Houzz Tour: At Home With... Charlotte Duckworth of Life by Lotte
As part of a new series visiting interiors bloggers at home, Charlotte Duckworth opens up her London flat and talks about her inspirations
Sometimes, when buying a new home, you just need a little luck on your side. That’s exactly what happened to interiors journalist, blogger and novelist Charlotte Duckworth, who happened upon this property, now her home, while viewing a smaller flat just around the corner. The estate agent got the price wrong, telling her it was on for the same amount as the smaller apartment she was viewing, so Charlotte went to have a look and knew immediately it was the one for her. When it transpired that it was in fact more expensive, she managed to get together the extra cash and bought the two-bedroom maisonette in Wimbledon.
That was four years ago, and it’s just as well she bought a two-bedroom property as Charlotte is now expecting a baby girl to join her, her partner and their cat in the colourful and stylish home she has dedicated time, energy and money into making her own. Take a tour to see what she’s done with the place.
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 prize that reflects their personal style – Charlotte has chosen a print of Runge’s colour sphere from A Rum Fellow. All you have to do to enter is comment below on what you love about this home. *This competition has now closed.*
That was four years ago, and it’s just as well she bought a two-bedroom property as Charlotte is now expecting a baby girl to join her, her partner and their cat in the colourful and stylish home she has dedicated time, energy and money into making her own. Take a tour to see what she’s done with the place.
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 prize that reflects their personal style – Charlotte has chosen a print of Runge’s colour sphere from A Rum Fellow. All you have to do to enter is comment below on what you love about this home. *This competition has now closed.*
What made you start blogging?
I’ve had quite a few blogs. I started years ago when I graduated, and have blogged ever since. I started because I like writing, and I’m a bit of a digital nerd, so it was a nice way to combine the two. I really like the online world and the way it’s all developed, and enjoy designing the templates and playing with the layout. I’ve never really focused on building myself as a brand, but it’s been a nice side effect.
How did you decide on the name?
Because I didn’t want it to just be about interiors, the ‘Life’ bit was quite obvious: it means I can talk about anything on there without it feeling odd. I write my novels under another name – Lotte Worth – to separate them from my journalism, and Life by Lotte just sounded much better than Life by Charlotte!
Sofa, Fancy Nancy from Sofa Workshop. Floor paint, Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball. Rug, bespoke from Alternative Flooring. Pendant light, John Lewis. Coffee table, Ercol from eBay. Bunny lamp, The Little Baby Company. Chair, Eames DSW from Vitra.
I’ve had quite a few blogs. I started years ago when I graduated, and have blogged ever since. I started because I like writing, and I’m a bit of a digital nerd, so it was a nice way to combine the two. I really like the online world and the way it’s all developed, and enjoy designing the templates and playing with the layout. I’ve never really focused on building myself as a brand, but it’s been a nice side effect.
How did you decide on the name?
Because I didn’t want it to just be about interiors, the ‘Life’ bit was quite obvious: it means I can talk about anything on there without it feeling odd. I write my novels under another name – Lotte Worth – to separate them from my journalism, and Life by Lotte just sounded much better than Life by Charlotte!
Sofa, Fancy Nancy from Sofa Workshop. Floor paint, Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball. Rug, bespoke from Alternative Flooring. Pendant light, John Lewis. Coffee table, Ercol from eBay. Bunny lamp, The Little Baby Company. Chair, Eames DSW from Vitra.
How long have you lived here and how did you and your flat meet?
I moved in four-and-a-bit years ago. I was looking for a flat at the time and had just lost out on another one. I really wanted to be closer to a tube, and this was the only area I could afford. The estate agent had just shown me a one-bedroom flat, and said that a two-bed around the corner had just come onto the market at the same price. I went to have a look and it was amazing, I couldn’t believe it was on at the same price… and sure enough it wasn’t. It was his first week on the job, and he’d got the price wrong, but I managed to get together the extra to buy the flat. I sort of think of it as fate, as I probably wouldn’t have even looked at it if he hadn’t made the mistake.
I moved in four-and-a-bit years ago. I was looking for a flat at the time and had just lost out on another one. I really wanted to be closer to a tube, and this was the only area I could afford. The estate agent had just shown me a one-bedroom flat, and said that a two-bed around the corner had just come onto the market at the same price. I went to have a look and it was amazing, I couldn’t believe it was on at the same price… and sure enough it wasn’t. It was his first week on the job, and he’d got the price wrong, but I managed to get together the extra to buy the flat. I sort of think of it as fate, as I probably wouldn’t have even looked at it if he hadn’t made the mistake.
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
I would probably say it was painting the floor in the living room. I had to rip out all of the carpet and underlay, and cut it all up and drive it to the tip. Then I had to paint on loads of coats of Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe. I was there until about midnight every night – it was pretty backbreaking.
I would probably say it was painting the floor in the living room. I had to rip out all of the carpet and underlay, and cut it all up and drive it to the tip. Then I had to paint on loads of coats of Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe. I was there until about midnight every night – it was pretty backbreaking.
What’s your favourite spot in the flat and why?
Probably the living room. It’s so big (15ft wide) and very light, so it’s great to feel that sense of space in a London flat. It feels very peaceful in there and I find it the happiest room because of the colours.
What makes you happiest at home?
I’m probably happiest on the sofa watching films: I’m quite a homebody, so I like just chilling in there with my other half. My favourite piece of furniture would be either my sofa, because it’s so pink and huge and comfy, or the little bureau next to the desk on the left, which was my grandparents from the 1950s, so it has more emotional value.
Check out 10 ways to work pink into your interior
Probably the living room. It’s so big (15ft wide) and very light, so it’s great to feel that sense of space in a London flat. It feels very peaceful in there and I find it the happiest room because of the colours.
What makes you happiest at home?
I’m probably happiest on the sofa watching films: I’m quite a homebody, so I like just chilling in there with my other half. My favourite piece of furniture would be either my sofa, because it’s so pink and huge and comfy, or the little bureau next to the desk on the left, which was my grandparents from the 1950s, so it has more emotional value.
Check out 10 ways to work pink into your interior
What was the place like when you first moved in?
It was nice, but it was really dated and the carpets were really old. It was just a bit tired, not falling down or anything. I had a week in-between buying it and moving in, so spent the whole time here. I ripped out all the carpets, and painted all of the floors and walls. I painted everything white so it looked bigger and, over the years, I’ve gradually changed some bits. My most recent change was laying down carpet. I love floorboards, but they had holes and nails in them and were a bit draughty, and with the baby coming, I figured it was time for something softer. I guess as I’ve grown up the flat’s got a bit more grown-up, too.
Wallpaint in Calamine, Farrow & Ball. Curtains, Dunelm Mill. Chest of drawers, Ikea. Pigeon light, Ed Carpenter from Thorsten Van Elton.
It was nice, but it was really dated and the carpets were really old. It was just a bit tired, not falling down or anything. I had a week in-between buying it and moving in, so spent the whole time here. I ripped out all the carpets, and painted all of the floors and walls. I painted everything white so it looked bigger and, over the years, I’ve gradually changed some bits. My most recent change was laying down carpet. I love floorboards, but they had holes and nails in them and were a bit draughty, and with the baby coming, I figured it was time for something softer. I guess as I’ve grown up the flat’s got a bit more grown-up, too.
Wallpaint in Calamine, Farrow & Ball. Curtains, Dunelm Mill. Chest of drawers, Ikea. Pigeon light, Ed Carpenter from Thorsten Van Elton.
Do you have any pet hates?
Interiors-wise, I’m not a fan of twee things. I really don’t like bunting, cupcakes and cupcake stands and everything like that! I also really don’t like open shelving, which is probably my most controversial pet hate. I’m a bit of a dust freak, so prefer things to be kept in cupboards.
Interiors-wise, I’m not a fan of twee things. I really don’t like bunting, cupcakes and cupcake stands and everything like that! I also really don’t like open shelving, which is probably my most controversial pet hate. I’m a bit of a dust freak, so prefer things to be kept in cupboards.
What’s your next big decorating project?
I’d like to do the kitchen at some point. It was like this when we moved in, and there’s nothing wrong with it – they’re just not quite the units I would choose. The nursery is the next project, though [the second bedroom]. It’s difficult because it’s an awkward shape, so it’s tricky to put furniture in there. We’re just trying to work out how to do it. I’d like to have lots of art and make it quite girlie as we’re expecting a girl.
Bedside tables, Ikea. Bedside lamps, Original BTC.
I’d like to do the kitchen at some point. It was like this when we moved in, and there’s nothing wrong with it – they’re just not quite the units I would choose. The nursery is the next project, though [the second bedroom]. It’s difficult because it’s an awkward shape, so it’s tricky to put furniture in there. We’re just trying to work out how to do it. I’d like to have lots of art and make it quite girlie as we’re expecting a girl.
Bedside tables, Ikea. Bedside lamps, Original BTC.
What’s your ideal Friday night?
Having dinner somewhere in town with my friends. I really love eating out – it’s probably my number one hobby – so going somewhere new and exciting with my mates to have a good gossip would be up there.
How do you like to spend Sunday afternoons?
Probably, like most people, just chilling at home and reading the paper… maybe annoying my partner by watching him cook.
Oilcloth, John Lewis. Fridge, Smeg.
Having dinner somewhere in town with my friends. I really love eating out – it’s probably my number one hobby – so going somewhere new and exciting with my mates to have a good gossip would be up there.
How do you like to spend Sunday afternoons?
Probably, like most people, just chilling at home and reading the paper… maybe annoying my partner by watching him cook.
Oilcloth, John Lewis. Fridge, Smeg.
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
I will shamefully admit that I look at Twitter and my email before I even get out of bed!
What’s your key to a happy, healthy lifestyle?
Having good friends is really important to me, and treating people well. I try to be balanced and take life one day at a time, staying focused on the moment rather than worrying about the future or stressing about the past.
Browse different ways to use metro tiles
I will shamefully admit that I look at Twitter and my email before I even get out of bed!
What’s your key to a happy, healthy lifestyle?
Having good friends is really important to me, and treating people well. I try to be balanced and take life one day at a time, staying focused on the moment rather than worrying about the future or stressing about the past.
Browse different ways to use metro tiles
Do you have a design rule you live by?
I really don’t like trends. I believe you should love the things you buy, and not be influenced by what’s fashionable.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
Life would be very unpleasant without a cup of tea.
Carpet, Alternative Flooring. Pendant light, Ikea.
I really don’t like trends. I believe you should love the things you buy, and not be influenced by what’s fashionable.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
Life would be very unpleasant without a cup of tea.
Carpet, Alternative Flooring. Pendant light, Ikea.
Portrait photograph: Sophie Duckworth
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 Charlotte’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 print of Runge’s colour sphere RRP £50 from A Rum Fellow (or if out of stock, a £50 gift voucher will be issued). View the full competition T&Cs here.
For your chance to win, comment on this interview by midnight, Friday 21st August 2015. *This competition has now closed.*
UK interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com.
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 Charlotte’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 print of Runge’s colour sphere RRP £50 from A Rum Fellow (or if out of stock, a £50 gift voucher will be issued). View the full competition T&Cs here.
For your chance to win, comment on this interview by midnight, Friday 21st August 2015. *This competition has now closed.*
UK interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com.
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Who lives here Charlotte Duckworth with her partner and their cat, Percy
Blog Life by Lotte
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Location Wimbledon, London
What do we need to know about your blog?
As an interiors journalist, I write about interiors a lot so I didn’t want that to be the only focus of the blog. I write about many different things, since I became pregnant I write a lot about that. I’d like people to think that my blog is very honest and down to earth. I like reading glamorous blogs, but wanted mine to be a bit more realistic. I like to be able to laugh at life and how dramatic it can be, so this was a nice outlet for me and a way to be a bit more personal with my writing.