Houzz Tours
My Houzz: At Home With... Blogger and Stylist Dee Campling
Continuing our series visiting interiors bloggers at home, Dee Campling opens up her Victorian house in Cheltenham
Dee Campling’s home on the edge of the Cotswolds was pretty rundown when she bought it, but that didn’t stop her falling in love with it straight away. The interiors blogger and her husband could see the potential in the property, and have spent the past 20 years creating an eclectic, personality-filled family home.
Firstly, what do we need to know about your blog?
My blog and Instagram account are all about affordable, achievable interiors and styling on a budget.
Numerous pieces throughout, second-hand. Dining table, Ikea.
My blog and Instagram account are all about affordable, achievable interiors and styling on a budget.
Numerous pieces throughout, second-hand. Dining table, Ikea.
What made you start blogging?
I love interior design, but my main job [at the time] wasn’t creative, so I desperately needed an outlet for my creativity. Instagram has been that outlet for me.
Bar stools, Ikea.
I love interior design, but my main job [at the time] wasn’t creative, so I desperately needed an outlet for my creativity. Instagram has been that outlet for me.
Bar stools, Ikea.
How long have you lived here and how did you and your house meet?
I’ve been here for nearly 20 years and it was love at first sight.
What’s your favourite spot in the house and why?
The kitchen-diner – it’s very light and sunny, and it’s where friends and family gather.
I’ve been here for nearly 20 years and it was love at first sight.
What’s your favourite spot in the house and why?
The kitchen-diner – it’s very light and sunny, and it’s where friends and family gather.
What was the place like when you first moved in?
It was very unloved and last decorated in the 1980s. Many of the original features were still in place, however, and we could see the potential through the dreadful wallpaper.
Rug, La Redoute.
It was very unloved and last decorated in the 1980s. Many of the original features were still in place, however, and we could see the potential through the dreadful wallpaper.
Rug, La Redoute.
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
We do lots of DIY, but our proudest creation has to be our outdoor room. We love camping and outdoor living, so we can now do this at home! It means we can use the garden right through from spring to autumn. It also gives us another fun space where we can entertain friends and family.
Rug, Urban Outfitters.
We do lots of DIY, but our proudest creation has to be our outdoor room. We love camping and outdoor living, so we can now do this at home! It means we can use the garden right through from spring to autumn. It also gives us another fun space where we can entertain friends and family.
Rug, Urban Outfitters.
What makes you happiest at home?
Knowing everyone in the family is safely at home, the house is (relatively) clean, there’s a cup of tea in my hand, the dog on my lap and a good film on the telly. I’m boring really.
Knowing everyone in the family is safely at home, the house is (relatively) clean, there’s a cup of tea in my hand, the dog on my lap and a good film on the telly. I’m boring really.
What’s your next big decorating project?
There’s always a decorating project going on, but the next big one will be a kitchen refurbishment. The carcasses are 15 years old. We’ve changed the doors every five years, but it’s definitely reached the end of its life now.
There’s always a decorating project going on, but the next big one will be a kitchen refurbishment. The carcasses are 15 years old. We’ve changed the doors every five years, but it’s definitely reached the end of its life now.
Do you have a design rule you live by?
Only buy and surround yourself with things that make you happy. If you love a piece of furniture, it’ll work in any scheme. If you don’t love a piece and it can’t be improved by painting it, then it has to go – sell it on eBay. It’s dragging you down more than you realise.
Only buy and surround yourself with things that make you happy. If you love a piece of furniture, it’ll work in any scheme. If you don’t love a piece and it can’t be improved by painting it, then it has to go – sell it on eBay. It’s dragging you down more than you realise.
What do you think will be the next big interiors trend?
Eclecticism – mixing old and new and different genres. In fact, I think the trend will be that there is no trend – buy what you love.
Eclecticism – mixing old and new and different genres. In fact, I think the trend will be that there is no trend – buy what you love.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Have a cup of tea in bed and a cuddle with any willing children or dogs.
Have a cup of tea in bed and a cuddle with any willing children or dogs.
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
We like to walk in the countryside with friends, family and dogs. That earns us a free pass to put our feet up in the evening and watch telly in front of the fire.
Bath, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Rug, H&M Home.
We like to walk in the countryside with friends, family and dogs. That earns us a free pass to put our feet up in the evening and watch telly in front of the fire.
Bath, The Cast Iron Bath Company. Rug, H&M Home.
What’s your key to a happy, healthy lifestyle? Do you have a mantra you live by?
I think the key to a happy life (though I go wrong often) is to remain positive in all situations. Trying to see bad times as lessons rather then disasters really helps. I have a necklace saying ‘every cloud’ to remind me.
I think the key to a happy life (though I go wrong often) is to remain positive in all situations. Trying to see bad times as lessons rather then disasters really helps. I have a necklace saying ‘every cloud’ to remind me.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
My family (obviously), but also I’d really struggle if I couldn’t have a laugh with people. I need laughter and banter like I need oxygen.
My family (obviously), but also I’d really struggle if I couldn’t have a laugh with people. I need laughter and banter like I need oxygen.
Take a look at Dee’s blog.
Tell us…
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.
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.
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Who lives here Interior designer and blogger Dee Campling, her husband, Rob, and their three children, Anna, Imogen and Theo (pictured)
Blog Dee Campling
Property A Victorian villa
Size Four bedrooms, one bathroom, plus a cloakroom
Location Cheltenham, Gloucestershire