At home with with Sarah @ hearts_at_claremont
This week we are at home with Sarah the lady behind the hugely popular instagram account hearts_at_claremont
We took the opportunity to ask a few questions and learn a few tips and secrets.
Tell us a bit about you
I live on the Wirral in a small coastal town. We live in an Edwardian house which we are slowly renovating. We have lived here for 4 years.
I live with my husband, two children and two dogs!
Tell us about your home
Our home was built in 1908. We have kept all of the original features and we have chosen décor which suits the style and age of the property.
How would you describe your home?
I love modern farmhouse country interiors; a blend of old and new. I also love French and Scandinavian décor with some rustic touches here and there.
Which is your favourite room in the house?
My favourite room is definitely our kitchen! It has been completely transformed. It was once a dark, damp, cold room and is now a bright, light heart of the home.
How does your home reflect any passions or interests?
I love upcycling old unloved pieces of furniture. Many of the pieces in our home are second hand. I love bringing old pieces back to life with some love and imagination!
What are your favourite items in the home?
I love my pink sideboard that I recently upcycled. It was left behind for us by the couple who owned our first home from. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture and matches in with the style of our home perfectly. I also love our French style bed. It’s huge and so comfy!
When you moved into your house was it the finished article or was it a project?
It was a fixer upper.
Have you done any renovations?
I’ve always done all of the decorating myself. For many years I have painted and decorated our previous homes – partly to keep the cost down but partly because I really enjoy doing it.
I designed our kitchen layout. I learnt a lot about renovating during our project. That was the biggest project we’ve done so far and I was well outside of my comfort zone, but it was a lot of fun! Our main family bathroom renovation will be the next project which we’re hoping to do next year. I’m already loving planning it
Have you had any DIY or styling disasters?
When our kitchen floor was levelled with concrete by our builders, our dog Betsy walked all over it and it had to be redone!
What is your top home styling tip?
Make it cosy! Blankets, cushions, candles all evoke a feeling of hygge and cosiness which to me is what makes a house feel homely.
Is there anything in your home that you couldn’t live without?
My vintage clothes airer in our utility room…its perfect for drying large items like bedding and looks great too.
They say that a every home tells visitors a story about who lives there. What do you think your home says about you?
Many people have said that our home feels full of love as soon as you walk in. It is a very happy home and we have put a lot of hard work into making it feel light and bright but still cosy and homely.
The Home Edit
Lived-in look or showhome?
Lived-in
If you could only paint your walls one colour, which one would it be?
White!! Every time!
What is your pet hate when it comes to your own or other’s homes?
I always like my entrance to my home to look pretty, tidy and organised. I can’t stand it when shoes are left by the front door!
Favourite front door colour
Pink
Carpet or Floorboards
Floorboards/luxury vinyl
Kitchen table dining or formal dining room? (Or both)
Both
High gloss or rustic?
Rustic
Wallpaper or Brick Walls?
I prefer painted walls. I’m not a huge fan of patterned wallpaper or brick walls...
If you enjoyed being at home with Sarah, 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