Say hello to Chantal, this week’s real home from the ‘gram’; and boy, oh boy, it’s a beauty! Currently on a career break as a primary school teacher, Chantal is enjoying spending more time at home with her husband and three daughters. 

After a recent move from London to Surrey, they are now relishing in countryside living and the renovation of their new home. They knowingly took on this sizable project, but good things don’t always come easy! Their large, country home was dated and in need of a modern touch, but luckily for Chantal and her husband, the lockdown struck at a perfect time, meaning they could throw their all into DIY, painting and refurbishment.  

When it comes to interiors, Chantal admits to being nurtured from a young age. Her father worked in property development, and her mother taught art; not to mention her half-French heritage, which also assisted in introducing her to beautiful, inspiring designs. 

Chantal mixes modern and traditional elements but likes to use neutrals to keep her home looking fresh

“I have always been drawn to spaces that encompass both modern and traditional styles, and love the unique character and story behind older pieces of furniture. I particularly thrive on giving something old a new lease of life, leaving the “throw away culture” behind us and always try to reuse or reinvent something I already have. My home is therefore filled with vintage finds and up-cycled pieces, but still has a modern look by trying to keep the overall colours fresh and neutral.”

A COAT LOVE AFFAIR…

Since moving into their new home, Chantal was consistently on the lookout for new and interesting brands to incorporate into the renovation work. Discovering COAT came at the perfect time, as they had just welcomed a new addition to the family and a nursery project was number one on the to-do list! 

“I was thrilled to hear about the environmentally friendly properties of COAT’s paint. I also loved the beautiful, muted tones and thought this would be a perfect formula for creating a calming atmosphere in the nursery.” 

Find out more about COAT's approach to sustainability here.

Chantal ordered six of our ‘Peel and Stick’ swatches to help envision the colours within the space and choose a winning combination…

“I was incredibly impressed with how easily they transferred to different spaces around the room; which also helped me visualise how the colours would look in different lighting, too. I ended up choosing the soft plaster pink of ‘Felt Cute’, and the warm grey-beige of ‘Sunday Soul’ for the furniture. Thanks to the swatches, I felt confident in my choices.”

Inspired? Grab Peel & Stick Swatches to try at home 🙌🏼

Chantal particularly loved the coverage and finish of our paints…

“Two coats were all that was needed for the nursery walls and skirting, including the furniture upcycles, too. The eggshell finish is smooth and dries quite quickly, meaning I didn’t have to wait too long between coats – which is a big bonus for a busy mum! This is a luxurious brand that I wouldn’t hesitate to use in the future.”

TAKE A LOOK INSIDE…

Whose ready for a nosey around Chantal’s gorgeous home!? We certainly are!

First stop is their modernised country kitchen – the place where the family spend most of their days. Before its recent makeover, this space used to boast old fashioned, orange pine cabinets, which Chantal says used to make the room feel extremely dark... 

Using contrasting colours like 'Dodie' and '2AM' on your kitchen units against neutral walls can create a modern look

“By repainting the existing units and making some other key adaptations; such as repositioning the island, adding a chunky plinth to the units, and boxing in the cooker hood, it’s now a much fresher and brighter space to enjoy family gatherings and entertaining in. I wanted to keep the shaker country style, but the simple chrome accessories and contrasting dark blue island has given this traditional design a modern look.”

We adore how fresh and inviting this space is, and we can totally see why it’s one of the most used rooms in the house. Open plan living allows for a multifunctional space, and is always great for larger families. 

Next, Chantal shows us her living room, and that amazing floor to ceiling brick fireplace which creates an incredible statement in the room. This room is the perfect example of how you can mix interior styles and have the best of both worlds…

The neutral walls and brick fire place creates a super cosy country space

“I was aiming to create a more contemporary country style by brightening up the furnishings and adding modern elements, such as the sputnik chandeliers, without losing the cosy country vibe. Whilst keeping the room bright, I also try to keep the character and personality of some older pieces, such as family heirlooms. Our solid oak coffee table and half-moon console behind the sofa have remained dark, which help keep the balance of old and new.”

Inspired? Grab Peel & Stick Swatches to try at home 🙌🏼

With her love of Upcycling, Chantal used 'Sunday Soul' to transform her sideboard

Our ‘Sunday Soul’ paint also features in this space, as Chantal completed an upcycle of a large, heavy-duty sideboard – into a lighter, and trendier, drinks cabinet. Check out this transformation! 

Last but not least, Chantal’s whimsical, Scandinavian nursery for their latest arrival. Using ‘Felt Cute’ and ‘Sunday Soul’, she created a soft, feminine space for her baby girl.

Chantal painted scalloped details in her nursery using 'Felt Cute' & 'Sunday Soul' 

“Playing with the theme of dreams and clouds, I decided to paint scalloped walls around the room. To give a more layered look, I continued the scallop design across the changing table and behind the day bed in contrasting colours. I limited these colours to the grey and soft pink to create a calming space, and added silver and gold stars for a bit of girly sparkle.” 

BRANDED FAVOURITES…

Forever on the lookout for new accessories and finishing touches, Chantal adores browsing for unique pieces to add to their home. She particularly loves a charity shop find, or making her own creation from a variety of materials; and these are generally inspired by things she’s seen online, in magazines or in-store. 

Her other mainstream favourites include Dunelm, H&M, Cox & Cox and Neptune. 

“I purchased two Cox & Cox glass pendants for the kitchen/dining area and they’ve completely changed the look of the space. The large glass shades really helped define the dining area, and the chrome detailing tied in well with the rest of the hardware.”

When Chantal is looking for an easy way to switch up a space, and add seasonal touches, she heads straight to Dunelm. 

“Their wide range and affordable selection of cushions and cushion covers is my favourite. I particularity love their jute and thick cotton collections!”

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS…

As Chantal becomes more and more confident in her own DIY abilities, she admits it’s becoming difficult to stop. There is always an idea or project sitting in the back of her mind, so the question is never ‘what next’… it’s always a case of ‘when’!?

“The next big project I have in mind is transforming my daughters en-suite, and I want to use a similar painting/stencilling technique to the one I used for our wet-room. I’m also planning a revamp of the annex to create a games room/ art studio space, so hopefully I can revive my past interest in painting and stop using the kitchen island as a DIY workbench!”

CHANTAL FROM @MODITIONAL_HOME LENDS SOME ADVICE…

“I remember when I first moved here, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the amount of work that I wanted to do to make it feel like home. My biggest tip to anyone going through a similar DIY renovation is take each room at a time. To help me plan my starting point, I created mood boards with ideas, general colour schemes and furniture for each room. I then worked out which room was a feasible DIY project for my ability at the time, as well as how it affected the way we lived and how we used the space. 

Chantal loves playing around with colour using stencilling and mural art to add a bit of character to her rooms

I would also recommend doing your research on colour and paint choices! I’ve definitely rushed some decisions in the past and have had to redecorate because of it. Take time to get the colour charts and see which colours work together, especially seeing how colours look in different light and times of the day!”

Find your interior style by ordering our Peel & Stick Swatches to try our colours in your home!