PERSONAL TOUCHES
Home and lifestyle content creator Amy Davies Pereira on curating a bright and beautiful family home in her small but perfectly formed Victorian terrace
Home is… my little sanctuary. I share it with my husband Alex, our teenagers Roman and Ava, cats Missy Meow and Rocky Road, and cavapoo puppy Bea-bea. When I get home and close the front door, I feel instantly safe and relaxed.
I moved here for… the light that was streaming in as we entered the house– it felt like home from that moment. We also loved the period features and the magnolia tree in the garden. That was 23 years ago! We’ve since raised our children here, and taken on big projects such as extending the kitchen and converting the loft.
My interior style is… vintage, whimsical and colourful. When
I started my interiors journey, I was quite scared of colour, so tended to just add ‘pops’, like cushions and lamps. Now, I’ve fully embraced it, and it brings me so much joy. I’m a big believer in choosing things that make your heart sing.
My favourite colours are… dusky pink and baby blue – hence my azure velvet Printmaker sofas from the Cath Kidston collection at DFS. I love using tactile textures; I have quite the collection of cushions, and a thing for blankets with tassels.
At home you’ll find me… in the living room. It’s my haven. I always make sure it’s tidy before I concentrate on any other area of the house. Sitting on my sofa with a coffee and a good book while snuggled up with my pets is often the highlight of my day.
A great sofa should… meet your needs over time, not just in the moment. The mid-century style of our sofas means they’ll always be stylish. And the compact size ensures we can move them between our two sitting rooms easily if we fancy a change.
My best home purchase is… my vintage dresser, which I bought secondhand for £15. I upcycled it and I know I will have this piece of furniture for the rest of my life. I also love my rolltop bath from Burlington – I spend a lot of time in it.
My best decorating advice is… let your personality shine through in your interiors. I love to mix up old and new, and I don’t follow trends, I just furnish with what I love and what’s practical for small-space living and my family. I want to be surrounded by what makes me happy.
Vary your textures wit h a mix of scatt er cushions