Discovering Your Unique Style - A Client Case Study
Transforming a Run-Down Victorian Cottage into a home of Della’s dreams.
Imagine finally moving into your very own home after a decade of flat shares.
The only catch?
Your new home needs a huge amount of tender loving care and an urgent makeover.
That was exactly the situation facing Della when she purchased her first home back in 2021. Eager to transform her property and live in it throughout the entire renovation process, Della knew she couldn’t do it alone…This is where I came in!
Discover how I helped Della discover and embrace her unique design style whilst transforming her first home into a comfortable, creative space for her to enjoy.
The Project Brief
In May 2021, I had a call from Della, she was thrilled to have just completed her first-ever home purchase. She had bought a neglected late-Victorian cottage. Although the house had good bones, it needed some serious TLC. From damp patches to worn-out carpets and hasty paintwork, she had her work cut out. Della soon realised she would need a helping hand to turn her cottage into an inviting and stylish sanctuary.
Style Exploration
Before Della had even finished moving in, we kickstarted the design process. I shared exclusive access to content from The Home Interiors Club, immersing Della in the world of design styles, colour psychology, fabrics, and much more. I asked Della to prepare for our first meeting by noting her style, favourite colours, preferred fabrics and textures.
But, when we met in person, Della explained that she found the vast amount of choices overwhelming and couldn’t pinpoint exactly what she was after for her new home. So, we decided to start again from scratch and delve deeper into her personality. That way, I could help her to identify the design style that truly reflected her. To do this, I asked Della to think instead about her passions, interests, and what inspires her and put them all together in a mood board.
This process was a game-changer. It really helped Della go from unsure and vague to crystal clear about her personal style. Once her mood board was complete, she could easily see how much her style encapsulated pastels, pops of colour, and floral prints with a traditional and peaceful vibe.
Designing the layout
Before embarking on planning the layout for each room, I encouraged Della to notice how she used the space; which room does she sit in in the morning to drink her coffee? We laser-focused down to the tiniest details, for example, where does she prefer to chop vegetables in the kitchen? Figuring out these tiny details was essential in helping Della to have a home that is not only decorated in her style but is also a space she can inhabit comfortably and easily.
It was important to Della that each room had storage (preferably built-in), so we worked together to come up with design storage solutions. To consolidate the design, I then curated mini-mood boards for each room in the cottage to bring Della’s design concepts to life. My knack for colour and fabric coordination allowed me to present a cohesive vision for each space. Della gave her input every step of the way, making sure her unique perspective was woven into every element of the design.
Managing the design renovation
Della also wanted my help with the renovation stage, so I tapped into my network of reliable professionals, including carpenters, painters, plasterers, builders, plumbers and electricians; all of which would be needed on this project.
I managed the project, directly communicating with the tradesmen and supervising their work. This eliminated the stress of searching for and coordinating contractors. And, it was crucial because we divided the home renovation into two phases: downstairs (Phase 1) and upstairs (Phase 2). By taking this approach, Della, who lived in the house during the renovation, felt completely comfortable, knowing that capable hands were overseeing the project, ensuring a high finish standard and that it would all happen by the target completion date.
The Final Transformation
Fast forward nine months, and the stunning transformation of the late-Victorian cottage was complete. The once-dusty rooms now exuded charm and warmth, reflecting Della’'s unique style and personality.
Even better, because we were able to reuse and repurpose some of the existing features - like the kitchen cabinets, and, instead of sourcing everything new, we found vintage items that fitted perfectly or just needed a bit of an update, we able to bring the entire house renovation in on budget.
In Della’s Words
“From beginning to end, the whole process of working with Lola was nothing except superb.
Simply put, she understands that a house is YOUR home, somewhere that is an extension of your personality, your safe space, where you work, entertain, and relax. Her overall approach is both creative and pragmatic. She listens carefully and cares deeply but is not afraid to encourage you to challenge yourself.
Lola is professional, committed, and diligent but also fun (and funny), personable, kind and warm. It has been, and will continue to be, a beautiful experience working with her, and I can’t thank her enough for the creativity, the support, the ideas, the implementation and – of course – the little touches of yellow!”
Is this for you?
If you’re facing a big home renovation or have just one room that really isn’t working well for you, perhaps you need the same support as Della. Discover how I can help you reimagine your home by exploring my design services.
