Houzz Tour: At Home With... Caroline Rowland of Patchwork Harmony
Continuing our series visiting interiors bloggers at home, Caroline Rowland opens up her London flat and talks about her inspirations
It’s always wise to keep an open mind when house-hunting, which was exactly how writer, editor and picture researcher Caroline Rowland was able to spot the potential in this two-bed maisonette in Kingston Upon Thames, even though it wasn’t in her initial search area. ‘We used to live in east London and really wanted to stay close to the City,’ she explains. But when she viewed this maisonette with her husband, they realised it suited their future plans much better. The flat was in need of a total cosmetic overhaul, but fortunately Caroline was able to see past the brightly coloured interior and spot the potential in the property.
Six years later, the space is a bright, cheerful and welcoming family home for Caroline, her husband and their 14-month-old daughter. Thanks to their hard work and natural flair for design, every room is packed with character, vintage charm and creative ideas. Take a tour to see how they’ve transformed the interior.
COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
To celebrate some of the most creative and inspiring UK bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift that reflects their personal style. Caroline has chosen a Penelope ceiling light from John Lewis as her prize. All you have to do to enter is comment below, telling us what you love about this home. *This competition has now closed.*
Six years later, the space is a bright, cheerful and welcoming family home for Caroline, her husband and their 14-month-old daughter. Thanks to their hard work and natural flair for design, every room is packed with character, vintage charm and creative ideas. Take a tour to see how they’ve transformed the interior.
COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
To celebrate some of the most creative and inspiring UK bloggers and their homes, we’ll be asking each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift that reflects their personal style. Caroline has chosen a Penelope ceiling light from John Lewis as her prize. All you have to do to enter is comment below, telling us what you love about this home. *This competition has now closed.*
What do we need to know about your blog?
I’m a freelance writer, editor and picture researcher. Everything I do focuses on interiors and modern crafts, and my blog is where I share inspiration as well as what I’m up to in my own home and life. The blog is one part of the creative business I run under my brand, Patchwork Harmony. As well as my blog, I’m also founder and editor of online publication 91 Magazine.
Penelope ceiling light, John Lewis.
I’m a freelance writer, editor and picture researcher. Everything I do focuses on interiors and modern crafts, and my blog is where I share inspiration as well as what I’m up to in my own home and life. The blog is one part of the creative business I run under my brand, Patchwork Harmony. As well as my blog, I’m also founder and editor of online publication 91 Magazine.
Penelope ceiling light, John Lewis.
What made you start blogging?
I started blogging almost seven years ago when I was still working full time for a newspaper. My job as a picture editor was relatively creative, but I really wanted to explore my interest in interiors, and a blog was an easy way to do this. I’ve never looked back and went freelance at the start of 2013. I credit everything I’ve achieved in the past seven years to that decision to start blogging.
I started blogging almost seven years ago when I was still working full time for a newspaper. My job as a picture editor was relatively creative, but I really wanted to explore my interest in interiors, and a blog was an easy way to do this. I’ve never looked back and went freelance at the start of 2013. I credit everything I’ve achieved in the past seven years to that decision to start blogging.
How long have you lived here and how did you and your flat meet?
We bought this flat nearly six years ago. It was our first venture onto the property ladder, so it was a big decision, as well as being very exciting.
We used to live in east London and really wanted to stay close to the City, ideally near an Underground station, but when we came to see houses in Kingston Upon Thames, we realised it suited our future plans much better. This place seemed so much bigger than anything else we’d viewed and we loved the character it had, so we were so happy to finally move in.
We bought this flat nearly six years ago. It was our first venture onto the property ladder, so it was a big decision, as well as being very exciting.
We used to live in east London and really wanted to stay close to the City, ideally near an Underground station, but when we came to see houses in Kingston Upon Thames, we realised it suited our future plans much better. This place seemed so much bigger than anything else we’d viewed and we loved the character it had, so we were so happy to finally move in.
What was the place like when you bought it?
It was in good condition, but it needed completely redecorating. The colour scheme was a real mismatch – yellow in the hallway, dark red in the bedroom, pale purple in the living room… We wanted everything to be light and bright, so we painted most of the rooms white, although our bedroom is Pale Cirrus by Fired Earth.
Originally, the kitchen and dining room were separate rooms; the kitchen was quite small and a bit dark, and we never really knew what to do with the dining room – it felt like a bit of a nothing room. So last year we took out a wall and made the kitchen and dining room into one big space.
Read expert advice on how to bring the outdoors into your kitchen
It was in good condition, but it needed completely redecorating. The colour scheme was a real mismatch – yellow in the hallway, dark red in the bedroom, pale purple in the living room… We wanted everything to be light and bright, so we painted most of the rooms white, although our bedroom is Pale Cirrus by Fired Earth.
Originally, the kitchen and dining room were separate rooms; the kitchen was quite small and a bit dark, and we never really knew what to do with the dining room – it felt like a bit of a nothing room. So last year we took out a wall and made the kitchen and dining room into one big space.
Read expert advice on how to bring the outdoors into your kitchen
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
Well, I guess it’s not so much mine as my husband’s, with the help of some family members. When we did our kitchen renovation, we originally planned to have a copper worktop on the island, but various things happened and this didn’t work out. Our builder abandoned us, leaving us with a plywood worktop (which should have been clad in copper).
We decided to work out a different solution and considered concrete for a while. In the end, though, we needed to make it as budget-friendly as possible, so we simply laid wooden planks, which we stained, side by side, then edged them in copper strips. It was quite a big job, but I think it turned out well, and it didn’t cost too much, plus we managed to get a hint of copper in there.
Pastel green fridge-freezer, Smeg. Provence Rose double oven glove, Cath Kidston.
Well, I guess it’s not so much mine as my husband’s, with the help of some family members. When we did our kitchen renovation, we originally planned to have a copper worktop on the island, but various things happened and this didn’t work out. Our builder abandoned us, leaving us with a plywood worktop (which should have been clad in copper).
We decided to work out a different solution and considered concrete for a while. In the end, though, we needed to make it as budget-friendly as possible, so we simply laid wooden planks, which we stained, side by side, then edged them in copper strips. It was quite a big job, but I think it turned out well, and it didn’t cost too much, plus we managed to get a hint of copper in there.
Pastel green fridge-freezer, Smeg. Provence Rose double oven glove, Cath Kidston.
Which is your favourite spot in the flat and why?
I’m loving our new kitchen-diner. It still feels quite new, and since the wall was removed it’s such a light space. My favourite time of day is first thing in the morning, having breakfast with my husband and daughter. It’s a lovely, sociable space.
I’m loving our new kitchen-diner. It still feels quite new, and since the wall was removed it’s such a light space. My favourite time of day is first thing in the morning, having breakfast with my husband and daughter. It’s a lovely, sociable space.
What makes you happiest at home?
I’d like to have everywhere tidy and looking lovely, but this is hard being a working mum. We are starting to feel a little cramped in this house now, and storage is an issue, so I feel as if I’m constantly tidying up. But the times when it’s clean and tidy, when there are fresh flowers in every room and a lovely scented candle burning on the mantelpiece, then I can finally sit down on the sofa and relax.
Enamel stove kettle in flint, Garden Trading. Repeat print, Southwood Stores.
I’d like to have everywhere tidy and looking lovely, but this is hard being a working mum. We are starting to feel a little cramped in this house now, and storage is an issue, so I feel as if I’m constantly tidying up. But the times when it’s clean and tidy, when there are fresh flowers in every room and a lovely scented candle burning on the mantelpiece, then I can finally sit down on the sofa and relax.
Enamel stove kettle in flint, Garden Trading. Repeat print, Southwood Stores.
What’s your next big decorating project?
We’ve actually just finished the flat – the bathroom was the last room we needed to decorate. As I mentioned, since our daughter arrived last year, we’re feeling like we need more space, so we’re planning to sell later this year and hopefully get a bigger place. So I guess that will be my next big decorating project!
Bear Of Few Words print, This Modern Life.
We’ve actually just finished the flat – the bathroom was the last room we needed to decorate. As I mentioned, since our daughter arrived last year, we’re feeling like we need more space, so we’re planning to sell later this year and hopefully get a bigger place. So I guess that will be my next big decorating project!
Bear Of Few Words print, This Modern Life.
Do you have a design rule you live by?
My rule would be ‘have no rules’! My style and preferences are also evolving, so it would be silly to be restrictive about what I can do in my home.
Bush retro radio, Argos.
My rule would be ‘have no rules’! My style and preferences are also evolving, so it would be silly to be restrictive about what I can do in my home.
Bush retro radio, Argos.
What do you think is the next big interiors trend and why?
Well, it seems the Scandinavian aesthetic is becoming more and more popular and it’s a look I’m leaning towards a lot myself. It’s a fresh, uncluttered way of living. I’m personally striving for a less complicated life, and this style seems to offer that.
Discover 9 style lessons to steal from the Nordics
Well, it seems the Scandinavian aesthetic is becoming more and more popular and it’s a look I’m leaning towards a lot myself. It’s a fresh, uncluttered way of living. I’m personally striving for a less complicated life, and this style seems to offer that.
Discover 9 style lessons to steal from the Nordics
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Our baby is only 14 months old, so at the moment, my husband and I take it in turns getting her up in the morning. She wakes up pretty early (usually between 5am and 6am!) so it’s nice that we both get an extra 10 minutes in bed every other day. Then we give her breakfast and have ours together, and then it usually gets a little frantic as we all try to get ready for the day!
Check out 10 ways to use vintage materials in a modern space
Our baby is only 14 months old, so at the moment, my husband and I take it in turns getting her up in the morning. She wakes up pretty early (usually between 5am and 6am!) so it’s nice that we both get an extra 10 minutes in bed every other day. Then we give her breakfast and have ours together, and then it usually gets a little frantic as we all try to get ready for the day!
Check out 10 ways to use vintage materials in a modern space
What’s your favourite city or country and why?
That’s hard, as I’ve been to so many lovely places. The one country I’m keen to revisit is Croatia. We spent a lovely two weeks there a few years ago and always said we’d go back. It’s a beautiful country that still seems untouched by mass tourism.
That’s hard, as I’ve been to so many lovely places. The one country I’m keen to revisit is Croatia. We spent a lovely two weeks there a few years ago and always said we’d go back. It’s a beautiful country that still seems untouched by mass tourism.
What’s your ideal Friday night?
We don’t get out much these days as new parents, so an ideal night in is curled up on the sofa in our PJs with a nice meal, a bottle of wine and a good film.
Walls painted in Pale Cirrus, Fired Earth.
We don’t get out much these days as new parents, so an ideal night in is curled up on the sofa in our PJs with a nice meal, a bottle of wine and a good film.
Walls painted in Pale Cirrus, Fired Earth.
How do you like to spend Sunday afternoons?
At the moment, I’m usually trying to get work done, as I don’t get much time during the week with looking after my daughter. But, ideally, a nice lunch out with the family and a meander around the shops is always nice.
At the moment, I’m usually trying to get work done, as I don’t get much time during the week with looking after my daughter. But, ideally, a nice lunch out with the family and a meander around the shops is always nice.
What’s your key to a happy, healthy lifestyle?
I’m not sure I can really preach on healthy! I definitely need to eat better and exercise more myself. But as far as happy is concerned, my motto is ‘do what you love’. Whether you work for an employer or for yourself, make sure you love it, and if you don’t, do something about it.
It took me five years of hard graft – blogging and later setting up 91 Magazine in my evenings and weekends – but eventually it meant I could give up my day job and follow my dream. I’m so much happier now, getting to do what I love every day.
I’m not sure I can really preach on healthy! I definitely need to eat better and exercise more myself. But as far as happy is concerned, my motto is ‘do what you love’. Whether you work for an employer or for yourself, make sure you love it, and if you don’t, do something about it.
It took me five years of hard graft – blogging and later setting up 91 Magazine in my evenings and weekends – but eventually it meant I could give up my day job and follow my dream. I’m so much happier now, getting to do what I love every day.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
I’m pretty attached to my phone, like most people these days. And I couldn’t imagine a world without chocolate.
Visit Caroline’s blog and find out more about her first interiors book.
COMMENT TO WIN
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is post a comment below on what you love about Caroline’s home. A randomly drawn entry from all comments that were submitted in the contest period and approved by Houzz UK Ltd will determine this month’s prize winner. Approved comments will be included in the draw automatically. The prize winner will receive a Penelope ceiling light in cream, RRP £45, from John Lewis (or, if out of stock, a £45 gift voucher for John Lewis will be issued). View the full competition T&Cs here.
*This competition has now closed.*
Are you a UK interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com.
I’m pretty attached to my phone, like most people these days. And I couldn’t imagine a world without chocolate.
Visit Caroline’s blog and find out more about her first interiors book.
COMMENT TO WIN
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is post a comment below on what you love about Caroline’s home. A randomly drawn entry from all comments that were submitted in the contest period and approved by Houzz UK Ltd will determine this month’s prize winner. Approved comments will be included in the draw automatically. The prize winner will receive a Penelope ceiling light in cream, RRP £45, from John Lewis (or, if out of stock, a £45 gift voucher for John Lewis will be issued). View the full competition T&Cs here.
*This competition has now closed.*
Are you a UK interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com.
Who lives here Caroline Rowland, her husband and their 14-month-old daughter
Blog Patchwork Harmony
Size A ground floor maisonette with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom
Location Kingston Upon Thames, Greater London