At Home With Cara @ginandinteriors
This week we are at home with the creative Cara. The lovely lady behind the stunning and very popular instagram account @ginandinteriors where she shares images of her beautiful property which has featured in many beautiful home magazines. Read on to discover more about Cara, her home and family
Tell us a bit about you
I live in an Edwardian villa in leafy Surbiton with my husband and twin girls Bella and Mya who are 7 years old. I am a graphic designer with a passion for interior design.
Tell us about your home
Our 5 bedroom detached house dates back to 1910. It has traditional features such as fireplaces, pictures rails and high ceilings which is why we purchased the house 7 and a half years ago.
How would you describe your home?
My style is modern rustic. I love to mix old with new.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
It has to be the dining room as it houses the gin cabinet and has lovely views of the garden. It’s also the place where we entertain and we love hosting!
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
I love going to antique shops and flea markets as I enjoy collecting vintage treasures. I sourced a printers tray (a nod to my design background) which is now attached to the wall and is full of little keep sakes.
What are your favourite items in the home?
I love up-cycling furniture and I was particularly excited to source a display cabinet that now holds mini gin bottles and antique glasses.
I am also very fond of our chest of drawers that we inherited from my in-laws. I painted the unit pink and added brass handles which has given it a new lease of life!
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
It was a real project. The house had not been touched for about 18 years. Everything needed gutting. The downstairs needed opening up to allow for an open plan kitchen diner. We also wanted to make the family bathroom bigger to allow for a shower. This meant removing a huge chimney stack that was sat in the middle of the house. We also converted the loft to create more space.
What renovation have you done?
We have dabbled in panelling which is very addictive! So far we have panelled the kitchen, downstairs toilet and also the master bedroom! It is quite easy to do once you have all the design and measurements worked out. Panelling is a great way to add texture and interest to a bare wall.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
No, not yet but there is always time!
What is your top home styling tip?
Create a concept board for each room. This helps you stick to a theme and not get side tracked!
Take inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
I would say calming, lived in and welcoming! We love having guests and I like to hope that they feel nice and comfortable when they are here.
The Home Edit
Lived-in or showhome?
Lived-in!
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
Strong White by Farrow & Ball. It’s a beautiful classy, soft grey.
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Not really a pet hate but I dislike the colour red!
Favourite front door colour
Railings by Farrow & Ball
Carpet or Floorboards
Floorboards especially if they are originals. I love anything with character.
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Both we have a kitchen/diner which is great for when you are hosting
High gloss or rustic
Rustic. Every time!
Wallpaper or Brick Walls
Oh good question! I would say wallpaper but we have yet to learn that skill of how to hang it so until then I’ll go with brick walls!
Want More?
If you enjoyed being at home with Cara, 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 view Cara's amazing instagram account here It's well worth a look!