A breath of fresh air
During the 10-month renovation, several interior walls were knocked down, rooms were repurposed and an entirely new L-shaped section was added to the south-facing side of the house, extending the home into the back garden.
Inside, the existing doors were heightened and windows made larger or moved to let in more light. In keeping with the history of the house, the wooden floors were simply sanded and sealed.
Once the major renovations and finishes were done, Cara could start decorating her home. “I’d say our overall décor style is eclectic,“Cara explains. “But I’m mad about mid-century design and décor, so most of my furniture is from that era or influenced by it. The style speaks to a time that seems so much simpler…”
Cara often changes up her décor according to trends. “At the moment, I love a variety of blues and greens as well as blush-pinks and plush fabrics,” she says. “But I can’t live with red tones, so hopefully those aren’t making any kind of comeback!”
Every few months, she’ll introduce or repurpose scatters and rugs; naturally, since it’s her business and passion, wallpaper is also regularly used to make changes. “For example, the couch in my sitting area is about 100 years old but the look of the space surrounding it has changed many times in just three years.”
While Cara has a keen eye for “putting a room together”, she admits that she needs more practise when it comes to DIY. “I actually wish I was more of a ‘DIY type’ and that I had time for it! I work really hard during the week so when the weekend rolls around, I spend a lot of time unwinding in nature – and then the idea of being creative often feels like work. But on the odd occasion, I will hit a vintage market and try my hand at sanding something or painting it – with little success!” she adds with a laugh. >>