Big Life Moment

Put your stamp on your first home together – without blowing the budget

Buying your first place as a couple is a truly exciting time. Drawing on their individual strengths, newlyweds Ross and Chris worked together to transform their Victorian terrace in London. “We’d been renting in Barcelona for the last two years, then new jobs in London meant an amazing opportunity to finally get a place of our own,” they explain. Ross, who works in human resources, has a practical head on his shoulders; and Chris – after nearly a decade in fashion marketing – knows a thing or two about colour. It’s the perfect partnership. For this issue, we helped the charismatic couple transform their kitchen – the last room in their house left to tackle – using the dusky pink tones of Heart Wood. It’s a warm, welcoming shade, perfect for the hub of the home. Inspired by the high-ceilinged Catalonian buildings that Ross and Chris love, we painted the kitchen ceiling and the wall above the picture rail in Heart Wood, with soft Polished Pebble on the remainder of the walls. White Cotton on the skirting and door frames gives a clean, crisp finish.

“Our kitchen is where we eat, work and socialise, so personality was key. Luckily, a lick of paint gave it a new lease of life through colour”

Of course, Chris and Ross’s beloved French bulldogs weren’t forgotten in the makeover. “Rocco and Saffy love to snuggle anywhere they can. They sneak into our bed when we’re not around!” Ross says. We carved out a special pooches’ corner with a simple outline of a doghouse – a creative way of zoning a shared space with pets. They needn’t worry about keeping the light walls clean, either. Easycare’s tough and durable finish means they can wipe away paw prints as quickly as they appear.

3 More Ideas to Try

Calm and Cool: For a restful backdrop to busy mealtimes, paint your kitchen cabinets in a deep colour such as Stonewashed Blue. This seaside shade will really set the scene for serene cooking as friends and family descend for dinner. To top it off, pair with a lighter hue such as Mineral Mist on the walls, for two-tone tranquility. You can almost hear the waves crashing...
The Green Room: Bring the outdoors in with walls painted in calming Mossy Stone. Reminiscent of long woodland walks beneath dappled sunlight, it’s sure to inspire relaxed dining on fresh, vibrant produce. Salad forks at the ready!
Warm and Toasty: Give a large kitchen a cosy feel with a warm, earthy shade like Spiced Honey. Its fiery, amber undertones will infuse the room with heat and bring a touch of holiday style to the heart of your home. Add wood furnishings, metallic accents and cast-iron cookware for a rustic, Mediterranean vibe.