Step inside this colourful 1970s maisonette in Sutton Coldfield

'Having both grown up here in Sutton Coldfield, my boyfriend and I knew we wanted to stay local when we bought our first place together,' says the owner of this home, who runs Pretty Little Poppet.

After looking at lots of properties, including a few larger ones a little further out of town, they decided to go for something slightly smaller but which still had spacious rooms. This meant they were able to stay closer to the area they liked.

'The fact that the kitchen and bathroom had recently been renovated by the previous owners was a big plus for us, as, because it’s our first step on the property ladder, we probably won’t be staying here for all that long.' This also meant they could focus their energy and budget on the decorating instead.

This house tour originally appeared in Style at Home, January 2017.

1/12 Exterior

When the owners bought the property it lacked character and needed an injection of personality. Though it seems quite small from the outside, it has spacious rooms and meant the owners could stay in the area they wanted.

'While we were waiting to get the keys for the house, I had a couple of months to plan each room and decide on an overall style. The day we moved in we began ripping down the wallpaper and, within a week, we’d painted each room. Not having to do any major work was great for us and meant we could settle in more quickly.'

2/12 Living room

Soft furnishings add colour, flavour and vibrancy to this living room. Here the large sofa is filled with cushions of all different colours and patterns. The statement rug really pulls everything together and picks out the colours in the various accessories.

Similar cushions
Matalan
Similar rug
Habitat

3/12 Dining area

Contrasting colour walls add interest to the living room. Here the pink and turquoise are muted enough to give a neutral backdrop to the room, but add a little brightness to the whole house. The patterned rugs and cushions join up the colours white the plain carpet acts as a soft backdrop.The folding door to the kitchen makes the rooms feel a little more open plan.

4/12 Living room corner

You don’t have to build or buy anything new to create a home bar. 'Our bar trolley is always a big hit when we have friends over.' Simply find a nook or surface that isn’t being used or just needs decluttering. Try an existing sideboard, console table or even mantel to display your drinks selection.

5/12 Kitchen

In the kitchen, the owners have chosen a subtle berry shade to soften the aesthetic. It also reduces the drama of the black tiles. The fridge has been customised with playful, personal photo magnets.

Similar magnets
Photobox

6/12 Kitchen detail

Open shelves provide storage and allow the owners to store their retro kitchenware. These little cactuses, chalkboard hanging and light box all add a touch of personality to the room.

Similar lightbox
Very

7/12 Bedroom

Here the turquoise shade is a bright feature wall, paired with a paler aqua tone. The owners have toned down the bold palette with elements of white to maintain the balance. 'I’m a dab hand with the sewing machine, so I made the embellished Moroccan wedding cushions on our bed and hope to cover a footstool in the same way as I love this boho look.'

Paint
Crown

8/12 Bedroom details

Photos of loved ones in matching frames make the room feel like a haven. Frames in similar colours help unify the look. 'We also have a beautiful chest of drawers and a mirror with carved detailing that I painted white and changed the handles on. I mixed and matched the knobs on the drawers in our bedroom, too, to give a more unique look.'

Drawer handles
Trinca-Ferro

9/12 Bedroom corner

You never know what you might find in charity shops - bigger furniture is often to be discovered, and adds a unique touch to your home. 'As a naturally creative person, I love to upcycle and put my own stamp on items. My favourite piece is the wicker peacock chair in the bedroom, which I found at a local furniture recycling shop. I’d wanted one for a long time and after a quick clean up and a lick of pink paint, it was as good as new!' Here she has layered it up with soft furnishings for a cosy feel.

10/12 Bathroom

The bathroom had been newly renovated so only a few decorative touches were necessary. The blue hints add some brightness to the room, and the glitter toilet seat is a fun touch.

Similar toilet seat
Victorian Plumbing

11/12 Office space

'For me, like many people, the beach is somewhere I feel totally relaxed, so I wanted to bring that chilled-out vibe into our decor at home. I went for bright but calming colours on the walls and styled each room with a mix of souvenirs and photographs we’ve taken on our travels. It’s important for us to be surrounded by happy memories and things that make us smile. I’m a self-confessed Pinterest addict and use it as a way to relax after work, so I made inspiration boards for every room.'

Large rug
Next

12/12 Hallway

Follow the owner's lead and brighten up your hallways and staircases with fun designs. Pick some bright, colourful pictures you love and go for equally bright frames.

Similar prints
Etsy

'My husband and I are both really happy with what we’ve done and feel it’s the perfect first home. At the moment there isn’t anything we’d change, but the space is constantly evolving as we add in new pieces. We’d like to choose our own bathroom and kitchen in a future home, and I can’t wait until we get a garden. I’m already planning rooms in our next place, wherever that may be!'