TV drama is Elle’s decor inspiration
Catherine Addison-Swan meets a woman who drew inspiration from a TV show for her home makeover
AWOMAN has transformed her Whitley Bay home into a regency-inspired haven that could be mistaken for the set of a hit Netflix period drama.
Elle Hervin bought her 1930s semi-detached house in the North Tyneside coastal town back in 2019 and quickly realised it needed a lot of work, having not been updated for around four decades.
She immediately set about clearing the entire property, with her favourite series Bridgerton in mind when it came to the epic makeover.
After transforming the old house into the home of her dreams within just six months at a cost of around £80,000, 40-year-old writer Elle has since gained nearly 900,000 followers on her Instagram account @elle_ the_home_bird after showing off the stunning results.
She also offers advice to others about how they can turn their own living space into a Bridgerton beauty.
Speaking to interiors brand Ruggable, Elle recalled: “The whole house needed gutting!
“It hadn’t been touched in around 40 years and still had 70s-style wallpaper in a few of the rooms, including E.T wallpaper inside one of the built-in cupboards! It was like stepping into a time-warp.”
She added: “It needed a complete rewire and new plumbing throughout and we knocked down walls and reconfigured some of the rooms.
“The overall cost of the renovation was around £70,000, including all major works, and then over the last five years, we’ve probably spent an additional £8,000 on decorating and furnishings.”
When it came to the decor, Elle wanted a vintage look and turned to her own family memories for inspiration.
“My biggest inspiration was my grandparents’ home when I was growing up; my Granny had a keen eye for antiques and their house was filled with heirlooms, original oil paintings and beautiful antiques,” she shared.
“My grandmother loved to mix old and new and she somehow made their rather boxy 1980s house look timeless and traditional.
“Mixing old and new to create a unique aesthetic is something I’ve grown up with, and it’s definitely reflected in my decor style today.”
And of course, Elle also had her favourite Netflix series to thank: Bridgerton.
“The show is really inspiring in many ways but for me, I can’t get enough of the decor,” she enthused.
“I adore the use of layered fabrics, damask wallpaper, regal patterns and colour combinations; the opulence and decadence of it all is rather intoxicating!”
Elle has shared some top tips on how to achieve the Bridgerton look
“For all year round, use colour but stick to a simple palette of two to three complementary colours for consistency,” she advised.
“Layer patterned fabrics and cushions for a cosy, ‘granny chic’ style that’s both characterful and comforting.
“For spring and summer, it is all about the big, blousy blooms for me; the house is filled with large floral displays which work so well against the warm tones of my antique furniture.”