Real Homes: An Interview With @home_atplot12
By Amy Kilvington
We’re very excited to introduce the next Instagram influencer in our Real Homes series, Jennifer-Louise from @home_atplot12.
Jennifer is a first time solo buyer and has received much deserved attention for her achievements, saving up for two years to purchase the house of her dreams. Since moving in, Jennifer has transformed her home into a fresh and feminine space with a real air of luxury. We asked Jennifer a few questions about her interior style, where she finds inspiration, and her next plans for her home…
How would you describe your interior design style?
I love big, bold and different. I want my style to stand out and make an impact. I want it to inspire people to step away from the norm and to make everyone consider how they can do things differently.
I love colours that have depth to them; dark greens, navy blues, and little injections of black over grey are my current favourites.
What was your first project in your current house?
My first design project was actually my hallway. My house was a new build so everywhere was white and bright and I loved the crispness of it but I wanted to inject little hints of colour from the get go.
I kept the white but added trickles of gold and black with some live and faux plants to create textures and to breathe life into it. I feel the entrance of your home sets the tone for the rest of the house, so I wanted it to be bright and inviting.
What was the most exciting or challenging part of doing up your home?
My kitchen was definitely exciting and challenging. I had to do it on a budget, but wanted a complete transformation. Luckily, I was able to collaborate with some amazing companies and change my kitchen style altogether. Using DC fix vinyl, it went from beach wood cupboards and a black worktop to white cupboards and a light grey marble worktop. I also created my own corner breakfast bar and added beautiful finishing touches from the likes of Blinds Direct, Socket Store and The Hairpin Leg Co.
It was a long and slow process, but certainly paid off in the end.
Where do you find inspiration?
Mainly instagram accounts. Pinterest is great for inspiration but also just window shopping in general. My kitchen bar inspo was from one of my best friends (_ohabode on Instagram).
Where do you shop for homeware?
Bargain shops, 100%. I also try to buy little bits from small businesses on Instagram. It’s nice to be able to help promote their small business when you buy from them; it means more as opposed to just shopping on the high street. I’ve also found some really great pieces on Facebook Marketplace – you’ll be surprised what you can find, so I wouldn’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
What are your next plans for your home?
After just finishing my kitchen, I’ve been working on and now almost finished my bathroom, so next to tackle is my bedroom. I want to create a beautiful panelled wall behind my bed and again introduce some of those beautiful bold colours to add some more depth to the room. So watch this space!
How do you choose your window treatments?
Mainly, wanting to maintain a good amount of natural light in the room but add style at the same time. I love statement pieces and window dressings should be no different. They should be functional, yes, but also in-keeping with the room whilst being a feature in themselves, too.
If you had £10,000 to spend on interior design, what would it be and why?
My biggest challenge moving forward is going to be wardrobe space. I’m currently using my old wardrobes and cannot wait to get rid of them/ I’m looking to get a huge floor to ceiling built-in set. I want them to have sliding doors with pull out compartments and drawers. I want them to be mirrored and created solely for the space I have, so I can imagine that will cost me more than anything else in my home.
What are your top tips for someone planning on renovating their home?
One room at a time. Also, use mood boards to plan and create how you want to decorate the room. Finally, take your time. As they say – Rome wasn’t built in a day! I’ve been here a year and still have 101 jobs left to do. I know my home won’t be finished for a long time and that’s fine. Don’t put yourself down if you’re not where you want to be yet, it will happen!
A great big thank you to Jennifer-Louise for chatting to us. We are so pleased that she collaborated with Blinds Direct and chose the beautiful Arch Deco French Grey Roman blind from the Sonova Studio collection.
Are you looking for a new window treatment, lamp shade or cushion to brighten up your home? Take a look at our full collection at Blinds Direct. You can also see more designs from the Sonova Studio collection here.
