Reader home: Rebecca Marriott goes for bold
Rebecca Marriott turned her blank canvas house into a colourful home
When Rebecca and husband Lee had their son, Albie, now six, they realised they’d need a bigger house. Moving to Leeds to be closer to her parents seemed like the ideal solution. ‘Four years ago we began to think about the areas with good schools and started searching.’
They found their dream home almost immediately, a 1930s semi-detached that was in need of an update.
‘It looked like it hadn’t been decorated for years, but we could spot the potential,’ says Rebecca. ‘The rooms were a good size and it had a spacious garden.’
The couple didn’t have a garden at their previous home, so having an outside space for Albie was a bonus.
The kitchen was the first room to be renovated by knocking down a dividing wall and creating an open, familyfriendly kitchen-cum-dining room. ‘We wanted to create a social space where we could invite friends over and relax,’ recalls Rebecca.
The pallet-style furniture, eBay shelving and rustic features create a laid-back but inviting look when paired with industrial lighting. It’s no wonder this room has become the hub of the house where the family spends most of its time.
In the living room, Rebecca’s love of colour and textured fabrics is evident. The grey and midnight blue walls create an immediate impact with copper accessories and bright curtains. ‘I fell in love with Sanderson’s Rainforest curtain fabric, which I spotted in a local interiors shop – I knew it would make a bold statement and it was the starting point for the room,’ says Rebecca. ‘I love rustic, scaffolding plank shelves and they feature throughout the house. I’ve styled them up in different ways to hold photos, a mix of eclectic knick-knacks, along with a newly acquired neon sign – a gift from her family for Mother’s Day.’
Upstairs, the blue-painted walls are repeated throughout the house with Rebecca’s finishing touches and furnishings creating a unique personality for each room.
Albie’s room has a playful feel. ‘We always encourage his creativity, allowing him to add his own little pieces of art to the wall,’ muses Rebecca.
The attic space has been converted into the master bedroom, where the couple can relax in the evening. Rebecca’s signature blue creates a striking feature wall and backdrop for zesty orange bedding. ‘I find a deep blue on the walls is such a calming, soothing shade,’ says Rebecca.
‘We chose colours for each room that flow naturally into one another and gives each its own stamp. We’re really pleased with the result. It’s a very happy house,’ reflects Rebecca.