‘MY NEW LIVING ROOM IS MY

We love NHS

IDEA TO STEAL ‘Use a semi-circular table to make neat use of an alcove’

FAB FLOOR

‘The laminate floor is hard-wearing and easy to keep clean. The rug adds a bit of softness, and I can replace it in time if I want a new look’

I’d decorated the living room when I moved here about 10 years ago, but since then I just haven’t been able to update it. I’m a midwife in the NHS and my daughter, Ariella, is just three, so working through the pandemic in the past year has been hectic and stressful.

My living room was looking shabby, with plain grey walls, an old carpet and a grey sofa. There was nowhere for books, lamps or accessories, and Ariella’s toys were just stacked in one corner.

Getting started

I stumbled on Design Havens For Heroes (DH4H) by chance on Instagram, @designhavensforheroes. It’s an amazing charity made up of interior designers, tradespeople and brands. They donate time, products and skills to transform rooms in the homes of NHS workers, giving frontline staff a calm and restful ‘haven’ when they are off duty. I was longing to improve my living room, so I applied, not really expecting anything. When I heard I’d been chosen, I was over the moon. I knew this would make a big difference, and give me a ‘happy place’ to relax with Ariella. It was lovely to have something exciting to look forward to.

Style file

Over several weeks through lockdown, I chatted over Zoom and email with DH4H interior designers Fiona Duke and Julia Alexander. They made me feel relaxed as we discussed my decorative tastes and what I needed to make the living room work better. Julia and Fiona then reached out to contacts in their interior design networks and companies keen to support the charity. They put together mood boards with a vision for the scheme, including everything from paint to flooring and furniture. At the same time, they were sorting out the practical side of the installation. I like bright colours and a clean modern feel, and I loved the big, jade green sofa they suggested. It’s the anchor piece of the room and everything else was chosen from there.

Problem solvers

I settled on a lovely pale blue-green wall colour and grey laminate flooring, so the room would feel light and fresh. Lack of storage, especially for toys, had been a problem, but I liked the big baskets Fiona and Julia recommended, as they make it easy for Ariella to help tidy up. I’d also wanted a small eating area, and the