LIV Chats To…Pattern Lover Lily About Her Beautiful Botanical Home
This week, we're chatting to lily from @layered.home- She describes herself as a soulful distinctive storyteller and her home most certainly shows that!
Hi Lily, first things first, please can you introduce yourself?
Hi I'm Lily of @layered.home. I live in London with my family. I run my own business as a creative brand storyteller working with many brands and small businesses and as an Instagram mentor for interiors enthusiasts, designers and stylists.
Please tell us more about your stunning home and how @my_midcenturymakeover came about?
I started @layered.home home as a hobby when I was trying to find my interior style and look for inspiration on Instagram. In three years it has grown to 100k and had become my main business as I run a website and blog alongside it!
I have also written a book called InstaMADE: how to grow your Instagram to 100k even if you're unknown.
Please could you describe your interior style, has it always been the same or has it evolved over time?
I used to call myself a "dark eclectic maximalist". But this is quite descriptive and superficial. It doesn't really say anything about me as a person. When I dug deep into my brand and who I really am, I now describe myself as "soulful distinctive storyteller ". To me this has more meaning and freedom.
“ I now describe myself as soulful distinctive storyteller ”
What brands or trends inspire you or your house purchases?
I tend not to chase trends but rather be inspired by them. I really like mixing and matching anything regardless of style and trends until it feels "right" for me. So this could be anything and any combination that at the end of the day feels right in my home and my life.
What interior Instagram accounts inspire you, could you name your top 3?
I love soulful interiors - especially ones that mix old and new.
1. Inge @ingwatrobski
2. Caroline @edwardian_seaside_home
3. Alice @alicegraceinteriors
We love your bathroom so much, especially the way you use floral wallpaper to brighten up the space. Do you have any tips for our followers on how to achieve a stylish home?
Over the years I've learnt that before jumping into any design, the light in a space needs to be carefully considered. What type of light does your space get? Is it warm, cool, very little, plenty? Which direction does it come from? Light affects how the space feels, the wall colours or coverings, the accessories....pretty much everything. A good example is my front room. It used to be white when we moved in. I painted one side gold, the other side beige and a traditional neutral wallpaper. It just never looked right. I realised the reason was the light. It's a ground floor north east facing room that hardly gets any light all year round. This meant that not even the whitest wall could brighten it up. It just looked dull all the time. So I decided to embrace the lack of light and go dark. That changed the dynamics and feel of the room and is no longer dull. It now has character and soul.
What is your go-to interior trick if you have one?
Colour and contrast. Rein in your colour palette and make sure there is good contrast using colour, patterns or texture to raise the interest level. For example, if I have dark walls, I go for a light rug or floor. If I have light walls, I go for a patterned rug or floor. I write about design tips on my blog especially if you want to DIY your interior design.
If you had to change one thing in your home, what would it be and why?
I would love to open up our poky tiny kitchen but it would literally cost us 30k and only gain 1.3 x 3 metres extra space so it doesn't make sense. Cosmetic wise, I'd love to go a more dusky tone on my front room walls rather than jewel tones. The reason for the latter is simply because my preferences have changed. People change.
What's your favourite home purchase you have made
recently and is there anything on your wishlist?
I haven't made any significant purchases for the house of late but I have been given things. Thankfully this is due to my job now on Instagram as a content creator for brands. We are in the process of redecorating my youngest daughter's bedroom. She's now 12 with new tastes and preferences. She's gone all beige and scandi! In fact we've swapped clothes - she wears my beige coat and I wear her blush pink teddy coat. Let's see how this goes!
And finally what does the future hold for @layered.home is there anything left up your sleeve?
Projects never seem to have an end to them. There will be more room makeovers and brand partnerships to come. It's always a balancing act juggling family, household and business but I try my best.
If you have enjoyed reading all about lily and her beautiful home, head over to her Instagram page @layered.home To keep up to date.
