At Home With Amanda @holly_lodge_home
This week we are at home with Amanda. The very creative lady behind the hugely popular and beautiful instagram account @holly_lodge_home where she shares images of both of her beautiful homes. Whether it's her stunning home in Warwickshire or the wondereful Gite renovation in France, we think you will love this account. Read on to discover more about Amanda, her home and family and her top decor tips.
Tell us a bit about you
I'm Amanda (sometimes known as Holly) I live in Warwickshire with my hubby Lee in a fairly new but unique property. We bought the house 6 years ago because we loved the open views but it needed a full makeover. We also have an old Gite style property in France which we are currently renovating too. I have a son and daughter who both live in Australia.
In my spare time I love to upcycle old furniture pieces which you can see in the story highlights of my Instagram page. I also enjoy floristry, gardening and travel and have a small unit at a local antiques centre where I sell lots of French vintage treasures.
Tell us about your home
I love a mix of styles including French chic, modern country and rustic.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
I actually have two favourite rooms in our home, the sitting room as the views are incredible and its so light and bright with 11 windows and our kitchen as it was our most recent project and very much the heart of our home, again flooded with light from all the windows especially the giant apex window. You have probably gathered by now that light is very important to me in a home!
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
My home style definitely reflects my passions and interests. I adore interior design, creating seasonal floral arrangements and tablescapes, also collecting French finds from the Brocantes, Marketplace and antique emporiums and upcycling old furniture for both our homes.
What are your favourite items in the home?
My favourite item in the Gite is the log burner, its huge and super cosy and relaxing to sit in front of in the autumn and winter seasons. At Holly Lodge it’s a hard call as I love all of the wooden furniture I have transformed with different finishes.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
Both our homes were projects to work on when we bought them but liveable ones if you know what I mean? We have never had to live outside of our properties whilst the building work was underway although doing the washing up in the bath was interesting!
What renovation and decorating have you done?
We have redesigned and re-planted both gardens (the Gite is still a work in progress), added a large kitchen extension, new bedroom balcony and garage extension as well as fully decorating.
My hubby has mastered wall panelling, and I loved learning how to create the antiquing effect on our glass splashback in the kitchen. I'm always up for trying something new.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
I had a major DIY disaster years ago whilst sanding down an old wooden back door with an electric sander, the washing machine had leaked water on the floor which I hadn’t realised I was knelt in, and I accidently touched the pins on the plug whilst unplugging it (don’t do this at home!) I was very lucky to have a fantastic neighbour who rushed in, switched off the mains power and literally saved me.
What is your top home styling tip?
I love a good mood board when I'm creating a room, I find it really helps me to plan the colours and ideas I have and see them together visually. Once you have chosen a theme it's all about the layering, selecting furniture and accessories that complete the look. Go with your heart but also don’t be afraid to try new things.
I love the quote by William Morris 'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
I have to say my husband I guess (aww) but apart from him it would be my comfy bed or the pantry cupboard lol.
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
I would like to think that our home vibe is one of a peaceful sanctuary for us and our visitors to be in. I love entertaining and spending time with family and friends, being home here in the UK or in France are my favourite places to be.
The Home Edit
Lived-in or showhome?
Lived in
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
White
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Unnecessary clutter
Favourite front door colour
Grey
Carpet or Floorboards
Floorboards
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Both
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Brick or plastered walls
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Amanda, 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" articles here
You can catch up with Amanda's instagram account here. It's well worth a look!