I’ve filled our home with travelinspired treasures

A lifelong fan of all things colourful and eclectic, Polly Hamilton has given a lacklustre 19th-century property a new lease of life with unique finds from antiques markets and trips abroad

Polly Hamilton’s 19th-century property has a new lease of life and is packed with personality and eclectic touches from around the world

Behind the tile-clad walls of an unassuming Victorian house, just a stone’s throw from bustling Barnes, Polly Hamilton has lovingly created a carefully curated family home that’s become a punchy fusion of colour, personality and imaginative touches. ‘It certainly has been quite the journey for my husband, Max, and me, to transform what was a bland, rather cramped, three-bedroom house into a larger, family-friendly home, full of cherished treasures and unusual artefacts that we’ve collected over the years,’ Polly reveals.

Polly’s love affair with colour, textiles and pattern began as far back as she can recall.

‘I’ve always enjoyed the buzz of shopping in places like Portobello Road and, as a teenager, I remember buying bright orange saris to give my bedroom the appearance of a Bedouin tent,’ she says. ‘The theme for my 21st birthday was ‘All the Colours of the Rainbow,’ which was, I guess, the shape of things to come.’ As Polly’s burgeoning passion for design and interiors grew, so did her desire to travel. It wasn’t long before both interests became inextricably linked. On every holiday, ‘my first stop would often be the local market where I’d spend many an hour in seventh heaven, seeking out a patterned rug or piece of striking fabric,’ she smiles.

Having met Max while at Trinity College, Dublin, the pair tied the knot and ventured to Belize and Guatemala for their honeymoon. ‘It was an amazing experience,’ recalls Polly. ‘I adored the country and the people, plus the myriad colours of the traditional handwoven clothing. I couldn’t resist buying reams of vibrant fabric, which I tucked away for future interiors projects.’

The pair later lived abroad in Australia and Hong Kong, where they accumulated an eclectic mix of furniture. They had these pieces shipped back when they returned to a two-bedroom flat in England in 2007. Three years later, having discovered that Polly was expecting twins, the couple began searching for a family home in Barnes. ‘The location was like a little oasis, with good schools, independent shops and a village-like feel, plus close proximity to several parks and the River Thames,’ says Polly. They were drawn to one particular house. ‘It was quirky,’ Polly explains. ‘The entrance was at the side, rather than the front, which meant the layout was a bit unusual, and that appealed to us. We immediately put in an offer, thinking that it wouldn’t be too long before we’d inject the neutral interior with a riot of colour.’

However, after moving in during July 2010, plans came to an abrupt halt when the twins arrived that September. ‘We hadn’t

A pro at layering colours, prints and textures, Polly’s tip is to start with one piece and build the scheme around it. The Paul Smith Passionflower rug was the starting point for her living room décor The couple were drawn to this Victorian property’s unusual layout and exterior, and knew that they could make it their own by extending it and injecting it with colour and character

Despite choosing a darker paint shade, Polly’s love of brights is still apparent. Inspired by the Misia fabric from Manuel Canovas on the upholstered wingback chair, Polly dressed the room with a Pooky lampshade and side table from IKEA Polly has created balance by using the same hot pink to draw the eye up and around the room, from the seat cushions and throws to a floor lamp and Roman blinds