Heart Home magazine Issue 12 August 2014 | Page 35

That was 18 years ago. Today, Helen lives in the Decorating the house has taken nearly ten years
semi-detached house, built in the 30s, with her and is ongoing; Helen puts money aside each
husband, Stevie and their dog, Rupert.
month for redecoration and house maintenance.
“I’m lucky though as my husband is a painter
When she moved in, the house required a lot and decorator so we only pay for the materials,
of work: “Basically it was stuck in a late ‘80s, but the house does get pushed to the back of the
early ‘90s state of decoration with wood chip on queue when he’s busy working on other jobs,” she
the wall and rag rolling. The garden was in a explains.
very bad state as well – knee deep in weeds and
brambles, a broken fence, an old rusty bike and a Helen describes her interior style as “an eclectic
dilapidated shed.” Helen also had to bring most of mix of kitsch, modern and retro”. She takes
the appliances from her previous house – a three- interior inspiration from everywhere including
bedroom Victorian terrace in South Croydon – as exhibitions, books – especially those about
it wasn’t fully fitted.
Hollywood film stars – and TV shows like Mad
Men. “If I love a painting or a piece of furniture
Although no structural work needed doing, five then it doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t go with the
years ago they knocked the kitchen and dining other things in the house.”
room into one. They also had bi-fold doors
installed opening out to the patio area and replaced
the kitchen door for a large window.

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