At Home With Elaine @elainepatrice
This week we are at home with the lovely Elaine, owner of the popular instagram page @elainepatrice. Here we find out more about the lady herself and get to take a look inside her delightful 1930's home.
Tell us a bit about you
Hello my name is Elaine and I’m from the lovely area of Berkshire. I’m 62 and a housewife. My parents relocated from London in the early 60s when I was 4 so I’ve lived in this county most of my life.
Tell us about your home
My home is a 1930s semi-detached property, consisting of 3 reception rooms downstairs and 3 bedrooms.
I moved to my present home in 2006. I really love this style of house. The rooms are well portioned and with the high ceilings and picture rails, they add the feeling of space.
How would you describe your home?
My style, I love the country modern look. Lots of painted furniture and stripped pine and lots of pretty accessories. But I think most styles work with this type of property.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
Now my favourite room is a hard one, I love my newly renovated bathroom and my bedroom, both are gorgeous relaxing spaces but I also enjoy cosying up in front of the wood burner too.
We have a lodge in our garden. It seats 15 people and has a fire / BBQ inside. It is definitely high up on my favourite place to be especially in the winter.
Cooking is a passion of mine, so having a workable kitchen space and plenty of room to enjoy with my family is very important for me.
I’m married to a Greek Cypriot so Mediterranean food is always on the menu but I love a home-cooked casserole.
What are your favourite items in the home?
I also enjoy collecting Emma Bridgewater Pottery, my daughter bought me a personalised mug and from there I was hooked. I have slowed down the collecting now, only looking out for the older rarer pieces and of course, they come with a premium price. There is saying in the EB world which is, if you own more than 3 pieces - you have a collection!
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
When I first moved in, the house was very dark with lots of Artex ceilings throughout the house. But luckily most of the original features were still here. The doors, high skirting and picture rails. So, plastering was our top priority and adding some new fireplaces.
As much as I would love to be able to decorate to a decent standard, we do call in the trades where we need to. It is quick and less disruptive, so works for us!
I have become good at painting furniture though. I love using chalk paint and have upcycled most of the furniture in the house.
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
I’ve been lucky not to have any styling disasters and that’s probably because it’s taken a while to get the house to where it is now. I do believe it’s important to live in a home for a while to understand what works for you.
What is your top home styling tip?
My top styling tip would be keeping the walls in neutral shades and then add your colour from there. That way you can change a room colour and give it an uplift without always redecorating again.
Is there anything in your home you couldn’t live without?
Could I live without a wood burner or open fire probably not, it’s the focal point of the rooms.
They say every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
I would say I’m a very social person, I love cooking for family and friends and I would like to think my home is relaxing and inviting and my guests feel welcome always and come away and say “that was fun”.
The Home Edit
Lived-in look or showhome?
A bit of both
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
Off White
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Washing up left on drainer
Favourite front door colour
Sage Green
Carpet or Floorboards
Floorboards
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Kitchen table
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls
Brick walls
You can read more of these "at home with" interviews with many inspirational people and get home decor ideas from their lovely "home themed" instagram accounts at https://mulberrytreeathome.com/blogs/at-home-with