Behind closed doors…

I know we feature houses of all shapes and sizes – we don’t discriminate here at 25 Beautiful Homes – but there’s something particularly pleasing to see that an unassuming exterior can hide the proverbial Englishman’s castle (or Welsh, Scots or Irish, for that matter!). The homes that provide BH readers with most inspiration aren’t necessarily those that are packed full of quirky features or expensive ‘objet’ but rather places that reflect the owners’ personalities and which work as a whole. For example 1930s semis tend to appear rather staid from the outside, but step through the door of this one and you definitely get a feeling this is a place that’s been put together lovingly – with knick-knacks and mementos that have a special sentiment. Like it? Why not take the full house tour?

Have you got a house – big or small – that you think could grace our pages? We’d love to see it! Just email a selection of room pics to me at sean_o’connell@ipcmedia.com

Seán O

The devil is in the detail…

Call it creative clutter…

Lovely laundry room

I must admit, I live vicariously through tours of other people’s beautiful homes. I had to share this ‘Sneak Peek’ from Design*Sponge. Oh, to have a laundry room like THIS! Isn’t it just divine?

Utility room perfection

Did I mention the charmed owner of this delightful pad has also got a craft and gift wrapping station set up in this utility room? I DIE! It’s the stuff of my domestic dreams. The good news is, I think this is a wholly achievable look. I just need to pick up some Grundtal rails and accessories from IKEA, some cute fabric (Marimekko?), some storage jars, and hey-presto! I’ll be well on my way to domestic goddess status…

Friday’s Fetish: Shiver Me Timbers!

If anyone knows how to go loco over eco-chico, it’s TV presenter and designer Oliver Heath.

I’ve been swooning over his house, as seen in Livingetc, which started off as an ugly, 1960s box, but has been turned into a beautiful earth-friendly home thanks to tons of reclaimed timber, lovelorn furniture and accessories from all over the globe.

World of timber

Say the words: larch wood cladding, and you don’t think ‘ooh beautiful,’ no. But take Oliver’s open-plan lounge. The larch wood cladding on the walls – from the trees at Kew Garden that blew down in the October 1987 storms – creates a stunning feature wall, gives the room warmth and openness and, as Oliver says, ‘brings the outside in’.

Team with oak flooring quirky accessories that nod to folk-styling and you have a large family space that’s cosy without being clostrophobic.

All aboard!

Loving the larch! Forgive me, Mr Heath, but I want to run up and  jump onto this bed – it looks so comfy and solid.

More reclaimed wood forms a canopy, which is softened with the  chi-chi chandeliers and ultra-tactile cushions.

Hmm, what to do with wallpaper samples...

This might be Oliver’s kid’s room but the idea of jazzing up plain shelves with wallpaper samples is brilliant. Whether it’s children’s toys or grown-up trinkets these shelves could work pretty much anywhere.

I’m not about to chop down any trees, but I love the idea of rescuing timber and giving it a stylish home. But it’s not just the reclaimed wood and second-hand furniture in Oliver’s house that I’m going gaga for, it’s the mixture of accessories from all over the world that add to the eco credentials of this eclectic family home and inspire me to be a bit more global in my decorating.

Can I come in? Farmhouse Christmas home

Remember how warm this cute and cosy country farmhouse looks when you’re waiting for the bus in the freezing cold and when you’re slowly – but noticeably – sliding down the hill on the ice!

I’m sure they won’t mind if you take a sneaky look around their Christmas home…

Steal the style of a warm and welcoming country Christmas living room

 

Add festive sparkle to country wooden beams with fairy lights

Add atmospheric glow by the aga with colourful hanging lanterns

Even the country bathroom gets a Christmas update with a white dove garland

Can I come in? Modern country Christmas home

Happy Christmas week everyone! I’m going to devote the next couple of days (oh let’s face it, the next FIVE DAYS) to squeezing in as many inspiring Christmas ideas as humanly possible. I’ve seen so many beautiful ideas in the magazines this month and it seems a shame not to share them – especially if you, like me, have been too busy rushing around the shops to calmly browse through the latest issues.

Take a tour around Livingetc‘s Christmas house of the month, a chic farmhouse with a modern twist – it’s stunning!

Traditional furniture pieces get a modern update with vibrant red accents and oversized decorations.

Find modern country Christmas living room decorating inspiration

Cosy and atmospheric, this dining room is the perfect place for a Christmas feast.

Update a traditional dining room with eye-catching Christmas decorations

This bedroom is gorgeous all year round – I love how the stocking matches the rest of the scheme!

Add shimmer and sparkle to your bedroom this Christmas

Can I come in? 16th Century country cottage

Now I love the story of Hansel and Gretel at the best of times, but could I live in their home? Could you?? Well I am in the mood for chocolate and sweets, and I am on the hunt for a cosy country-cottage home, so maybe I should!

The classic kitchen scheme is in keeping with the rest of the house…

Ah the token Halloween pumpkins, I miss them already!

Plain walls make the perfect backdrop for this opulent French-style bed…

Let a glamorous bed take centre-stage in a country-style bedroom

Eastern-inspired fabrics create a cosy feel in this country cottage living room…

Transform attic space into a cosy country cottage living room

The exposed stone passageway leads to a modern garden room, and is built in reclaimed stone to match the rest of the country cottage.

Stone walls set the scene in this rustic country-cottage hallway

Can I come in? Homely Halloween House!

This beautiful country-style home did nothing to curb my embarrassing level of excitement about Halloween this year. Is anyone dressing up? I’d love to hear what Halloween costumes you’re trying out. More Halloween party ideas to come, but for now, get into the spooky spirit with this warm and cosy farmhouse dressed in Halloween accessories and pumpkins.

“New England meet Old England” “Old England, New England”

Check out this home dressed up for Halloween!

Country-style kitchen gets a Halloween makeover

Halloween pumpkin goes out for a spin

Give your home a warm and cosy glow this Halloween

Can I come in? John Mayer’s New York pad

I imagine I feel about as inspired by John Mayer‘s home as Jennifer Aniston feels about his relationship skills. I was expecting it to have a little bit more personality and warmth, but instead it seems he’s paid the Armani Casa design team to create a grown up pad which although contains absolutely STUNNING furniture pieces and furnishings, doesn’t really say much about the musician, himself.

Am I being too harsh?

Check out Apartment Therapy for more pictures of his home, as featured in Elle Decor.

 

bedroom | bedroom design idea | celebrity home | John Mayer Elle Decor

 

 

dining room | dining room decorating ideas | celebrity home | John Mayer Elle Decor

 

 

living room | living room decorating ideas | celebrity home | John Mayer Elle Decor

 

This is my favourite room in the home… mainly because of the funky picture gallery, and, let’s face it, the guitars!!

 

Music room | celebrity home | John Mayer Elle Decor

 

Getting excited about Transformer 3!

I love the Transformers movies and could look at sneak peaks and spoilers all day, BUT I’m no slacker, I wouldn’t DREAM of spending my day do anything that wasn’t related to the world of decorating…

… so here’s a tour around Transformer 3 director, Michael Bay‘s home in Miami, as featured in Elledecor.com!

 

bedroom | Michael Bay house tour | Transformers 3 | Elle Decor

 

The boudoir…

 

kitchen-diner | Michael Bay house tour | Transformers 3 | Elle Decor

 

 

bathroom | Michael Bay house tour | Transformers 3 | Elle Decor

 

… imagine the celebrity dinner guests…

 

bathroom | Michael Bay house tour | Transformers 3 | Elle Decor

 

… and what’s a famous film director’s home without a home cinema??

 

TV entertainment zone | living room | Michael Bay house tour | Transformers 3 | Elle Decor

 

Step inside Sophie Conran’s swanky home!

Do you remember Linda Barker raving about designer Sophie Conran‘s sexy pink kitchen on our The Room I Envy series? I loved it then and I love it now – especially seeing it surrounded by the other beautiful rooms in her … MANSION!

Oh the high life!