Tour this maximalist garden room from Channel 4’s Outrageous Homes
It’s no surprise that interior designer and content creator Nicola Smith’s home caught the eye of Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen on Channel 4’s Outrageous Homes. Not one to shy away from clashing colours and patterns, Nicola has transformed her garden room studio into a fantastically weird and wonderful space. Here she shares the story behind its creation.
WHO LIVES HERE
Nicola Smith, an interior designer, content creator and tattoo artist, @thesmithinterior, lives with husband, Garin, an IT director, and labrador Olive, in a 1920s detached house in Andover, Hampshire.
BEFORE
What was the idea behind the garden room?
NS: I needed a separate studio to carry out my work as a tattooist away from the house, but we wanted to make it somewhere everyone can use, including my three grown-up children who are regular visitors. It’s got a compostable toilet and sink, so it also doubles as an occasional spare room with the sofa bed pulled out, plus I’ve created a mini office area with a desk, and a relaxing area. Outside, there’s a small, pebbled area, so it’s a lovely place to sit and have a drink with friends. Plus, I’ve sourced some outdoor furniture and showerproof cushions.
Any advice for someone embarking on a similar project?
NS: We researched on the internet first, but it’s best if you can go to a showroom or outdoor space where the different garden room options are available to see. There were so many variables, and you need to choose everything from windows to flooring and wall finishes, so it’s useful to see them up close and figure out what it is you want. I needed an air-con unit to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer, and I’ve managed to disguise the big white box with some leopard print vinyl.
Were you tempted to go for a neutral interior?
NS: Not for a moment. My signature style is plenty of colour and pattern, and the garden room follows the house. I knew I wanted to paper the walls, so I went for the basic wall finish rather than something more expensive. I love the William Morris Sanderson Archive prints in bright colourways, so chose them for both the walls and the soft furnishings, including the cushions, which I made myself. I also made the curtains from another Archive print, which gave me plenty of colours to pick out highlights from.
Is it important for you to mix old and new?
NS: Definitely. The sofa bed is over 20 years old, and my mother originally upholstered it for my sister. I’ve had it reupholstered, which cost me £800 plus the fabric, but I’d rather have that than buy a new sofa bed. Family pieces give a room personality. There's also a glass cabinet I’ve had for years, which I’ve painted, and a screen that’s moved with me from house to house. But I’ve invested in two new antique Chinese lacquer cabinets, as well as some inexpensive brand new little tables and a desk.
And how did you accessorise the space?
NS: Some of the pieces I’ve had for years, like the giant metal Buddha head and a Balinese carving that came back from California in the boot of a car, but I also pick up things from recycling centres and eBay. Accessories don’t need to be expensive. I’ve teamed my blue Buddha with two turquoise Christmas decorations of Mary and Joseph that I picked up from Paperchase for £5 each, and I often trawl Instagram for small businesses to buy from.
OUR SOURCEBOOK
Garden room, greenretreats.co.uk
Sanderson Archive fabrics, janeclayton.co.uk
Sanderson Archive wallpaper, wallpaperdirect.com
Antique Chinese cabinets, orchidfurniture.co.uk
Tables, desk and chair, bmstores.co.uk
Vardo and Stiffkey Blue paint, farrow-ball.com
Sonam rugs, indiamart.com
Pink chair, homebase.co.uk
Outdoor sofa, aldi.co.uk
Outdoor cushions, izabelapeters.com
WHAT WE SPENT
Garden room £30,000
Sofa reupholstering £800
Fabric £1,790
Wallpaper £1,205
Furniture £3,195
Paint £156
Rugs £190
Accessories £466
Total = £37,802
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