New Year, new home!
An older property was a first for Karen Walshe, but its colour scheme and light suited her coastal style
We don’t tend to make spur-ofthe-moment decisions, but when my partner Geoff and I saw this house, we both knew immediately that it was right for us,’ says Karen, 54, from Devon. ‘We spotted the ‘To let’ sign and had a peek through the window. After that, we contacted the agent straightaway.
‘We fell in love with the house as soon as we walked in. The kitchen is the first room you see, and it’s full of light, with white units, oak worktops and lovely greengrey walls – exactly what I’d have chosen myself.
‘The living room is the same colour, and friends have asked me if we painted it ourselves, but it was pure luck that it was just my style.
‘We didn’t have a huge amount of furniture, but before we moved in, I spent quite a while working out where our pieces would go. I knew my corner sofa would sit perfectly in the living room, and that our oak-topped table and painted chairs would be ideal for the kitchen.
‘I like having all my treasures around me, but I’m not keen on clutter, so I spent time getting the balance right. I think it’s important to live in a house and understand how you’ll use the space first, so we waited quite a while before we hung pictures or bought any other furniture.
‘There are only a few colours in the house, so I think that helps it feel larger than it is. The space flows smoothly and nothing jars. I grew up near the sea, and I’ve always been drawn to shades of blue and grey, so the palette works for me – I find it so restful.
‘We love the kitchen, and that’s probably where we spend most of our time. The skylights and French windows let in plenty of natural light – so, as well as for cooking and eating, it’s a brilliant spot for me to do some sewing or for Geoff to paint.
‘In an ideal world, I’d like a larger fridge that I didn’t have to bend down to reach – and a bigger table would be useful, too, especially when we have family and friends here, but most of the time it’s just me and Geoff, so it’s fine.
‘Although I was a bit daunted by the idea of an old house, this little place has won me over. I love its solid feel and all the unexpected little shelves, ledges, nooks and crannies.
‘I wouldn’t want to live in a modern house again, because I’d miss the quirks.’