How the other half lives

The owners of these confidently designed homes don't care if you like them or not

A rear extension to rival a theme park ride facade. Because why be ordinary?

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Today I’m launching a new series:

How the other half lives.

As an interiors author and stylist I’ve been invited into hundreds of homes over the years to feature in my books and to style for editorial or commercial shoots and it has opened my eyes to all the wonderful ways people create a home.

The title may be misleading but How the other half lives isn’t about seeing inside luxurious homes - although we will explore those as well - it’s more about being inspired by those who take a different approach to design. You may not like them all, but by being exposed to a variety of unabashedly unique homes rather than only the tasteful and elegant ones you might see in magazines, I hope it will make you feel more confident to explore your own creativity at home.

There are no interviews with owners, no renovation stories or history at all. It’s just me scouring the internet for homes that challenge the norm, plus links to similar items where possible. I hope you enjoy!

Today’s homes are all from the shoot location agency Love Locations. See links below for full house tours.

Clever architectural choices, a tight colour palette throughout and a bold minimalism make this home a standout. Even if it’s not your style there are many ideas to borrow and adapt:

I’m pretty sure the blue painted brickwork is what remains of the original back of the house. So clever! Also clever - making a feature of the supporting beams by painting them red/blue

This kitchen looks similar to Smile Plastics who use post-consumer waste plastic to make make stunning and unique panels. Painting exposed steel beams (in the correct fire-proof paint) makes them part of the overall design. Imagine how different the room would look if the beam was the same pale blue or just white.

Enough said

Tone on tone on tone. Walls, floor, ceiling, cornicing, rug, furniture, all a rich blue, with bits of plasterwork attached to the walls and painted out. These and these would look amazing dotted on your walls wouldn’t they?

I wrote in one of my books about using ceramic tile in rooms other than just the usual bathroom and kitchen settings. It can feel cold but layering with art, plants etc always adds warmth. I bought some of my bathroom tiles from here and here.

I love this next one because as much as I enjoy a bit of brutalist architecture I usually end up disliking the stark way they are decorated. This concrete bunker has been layered with art, plants and furniture that feels collected rather than just bought - in other words signs of life - which for me make it a home

(Incidentally it just twigged that this home was featured on an episode of Grand Designs that I watched recently. If you want to feel better about your own renovation, watch it! It was a nightmare build).

A healthy bank of plants, vintage lighting and some warm-toned retro furniture transform what would’ve been a cold and uninviting room. Similar Holophane vintage lights here and pretty art deco sconces here

Again, the power of plants, warm wood and oversized colourful artwork. A mid century oil painting here or a contemporary piece here

Notice the balance of colour - the muted orange cushion atop the concrete banquette works with the orange tone of the chairs and the green art with the plants. The rug adds pattern without adding more colour

Bold colour blocking in this (teenager’s?) room add a playful mood to the grey concrete setting. Excellent use of space as well with the bed on the wardrobe, accessed by a climbing wall. Lucky kid!

The last one today is a huge and eclectic home I’ve actually styled a number of shoots in over the years. Owned by a stylist, it is filled with beautiful things collected over the years and each room has its own personality.

Radiators don’t have to be disguised but can be incorporated into the design, particularly if they’re as dainty as this one

Alternatively a radiator can be painted out the same as the wall so it disappears. I love the art hung between each panel with no regard for symmetry or similarity in frame size/shape/style

Who says the feature wall is dead! For a shoot location it’s helpful to have a variety of walls in different colours and finishes as it gives you more places to shoot different products. At home it can transform a room without committing to fully bold/dark

The wall finish was handmade by applying cut outs of floral wallpaper and adding a light wash of paint on top. Unique and experimental and easily copyable - with your own spin of course. I’m launching my own wallpaper soon but in the meantime try here for luxe and here for budget

So much to love in this luxe/eclectic kitchen but what I notice is the kitchen island pieced together with a chunky butcher block and a retro formica table. It offsets the luxurious feel of the marble and high ceilings, bringing a sense of real home rather than show home. An island doesn’t have to be an island. Here’s one I found.

A bedroom big enough for two large rugs may not be everyone’s reality but the idea is still a good one. Similar in tone and style but not matching, the rugs warm up (and fill) a lot of empty floorspace at the same time as enhancing the soft colour palette and boudoir aesthetic. The oversized pendants are an unexpected choice and add a sense of theatre. Try here for a similar pendant.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this peak into the way others live and decorate and perhaps it has inspired you in some way to make changes to your own home that reflect YOU and your style. Comment below to let me know.