Houzz Tours
My Houzz: An Interior Designer's Bright and Cosy Family Home
By focusing on what's important to herself and her family, this designer has created a home with real character
It was actually this house that inspired Jenny Ballantyne to finally take the plunge and become an interior designer. The idea had been bubbling for a while, but she was never quite sure if people really meant it when they complimented her design style. When she moved here with her family, she decided to use the decorating process as a test. “I wanted to see if I could do it on budget, and as it got going I realised I could do this for a living,” says Ballantyne. “As well as that, the whole point of this house, of course, is to make us all happy.” By giving the home such a light, practical and comfortable feel, she has succeeded on both counts.
To bridge the gap between the cooking area and dining space, Ballantyne had a dresser fitted. “It’s still a usable surface for food prep, but it looks like part of the two rooms,” she says. “It also helps to break up the space a little, rather than having a plain run of worktops.” Ballantyne loves the plate rack, as “it looks lovely and makes it a lot easier to pull out plates when you need them.”
The family like to entertain, so an extendable table was a practical choice. “It easily fits eight, but can pull out for 10, or even 11,” says Ballantyne. The wine fridge is really useful, too, as “from the table you can reach round and grab a bottle.”
Padstow dining table and chairs, Marks & Spencer. Curtains and blinds made in Quentin Stripe fabric, John Lewis.
The family like to entertain, so an extendable table was a practical choice. “It easily fits eight, but can pull out for 10, or even 11,” says Ballantyne. The wine fridge is really useful, too, as “from the table you can reach round and grab a bottle.”
Padstow dining table and chairs, Marks & Spencer. Curtains and blinds made in Quentin Stripe fabric, John Lewis.
The beach hut-themed splashback adds an element of fun to the room. “I found a company online that will turn any photo into a splashback,” Ballantyne says.
White Corian worktops with a slight sparkle help to reflect light. Ballantyne decided not to have tiles on the walls, as the worktop continues up the wall to form an upstand. “The wall paint is wipeable, so it’s a really easy space to keep clean,” she says.
An oak worktop on the island provides a warm contrast.
White Corian worktops with a slight sparkle help to reflect light. Ballantyne decided not to have tiles on the walls, as the worktop continues up the wall to form an upstand. “The wall paint is wipeable, so it’s a really easy space to keep clean,” she says.
An oak worktop on the island provides a warm contrast.
A utility room leads off the kitchen and is home to a butler sink, a washing machine, tumble dryer, the boiler and the dog’s bed. The boiler is housed in the wooden pillar, but is easily accessed.
The blue theme carries through to the utility room, but this time it’s a deeper, brighter shade. “It looks great as you glimpse it from the kitchen,” says Ballantyne.
Utility room painted in Yacht Blue, Sanderson.
The blue theme carries through to the utility room, but this time it’s a deeper, brighter shade. “It looks great as you glimpse it from the kitchen,” says Ballantyne.
Utility room painted in Yacht Blue, Sanderson.
The wall behind the sofa in the dining area of the kitchen is painted in the same blue as the utility room. “Guests can sit on the sofa, so it ends up being a lovely entertaining area next to the patio doors,” says Ballantyne.
Madison sofa, John Lewis.
Madison sofa, John Lewis.
“The garden was the first thing I designed,” says Ballantyne. “I wanted it to be kid-friendly, but not just a children’s garden.”
The summerhouse was already in place when the family moved in, but it was being used for storage. However, it had been boarded out and had electricity in it, so Ballantyne and her husband painted it, put some lino down and popped in a heater. “The rest of the garden evolved from there,” Ballantyne says. “There’s a water feature just outside, so you can sit out and listen to the trickling sound.”
The summerhouse was already in place when the family moved in, but it was being used for storage. However, it had been boarded out and had electricity in it, so Ballantyne and her husband painted it, put some lino down and popped in a heater. “The rest of the garden evolved from there,” Ballantyne says. “There’s a water feature just outside, so you can sit out and listen to the trickling sound.”
The far end of the garden, where the arbour is positioned, slopes downwards. “It would have cost a ridiculous amount of money to get it level, so we decided to put the sleepers in,” explains Ballantyne. “Behind them the garden still slopes, but the tall shrubs make it look level.”
The blue theme continues in the living room, but Ballantyne has added other colours and patterns, too. The floral curtains and mix of textures give the living room a cosy feel. “The sofas have permanently got those throws on them,” says Ballantyne. “Practicality is really important with kids around.”
The footstool is both comfortable and functional. Toys and clutter can easily be hidden away, and it’s used as a footrest in the evening. The sofas were bought at John Lewis and the footstool came from Laura Ashley.
Discover items that work hard for their keep in small spaces
The footstool is both comfortable and functional. Toys and clutter can easily be hidden away, and it’s used as a footrest in the evening. The sofas were bought at John Lewis and the footstool came from Laura Ashley.
Discover items that work hard for their keep in small spaces
The fireplace had been previously covered up, but Ballantyne removed the boarding and made a feature of the alcoves with striped wallpaper. She decided not to change the laminate flooring, which was already in place in this room and in the hallway.
Eaton Stripe wallpaper, Laura Ashley.
Eaton Stripe wallpaper, Laura Ashley.
In the downstairs cloakroom, Ballantyne covered the walls with a bold wallpaper and hung a decadent chandelier from the ceiling. “I wanted it to have the wow factor,” she says. “But my husband thought I had lost the plot when I said I wanted to put a chandelier in.”
The couple boarded up the pipes at the back with tongue-and-groove and hired a local joiner to make a rustic vanity cabinet to cover the pipes under the sink.
Demoiselle wallpaper, Harlequin.
The couple boarded up the pipes at the back with tongue-and-groove and hired a local joiner to make a rustic vanity cabinet to cover the pipes under the sink.
Demoiselle wallpaper, Harlequin.
In the hallway, Ballantyne wanted a big mirror to bounce light around, so she found this one on Gumtree for just £30. “A lot of the things in the house are second-hand,” she says. In order to add some pattern to the plain space, she went with a striped carpet on the stairs.
Fresh Stripe carpet, John Lewis.
Check out these design and space hacks for your hallway
Fresh Stripe carpet, John Lewis.
Check out these design and space hacks for your hallway
A vintage chair provides a spot to sit at the top of the landing. “The wallpaper on the wall was a bold choice, particularly with the striped carpet,” says Ballantyne “But I think it goes really well.”
The budget wouldn’t stretch to replacing the pine staircase, so Ballantyne employed a joiner to fit new oak handrails and spindles. The painted newel posts are the original pine, but the staircase feels like it’s completely oak.
Sail Away wallpaper, Sanderson.
The budget wouldn’t stretch to replacing the pine staircase, so Ballantyne employed a joiner to fit new oak handrails and spindles. The painted newel posts are the original pine, but the staircase feels like it’s completely oak.
Sail Away wallpaper, Sanderson.
In the master bedroom, Ballantyne also used an eclectic mix of patterns. “I love mixing patterns and creating something completely unique,” she says. “I wanted it to look elegant, but have a rustic feel. When I come in now, I want to stay in here.” The bespoke bedside tables contribute to the rustic feel.
Nightingale wallpaper, Prestigious Textiles.
Nightingale wallpaper, Prestigious Textiles.
Putting both a blind and curtains at the window ensures a sumptuous touch. The curtain fabric was bought at John Lewis.
There’s a definite coastal feel to the en-suite bathroom. “We chose the pebble tile as it’s really nice to walk on and gives your feet a massage,” says Ballantyne. “It has a matt finish, so I teamed it with glossy Metro tiles to give it a shine.”
Metro Plata gloss tiles and Stone River Pebble mosaic tiles, both M&W Ceramics.
Metro Plata gloss tiles and Stone River Pebble mosaic tiles, both M&W Ceramics.
Ballantyne designed the vanity unit and had it made to her specifications. “It’s huge, with masses of storage,” she says. “The rustic feel means it looks fine with a few stains, but it’s also easy to sand down and restain.”
Mirrors either side of the sink solve the problem of the centrally-positioned window.
The couple’s daughter wanted a princess bedroom, but Ballantyne decided not to go down the usual princess route. “I wanted something that would grow with her, so I combined the pink with green,” she says. “The day bed will also last, as when she’s older and has friends over she can use it as a settee.”
The tepee is great for playing inside, and is also a perfect spot to put toys at the end of the day.
Antique Rose Bouquet wallpaper, Cath Kidston. Walls painted in Absinthe, Crown. Bed, Dreams.
The tepee is great for playing inside, and is also a perfect spot to put toys at the end of the day.
Antique Rose Bouquet wallpaper, Cath Kidston. Walls painted in Absinthe, Crown. Bed, Dreams.
Ballantyne’s son had this same wallpaper in the family’s old house and loved it, so they decided to use it again here. “The retro wallpaper and Union Jack chest of drawers make this room feel very different to other boys’ rooms,” she says.
Wallpaper, Cath Kidston (no longer available). Walls painted in Triomphe, Crown.
Wallpaper, Cath Kidston (no longer available). Walls painted in Triomphe, Crown.
The tiny study is just big enough for a narrow desk and the dresser that was originally in the kitchen. “It works really well as a filing cabinet,” says Ballantyne.
Linen blind, Dunelm.
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Linen blind, Dunelm.
Love this home’s style? Check out our shopping edit to help you to get the look
What do you think of this cosy home that’s full of personality? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Interior designer Jenny Ballantyne, her husband and their two children, as well as their pet dog
Location March, Cambridgeshire
Property A modern, timber-framed detached house
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a cloakroom
Designer Jenny Ballantyne of Jenny Ballantyne Interiors
The kitchen is a large space with plenty of light spilling in from the garden. However, the previous layout wasn’t practical, so Ballantyne set about increasing the storage and work space. “I actually went through each cupboard beforehand,” she says, “and worked out the exact storage I needed. For example, I love baking so there needed to be specific storage to organise all the essentials. Then it was how we could make it work better for the family. Before, my back was always facing the kids, so we added an island to make it easy to prepare food and be part of what’s going on.”
The blue colour scheme and coastal touches come from Ballantyne’s love of Cornwall. “I remember thinking on holiday that it’s such a shame we couldn’t recreate the laid-back feeling at home.”
Shaker kitchen painted in Dainty Blue, Mereway. William Bottle glass pendant, Croft Collection at John Lewis. Walls painted in Grey Birch, Sanderson.