Our home is full of character

By mixing family treasures, salvaged bargains and upcycled finds, Sophie Mumford has created a chilled and comfy home with personality

Sophie created a comfy home with personality by using vintage pieces

‘I’ll always try to use what I’ve already got and buy second-hand from auctions, charity shops or the recycling centre whenever I can’

My story…

We loved our two-bedroom maisonette in north London, but by the time our second little boy, Sonny, was born we were running out of space. My husband Rich and I agreed we wanted a family house with period details and plenty of character, and we knew we’d have to move further out for an a ordable property that we loved.

With young children, a big renovation project wasn’t an option, so this house was perfect. The interior was in good shape – the original features such as the ceiling mouldings and replaces were intact, and I loved the beautiful old stained glass in the French doors. Some things, like the neutral bathroom and dark laminate ooring weren’t to my taste, but overall it was a blank canvas where we could make our own mark.

Over the last ve years we’ve decorated right through, adding dramatic colour, pops of pattern and extra furniture as and when we’ve needed it. I’ve inherited an eclectic style from my parents, who were both artists, and I love combining old and new. Rich and I have various pieces of art that we treasure, and other than that, I just go for things I like, without worrying about any particular colour palette or theme. I’m also very much a make-do-and-mend person, so I’ll always try to use what I’ve already got and buy second-hand from auctions, charity shops or the recycling centre whenever I can. If something’s a bit battered, I can revamp it with paint, new handles or whatever.

Our home’s always evolving as the boys grow up and our needs change, but it’s relaxed and welcoming – it’s de nitely my happy place.

The previous owners had installed a simple white-gloss kitchen that included integrated appliances and high-quality quartz work surfaces. As well as tiling and painting the walls, Sophie and Rich added open shelves to boost storage and display treasures

‘We got our dining room table on eBay’, says Sophie. ‘The top is a reclaimed French barn door, which we’ve protected with varnish. The old pendant light above was too small and didn’t have enough impact, so I replaced it with this fabulous beaded one from Matalan’

The kitchen shelves show o a characterful china collection alongside one of Sophie’s late father’s old cameras. ‘There’s pottery by local craftspeople, pieces from holidays abroad and even budget bits from TK Maxx, and most of it gets used every day,’ she says

‘I love having personal, meaningful things around me,’ says Sophie. ‘Our retro, glass-topped co ee table used to belong to my granny and I found the big painting, covered in dust, in my late dad’s attic some years ago’

Original features, such as the hall’s practical, tiled oor and pretty stained glass windows were a big draw for Sophie and Rich. The console table, which Sophie picked up on eBay, has been transformed with paint, découpage and new handles

Colourful accessories brighten up the snug’s comfy grey sofa, which came from Sofa Workshop. The striking retro oor lamp – an original American design – was a great-value nd at the local Southgate Auction Rooms