Rowan Atkins - Freelance Writer & PR

Rowan Atkins

Freelance Writer & PR

Journalism

I write about issues close to my heart: health inequalities, gender, disability and mental health.

See my recent work.

PR

I generate press coverage for organisations in the social care, health, housing and education sectors.

Interiors

Since 2012 I’ve been renovating a Victorian villa, ducking the dust and loving every second. Interiors are my passion.

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@homeisheathside

homeisheathside

House tour continues! This time, our sitting room.

House tour continues! This time, our sitting room. Another hard worker of a space. Lots of art and trinkets and favourite fabrics here - things we've amassed over the years. I heard someone describing their collection of objects as an 'accidental interior', and that's this room. There are old and new bits and pieces that have all come together. It's joyful and a bit undone, just how I like it. Green sofa and ottoman were second-hand finds from @ebay_uk , and armchair is reupholstered @ikeauk

#vintagefurniture #vintagefinds #secondhandfurniture #secondhandsofa #vintageottoman #reupholsteredarmchair #vintagesittingroom

Spring has sprung in Altrincham and I'm feeling v

Spring has sprung in Altrincham and I'm feeling v excited about the garden blooming again. Happy Sunday everyone. I'm sooooo ready to say goodbye to the rain 👋 🌧 🙏 ☀️

#victorianhouserenovation #victorianhouselove #bluefrontdoor #frontdoordecor #frontgardendesign #englishgarden #frontgardenideas

At long last I have a new phone and can finally ta

At long last I have a new phone and can finally take a video without super shakiness. Thought I'd take you on a little tour of our family bathroom. This is a hardworking room (we have 3 kids) but I love it. Especially the floor tiles, the art and apothecary cabinet which was carefully restored by @whisperandechouk . I wanted the space to feel full of character and somewhere interesting to look around while you're brushing your teeth, non just a traditional fitted bathroom. Let me know what you think!

#bathroomart #vintagebathroom #victorianhouserenovation #vintagefinds #vintagefurniture #artinbathrooms #manchesterhouserenovation

Fave sitting room corner alway gives me joy as I p

Fave sitting room corner alway gives me joy as I pass by 💕

🌠 Ottoman is @ebay_uk
🌠 Chair is @ikeauk reupholstered by @wesrocheupholstery in Ticking Stripe Alpha in raspberry by @t1nsmiths
🌠 Picture is a beautiful framed silk scarf from @tateshops by @alanmeasles
🌠 Lamp is @pookylights

#sittingroomdesign #livingroomdesign #loungeinteriors #vintagefinds #ebayfinds #vintagefurniture #reupholsteredchair #reupholstery #wallart #framedscarf #framedfabric #manchesterinteriors

Bit of a change from the usual interiors content b

Bit of a change from the usual interiors content but I wanted to post this in case it's useful to anyone. My kids are 16, 10 & 8 and navigating a city break when they all want different things can be tricky. Despite this, we spent three nights in Amsterdam over Easter and it actually worked really well. I tried to find things they would all enjoy (including me and Tim). Here are the highlights:

1. @volkshotel - double room with kids' beds on a raised platform. Hot tubs on the roof.
2. @tonyschocolonely_uk_ire super store - make your own flavours.
3. @depannenkoekenboot Pancake boat cruise - all you can eat, so delicious.
4. @straatmuseum Street Art Museum - take the free ferry outside Centraal Station.
5. Brunch at @thebreakfastclubnld - lots of choice and huge portions.
6. @vangoghmuseum - Tim and I loved it and the kids recognised a few paintings too!
7. Canal walk at sunset back to the hotel. Worth the sore feet!

#amsterdam🇳🇱 #amsterdamwithkids #citybreakwithkids #amsterdamcitybreak #amsterdamwithchildren #iloveamsterdam❤️

Our littlest two still share a bedroom and now tha

Our littlest two still share a bedroom and now that they're about to turn 9 and 11 they want their own rooms. So we've started the process of getting builders to quote for an attic renovation. Swipe to see our attic rooms now 🕸 👉 excuse my heavy breathing! There are two rooms, a landing and a walk in cupboard up there with a proper staircase but no insulation (it's freezing in winter and like a sauna in the summer). So we're thinking of getting dormer windows on the back and veluxes on the front and a toilet or even mini ensuite up there. All depends on the prices we get back. If it's too much we'll do a scaled down version, maybe insulate it, replaster, add veluxes and a toilet. I'll keep you updated!

#atticrenovation #loftrenovation #loftinterior #atticinterior #victorianattic #atticrefurbishment #loftconversion #victorianhouse #victorianhome #victorianproject

Little before and after of our hall here. It's cha

Little before and after of our hall here. It's changed such a lot since we moved here in 2012. Although that beautiful banister is still going strong.

#homereno #hallwayinspiration #hallwayrenovation #victorianhallway #victorianhouserenovation #houserenovations #hallinterior #hallwaytiles

I'm adding as much sky blue as possible to our bed

I'm adding as much sky blue as possible to our bedroom in the hope that the Manchester weather might take the hint.🤞☀️

#bedroominspo #bluebedroom #bluebedroomdecor #blueinterior #victorianhouse #victorianbedroomreno #victorianbedroom #manchesterinteriors #manchesterrenovation #cheshirerenovations #bluecushions

I'm a big fan of framing vinyl. We have a lot in t

I'm a big fan of framing vinyl. We have a lot in this house, and records with great covers can work well on walls. @photoframesandart do an Oxford Photo Frame for 12" albums (I've bought quite a few - this isn't an ad). And the thing about framed records is that they look good on their own or in a collection. Swipe for a few examples from our walls 👉

#framingvinylrecords #vinylcollection #vinylonthewall #framedrecords #framedvinyl #framedvinylart #framedvinylrecords #wallart #artideas #iframeeverything #manchesterinteriors #wallartinspo #cheshireinteriors

OK, so this is a topic I have researched at length

OK, so this is a topic I have researched at length 🤣 The best vintage shops in Greater Manchester and Cheshire. These are my personal picks, there are loads more, but I have some quite specific criteria:

🤎 I don't want somewhere that has been curated to the hilt so you can't find those quirky, weird, wow bargains that no-one else has and you can't wait to get home.

🤎 I like to dig; my fave places don't always serve up the best bits on a plate, you have to hunt, move boxes, keep going and be determined.

🤎 I want a bit of dust and the odd cobweb (sounds like my house!)

There are some established classics in my list and a few off-the-beaten track stores. Let me know any gems that I have missed.

@renewgreatermanchester (Renew shop at Altrincham tip)
@emmaussouthmcr
@treeoflifecentre.wythenshawe
@suerydercharity (George Street, Altrincham)
Manacare, Church Rd & Flixton Rd, Urmston
@thevintageemp
@oldmillantiques
Manor Antiques, Manor Rd, Altrincham
@insitu_mcr
@wilberts_wonderland
@agapanthusinteriors
@dustygems
@victoria_mill_antique_centre

#charityshop #vintagefurniture #vintagefinds #secondhandbargains #secondhandinteriors #vintagebargains #manchestervintage #cheshirevintage #secondhandfurniture

Reupholstered stool is getting some good use 🥰

Reupholstered stool is getting some good use 🥰

#reupholsteredfurniture #reupholsteredstool #reupholstered #bedroomstool #bedroominspo #bedroominterior #manchesterinteriors #cheshireinteriors #bedroominspo

Putting this reel together, I realised that so muc

Putting this reel together, I realised that so much in my house is second hand. I've always loved vintage furniture, I guess because it has character and warmth and originality, but also because there's normally a story attached. And I love the hunt involved in finding old stuff - digging around in dusty shops or trawling @ebay_uk for THAT item. Price is also a factor. Second hand furniture is often cheaper and sometimes more well-made than new stuff. And then there's the environmental benefit of re-using something that someone else once loved. Do you love second hand furniture too?

#vintagefurniture #vintagesofa #antiquefinds
#antiquefurniture #secondhandfurniture #eBayFinds #vintagedecor #retrofurniture #midcenturyfurniture #vintagehomedecor #secondhandinteriors #vintagedesign #vintagestyle #oldfurniture

It may have taken me four months, but I've finally

It may have taken me four months, but I've finally put up my @anthroliving plates and am very much enjoying them in our little kitchen nook.

#anthroliving #readingnook #kitchenrenovation #kitchenextension #kitchensofa #kitchenreadingspot #platesonwalls #wallpaper #victorianhouseextension #victorianhouse #kitchenreno #yellow-black #houseplantsofinstagram #kitchenplants #kitchenhouseplants #kitcheninteriors #vintageart

I love that plumped cushion feeling 😊🛋 Vint

I love that plumped cushion feeling 😊🛋

Vintage map and filing cabinet are @ebay finds
Sofa is @loaf
Footstool is old @ikeauk reupholstered in @alicepalmerco fabric
Print to left is from @designmuseumdanmark

#velvetsofa #orangesofa #vintagemap #vintagefilingcabinet #eBayFinds #secondhandfurniture #houseplantsmakemehappy #manchesterhomerenovation #manchesterinteriors #parquetfloor #footstool #victorianhouse #homerenovations #woodenparquet #parquetflooring

Lovely bit of sun in our bedroom this weekend remi

Lovely bit of sun in our bedroom this weekend reminded me of how far we've come with these built-in wardrobes. It is SUCH a treat having loads of storage after using one clothes rail in the attic for years, between both of us (I ran up a big @amazonuk bill on moth traps). I would definitely recommend getting built-in storage. Ged at @redleaffurniture listened to exactly what we wanted and then designed it all up, spray painted it in @farrowandball French Gray and installed everything. They might not be the cheapest option but they are sturdy, beautiful and tailored to our spec.

#builtinwardrobe #builtinwardrobes #bespokefurniture #wardrobes #wardrobedesign #clothesstorage #builtincloset #bedroomstorage #bedroomdesign #interiorstyle

I was a real textiles novice and had no idea where

I was a real textiles novice and had no idea where to get beautiful fabric for reupholstery, blinds, curtains and cushions. There are so many options, it felt quite overwhelming. But I've found some really gorgeous online & in-store shops that are great places to start. Filter your choices based on how you want to use your fabric (higher rub count for more durable fabrics on chairs, for example).

Anyway, here are my top nine:

1 @alicepalmerco
2 @t1nsmiths
3 @yorkshirefabricshop
4 @jclaytonandco
5 @ian_mankin
6 @coloursofarley
7 @clothshoplondon
8 @haines_collection
9 Vintage markets (@thevintageemp - Pear Mill in Stockport has a great selection)

- Budget friendly options and great selection at @terrysfabrics @themillshoponline @fabricgiant @fabricsgalorelondon
- I also love @thepureedit @etsyuk
- Luxury gorgeousness at @libertylondon @thedesignyarduk

#fabric #upholsteryfabric #vintagefabric #favouritefabric #beautifulfabrics #reupholstery #textiles #interiorinspo #fabricshoppingonline #colourandpattern

I'm a big fan of art in bathrooms (art everywhere

I'm a big fan of art in bathrooms (art everywhere really), but I’ve loved putting pictures in our bathroom, ensuite and downstairs loo. Gallery shop prints, charity shop paintings, family portraits, framed wallpaper, old maps, anything goes. One thing to bear in mind is moisture so I don't tend to put art really near a shower and I always make sure ventilation is good and my frames are decent quality. Other than that, there are no rules. Go fill your bathrooms!

#bathroominspo #bathroomart #artinbathrooms #interiorinspo #vintagebathroom #ensuiteart #powderroomdecor

So many great tips from @gaboushk on her @createac

So many great tips from @gaboushk on her @createacademyofficial course which I'm half way through. Start with vintage fabric is one and I found this lovely cushion cover in the bottom of a fabric bin in a second hand shop recently. It spoke to me and I knew it would work with the Rose Wylie print I have in the living room. So much fun pulling other colours from it too and building a little world around it.

Sofa is @ebay_uk
Print is @royalacademyarts shop (it has so many great prints!)

#victorianhouse #eBayFinds #vintagefabric #vintagecushions #vintagefabriccushions #secondhandsofa #cushions #createacademy #interiorstyling

Newly reupholstered stool is here and I'm in love.

Newly reupholstered stool is here and I'm in love. So glad I picked this Dulcie print in coral from @t1nsmiths . Thanks to @wesrocheupholstery for a fab job as always. It works really nicely well in this little corner of our bedroom and so good to have a store for my hairdryer, straightners, brushes and all that jazz. Also quite proud that I managed to capture the window seat in this 📸 and not me trying to take the shot!

#interiorinspo #bedroominterior #reupholsteredfurniture #reupholsteryproject #reupholsteredstool #bedroomstool #reupholstered ##builtinwardrobe #bedroomcorner #victorianreno #victorianhousebedroom #periodhomesandinteriors #periodrenovation #interiorstyle

This is the hardest working room in our house. Fro

This is the hardest working room in our house. From 9-3 it's my office, after school it becomes the playroom and during the evening we all pile on the sofa to watch TV. Interiors multi-tasking 💪 Swipe to see 👉 (disclaimer: it is never, ever this tidy normally)

📸 1 & 2 @selenakirchhoff for @apartmenttherapy

#victorianhouse #velvetsofa #vintagefinds #vintagefilingcabinet #parquetfloor #interiorinspo #vintagefurniture #orangesofa #periodhomesandinteriors

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