From the best house interiors trends to smart renovation hacks, we speak to some of our favourite homemakers about how they made their house a home. First in this brand news series we sit down with Genevieve Harris (AKA @mrs_trufflepig) who lives in a quintessentially English Cottage in the countryside.
Then and Now. What are the biggest changes you made to the house?
We bought this house six years ago, and it was a complete project, as in it was practically falling down! It’s grade 2 listed, and the oldest part dates back to around 1420, so there was a lot of sensitive restoration that needed to happen. The main part of the building is oak timber frame, which had been covered up in the 60s with a concrete screed and faux black planks. The biggest change we did, was to remove this from the front of the house and strip it back to the original oak beams and reinstate natural lime plaster infill. This had a huge impact not only on the appearance of the house but also made it much healthier as it could now ‘breathe’ as the historic materials intended.
Which room in the house did you tackle first?
While we waited for building consent to start for the structural work on the house, we created the kitchen. When we moved in, it was pretty basic, a few 1960s cabinets and an ancient oil Aga and that was about it! The kitchen is Georgian, so I did a bit of research on how kitchens and cupboards were in that era, I wanted to get a feel of what the proportions were like, so I could emulate a look that would feel authentic to the space.
I designed all of the units and had them made by a local carpenter, I wanted them to feel like pieces of furniture rather than fitted units. I sourced all of the brass hardware, sinks and taps from antique shops, and built doors to conceal the modern appliances.
Your favourite room in the house?
Our drawing room is rather special. At one point in time, we think it was probably two rooms, but years ago it was opened up into one large space. The focal point is an incredible indglenook fire place that always has a roaring fire in the evenings. It’s definitely a winter room and is the perfect spot for people to gather for drinks before supper at a party.
Who do you look to for interiors inspiration?
I’m a sucker for old interior design books from the 70s and 80s, I have a brilliant one from Colefax and Fowler that I often revisit. Some of my favourite Instagram accounts are Salvesen Graham, Beata Heuman, Ben Pentreath and Sarah Vanrenen
Your favourite interiors trend, themes right now?
I love the fact that people are not shying away from introducing colour into their homes right now. I’m a firm believer than colour can really affect our moods especially in our own homes. Taking the plunge and painting our kitchen cabinets bright yellow was the best decision. It’s such an uplifting hue, especially on grey, overcast days.
What piece of advice would you give to someone starting house renovations?
I would say, don’t rush into things. If possible, live in the house for six months or more before you start making decisions. Notice things like where the light moves through the rooms at different points of the day, what areas people naturally gravitate to, things that currently don’t work, and things you want to keep. So many of our best decisions have come from a lightbulb moment while sitting on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon.
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