At Home With Gemma @dukeofmontroseapartments

This week I'm at home with Gemma, the incredibly creative lady behind the stunning instagram account @dukeofmontroseapartments where she shares amazing images of her stunning country farmhouse. Read on to learn more about Gemma, her home, lifestyle, family and also some top home decor tips.

 

Tell us about you

I live in my forever home with my husband and two little ones. We are originally from Edinburgh. We moved to the stunning Aberdeenshire countryside for a job opportunity for my husband. I had no idea I’d love it so much! I love the peace, privacy and slow country life. 

 

Tell us about your home

My home is a listed sandstone farmhouse. Built in the 1840s, it was one of the main farms in our area. We have 2 acres of garden and are surrounded by fields and a beautiful view of the Grampian Mountains. 

 

How would you describe your home?

 

I’m definitely a lover of traditional. I like pieces that are built to last. I’m a keen DIYer so I sometimes take an old worn down classic and give it a modern update. 

 

Which is your favourite room in the house?

I love my bedroom. I only completed it in March after living here for 6 years. It is such a calm and peaceful space. I love how I feel when I’m in there. The furniture (except the bed and bedside cabinets) were all gumtree finds. They are some of my favourite pieces in the whole house. 

 

How does your home reflect any passions or interests?

My home probably shows how much of a homebird I am. My passion is to create a loving welcoming home that’s unique to us as a family. Every room is thoughtfully created to reflect how we live. I want every visitor to feel welcome and comfortable for the whole duration of their stay. 

 

What are your favourite items in the home?

I love my preloved finds. They are so unique and are almost like a little medal for persevering and enjoying the hunt for sustainable and well made items. The pieces of art in my bedroom are one of a kind and make me smile every time I look at them. 

 

When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?

It was a bigger project than we anticipated. The home report was wrong! We had to spend nearly another £80K on windows and pointing before the house was air/water tight. Both were not picked up in the report!!

 

What renovation and decorating have you done?

I’ve done all of the latest updates myself. I’ve taught myself how to lay tiles, panel walls, plumb a bathroom and I can wire simple sockets/light fittings. I’m getting more confident with every project. I’ve even made my own sink out of a vintage wash bowl. 

 

Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?

I papered my W.C twice before deciding on panelling it. The first wallpaper looked horrendous in the room. The second wallpaper shrunk and the pattern wiped off! I hated both but I learnt a lot. The main thing I learned was not to buy wallpaper that was in clearance! 

 

What is your top home styling tip?

Choose an item that you love, a bed a wardrobe, etc, and style around that. I’m currently working on my daughter’s bedroom. It all started with the French bed. Everything that I choose is referred back to the bed. If it doesn’t suit the colour/style, it doesn’t go in the room.  

 

Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?

My electric blanket on my bed. I wouldn’t get into my bed without it. It’s a cold old house and during the winter, the bedsheets feel like ice. 

 

They say that a every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?

I’d say it says that I’m not afraid to be different and that I enjoy comfort over appearances. 

 

The Home Edit

 

Lived-in look or showhome?

Lived-in

 

If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?

Duck egg blue 

 

What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?

Sofas that you can’t sit comfortably on. 

 

Favourite front door colour

Duck egg blue. 

 

Carpet or Floorboards

Carpets in bedrooms, hard floors downstairs. 

 

Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?

I have both

 

High gloss or rustic?

Rustic

 

Wallpaper or Brick Walls?

Both, depends on the room. 

 

Want More?

If you enjoyed being at home with Gemma, 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 Gemma's instagram account here. It's well worth a look!