LIV Chats To …Home Renovation Expert Emma About Her Stunning Home
This week, we are super excited to introduce our ‘LIV Chats To’ @homeonthegrove blog. her beautiful home is definitely going to make you want to think about extending!
Hi Emma, first things first, please can you introduce yourself?
Hi, I'm Emma.
I bought my Edwardian semi detached home in 2012 and extended it in 2017 to make a large open plan space downstairs.
Over the last 3 years since I've been slowly working my way around the rest of the rooms to update them!
What inspired you to start sharing your beautiful home?
I extended my home in 2017 and I wanted to start an Instagram account to document the process and connect with others in the same boat!
Since then I have carried on using the account and during 2020 put a little more focus in on sharing more DIY content during the UK lockdowns.
Please could you describe your interior style, has it always been the same or has it evolved over time?
It’s an Edwardian home so I reinstalled a lot of features back in. Overall I'd say my style is classic and understated. When I first moved in I was in my mid 20s and my style has definitely matured in the last 8 years!
What brands or trends inspire you or your house purchases?
I gain inspiration from multiple places and kind of merge all my ideas together over time for a room!
I try not to follow the latest fad trends, I've learnt my lesson there. I want to buy pieces to last now.
Often when starting a room I start browsing Ebay for a statement unique piece... this is how I found my marble vanity shelf in my cloakroom for example.
What interior Instagram accounts inspire you, could you name your top 3?
This is hard because I more often take inspiration from individual rooms. But ones I love time and time again:
I'd dream for decor one day like Marisa's: @oakappledecor,
I'd dream to renovate another period property one day like Sophie is doing: @bobbins.at.home and I'd love to do another extension one day on a bigger scale like Fran: @twopigsonehouse
“I’ve always tried to reflect the period age of the home in my decor.”
What is your favourite space in your lovely home?
I adore our open plan space and spend the majority of my time in this room!
The large glass sliding doors make the whole area so light and connected to the outdoors. It's so peaceful to sit on the sofa and look out to the garden, having the kitchen right there too is so handy.
We noticed your home has lovely pops of colour throughout it! What is your favourite colour to style your stunning home with?
I love pastel and muted tones.
Pale pink and mint green are definitely my favourite. I have a pale pink sofa and hallway! And just used mint green in my cloakroom!
We loved watching the extension journey over on your Instagram!
Please can you take us through this process and would you have done anything differently?
In 2016 we decided to extend our home. The first step was chatting to an architect to help us create some plans. We got a fantastic one who helped us bring to life the modern cladding design.
We had to go through planning, get a party wall agreement and structural plans before our builders could start. The build took 8 months and it was quite a tough process as it went through winter whilst we lived in the house.
On the whole it went smoothly, it just took a long time and I would definitely consider moving out next time!
What's your favourite house purchase you have made in 2020 and is there anything on your Wishlist?
Probably the green marble vanity shelf in the cloakroom. It’s actually a fireplace hearth I found on Ebay for £35 and I repurposed it for what I needed. I love a bargain find that’s unique.
On my wishlist right now is a full length mirror for the spare room which is currently used as my dressing room!
And finally, what does the future hold for @homeonthegrove?
is there anything up your sleeve or is the house complete?
There is one project left to complete and it’s a big one... the main bathroom!!
We've inherited the suite in there when we moved in so it’s definitely due an upgrade now as it’s very tired. I'm currently creating my moodboards for it and I hope it do it in 2021!
If you have enjoyed reading all about emma and her beautiful home, head over to her Instagram page @homeonthegrove to keep up to date.
