At Home With Alice @alicesgrace_
This week we are at home with the lovely Alice, the lady behind the popular instagram account @alicesgrace_ which shows how she adds character to her new build home in Bath. The account is packed with beautiful photographs showing Alice's creative styling inspiration and her daily life. It's well worth a look.
Tell us a bit about you
I live in Bath with my husband and son Jamie. We live in a new-build development about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Bath so it is lovely and central without being too busy or noisy!
Tell us about your home
The home is brand new - we moved in just over two years ago when we had just had our son - so it was a very busy time! The style is very classical though, clad in Bath stone which I love.
How would you describe your home?
Despite living in a new build house, I love traditional and have tried very hard to create a home full of character! Although much of the style like the windows and bathrooms are modern, We have added some more traditional features. For example, we built a fireplace and have panelled quite a few walls throughout. No wall is safe!
Which is your favourite room in the house?
Our downstairs living area is open plans so I think as it serves so many functions, it would have to be this. Our living area feels very complete now and with some new enclosed storage, it now feels neat and tidy which I’m very happy about! I also love our bedroom - it is a real escape from everything which sometimes is a necessity!
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
Very much so! I love reading so we have a lot of books which I have always found to be a lovely way to bring character and personality into a space. We both love cooking, so I guess that has also made the kitchen the very heart of our home in many ways!
What are your favourite items in the home?
I think anything that has a little story to it - our dining table has marks from various moments of our lives together that remind us of times that have happened such as when the cheese fondue pot went up on flames (long story - no one was hurt!) and scalded a part of the wood and when my son drew on it whilst we were making Christmas decorations… Things like that, that tell a story. Those are my favourite things!
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
I think most people would say a new build was a finished article, but for me, it wasn’t! I mean, there were structural changes to be made, but decoratively speaking, it was a blank canvas. That doesn’t always make it easy to envisage, but it certainly helps! I think next time though, I would love more of a project.
Have you done any renovation?
We have done some of our own wall panelling and we also did much of our living room storage which originally started as a set of Ikea Billy Bookcases! I think we are proud of these projects in particular. I did design all of the changes myself - some have been a success and others, I have already changed! I have plans for our spare room which I am saving up for - as well as the upstairs corridor but we can’t do everything at once!
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
Nothing I would call a disaster - more a change of heart! I did choose a colour for the spare room walls which I just don’t like any more… I blame that on instagram for too much inspiration!
What is your top home styling tip?
Keep it simple - if I’ve learnt anything is that sometimes simple is more beautiful! Also, I have also started buying vintage/antique furniture items - they add so much character and can really work well in a new build surprisingly!
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
My piano and my books!
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
Good question but a tricky one. I like every little corner to be thought out - everything is considered and styled as to me it helps me feel calm and content. I care about the little details, and the beauty in the simplest things.
The Home Edit
Lived-in look or showhome?
Showhome!
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
Green!
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Clutter
Favourite front door colour
Beige
Carpet or Floorboards
Carpet
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Kitchen table!
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Wallpaper
If you enjoyed being at home with Alice, you might like to take a look inside other popular home styling accounts on instagram and find out more about the people behind them. You can see more of these "at home with" interviews here