Rowan Atkins

Freelance Writer & PR

Interiors

You can see our renovation on Instagram @homeisheathside and in Apartment Therapy, Daily Mail, Manchester Evening News, Metro, Mirror and more. We also offer our house as a location for shoots.

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@homeisheathside

homeisheathside

I am no garden expert, but there are a few plants

I am no garden expert, but there are a few plants that seem to be loving life in this cooler, autumnal weather.

🌿 First up is Cosmos. Feathery green foliage and lovely white blooms
🌿 Next is my hosta, which looks like it's on fire right now. Those glowing leaves are gorgeous
🌿 My climbing clematis has produced some late pinky blooms which are brightening my October!
🌿 Then there's the Sedum (thank you @nataabeee ) with its compact, pinky green flower heads
🌿 Lastly, there are these purple beauties. Cannot remember for the life of me what they are, but they're pretty lovely. Anyone identify them for me?

#autumngarden #victorianrenovation #altrinchamgarden #altrinchaminteriors #autumnflowers #gardennovice

We bought this sofa a few years ago and I've never

We bought this sofa a few years ago and I've never loved it. Usually, I'm obsessed with new furniture because I've pined and saved for so long. This one arrived, and I didn't fall in love. So I've been looking for ways of updating it without a huge reupholstery bill or a billion new cushions. Luckily, I was playing around with a gorgeous throw I got a while back from @mishytaylor_stylist and bingo, almost a new sofa. Such an easy transformation. All you need is a lovely throw 😊 ✨️

#sittingroominteriors #victorianrenovation #interiordesigner #vintageinteriors #sofarefresh #altrinchaminteriordesigner #manchesterinteriordesigner

Lots of storage, spots to chill and a decent place

Lots of storage, spots to chill and a decent place to work are priorities in a teen room. My 17 year old's room is pretty decent on all three. It was even featured in @idealhomeuk magazine so he must be doing something right. This is his work, not mine! Disclaimer: It's at its very tidiest here. There are normally quite a few wet towels on the floor!

#teenroomdecor #vintageinteriors #teenroomideas #teenbedroomideas #teenroominterior #interiordesignersmanchester #interiordesignersinaltrincham

📸 @jfrench_photo
Styling @mishytaylor_stylist

This is a reminder that if you are in the midst of

This is a reminder that if you are in the midst of renovating or about to start, then it does get better, and it is worth it. We lived with this hall, its green carpet and brown wallpaper for many, many years before we had the time or the budget to renovate. But I knew the bones were great, and it just needed a bit of TLC (along with a new floor, paint job and runner on the stairs!). Keep going with your renovation. The results make it all worthwhile 😊

#victorianrenovation #homerenovation #loverenovate #lovetorenovate #homerenovation #hallwayinteriors #hallwayinspo #vintagehallway #idealhome

One of my favourite bits of the interior design pr

One of my favourite bits of the interior design process is finding all the 'smalls' - the trinkets, objects, ornaments, ceramics, bits and bobs that add personality to a room. I have them everywhere in my house! Here are some of my fave places to find them:

🕰 @tkmaxxuk - always random, often great
🕰 Your family (!) Knick-knacks that have been passed down are often the best
🕰 @sostrenegrene - lucky to have one in Altrincham, and the stuff is gorgeous and affordable
🕰 Charity shops - the ones that have dusty corners with piles of stuff are the best. I'm not keen on a sanitised chazza devoid of anything interesting
🕰@ebay_uk - obvs
🕰 @hmhome - went to the flagship London store and it was ace. Their online selection is also great.
🕰 @zarahome - Some beautiful bits. Sometimes pricey
🕰 Gallery gift shops - the best for unusual, arty stuff
🕰 @sainsburys home range - I always have a browse when I pop in for food
🕰 Vintage markets - there are some corkers in the northwest. @thevintageemp in Stockport is one of the best

📸 @jfrench_photo
Styling @mishytaylor_stylist

#vintageinteriors #victorianhouserenovation #vintagefinds #ebayfinds #periodhouserenovation #altrinchaminteriors #manchesterinteriordesigner

Had a bit of a hard time over the past two weeks.

Had a bit of a hard time over the past two weeks. Bloody perimenopause (I had no idea how horrid it is), along with feeling a bit meh and then losing my confidence with social media and feeling frozen. Trying to thaw myself out now. Best way is to just enjoy interior design (it brings me so much joy), share my passion for it, share my journey (LOVING my interior design diploma) and not think too hard about it all. Thank you to my lovely sister @mirandapearcemindset and amazing brother in law @drtimpearce for the pep talk 🥰

#victorianrenovation #iloveinteriordesign #renovationproject #vintageinteriors #interiorsmakemehappy

A little carousel of our bedroom here. Tim and I s

A little carousel of our bedroom here. Tim and I spent many years sleeping in the attic. Actually, we slept across the house in a variety of rooms as each space was renovated. So, having this bedroom sanctuary was a particular treat. Away from the dust, the moths, the low eaves and bits of plaster randomly falling off the wall (our attic is getting refurbished next!) Swipe for how it looked. So glad we have got our wardrobe situation sorted now!

🛏 The wardrobes were made by @redleaffurniture and painted in @farrowandball French Gray
🛏 Wardrobe handles are @plankhardware
🛏 The bed and bedside tables are from @swooneditions
🛏 Blue cushions on the bed are @heals_furniture
🛏 The prints are a mix of new, old and wrapping paper!
🛏 Lights are all @pookylights
🛏 Mirror is vintage

📸 @jfrench_photo
Styling @mishytaylor_stylist

#bedroominteriors #bedroomdecoration #bedroomreno ##victorianrenovation #altrinchaminteriors #cheshireinteriordesigner #manchesterinteriordesign

Do you ever walk into a room and feel your spirits

Do you ever walk into a room and feel your spirits and your heart lift? 💕 Houses and spaces have always had that effect on me. I often feel real joy from seeing a beautiful sofa, pair of curtains, or painting. Our family bathroom gives me exactly those feels. The tiles, the prints, the cast iron bath. I wanted the room to be comfortable and beautiful but also like it was just right for this lovely Victorian house of ours.

Tiles are @capietra
Most other stuff is secondhand

#iloveinteriors #interiorsmakemehappy #interiordesignersinaltrincham #interiordesignersmanchester #victorianhouse #victorianrenovation #victorianbathroom #vintagebathroom #artinbathrooms

Change is coming! I'm planning a little sitting ro

Change is coming! I'm planning a little sitting room glow-up, introducing more pattern and less solid blocks of colour. First stop is to reupholster this secondhand ottoman I bought on @ebay_uk with a small scale patterned fabric. Next on the list - curtains for the bay window. Larger scale pattern here, perhaps? And what about curtain style? I just need to decide on fabrics that will pull it all together. Any suggestions very welcome 🙏 There is sooooo much choice 💙

Photos @jfrench_photo
Styling @mishytaylor_stylist

#sittingroomdesign #victorianhouse #victoriansittingroom #renovationproject #interiordesignersinaltrincham #iloveinteriordesign #vintagefinds #ebayfinds #secondhandseptember #altrinchaminteriordesigner #manchesterinteriordesigner

My youngest two share a bedroom, and 99.5% of the

My youngest two share a bedroom, and 99.5% of the time, it does not look like this. Swipe for a dose of insta reality 🙄

Thank you @mishytaylor_stylist for giving us the incentive to tidy up and rearrange some furniture, and thank you for your magic styling ✨️
And thank you @jfrench_photo for capturing this rare moment of tidiness and calm 📸

Insta reality pics captured by moi!

#kidsbedroominteriors #kidsbedroomstorage #instareality #childrensbedroomdesign #kidsdesk #victorianhouse #altrinchaminteriordesign #manchesterinteriordesign #manchesterinteriordesigner

I love these plaster reliefs by the side of my bed

I love these plaster reliefs by the side of my bed. There's a story behind them, too. Tim's Grandmother grew up in Gruyères Castle, Switzerland, and these are plaster portraits of family members. Recently, we found another one that I haven't put on the wall yet. It's of twin boys (👉 swipe to see), and I need to find the right spot. Just love having objects with stories all around my house. Makes things so much more interesting 💛 I also have a soft spot for Gruyère cheese 🧀

🌿 Bed and bedside table @swooneditions
🌿 Prints above the bed are wrapping paper from @banksidegallery
🌿 Wall lamp @pookylights

#plasterrelief #plastercast #wallart ##vintagefinds #secondhandseptember #bedroomart #bedroominteriors #vintageinteriordesign #altrinchaminteriordesign #manchesterinteriordesigner

There are 5 of us living here, and although I love

There are 5 of us living here, and although I love the chaos, I also love a bit of quiet. Especially after the summer hols. So the peace and the tidiness of this first week of the kids going back has been strange, but really rather nice! Won't last long though 😅

#victorianrenovation #vintagekitchen #kitchendesignideas
#kitcheninteriors #kitchenislanddesign #openshelving shelves

When plants, prints, and maps threaten to take ove

When plants, prints, and maps threaten to take over your tiny downstairs loo 😅 When is enough, enough?

🖼 Lights @industville
🖼 Pretty much everything else is secondhand, from charity shops or vintage markets

#downstairsloo #downstairsloodecor #artintheloo #powderroom #downstairstoilet #artinbathrooms #wallart #secondhandfinds #vintagebathroom

Still can't quite believe my house is in a proper

Still can't quite believe my house is in a proper printed magazine. Such an honour. Thank you @idealhomeuk
and the hugely talented @mishytaylor_stylist and @jfrench_photo 🥰

Bit of September afternoon sun here from yesterday. I'm trying to soak up all that lovely autumn light before it's gone ☀️

#interiordesign #iloveinteriordesign #victorianhouse #lovetorenovate #renovationproject #victorianrenovation #periodhome #sittingroom

Can we talk about the magic of reupholstery? The c

Can we talk about the magic of reupholstery? The cushions on this armchair weren't strictly reupholstered, just recovered, but the huge transformation of new fabric on a piece of furniture never fails to surprise me. I've had a few pieces reupholstered now (and cushions recovered), all by the excellent @wesrocheupholstery . My own sewing skills don't stretch very far, but I have lots of ideas on fabric, so I do that part, and then Wes works his magic. I'm also learning that you don't actually need that much fabric for smaller jobs like footstools and scatter cushions. Next on my reupholstery list (once I've saved up) are:

🧵 Armchair in kitchen. Got my eyes on a @charlestontrust fabric.
🧵 Ottoman in living room. Not decided on pattern yet, but I can't wait to get looking!

🌿 Armchair here is second hand, restored by @timbo_giles
🌿 Green and cream striped fabric is @alicepalmerco

#reupholstery #reupholsteredfurniture #reupholsteredchair
#reupholsteredarmchair #recoveredcushions #secondhandfurniture #vintageinteriors

Oh wow. We're in the October issue of @idealhomeuk

Oh wow. We're in the October issue of @idealhomeuk . A 9 page feature. Can't quite believe it. Massive thanks to @mishytaylor_stylist and @jfrench_photo who spent a day here last year and opened my eyes to their insanely brilliant interiors styling and photography skills. It was a joy and an education to watch them work. I'm hugely grateful to have our home featured in such a fabulous magazine ✨️ Thank you @idealhomeuk

#iloveinteriordesign #idealhome #idealhomemagazine #victorianrenovation #manchesterinteriors #altrinchaminteriors interiorsinspo #vintageinteriors #vintageinteriordesign

This moodboard is for a client who is decorating a

This moodboard is for a client who is decorating a new ensuite just off the main bedroom. I went for an organic Japandi feel: fresh white walls warmed with terracotta, sage, and putty pinks. There are natural materials, gorgeous glazed tiles, and a few handcrafted ceramics. Geometric shapes and smooth textures in the lights and brass hardware keep the space looking contemporary 🤍 I had soooo much fun putting this moodboard together. Let me me know what you think! 🤍

📸 on left is @claybrookstudio and their tiles are top centre
📸 on right is FergusHomeDecor on @etsyuk
Slatted wooden vanity is @victorianplumbinguk

#Ilovemoodboarding #moodboarding #japandi
#japandiinterior #japandiensuite #interiordesignideas #ensuiteideas

What a difference four years makes 🥰 Sofa @eba

What a difference four years makes 🥰

Sofa @ebay_uk

#ebayfinds #secondhandsofa #vintagesofa #secondhandfurniture #vintagefurniture #victorianrenovation #victorianhouse

One of my fave activities: punting on the River Ca

One of my fave activities: punting on the River Cam, with some of my fave people @sampepperuk @mrspepsicle @timbo_giles We did this quite a few weeks back but seeing the floating Pimm's bar, our fellow boaters and getting a guided tour of where the 'Night Climbers' secret student society scale college walls to place traffic cones was a particular highlight. 🥂🛶 If you ever go to Cambridge, don't leave before you've punted!!

#holidayhighlights #puntingcambridge #puntingonthecam #cambridgeactivitiesforkids #thingstodoincambridge

Renovating with kids. It's not for everyone. The d

Renovating with kids. It's not for everyone. The dust, the mess, and the constant stream of tradesmen in your house. We couldn't afford to move out when refurbishing this place, so we did it with the kids in tow. They got used to avoiding certain rooms, having a 'different' type of house from their friends, and of living with low-level chaos all the time. The upside is that when you do finish a room, everyone is so thankful.

Three things I've learnt along the way when renovating with kids:

1) Always have one nice 'done' room where you can all retreat.

2) Create a workable kitchen. Tim fitted temporary cabinets in our now bedroom when we were having our kitchen extension. He plumbed in the dishwasher upstairs, got a gas engineer to connect the cooker, made temporary kitchen surfaces, and it made things so much more bearable.

3) Get the kids involved. It sounds obvious, but give them a paint brush, let them use a hammer, and ask them to draw a floor plan for their new room. The painting/hammering/floor plan might not be the best quality, but it often lights the renovating spark for them, too!

#renovatingwithkids #renovationproject #victorianhouse #victorianrenovation #manchesterinteriors #manchesterrenovation

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