Having made the move from Cornwall to Bristol a few years ago, graphic designer Katie Elvins and her partner bought a mid-terrace house in Bristol, but it did NOT look like it does now. “When we moved in the walls were covered in what looked like wrapping paper. There were so many layers of wallpaper and paint it was a real challenge stripping it back,” Katie explains.

The couple has now turned this once unloved house into a bright and airy home, featuring a lot of Katie’s own designs on the walls. As well as working as a designer in a branding agency by day, Katie also runs Oso Twee, her very own business selling minimalist typography artwork that she designs and prints herself at home, in her very own home office. Which is why when it came to choosing between having a guest room or a home office, the couple opted for the latter. “I needed more space to design and work. I would love one day to have a big studio but for now this is mine.”

Though they call the back room their dining room/conservatory, the sitting area they’ve created is the perfect little mix of cozy and colorful, with inspiration for use in living rooms of any size or style.

My Style: I’d say it’s a real mixed bag. I love so many styles. If I had to sum it up I would say it’s mid-century modern meets Scandi-minimalist. 

Inspiration: Print pattern, type, and color.

Favorite Element: It has to be my Singer sewing machine. It was gifted to me from my grandmother and has been in our family for years. It’s a beautiful piece of furniture and a real talking point.

Biggest Challenge: Making my mind up on color. I am very indecisive. Our house has been all white for quite sometime; it’s only recently I have started adding a pop of color to the rooms downstairs.

What Friends Say: They always ask me where I buy all my decor items from. I run a small business called Oso Twee where I sell typographic prints and know how important it is to shop small and support local businesses. I try and support as many small businesses as I can. But don’t get me wrong I am a huge fan of IKEA. 

Biggest Embarrassment: The kitchen. It hasn’t been touched since we moved; I’d love to modernize it on a budget. My plan is to paint the cupboards and replace the handles to try and give it a face lift; I think this is a job for the winter. This isn’t our forever home but want to maximize the potential on a budget.

Proudest DIY: The living room. When we moved in the walls were covered in what looked like wrapping paper, it was bright red, and hanging on the wall was what I call a TV fire. There were so many layers of wallpaper and paint it was a real challenge stripping it back, getting rid of the Aertex [fabric]. We knocked through the chimney making a feature in the room, after re-boarding and plastering we added some finishing touches and lots of prints to make it what it is. Only thing I would like now is a new colourful sofa for this room.

Biggest Indulgence: We gave up having a guest room to have an office in our house. I needed more space to design and work. I would love one day to have a big studio but for now this is mine. I put new pieces of work up on the walls, inspiration, works in progress etc .

Best Advice: Take your time collecting pieces for your house. I really love buying old furniture and making it my own. There’s something lovely about secondhand furniture. I currently have an old wardrobe that I’ll be stripping and painting in a bold colour.

Dream Sources: made.com, habitat, H&M home, IKEA, Facebook Marketplace, gumtree, reclaimed yards

• Living room: Dulux – Urban Obsession & Dulux – Chic Shadow
• Dining room: Dulux – Sapphire Salute

• Shelf – String Furniture
• Prints – OSO TWEE
• Picture ledge – IKEA
• Flower and leaf mirrors – Lala loves decor
• Black and white vase – Habitat – Out of stock
• Wire stag head – Dunelm
• Clock – Two Girls Co.
• Singer Sewing Machine – Inherited from my grandmother

• Sofa – made.com
• Cushions – IKEA
• Throw – IKEA
• Foot stools – IKEA
• Bureau – Inherited from my grandmother
• Dining table and chairs – Secondhand

• Circular shelf – Flying Tiger
• Prints – OSO TWEE & WONDER & RAH
• Wall garland – Velveteen babies
• Star cushion ­– Marjorie Minnie
• Slippers – Sheepers
• Furniture – IKEA
• Wooden hearts – Oh hello beau
• Chair – IKEA
• Basket – IKEA

• Hexagon shelves – Flying tiger
• Prints – OSO TWEE, Hey Studio, Jack Renwick studio, MultiAdaptor
• Wall garland – Velveteen babies
• Hello sign – Lala loves décor
• Shelving – IKEA

Thanks Katie!

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