Today’s house crush is Kate’s gorgeously cosy, creative pad in Dorset. Her home tour can be an inspiration for everyone looking to decorate on a budget – simple paint tricks, a mish mash of pieces with a beautiful patina, texture everywhere and getting thrifty to create unique gallery walls and art displays. This is how to do chic cheap style. I love her eye for styling and the little vignettes that create a story in every nook and cranny. The best interiors have personality, and Kate’s place has it in spades. If you want to see more of her pad, check out her at{mine} profile – at{Kate Young}. Hope you enjoy the home tour and Q&A!
Welcome to my pad. It’s a detached house near Bournemouth Dorset which I’m in the middle of renovating. I live with my two daughters Maddie and Tigerlilly, and our dog Buddy.
My style in 5 words… a mash up of pared-back boho, rustic and industrial.
Proudest DIY moment: the ugly conservatory which I cannot afford to change right now has been lined with bamboo and a tongue and groove ceiling which gives it a real outside-in kinda feel to it. It's now a much more usable room at very little cost.
My favourite room is: the conservatory - now that it no longer looks like a conservatory! The bamboo inside makes it feel like part of the garden. I love working there, the girls love doing their homework there, it's definitely become an all-round favourite.
Top styling tips: I'm not a big fan of colour so I use texture to bring interest to a room instead. Adding texture often means using things in a slightly unconventional way - I've used Berber rugs as throws for beds and sofas and put bamboo screening up indoors.
Worst decorating disaster: Ha so many! But probably settling on cheaper floors. Doing a house on a budget means making compromises. It was a big mistake! Some things you just cannot skimp on - flooring is one, bathrooms are another.
Biggest interiors breakthrough: learning how to budget properly. I'd say spend money on stuff which will be there for a long time. Always go for the best floors, paints and lighting that you can afford. Also if you are doing a house on a budget certainly use plants (lots of them). They really do make a house a home.
Are you my next House Crush?
Would you like to see your pad featured on the blog? Then at{mine} is the place to be!
- Create your own account at atmine.com
- Follow my profile
- Upload photos of your super cool pad (I can say that confidently because I know I have the most stylish blog readers on the planet)
- Include #AAHouseCrush in the comment to your picture