12 minute read
I WANTED THE HOUSE TO FLOW
GOING GREY ‘I painted the floorboards and glass-fronted cabinet with Ronseal floor paint in Slate’
COME ON IN!
Advertisement
‘I wanted the
IDEA TO STEAL ‘Painting the wall white above the picture rail makes the ceiling seem higherÕ
30 | ABOUT ME I’m Emma Bryans, 40, a primary school teacher, with a serious Instagram habit. I live here with my husband Tim, 41, an animator, and our three sons, Beau, 10, Sonny, seven, and Louie, three.
MY HOME A four-bedroom 1930s house in the seaside town of Ballyholme in Bangor, Northern Ireland, bought in October 2014.
WHEN I MOVED IN The kitchen extension had already been completed, but the decor was very dark and dated. It included a lot of red and dark green.
AND NOW I have chosen a neutral backdrop in warm greys to best show off my ever-growing art collection. My gallery walls are a real talking point with friends and family.
1930S DETACHED
Love it
HOUSE TO FLOW!’
PERIOD PIECES ‘The 1930s doors and picture rails are elegant features I was keen to preserve. I painted the walls in Warm Pewter by Dulux’
Buy it Shop Emma’s vintage bright style PAGE 40
By decorating the rooms with paintings, plants and pops of pink, Emma has added an abundance of colour to a neutral backdrop in her seaside home
Tim and I moved house for a bigger garden and to be closer to the sea,’ says Emma. ‘We had our hearts set on Ballyholme, as it’s a lovely area with a good school and many of our friends live here. We were previously living in a new-build, three-bed terrace, but we desperately wanted an older property with period features that we could put our own stamp on.
Introducing colour The first thing I did when we moved in was to paint all the walls in the house light blue. I think I was a little bit overexcited about having moved to the seaside and wanted to reflect this in the decor! But unfortunately, such a pale shade meant the walls got grubby really quickly, and the blue made the house feel a little cold. I decided we needed to go for something a bit darker and warmer, so I set about finding some new shades that would better suit the house. I ended up choosing a spectrum of warm greys to use in every room, as these shades provide a great neutral backdrop for me to add pops of colour to. I wanted to give our home a cohesive feel with a sense of continuity throughout, and then bring plenty of interest with colourful accents from plants and fun additions like bunting and pom-poms. One day I started hanging colourful, framed prints and I’ve basically never stopped! My gallery walls now have a starring role on my Instagram feed @flawsomehome
house were cosmetic and there was nothing major or structural that needed doing. The kitchen was a little dated, so we gave it a refresh with new cabinetry from Ikea for a quick and budget-friendly fix, and we gave the bathroom a facelift, too. We were on a very tight budget, so we decided to do most of the work ourselves to keep costs down. It was hard work, but that’s not something I regret; in fact I’m convinced that restricting yourself to stay within budget forces you to really do your homework and take your time to get things right.
Industrial approach I painted the kitchen walls in a mid/dark grey called Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball, to match the gunmetal grey cabinetry from Ikea. Then I added white subway tiles with a charcoal grout for an industrial look. A gorgeous patterned rug with lots of warm colour really helps to soften those darker elements I chose for the kitchen. I love the blackboard wall, too. It’s great for jotting down shopping lists and family reminders; the kids sometimes draw on it as well, which is fun. I’ve fitted a chunky scaffolding
works Why it
IDEA TO STEAL ‘Don’t stop at one framed print – keep going and let your gallery wall grow!’
‘Mix and match frames to give even more variety to a gallery wall.’ STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ
features editor
Holly Walsh
1930S DETACHED
Love it
WAX LYRICAL ‘Candles in bright shades are an easy and affordable way to introduce colour and interest to a room’
3 of the best HOT PINK ACCENTS Add a bold flash of fuchsia
FLUFFY STUFF Pom-pom garland, £32, Bohemia Design
NEON VIBE Hibiscus cotton velvet cushion, £25, John Lewis & Partners
IDEA TO STEAL ‘Use a patterned rug to soften an edgy, industrial interior’
shelf from Barrel & Bird high up on the blackboard wall, which adds to the modern/rustic vibe and makes for something a bit unique to put hanging plants, framed pictures and interesting bits and bobs on. I like to use a mix of fake and fresh plants as they work really well indoors –you can switch real in for fake for an instant refresh.
Adding unique style I’m a keen upcycler, and love to update junk shop finds, partly in a bid to save money, and partly to avoid the trap of buying everything from Ikea. Our last home was a new-build, filled with identikit furniture, and I felt this house would benefit from a different approach by including the occasional unique piece here and there. I realise that some of my favourite pieces are a bit eclectic, but I don’t think interior design should always be completely serious; I like to have fun! I’m inspired by interiors I see online and in magazines, and I'm not scared of changing things up every now and then, but I don’t follow trends; I like to have
WRITE ON ‘A blackboard wall is great for shopping lists and family reminders’
URBAN EDGE ‘The gunmetal grey cabinetry is from Ikea and I added subway tiles with a charcoal grout for a modern look’
Make it!
PICTURE FRAME HANGER
1Gather four pieces of wood, such as floor boards or pieces of a pallet. Give them a light sand to remove any splinters or rough edges, then paint, varnish or leave natural, depending on the finish you want. 2 Once dry, arrange them in an open frame formation and secure with No More Nails or with long wood screws (screw from the back if you don’t want the head to show). Depending on the size and weight of your frame, attach one or two hangers to the back of the top piece of the frame. 3 Work out how many rows of photos you can fit into your frame, allowing space above and below. Then measure the height of the frame and divide the rows, marking 1-2cm in from the frame edge, ensuring they are level on either side. Screw eyelets into the spot you have marked. 4 Measure up your string or wire across the frame, and tie onto the eyelets. Arrange the photos across the string, using small pegs or washi tape to attach them.
DRIFT AWAY ‘Family photos are fixed with pegs to string, across a driftwood frame that Tim made’
works Why it
1930S DETACHED
Love it
‘The kitchen is a fun and welcoming space. A mix of vintage and modern pieces gives it an eclectic, lived-in vibe and the dark tones feel cocooning.’ STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ
Love it
1930S DETACHED
TRASH TO TREASURE ‘Anything can be upcycled. I love finding bargains and painting them and changing the handles, like I did with this chest of drawers’
works Why it
‘ IF STYLE AT HOME SAYSÉ
‘Emma has continued the strong grey walls upstairs, and has broken them up by painting the picture rail crisp white to provide a contrast and draw the eye upwards.’
senior features editor Stephanie Durrant
YOUR STY L E IS BRIGHT AND BOLD, ADD AN E LEM ENT OF COLOUR TO EACH ROOM FOR A COHESIV E LOOK ’
Do it!
MOUNTAIN WALL MURAL
1Work out the highest point of the mural. Using a long straight edge, draw the first mountain shape in pencil. Once you are happy, arrange and draw out the mountain peaks either side of the tallest. 2 Position thin decorator’s tape along the outline. Don’t forget to mask off any skirting to protect that from paint, too. 3 Paint within the tape, using a contrasting colour. Repeat with a second coat if needed. Once fully dry, remove the tape that masks off the mountain peak. 4 Then choose an alternative colour to paint the peak – you can do this free-hand with a fine brush, or mask off with tape and paint as before. 5 When the paint is dry remove all the tape. Use a fine paintbrush to touch up any smudges.
TOP MARKS ‘The mountain scene was created with Frog tape and Inchyra Blue paint by Farrow & Ball’
IDEA TO STEAL ‘Hang a plant from the ceiling to brighten a dull corner’
my own style. I am quite lucky that although Tim and I discuss everything first, he trusts me implicitly, and leaves most decorating decisions to me, so I’ve got the freedom to do whatever I want.
AND SO TO BED ‘The hanging Ikea wall lights free up space on the bedside table’
Online inspiration Instagram is such a great community. It has really helped boost my confidence when it comes to my interior style, and I think it’s a good opportunity for self-expression. I don’t use it to show off my home, but as a way to meet and be inspired by other design lovers.
A friend said to me recently that the braver you are with your decor, the braver you are with life, and I love that idea. It doesn’t mean your interior has to be bold and colourful – super pared down and minimal or pale and interesting are equally beautiful. The important thing is to take your own style as far as you can.
BLUSH TONES ‘Soft pink curtains and a matching throw make a nice contrast to the furniture, which is painted in Paris Grey chalk paint by Annie Sloan’
REAL DEAL ‘I like to mix up living and fake plants to get the best look’
Love it
1930S DETACHED
FEATURE ALISON GIBB, MICHELA COLLING PHOTOGRAPHS DOUGLAS GIBB
HALF MEASURE ‘I painted the wall halfway up for a slightly institutional look. The boys joke and call this room “prison cell chic”!’
young children. I am not sure this is entirely true all the time, but I do like to tidy up at the end of the day, and it’s something I find quite therapeutic. To help keep on top of the clutter, I’ve made an effort to come up with unique and inventive storage solutions. It’s important to me that my home feels welcoming to everyone, and for me, keeping it tidy is very much part of that.
Perfecting the look For a couple of years I moved things around a lot, buying and upcycling junk shop finds and bargains that I’d found on eBay. I have calmed down now and I am happy to say things have fallen into place at last. My next project is to shift my focus to the garden and I reckon that will keep me going for a while –we are going to transform a large shed into a summerhouse. I am hoping it will become a fun social area.
Where to buy Emma’s style
FIREFLY HOME For beautifully crafted cushions in gorgeous colours and on-trend patterns.
WHAT PHIL SEES A creative studio run by Phil Christer. Phil’s love of graphic design and typography come together to create a studio which focuses on producing limited-edition wall art.
THE RANGE An Aladdin’s cave full of quirky knick-knacks and treasures at bargain prices, that can be cleverly upcycled.
HOUSEOLOGY Amazing designer choices that are perfect for the occasional dazzling accent, in an otherwise budget interior scheme.
SPLASH OUT ‘The Moroccan-style floor tiles, from Tiles Direct, were an extravagance in an otherwise very budget renovation’
AWARDWINNING luxury river cruises in Europe
8 days from £1,099PP
From the River Seine in Paris to the Iron Gates of the Danube, sail along Europe’s arresting waterways and discover bulbfi elds, gorges, vineyards, monasteries, medieval towns, breathtaking Alsace and the Black Forest.
Departures from March to December 2020
“We have enjoyed several holidays with Riviera but this was our first river cruise and we really enjoyed it. The Emily Brontë is a luxurious ship with a wonderful crew. ” Mrs Owen
OFFERS
Up to €400 of on-board credit per cabin on selected cruises*
River Cruise Duration From
Rhine Cruise to Switzerland 8 days £1,599pp
Rhine & Moselle 8 days £1,499pp
Rhine, Strasbourg & Heidelberg 8 days £1,649pp
The Blue Danube –Vienna, Budapest & Salzburg 8 days £1,099pp
Vienna, Bohemia & Treasures of the Danube 8 days £1,549pp Cruise the Heart of Europe 15 days £2,499pp Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence 8 days £1,549pp
Amsterdam, Kinderdijk & the Dutch Bulbfi elds 5 days £899pp
Bruges, Medieval Flanders, Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfi elds 8 days £1,599pp
The Seine, Paris & Normandy 8 days £1,549pp
The Douro, Porto & Salamanca 8 days £1,449pp
Medieval Germany 8 days £1,749pp
Budapest to the Black Sea –Gems of Eastern Europe 15 days £2,949pp The Danube’s Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets 6 days £649pp Enchanting Rhine & Yuletide Markets 5 days £549pp
It’s all included in the price
Spacious and beautifully appointed suites or cabins with hotel-style beds and river views Exceptional cuisine with full board throughout Extensive and inclusive touring programmes Return fl ights from a choice of regional airports or standard class reserved seat on Eurostar from London St Pancras (supplements may apply) Return rail connections on selected dates and cruises from over 50 regional stations (supplements may apply) The services of an experienced cruise director and concierge
