If you are thinking of a similar look – be warned that an all-white interior can look sterile. “The trick is to layer lots of textiles and get the accessories right,” continues Davies, “And mirrors also really help to brighten things up.” A great book, full of inspiration on this very topic, is ‘Pale and Interesting’ (Ryland, Peters & Small) by Atlanta Bartlett and her partner, Dave Coote. Bartlett’s soft take on this potentially stark shade is really beautiful, particularly if you like your glamour a little rougher around the edges.
The moodily-hued stripey cloakroom is another – very different – statement. “We replaced the existing tiles with this wallpaper,” says Davies, “which is a bold statement – but it gives it a really glamorous look and in a small room like the downstairs loo it’s not too much of a risk.” For some very different takes on wow-factor wallpaper, try Timorous Beasties (whose ‘Toile’ designs, depicting urban decay amid in a traditional, decorative design, you may know) and also Neisha Crosland, whose ‘Watermark’ or ‘Zebra’ patterns are pretty bold, but less out-there. Or, for something altogether different, and rather saucy, Dupenny’s monochrome ‘Burlesque’ and ‘1950s Housewives’ patterns could be fun in the smallest room.
Another bold decision was to go for dark tones in the lower ground floor reception room – wasn’t there a risk that it would rob the space of the little light it already gets? “It’s also the TV room,” says Davies, “so we wanted to give it a cinema room feel.”
And from sticky fingers to adults and teens in between, that’s something that should appeal to everyone in the family.
Homerun Services – www.homerunservices.co.uk