At Home With Kelly @fiveandafarmhouse
This week we are at home with the lovely Kelly, the lady behind the beautiful instagram account @fiveandafarmhouse
Kelly shares her daily family life and the on going renovation journey of the 17th century farmhouse that she now calls home. She is also the founder of instagram account @myfairflatlay and runs a monthly flatlay competition.
Tell us about you
An island girl born and raised, myself, my husband and our 3 children (James 5, Freya 3 and Oscar 10 months) finally got our dream earlier this year when we brought a listed 17th century traditional Guernsey farmhouse. In need of full renovation and barn restorations we have a big project ahead of us!
Tell us about your home
There isn’t much to the house at the moment, so we cannot wait to put our stamp on it whilst retaining its listed features and charm. It is full of character just waiting to be restored. Guernsey farmhouses are renowned for low ceilings, so we may have to make a few adjustments to stop my husband banging his head!
How would you describe your home?
Our previous house was white minimalist, but this house is going to have more botanical vibes, with some rustic, natural twists. Sustainability is incredibly important to us, so we will be making décor choices with this in mind.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
The attached barn will (subject to planning permission) be converted into a vaulted kitchen / dining area, and this is fast becoming my favourite room to theme and plan. Mainly because I can’t wait to get a tall Christmas tree in there!
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
I’m a huge supporter of incorporating natural, sustainable materials into our home where we can, and having a house that is raw and ready gives me the prime opportunity to do this. I studied as a Spatial Designer and previously worked as an Architectural Technician, so design is my passion.
What are your favourite items in the home?
Since I learnt to keep a house plant alive, I’ve become quite attached to them! Not only do they improve air quality and go a long way to improving our mental health, they are also a treat to look at.
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
This house is most definitely a project, and we hope to have it in a live-able condition by early next year.
Have you done any renovation?
Whilst we await planning permissions, we have been getting on with the jobs we don’t need permissions for, one of which was repointing the granite stones on one gable. Having never carried out any form of stonemasonry before, it was a new skill for myself, my husband and my father!
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
Thankfully not yet, but watch this space
What is your top home styling tip?
Be you. Instagram is a great inspirational platform, but it is incredibly easy to get overwhelmed and lose your way and your vision. Stay true to your style and your home will reflect that.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
The stones! I adore all of the period features that this house offers, in particular the stones that we keep discovering under the floors and behind the walls. It’s the gift that keeps on giving,
They say that every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
When it is finished, we hope the house will give our visitors glimpses of the history the house holds, whilst at the same time making them feel warmth, comfort and safe.
The Home Edit
Lived-in or showhome?
A bit of both
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
White – then accessorise
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
Mess
Favourite front door colour
Sage green
Carpet or Floorboards
Floorboards and large rugs to warm them up
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room?
Kitchen table dining
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
Brick walls
If you enjoyed being at home with Kelly, 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