A Formerly Safe, Neutral London Victorian Got a Bold Dose of Personality in Just 8 Months
For designer, illustrator, and content creator Amelia Deacon-Hunt, the biggest challenge in this 1688-square-foot Victorian terrace in East London she purchased eight months ago “was taking a beautifully renovated but fairly neutral house and giving it real personality.”
LIVING ROOM SHOPPING SOURCES: The wall paint color is Coat Paint's "Reverie" and the ceiling paint is Coat Paint's "Factor Fifty." The Lavinia sofa is from Barker & Stonehouse, but U.S. shoppers can find something similar at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. The coffee table is from Amazon. The floor lamp is from DUSK, but you can also find a similar one from Amazon. The sheepskin cushion was found on Vinted and the zebra-print cushion is John Lewis brand. The artwork is a downloadable print from Etsy that Amelia had printed onto canvas and framed by Printumo. The gallery wall light above the artwork is from Amazon. The rug is from Kukoon. The plant and plant pot are from IKEA.
“I wanted it to feel warm, lived-in, and unique, without losing the clean, contemporary feel that first attracted us to the property,” Amelia continues. “Like many homeowners, we didn’t have an unlimited budget, so I knew I’d have to be resourceful and do as much of the work myself as possible. That meant countless hours spent researching, mood boarding, scrolling through Pinterest, comparing prices, hunting for secondhand finds, and waiting for the right pieces to go on sale.”
PRIMARY BEDROOM SHOPPING RESOURCES: The wall and ceiling paint color is Lick's Pink 02. The panelling was designed and DIYed by Amelia. The bed is from Beliani, the bedside tables are from TKMaxx, and the bedding is from Piglet in Bed. The bedside light fixtures are Amazon ones that Amelia adapted herself with rechargable lights.
Amelia says she learned quickly that designing a home isn’t always about spending a ton of money: “It’s about being patient, creative, and knowing where to invest.” To do so, she did as many things herself as she could, “from painting and panelling to styling and upcycling, which not only saved money but allowed me to put my own stamp on every room.”
“It took a lot of experimenting with colour, furniture, artwork, and layout to find the right balance between modern and retro. Looking back, those limitations actually pushed me to be more creative, and I think that’s ultimately what made the house feel so personal and truly like home.”
GUEST BEDROOM SHOPPING SOURCES: The battery-operated wall light is from The Range, but U.S. shoppers can find a similar one from Lowes. The bed frame is from Nero Living (a similar one is from The Home Depot). The bedding and cushions are from Furn. The pre-made wall moldings and the floral moldings are from Amazon. The wall paint is Lick's "Blue 14."
The personalizing of the home started the moment Amelia and her husband, Ben, got the keys to the place. “I’ve spent almost every spare moment painting, decorating, styling, sourcing furniture, and tackling DIY projects to transform what was once a neutral house into a home that feels completely like us,” Amelia writes.
GUEST BEDROOM SHOPPING SOURCES: The curtains are from Etsy, and the bed is from Rose Land Furniture. The bedding is from H&M, and the cushions are from Ellenvale Interiors. The mirror is from Amazon.
“Inspired by retro design, the ’70s and ’80s, nostalgia and colour, I’ve filled every room with warm tones, sculptural silhouettes, statement artwork, and vintage-inspired pieces to create a home that’s playful, characterful, and uniquely ours,” she writes.
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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