This Welsh Rental Home Mixes Period Pieces with Modern Style
Jamie Dibble, an interior designer based in Cardiff, has rented this three-bedroom house for a month: I’ve just moved into my new place with Humphrey the dog in a really cool area of Cardiff called Pontcanna. Think lots of coffee shops and vintage fares! I’ve recently got divorced so this is a fresh start for me!
I have my own interior design company called DeDdesigns, where we focus on serviced accommodation. Earlier this year I took part in an interior design show for Channel 4 in the UK called “The Big Interiors Battle,” where I finished as a finalist. I love neutral tones and mixing them with textures like leather and wood.
The nature of my work means I’m super busy. But I also live with fibromyalgia. So having a calming comfortable home is super important to me so I can rest up and recoup!!
I’m not sure really how reflective of my personality my home is… because it’s very neutral and calming here… where as I’d say my personality is extra AF. I have however always loved entertaining and having friends around so it’s really important to me that my home isn’t just comfortable, but encourages conversation and feels relaxing to my guests so they too feel at home.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Neutral sanctuary reflecting my personality
What is your favorite room and why? I think my favorite room has to be the living room! I’m sure you guys know how hard it is to find a place that still has original features… this room still has the original parquet flooring and doors, it also has a really pretty 1920s fireplace, too. I love mixing those period pieces with my super modern tan leather sofa and complementing them with my own original oversized, mid-century-inspired artwork above the fireplace!
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I love to collect vases and pottery… (you’ll see what I mean when you see my bedroom picture)… so the last thing I bought was a vintage Ewenny pottery vase. Ewenny pottery is actually in my home town. They’ve been making pottery since the 1600s!! So whenever I find a piece… I have to buy it!!
Any advice for creating a home you love? Don’t go for fads or what’s in fashion. Style your home with the things you love… that’ll never go out of style (at least to you it won’t) it’s soooo easy to style because of trends and social media. I’ve done it plenty of times. But you’ll fall out of love with it pretty soon… then you’ll move onto the next big thing.
Ohh, and don’t compromise. If there’s something specific that you want in your home… wait… save… be patient… as soon as you start making even little compromises… you start to lose the vision you first had.
Thanks Jamie!
This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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