Houzz Tour: At Home With... David and Mark of Forward Features
Continuing our series visiting interiors bloggers at home, David and Mark open up their London flat and talk about their inspirations
Interiors bloggers David and Mark know a thing or two about how to make a rented home feel warm and welcoming on a budget – they’ve written a popular series of articles on the topic for Houzz. As you would expect, they’ve taken lots of their own advice when decorating their rented London home. Featuring upcycled furniture, vintage accessories and a zingy yellow wall, it’s a bright and happy space filled with clever design touches.
COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
To celebrate some of the most creative and inspiring UK & Irish bloggers and their homes, we ask each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift that reflects their personal style. David and Mark have chosen a set of three medicine bottle vases from Kelly Hoppen as this month’s prize. All you have to do to enter is comment below, telling us what you love about this home.
COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
To celebrate some of the most creative and inspiring UK & Irish bloggers and their homes, we ask each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift that reflects their personal style. David and Mark have chosen a set of three medicine bottle vases from Kelly Hoppen as this month’s prize. All you have to do to enter is comment below, telling us what you love about this home.
What do we need to know about your blog?
David: The blog began as a place to talk about London living, renting and the hope of one day buying. Alongside that we talk about design news, interior collaborations, launches and new arrivals on the design scene. As we both write the blog, it’s about showcasing our design aesthetic with as much balance as possible, without trying to have an argument!
David: The blog began as a place to talk about London living, renting and the hope of one day buying. Alongside that we talk about design news, interior collaborations, launches and new arrivals on the design scene. As we both write the blog, it’s about showcasing our design aesthetic with as much balance as possible, without trying to have an argument!
What made you start blogging?
Mark: We decided to start the blog a few months after saying we’d move in together. It was really to keep a ‘journal’ of the goings-on – from researching and looking for a flat to what it’s like renting in London, all while talking about interiors we love. Whether it was a cool upcycling project or some amazing products, it all went on the blog as a document for when we finally got the keys.
Mark: We decided to start the blog a few months after saying we’d move in together. It was really to keep a ‘journal’ of the goings-on – from researching and looking for a flat to what it’s like renting in London, all while talking about interiors we love. Whether it was a cool upcycling project or some amazing products, it all went on the blog as a document for when we finally got the keys.
Blue suitcase, John Lewis. Medicine bottle vases, Kelly Hoppen.
Want to win a set of three of these medicine bottle vases? Just leave a comment below to be in with a chance.
Want to win a set of three of these medicine bottle vases? Just leave a comment below to be in with a chance.
How long have you lived here and how did you and your flat meet?
David: We’ve been in the flat for nearly two years now and it was love at first sight. It was actually the first, and only, flat we viewed. As soon as the estate agent showed us pictures on the computer and we saw the yellow feature wall, we instantly knew this was our ‘home for now’.
David: We’ve been in the flat for nearly two years now and it was love at first sight. It was actually the first, and only, flat we viewed. As soon as the estate agent showed us pictures on the computer and we saw the yellow feature wall, we instantly knew this was our ‘home for now’.
What’s your favourite spot in the flat and why?
Mark: For me, it’s chilling on the sofa in front of our makeshift fireplace with a glass of wine. It’s where we have photos of friends and family and it’s a really cosy space.
David: The corner of the bedroom is a little gem. The window looks out onto the garden and it’s the ideal spot to cosy up on our little vintage chair and blog away.
Ikat lampshade, Pooky. Splatter cushions, Habitat. Mirror, Wilko; painted in Copper Blush, Dulux.
Mark: For me, it’s chilling on the sofa in front of our makeshift fireplace with a glass of wine. It’s where we have photos of friends and family and it’s a really cosy space.
David: The corner of the bedroom is a little gem. The window looks out onto the garden and it’s the ideal spot to cosy up on our little vintage chair and blog away.
Ikat lampshade, Pooky. Splatter cushions, Habitat. Mirror, Wilko; painted in Copper Blush, Dulux.
What makes you happiest at home?
Mark: We love entertaining friends and it always helps when we get so many lovely compliments about the little touches and how cosy it is. This is always before we open a bottle of wine, of course!
David: However, we also love binge-watching bad TV and aren’t shy in admitting to the fact that we’ve spent whole days where we haven’t moved from the couch!
Mark: We love entertaining friends and it always helps when we get so many lovely compliments about the little touches and how cosy it is. This is always before we open a bottle of wine, of course!
David: However, we also love binge-watching bad TV and aren’t shy in admitting to the fact that we’ve spent whole days where we haven’t moved from the couch!
What was the flat like when you first moved in?
Mark: Smaller than we remembered! It’s amazing how deceiving estate agent photos can be, and how your memory from the first viewing is so altered. That said, when we moved in it still had the charm we remembered and we were beside ourselves with the amount of storage space that was available.
Mark: Smaller than we remembered! It’s amazing how deceiving estate agent photos can be, and how your memory from the first viewing is so altered. That said, when we moved in it still had the charm we remembered and we were beside ourselves with the amount of storage space that was available.
David: One of the reasons we fell in love with it was how wonderfully it was decorated, so when first moving
in there was very little to do in terms of redecoration – a big pro when renting – and we were excited to put our stamp on the place.
It also has a garden, which was a huge bonus, as we never thought we’d get that in London.
in there was very little to do in terms of redecoration – a big pro when renting – and we were excited to put our stamp on the place.
It also has a garden, which was a huge bonus, as we never thought we’d get that in London.
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
Mark: If we’re not blogging, we’ll usually be out and about in London, seeing new things or visiting the latest exhibition – all topped off with a Sunday roast.
Mark: If we’re not blogging, we’ll usually be out and about in London, seeing new things or visiting the latest exhibition – all topped off with a Sunday roast.
Do you have a design rule you live by?
David: There’s always a cheaper option. Nine times out of 10, there will be a budget-friendly alternative, so do your research before any project. We’d also say, don’t be scared. After two years of being in a home with a bright yellow wall, we’ve learnt not to be worried about introducing big splashes of colour and pattern.
David: There’s always a cheaper option. Nine times out of 10, there will be a budget-friendly alternative, so do your research before any project. We’d also say, don’t be scared. After two years of being in a home with a bright yellow wall, we’ve learnt not to be worried about introducing big splashes of colour and pattern.
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
Mark: Our little trunk in the bathroom. It was a Gumtree find that was black with red painted dragons on it. The aim was to make it into a coffee table or laundry basket, but it now houses towels in the bathroom. After an Annie Sloan workshop, it was the first project we did using grey chalk paint and we’re really happy with the result. As it was our first project together, it will always be special.
Pink glass parakeet, Next.
Mark: Our little trunk in the bathroom. It was a Gumtree find that was black with red painted dragons on it. The aim was to make it into a coffee table or laundry basket, but it now houses towels in the bathroom. After an Annie Sloan workshop, it was the first project we did using grey chalk paint and we’re really happy with the result. As it was our first project together, it will always be special.
Pink glass parakeet, Next.
Reclaimed chest of drawers painted in Paris Grey, Annie Sloan.
What do you think is the next big interiors trend and why?
David: We think it will come away from the greys and metallic accents and move towards a pared-back, minimal feel using natural materials and neutral tones. Bringing organic textures, such as wools and rattans, into the home will add warmth, yet the overall look will feel quite reserved. However, at the moment it seems copper isn’t going anywhere!
David: We think it will come away from the greys and metallic accents and move towards a pared-back, minimal feel using natural materials and neutral tones. Bringing organic textures, such as wools and rattans, into the home will add warmth, yet the overall look will feel quite reserved. However, at the moment it seems copper isn’t going anywhere!
Bed linen, House of Fraser. Bureau and floral vintage armchair, both Oasis charity shop, Tooting.
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Mark: If it’s a weekday, then it’s a glazed-eyed half an hour of getting ready and whizzing off to work. If it’s a weekend, we’re usually woken by Kiki demanding food, so we get the kettle on and make ourselves breakfast, too. We’re quite boring really, no meditating or yoga sessions for us!
See 10 ways to make your bedroom bold on a budget
Mark: If it’s a weekday, then it’s a glazed-eyed half an hour of getting ready and whizzing off to work. If it’s a weekend, we’re usually woken by Kiki demanding food, so we get the kettle on and make ourselves breakfast, too. We’re quite boring really, no meditating or yoga sessions for us!
See 10 ways to make your bedroom bold on a budget
What’s your next big decorating project?
Mark: David has been planning on making a patchwork quilt for a while now and since dusting off the sewing machine, it’s definitely back on the cards, so watch this space. Other than that, we’d love to get the garden looking livelier. Neither of us are green-fingered, but we’ll give it our best bash at adding some nicer touches.
Pink garden chairs, Out There Interiors.
Discover 10 affordable ways to perk up your garden beyond plants
Mark: David has been planning on making a patchwork quilt for a while now and since dusting off the sewing machine, it’s definitely back on the cards, so watch this space. Other than that, we’d love to get the garden looking livelier. Neither of us are green-fingered, but we’ll give it our best bash at adding some nicer touches.
Pink garden chairs, Out There Interiors.
Discover 10 affordable ways to perk up your garden beyond plants
What’s your key to a happy, healthy lifestyle? Do you have a mantra you live by?
David: Just enjoy life and take every opportunity when you can. Also, life is too short for bad canapés. If you get one, leave the party – it’s just not worth it.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
Tea and avocados – they’re staples in our home.
David: Just enjoy life and take every opportunity when you can. Also, life is too short for bad canapés. If you get one, leave the party – it’s just not worth it.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
Tea and avocados – they’re staples in our home.
Are you a UK or Irish interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com or irelandeditor@houzz.com.
Visit David and Mark’s blog.
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 David and Mark’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 set of three medicine bottle vases from Kelly Hoppen. If out of stock, a gift voucher will be issued. Closing date 23.59pm on 23 September 2016. View the full competition T&Cs here.
Visit David and Mark’s blog.
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 David and Mark’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 set of three medicine bottle vases from Kelly Hoppen. If out of stock, a gift voucher will be issued. Closing date 23.59pm on 23 September 2016. View the full competition T&Cs here.
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Who lives here David White and Mark Russell, plus their cat, Kiki
Blog Forward Features
Property A rented flat
Size 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Location South London
Cat throw, Urban Outfitters.