‘We’ve developed a relaxed, eclectic style’
After pinpointing the precise area where they wanted to live, Pauline and Paul West patiently waited until just the right property came onto the market. ‘Renting near our preferred location and speaking regularly to the estate agents paid huge dividends,’ says Pauline. ‘Even before this handsome house went on the market, we were given a tip-off and immediately set up a viewing.’
The house, built in 1903, hadn’t been touched for 30 years, but the couple could see through the dowdy, tired décor. ‘It was very dark and terribly cluttered, but we loved the high ceilings and feel of the house,’ says Pauline. ‘We peered under the carpets and spotted the original floorboards, which clinched the deal.’
The house was structurally sound, but the couple needed to strip it back to its bare bones. ‘Having only viewed the property once, it was quite a shock to see it empty,’ says Pauline. ‘It looked vast.’ Pauline pulled down old curtains and stripped layer after layer of wallpaper, while Paul removed all the carpets, sanded the floors, sourced old radiators and began painting the whole house white. ‘We felt that white walls and lovely sanded floorboards would be a good starting point to create a cohesive look,’ says Pauline. ‘We also decided to knock down the wall between the kitchen and the breakfast room. Opening up the fireplace and installing a wood-burner has made it the hub of the house.’
Over the next eight years, the couple evolved their signature neutral look. ‘We’ve never had a masterplan, although we prefer subtle shades to bright colours,’ says Pauline. ‘By doing everything ourselves, it’s taken time, but we haven’t rushed. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey and it’s one we’re still enjoying.’
Buy what you love
‘Our style is eclectic because if we see something we love, we buy it, then decide which room it will look best in,’ says Pauline. ‘We’re inspired by French and Scandinavian interiors.’ Buy The key pieces For similar fabric, try the Posies cashmere pink on cream linen, £54 per m, Peony & Sage. For a similar rug, try the Victoriana Traditional gold rug, £270, Laura Ashley
Think outside the box
‘We got rid of the fitted kitchen units and replaced them with freestanding pieces,’ says Pauline. ‘The space now has a more rustic, slightly industrial vibe.’ Buy the key pieces For a similar French-style wall light, try the Hobury in Charcoal, £45, Garden Trading. For similar wall tiles, try the Metro white, £19.50 per sq m, Topps Tiles
Arrange spaces around statement pieces
The couple knocked down a wall to create an open-plan kitchen and breakfast room, divided by an antique butcher’s block. The dining space is defined by a big French dresser and the kitchen by a long sideboard and a retro fridge-freezer. Buy the key pieces For a similar table, try the Cotswold Kitchen large butcher’s block, £699, The Cotswold Company. Fridge-freezer, £1,779, Smeg
Unify mixed pieces with colour
‘A neutral backdrop works best when you have an eclectic collection,’ says Pauline. ‘In the breakfast room, we’ve mixed a French chair with a standard lamp made by my grandfather, wicker chairs and a high-street sofa, but the neutral palette makes the space feel relaxed.’ Buy the key pieces For similar chairs, try the Heronswood, £250 each, Holloways. For a similar pendant, try the vintage, £60, Cox & Cox
Upcycle old finds
‘The majority of our furniture comes from antiques shops, auctions and brocantes,’ says Pauline. ‘If required, Paul upcycles our finds or paints them to fit the colour scheme.’ Buy the key pieces Jewel shaggy rug, £300, Dunelm. Westfire 21 stove, from a selection, Dean Forge. For a similar clock, try the Knightsbridge, £60, Newgate Clocks