When interior designer Alex Coomer and her husband, Steve, bought their Victorian town house in west London three years ago they wanted to modernise it straight away. 'It was dark, dreary and dated when we moved in,' says Alex. Their previous home had been decorated quite traditionally so Alex was keen to do something different. 'I wanted to create a contemporary family home but still be sensitive to the house’s period features.'
Samantha Johnson is an interior designer who espouses the principle that family homes can be great looking. Her approach to design from her interior design company is to take her cues from the architecture of the property, and the people who live there. ACHICA Living caught up with Samantha and asked her to share her expertise…
A few years ago, Eastern delights were the height of interiors style. You couldn’t open a glossy magazine without seeing a stone Buddha peering up at you, a couple of ornately carved chests and a wilting orchid or two. It was a reaction to shabby chic, which had previously been so prevalent, in that it was sleek and exotic – two properties you can definitely not assign to the vintage-style chandeliers and dining chairs that had previously been so popular.
Interior designer Charlotte Crosland – sister of designer Neisha – creates rooms that are stylish and comfortable. ‘The neutral, playing safe interior that has been a trend for ages is not for me,’ she says. ACHICA Living took a peek at Charlotte’s own home, and asked her to reveal how she creates a look that’s chic and relaxed...
Step inside this stunning Victorian home in west London, which has been lovingly restored by interior designer Dean Keyworth and Gavin Hilton. Take the tour now...
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Step inside this Cambridgeshire new build owned by Anne Bannell and husband Steve, which they share with their two children. It was the allure of more space that first attracted Anne and Steve to sell their treasured family home and relocate. When they came across a 1960s bungalow to buy, it seemed like a good option as it's surrounded by historic countryside, and also just a 20-minute drive from Cambridge, where the couple both work. ‘The position of the bungalow counted for far more than its size or condit...View more
Step inside this beautiful South-West London home owned by ACHICA members Ros and Andrew. The couple live here with their four children, Nina, Billy, Ellen, Kit and Jimmy the Springer Spaniel...
Before moving to their London townhouse in 2008, the family had been living in Wiltshire, in a spacious detached country house. ‘We decided to move to the big smoke as the children were getting older and we’d all had enough of living in a small village,’ explains Ros. ‘We had lived in London prior to moving to Wiltshire and we wanted t...View more
Add statement style to your home and refresh the look with these gorgeous homewares so you can be a cook in the kitchen and a lazy mare in the bedroom - chill out, read a book, get some kip, it's been a long week...
Fresh new bed linen to revamp your bedroom always works a treat, and Bedeck has a beautiful range that features horizontal panels of silver geometric embroidery on a white background (above). The range has classic detail, bordered with rows of p...View more
Be the first to get your hands on the new Anglepoise TypeC LED light before it launches this Autumn in our exclusive ACHICA Living competition.
What's not to love about this light? It's a design classic. The Anglepoise TypeC LED features a dynamic, flowing design that is as beautiful as it is distinctive. Created by industrial and product design legend Kenneth Grange CBE, it fits neatly over a computer screen. The TypeC L...View more
Leading Swedish lighting company Markslöjd produces pieces that not only look good, but are durable too. Check out the sparkling sprinkle of Markslöjd's luxurious table, floor and pendant lighting designs - from classic crystal pieces to high-gloss contemporary models. They're ideal for adding an inviting warmth to the hall, illuminating the kitchen table and home office or setting up a relaxing mood in the living room...
Emily Peck
Emily is the Founding Editor of the blog. Her experience includes writing and styling for Grand Designs, Stuff, Real Homes, Ideal Home, Woman&Home, Wired UK, C4 and the BBC.
Pip McCormac
Guest Editor Pip is the Commissioning Lifestyle Editor for The Sunday Times Style magazine. He's also written for Stylist, Elle Decoration and StyleJunkee.
Emma Morton Turner
Guest Editor Emma has written and styled for Woman&Home, Style At Home, Feel Good Food, Woman and Ideal Home to name a few. She's also fab at making stunning cakes!
David Nicholls
Guest Editor David holds the position of Design Editor at Telegraph Magazine, sourcing stunning homes around the world and reporting back with the best designs from high street to high end.
Zia Allaway
Guest Editor Zia is a gardening expert, author of books including How to Grow Practically Everything and editor of Beautiful Gardens magazine. She also contributes to Homes and Gardens and The Garden Design Journal.
Katie Treggiden
Guest Editor Katie writes award-winning design blog, Confessions of a design geek, and is the author of design book Interviews. She's also a regular contributor to We Heart, Heart Home Magazine and Design Milk.
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