Style advice
Three simple tricks to try in your own home
‘With the candles lit and Netflix on, it’s the perfect place to relax’
DIY PANELS
‘The panelled wall feature makes such a statement, and it was so easy to do. My first step was to work out how large I wanted my squares – 39.5cm – and how thick I wanted the strips – 14.5cm. I drew the squares and frame with a pencil on the wall and applied No More Nails glue to the back of the strips and fixed them to the wall, using a spirit level to ensure the fit was straight. Then I sanded the MDF to smooth out the surface and left it for 24 hours until the adhesive was dry. To finish, I painted the panels in Shadowed Ivy by Valspar.’
BEAUTY SPOT
Jo loves her Hollywood-style light-up dressing table that she bought on eBay. She has amped up the glamour by pairing it with luxe textures, including the blush pink velvet chair and shaggy sheepskin cushion from Dunelm. Jo originally didn’t have room for her pamper corner but with some swaps and changes, she made her wish-list item work. ‘I got rid of a chest of drawers in the alcove in favour of creating this special zone where I can sit and indulge in hair and beauty products.’
RUSTIC CHARM
‘When I first moved in, I wanted to highlight original Victorian features, like these rustic cottage doors. ‘I absolutely love them and decided to give them a new lease of life by simply sanding and painting them with a coat of Ronseal interior varnish. This door leads to my bathroom, which I’m forever grateful for, especially having a little one with rather unpredictable toilet habits!’
MY EXPERIENCE
During lockdown, I finally had time to decorate my bedroom. I started by stripping the anaglypta on the walls, which instantly made a big difference. I watched several DIY tutorials before tackling the panelled wall, which I did myself for just £25 plus paint.
I’ve had the headboard, which I bought on eBay, for years but it fits in well with the new scheme. Underbed drawers are perfect for storing away bed linens and towels and I also use them to keep things like scented candles and hair and beauty essentials. To maintain the calm atmosphere as much as possible, I decided to get rid of my wardrobes. Now, I store all my clothes in Bear’s room and my coats and shoes in the downstairs cupboards and units. I keep all of my summer and winter clothes in vacuum bags in the loft and dig them out when needed. It’s like getting a whole new wardrobe each time and it’s a good reminder not to overspend as it’s easy to forget what clothes you have.
To create depth and a luxe feel, I mixed textures and fabrics including velvet, linen, wool and faux fur. To keep the room looking fresh, I stuck to neutral white bedding and added pops of colour with accessories.
When I was 19, I tragically lost my parents in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami while they were travelling in Sri Lanka. I’ve suffered with anxiety and PTSD ever since. My bedroom colours take me back to my happy place, when I was a child, enjoying Caribbean holidays with them. I now find it such a calming place to be.