another slight shift into advertising working for Mother and then Naked….and then finally settled at Selfridges, overseeing a team of producers to deliver onsite creative content and editorial photography. I’ve always tried to push myself creatively and have completed courses at RCA (digital pattern design) and Central St Martins (Interior styling). I’ve had quite a few jobs! I’ve been trying to find myself I think. The pressure of sticking in a ‘secure’ job meant I didn’t really spend enough time figuring out who I am and what I’m good at, but now I think I have, and I can’t wait to see what I can build for me and my family.

How would you describe your own personal style when it comes to your own home? Colourful, relaxed and social. Bold colour is my Jam. I try subtlety but it’s just not in me. My lounge paint colour is a bespoke green mixed for me by Colvins (I saw it’s closing. I’m heartbroken!). It’s super punchy. I always googled ‘jobs in colour’ hoping that some magical role might appear.

With your own home do you have a favourite find? I’ve got an amazing huge Slim Aarons print in my kitchen, it’s an image of my dream home and life, a mid-century modern villa set in the Californian hills. I’m one of the ladies sitting poolside in full make up and an immaculate blow dry.

How do you find the homes you feature on Home Milk? It’s been amazingly organic. I’m so hugely thankful to the Walthamstow residents I’ve shot so far. Each have been so generous letting me into their beautiful homes and recommending others. I honestly don’t think the idea would have been so successful if I hadn’t started it in E17. The support of the community is incredibly powerful, I feel like you could achieve anything here.

What sort of reaction have you had so far? Overwhelmingly positive. I honestly can’t believe it. It’s something that started as a personal passion project for me so it’s been incredible hearing that people are enjoying it and coming along for the ride. It’s so lovely when someone makes an effort to send me a DM, I’ll always respond.

What are your long term dreams for Home Milk Showcasing real homes will always be at the heart of it. I want to shoot as many amazing real homes as I can in my lifetime. I’ve got an exiting partnership happening (with the incredible Jude Whyte) and we are looking to rollout an interior design service ‘for the everyman’. I’m planning a colour course, loads more inspirational content maybe even a podcast. Watch this space.

@homemilk

Photo © Home Milk

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