It was a broken sewage pipe in her previous kitchen that made the owner of this four-bedroom terrace consider looking at a new-build. Much as she had enjoyed lovingly restoring her earlier Victorian home, with a busy lifestyle and a young family to bring up, choosing a place that came without problems was very appealing.
Constructed on the site of a former hospital in Stroud, the new-build was designed in partnership with a housing association and was built on the ethos of community and sustainable living.
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With large, shared open spaces, wildlife, allotments and the promise of a happy neighbourhood, it seemed ideal. Plus it came without any worries about mould, draughts or leaking roofs!
So although the homes were still under construction, and without fully seeing the final layout, an offer was put in and accepted and the family moved in.
There were still no floor or wall tiles, but this meant the owner could pick her own and then begin the task of personalising this very blank space.
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Exterior
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Living room
Old properties tend to have a focus point in each room, such as a fireplace, but newer properties can feel much more like a 'white box'. It was vital, therefore, to inject some colour into the place to make it homely. A good starting point was this brightly coloured rug in the living room. Accessories and furniture could then be chosen around it, bringing bright pinks, yellows and reds into the scheme.
Rug
Coffee tables
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Bookshelf
Even a bookshelf can be used to co-ordinate a scheme. By colour-coding books, the owner has found an easy - and cheap - way to instantly add style. A bright orange chair is another pop of brilliant colour.
Bookshelf
Similar side chair
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Living room office
With no space for anoffice room, a lean-to desk has been used in the living room as a good compromise. It's practical and doesn't take up too much floor space. Old crates fixed with castors are a brilliant way to make your own fun storage.
Similar desk
Similar crate
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Hallway
Quirky collections and a vintage mirror add bags of personality to what could be an empty space. The wallpaper is Mixed Folk Tile by Louise Body and has been used just on the bottom half of the wall so it's not overwhelming.
Wallpaper
Vintage mirrors
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Bedroom storage
The owner scoured Pinterest for style ideas, such as using this old sewing box for storing jewellery and scarves. Using a variety of drawer knobs on a tallboy is a simple way to add flashes of colour too.
Drawer cabinet
Wallpaper
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Landing
Here the owner hasfilled a vast white space by creating a photo gallery that can be constantly changed. Three curtain wires are stretched out across the space then pretty pegs used to keep the pictures in place. A large space like this can hold abstract artwork really well.
Curtain wire
Clips
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Child’s bedroom
Patterns, stripes, figures and florals all mix together to create an array of colours in a child's bedroom. Even the pretty dresses are put on display. The youngsters were given free rein to choose their own wallpaper patterns so they could be involved in creating the décor for their new home.
Similar bed
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Kitchen
Designed for modern living, the kitchen has family life in mind, so places the table at the heart of the house. The owner chose the mosaic tiles on the walls off-plan and picked a neutral shade so she wouldn't be tied to a particular colour scheme in here.
Dining table
Similar chairs
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Bathroom
This room has the least colour of all as the owner wanted to keep it calm and relaxing. Although a multi-coloured laundry basket still brings a funky touch. 'I've had to work hard to personalise this house to make it my own,' says the owner. 'And I'm still moving furniture around to find the best use of space.'
Similar laundry basket
