HOME + GARDEN
PHILOMENA FRENCH ’ S HOME CONT .
What ’ s your favourite room and why ?
The living room is possibly my favourite room in the house . I ’ m a real nature lover and this room looks onto the garden , it ' s south facing and gets the most beautiful light at sunrise and sunset . It ’ s earthy and sensual palette makes me feel totally at ease . It ’ s also filled with inherited items from travelling , memorable days out and chance encounters ; things I ’ ve coveted and sourced over the last 15 years . This room holds real sentiment and tells the story of my life ; I think every home should have that feeling !
Were there any project pitfalls ?
When I moved in the previous owner had replaced the flooring throughout , which meant that while I had brand new carpet , it wasn ’ t really my first choice as it had a very strange undertone ; it ' s neither here nor there . With two cats , it ’ s been super high maintenance in addition , but it ’ s been the last thing to go , purely because it was just recently replaced . Not so much of a project pitfall but something I ’ ve had to learn to live with in the interim until I can change it entirely throughout .
What are your top tips on creating a design-led space but also sticking to a budget ?
Source second hand , find your favourite dealers online ( Instagram is a particularly good area for this now , Kat @ pato _ interiors is one of my personal favourites ), head to antiques fairs , flea markets , auctions and get creative ! My next project is to create sheer curtain panels from vintage silk scarves . Learn to play by your own rules , follow what you love and feel authentic to you , and never follow trends because that ’ s a sure-fire way to keep spending each season just to keep up .
Were there any design surprises or challenges during the design process or installation stage ?
Yes , the electrics were tricky in places and when retiling the primary bathroom , we found three layers of old tiles ! We ended up taking the entire plasterboard out , but on the upside gained a bigger bathroom !
What are you most proud of ?
I am proud that my home tells my story ; it ' s unashamedly authentic and because of that , it is a place of great healing and sanctuary .
What are your hints and tips for those looking to embark on a renovation / refurb project ?
This is a wild one – but do not scrutinise yourself over budget ! We spend almost 90 % of our day indoors , and while you might argue half of that is in the office , it ' s likely you will not get to design that space and likely it won ’ t feel all that restful there either . So , why not have your own space exactly as you wish because it will contribute to your wellbeing too . With that said , I appreciate not everyone has endless cash lying around , which is why I believe your home should be curated and evolve with you over time at a pace that suits you . This is one of the main reasons why I work with clients the way I do now . My consultations are a bitesize way to work with a designer and are great if you want to get back in touch with your authentic self and heal your home .
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