Thea Babington-Stitt
Thea is the Managing Editor for the Ideal Home, website.
Thea wanted to write for a living ever since she was a teenager. After school in Northern Ireland, she attended the University of Exeter to read English Literature before gaining an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University, London.
Although she specialised in Security and Organised Crime, Thea spent some time working on fashion and lifestyle titles, everything from Stylist to The Mail on Sunday before the process of styling her rental made her realise her love of interior design.
Thea became the Deputy News & Houses Editor of LivingEtc, and over the years held positions at Homes & Gardens and Country Homes & Interiors before moving to working with the print and digital versions of Ideal Home in 2021 and her current role in 2022.
Thea has interests across every area of homes - from kitchens and colour schemes to technology and architecture. Over the past couple of years she has interviewed some of the most renowned names in interior design and is passionate about talking to people to discover new ideas, theories and ways of looking at design.
Ideal Home Truths
I adore candles. As soon as the sun goes down I get trigger happy with my matches to set the perfect relaxing mood.
There’s not too much I can do where I am but I love helping friends plan how they can decorate their homes. One has moved into a wonderful fixer-upper in the Northern Irish countryside and I can’t wait to see the visions come to life!
Latest articles by Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Granite worktops: how to buy and care for your granite surface
Tough, practical, beautiful.. no wonder granite is the top choice for worktops. Check out our expert guide to make sure you get the granite that's right for your kitchen.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Escape to the country as the new owner of Prospect Farm in Somerset
Dreaming of a rural life? Then take a look at this period farmhouse...
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
10 ways to use accessories to refresh a kitchen look
Give your kitchen a fresh new look with these accessory ideas from Beautiful Kitchens. For more kitchen decorating ideas and inspiration go to housetohome.co.uk
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Easy House Hold Savings
Upgrade your appliance and get up to £300 cashback with Samsung's Upgrade and Save campaign
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Join the green party
Do the greens get your vote? These decorating ideas may make you think again about spring's freshest shade
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Celia Rufey answers your lighting questions
Looking for lighting ideas and advice? Flick through this gallery of lighting FAQs. Updating your light fittings? Decorating expert Celia Rufey answers your niggling lighting decorating questions on everything from wall lights to chandeliers.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Indigo blue colour schemes 2013 - 10 of the best
Love rich blue colour schemes? Check out these 10 gorgeous design ideas for decorating with indigo blue. For more decorating design ideas and design inspiration, visit housetohome.co.uk
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Nine lighting solutions for tricky spaces
Have a light-bulb moment! Highlighting the lovable quirks of a country home with beautiful lighting is all that’s needed to turn them to advantage.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Step inside this soft green and cream traditional kitchen
Take a tour around a soft green and cream kitchen with quirky farmyard features. See more kitchen design ideas at housetohome.co.uk
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
7 interiors that prove green is the new grey
Whether you live in the city or are a country-dweller, green is the new go-to shade for relaxed living.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Promotional feature: Brighten up your worktops with a colourful new kettle and toaster
No time for a whole kitchen revamp? Liven up the look with stylish appliances instead
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Make your open-plan kitchen work for you
Open-plan kitchens suit today’s informal lifestyles. But it takes skill to design a space that integrates easily with the living area, especially in apartments and smaller homes.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Is your living room stuck in 2014? John Lewis reveals what was popular five years ago
Three piece suite? Chunky oak? Your home might be living in the past...
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Be inspired by a bold chocolate and orange kitchen
Vibrant hi-gloss units in Coral and Cocoa give this spacious kitchen a contemporary update. Bronzo floor tiles coordinate with the chunky worktops and add to the feeling of openness.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
20 ways with paint
Give your home an easy, eye-catching update with a few pots of colour and a big dose of inspiration
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Be inspired by a striking walnut kitchen
Warm walnut furniture is given a sharp twist with splashes of apple green, while contemporary pendant lighting gives an intimate feel to the dining area. A floating table is cleverly supported by a concealed metal framework.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
The Great British Bake Off 2015: Meet the contestants!
We take a look at the 12 new bakers hoping to impress Mary and Paul
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Floor tiles - your essential guide to choosing, fitting and cleaning
Tiles are no longer just for kitchens and bathrooms, the latest textures and finishes will work well in your living room, dining room or even your bedroom.
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
How to buy laminate flooring
Get tips and advice on laying laminate flooring, caring for your floors and choosing the right material
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
10 things everyone was thinking during episode 4 of The Great British Bake Off
From crème brûlakes to Sandy's unjust dessert, don't miss our round-up of last night's Great British Bake Off
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Ethical rugs at B&Q
Do you bit and opt for ethical homeware products
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Be inspired by a beautiful period farmhouse kitchen
Take a tour around a stunning period farmhouse kitchen, chosen by Beautiful Kitchens. Find more kitchen design ideas, advice and inspiration in the kitchen galleries at housetohome.co.uk
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Promotion: Farrow & Ball launches new paint range
Farrow & Ball's nine new paint colours suit both period and contemporary interiors
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Before and after: from jumbled layout to open-plan extension, take a look at this stunning modern kitchen makeover
Reconfiguring the main living areas of this family home transformed it from dark and dingy to a sociable space to welcome guests
By Thea Babington-Stitt