Shopping second-hand and upcycling has helped Evelyn Lindley create her one-of-a-kind house, full of vibrant colours, luxe finishes and bold patterns
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MY STORY
When we were looking for a house together, it was important to find a place where
I could express my creativity. We’d been living in Lee’s family home and although
I’d done some decorating, it didn’t feel like my own. As soon as I saw this house, I knew it was perfect for us.
When we first moved in, parts of the kitchen were painted in a shocking pink, and the bedroom was bright red. Luckily it didn’t need any building work so it was only cosmetic changes we needed to make.
As Lee works really long hours, and I’m at home a lot due to health issues, I began decorating straight away. I started with our bedroom as I wanted to have a space we could relax in. Then I worked my way around the house room by room. I would save up for the products I needed, like wallpaper, paint and accessories, and then I’d work on the room while thinking about the next one. I have a photographic eye so I can visualise the finished look of a room before I even begin, which makes planning the work easier.
Lee already had a lot of antique furniture that we brought with us, and I’m a real bargain hunter and love to find cheap pieces to upcycle. I think this mix has given our home a beautiful, unique look that really represents us both.
‘I’d describe my style as eclectic, glamorous and romantic with a bit of mystery thrown in’
‘When I finished painting the kitchen I didn’t like the blue but now I’ve actually grown to love it’
‘I’ll always find a way of getting an expensive look on a small budget’
‘I’m a naturally shy person, but my personality shines through my home’
Style idea
A stainless steel splashback and visible wiring adds an industrial touch to a kitchen ‘I love a gallery wall. In the kitchen I’ve added plates to the mix, but I’m just as happy leaning prints against a wall or floor for a more theatrical look’
‘I thought measuring this room and using masking tape to create the three-quarter wall was a pain, so I walked an A3 frame around the room marking the bottom of it from the ceiling, and it saved so much time’
Spray an unused frame and a leaf-shaped piece of MDF gold to make some unique wall art, like Evelyn’s botanical piece
‘Lee bought this cabinet when he was 18 and he’s kept it all these years. Now it’s used to display his collection of vintage toy cars’ ‘A friend’s gran gave me this vintage chair when she was having a clearout. She said she thought it would suit my style, and she was right, it’s perfect in here’
‘Originally, this was an ugly, brown veneer cabinet with a broken glass door, but I hate to throw things away, so I took the doors off, painted it, and gold leafed the inside’
Style idea
Make your own wall words with gold or copper wire ‘I am the Cushion Queen and piling my bed with pillows is an easy way to add a touch of hotel luxe to the room. My sister bought me the peacock and it’s been the inspiration for the colour scheme in here’
‘I like to support independent artists and have been collecting these prints for a couple of years, though I’m happy to mix and match with high street brands such as HomeSense that always have interesting one-off pieces’
‘ The maximalist feel of this room was a gamble, but limiting the colours and sticking to the leafy motif makes it cohesive rather than chaotic’ ‘I’ve added a few accessories and faux plants in the bathroom, plus a couple of pictures, to try and add character, but really it needs a complete overhaul, so we need to save up a bit first’