AN INTERVIEW WITH

New build homes are incredibly difficult to make your own. Especially when you have a little one running around. But Gemma Louise has perfectly balanced mum life and creating a real family home for her and her little boy Ru.

We catch up with her to find out her secrets in creating a beautiful, on trend home, whilst sticking to a budget.

GEMMA, YOU HAVE SUCH A GORGEOUS HOME, WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP WHEN IT COMES TO HOME STYLING?

I think my top tip would be to create a home that you want to be in all of the time. When I first moved in, I didn’t have much and it had no floors so it was just a cold empty shell and I spent far more time driving back to my parents house than I did in my own new home.

I’ve spent the last 6 months changing that and making it as homely and as cosy as I possibly can, and now I never want to leave! I’ve created a home full of pieces that I adore, and now it’s become my perfect, tiny little patch on this earth.

WHEN IT COMES TO INJECTING STYLE INTO A NEW BUILD, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT? HOW HAVE YOU MADE YOURS LOOK LIKE YOUR OWN SPACE?

I think for me it’s most important to give it character and colour. When you’re given a new build, everything is neutral. If you want to keep it that way, that’s fine, but for me personally I wanted to make it look more like a home that’s lived in.

I think it’s still quite neutral but it has it's pops of colour and I add so many accessories that I’ve created a really personal space. I like to have things on display rather than hidden away in storage (I save that for the boring bits) so I’ve added lots of shelving and side tables that I fill with all of my favourite things.

WHAT STYLE DO YOU LOVE BEST WHEN IT COMES TO THE HOME? WHERE DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST PLACE TO SHOP NEW HOME TRENDS?

I am definitely a huge fan of the bohemian style, I just love a home that’s filled with all the little bits and looks really characteristic and personal. I think it gives off such a homely vibe.

I absolutely love Homesense for all things home, every week they have in different things and it’s always on trend, so if you’re a new home owner this is the place to be!

GEMMA, YOU HAVE CREATED A TRULY GORGEOUS ROOM FOR YOUR LITTLE BOY RU. TELL US WHERE YOU LIKE TO SHOP CHILDRENS DÉCOR.

I’m still working on his room but it is pretty cute so far isn’t it?! I don’t even really know how I managed it - mainly Pinterest inspiration!

I get most of his décor from shops like Homesense, Amazon & eBay. I do everything on a budget, so if I see something I love on Pinterest, I’ll get straight on eBay or Amazon to hunt down something similar. You can find some absolutely gorgeous finds for not much at all.

H&M home and Zara Home have beautiful children's bedroom things too, so its worth checking them out.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT WHEN STYLING AND CREATING A SPACE FOR RU?

I think the most important thing is to make it colourful and to enhance his imagination. I’ve filled his with clouds, rainbows, animals and books amongst other things so that he’s constantly surrounded by things that will spark his creative play.

He rarely went in his room for the first few months that we lived here, but since I kitted it out with all of the little things, he loves playing in there and is in there all the time.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU BALANCE A BEAUTIFULLY STYLED HOME, ALONG WITH PRACTICALITY WITH HAVING A YOUNG CHILD? WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE TO PARENTS?

It’s a hard one that’s for sure! I am lucky in that I have a pretty well behaved toddler, he is messy like most young children but I make him his own little corners so that he can play mainly in those and do all of his messy things without getting it all over my beautiful furniture and rugs!

I went for all laminate floors in my house and I’m so glad I did as it makes life with young children a breeze, so that’s a huge recommendation from me.