On the southern outskirts of Sheffield, at the end of a modest cul-de-sac, hides the home of interiors specialist Shelley Carline. Like many of the most exciting refurbishment and extension projects, Shelley and her husband Wayne’s home gives nothing away from the front: its façade is almost identical to the surrounding properties, aside from the touch of Shelley’s favourite off-black shade (Farrow & Ball’s Railings) adorning the door and windows.
Read on to see how Shelley and Wayne have completely transformed the house's interior with their original approach to design, and then browse all our real home transformations. Find out how to renovate a house in our expert guide, too.
The leaky conservatory and galley kitchen at the rear of the house has been replaced with a combined kitchen-living area. The central island was bought second-hand and its concrete top was cast by the couple themselves. Walls painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball Sofa, Made.com. Walls painted in Devonshire Green, Valspar. Chandelier and rug, Hilary & Flo, Mural, Rebel Walls
Profile
The owners
Shelley Carline, who runs online interiors accessories shop Hilary & Flo (hilaryandflo.co.uk), lives here with her husband, Wayne, Shelley’s son, Bailey, 17, and the family labradoodle, Leo.
The property
A four-bedroom 1960s semi-detached house in Sheffield.
Project cost
£30,000 for extension work and kitchen.
The unassuming exterior only adds to the thrill of stepping inside. The couple have created a series of spaces that effortlessly function as both a comfortable, cosy family home and a theatrical backdrop for Shelley’s unique decorative flights of imagination – creating a property that’s the perfect mix of stage set and Aladdin’s cave.
The rich and glamorous tone of the décor within these modest walls has been achieved with inventiveness, resourcefulness and an unfailing eye for an upcycling opportunity. It comes as no surprise that Shelley is a veteran of interior refurbishment.
‘I was only 25 and a single mother when I bought my first house,’ she says, ‘It’s fair to say money was tight, but the décor in that place was so dated and depressing, I knew I had to do something to give it a makeover. I began spending pretty much all my spare cash on buying furniture to upcycle, and interior magazines for inspiration.’
The couple repurposed the original kitchen’s wooden unit doors and panels and added beech worktops made from inexpensive offcuts. The monochrome mosaic-pattern floor tiles were sourced on Ebay. Range cooker, Discount Appliances. For a similar neon sign, try Rockett St George Two-tone wall tiles, Topps Tiles. Ceiling lights, TK Maxx
Shelley’s love for interiors soon developed into a career. ‘I actually used to love working away on my little projects after my son was tucked up in bed,’ she says. ‘It wasn’t long before it made me crave a more creative career.’
The lounge area at the front of the house is dominated by an L-shaped mustard sofa, which complements the kitsch metallic gold palm lamp and ornate brass fan-shaped fireguard. The rear wall has been heavily adorned with an eclectic mixture of colourful artwork and black and white photography. Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Velvet sofa, Love Your Home. For a similar Indian pattern rug, try OKA. Brass fireguard, gold palm lamp and circular mirror, all available on request from Hilary & Flo. Carmen Miranda cushion, Wild Rice Designs via Etsy
Soon after, her online shop Hilary & Flo was born – and with it arrived many of the ornaments and soft furnishings that make Shelley’s home so unique. ‘I do bring a lot of stuff back here,’ she admits, ‘but I need to know that every item will work in-situ before I sell it – or at least that’s what I tell myself!’
Bar areas are on-trend in homes right now, perfect for impromptu parties, or just a relaxing way to unwind and start the weekend
Shelley moved in with her now husband, Wayne, in 2005, and although their initial plan was to buy a new home together, the refurbishment of Wayne’s ‘bachelor pad’ was a project Shelley simply couldn’t resist.
The stylish dining area in the side extension has been meticulously laid with wooden herringbone pattern parquet floor, while more wooden tongue and groove, painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Railings’, clads the walls. Hanging egg chair and faux potted cactus, Graham & Green. Circular jute rug, stork print and printed jungle cushions, Hilary & Flo. Walls papered in R12711 ‘Patina’, Rebel Walls
‘I’d like to call it a blank canvas, but it was more “1980s peach-and-grey” than that,’ she says. ‘There was also a pokey galley kitchen and an old conservatory out back, which was boiling in summer and freezing in winter. Just like with my old place, we set to work slowly and steadily, improving as and when we could afford it.’
The wrought iron legs and frame of the dining table was bought on Ebay and the top relaid using geometric patterned tiles found at Topps Tiles
The couple started with a side-return extension, which initially provided the elegant extra dining space at the front of the house as well as a utility room and WC to the rear. Since then, they have also taken down the old conservatory behind the galley kitchen and used the footprint to create a kitchen-living area with Velux windows above and glass sliding doors opening onto the revamped back garden.
There’s a playful retro-kitsch style in the couple’s master bedroom, with a vintage colonial-style rattan ‘peacock chair’ (bought at a local vintage fair), a feature wall depicting a Victorian engraving of far-away jungles, and lettering in hot pink neon glowing above the bed. Jungle Land mural, Rebel Walls. Neon sign, made to order from Bag & Bones
It’s a space that’s undoubtedly become the focal area of their home, while also showcasing their combined talents and style. ‘I’m incredibly lucky that Wayne is a professional joiner,’ Shelley says. ‘Not least because he made most of the kitchen by repainting and repurposing the old beech kitchen units, along with other unwanted offcuts of wood he’s brought back from work.
For a similar chair, try World of Wicker
We sourced the central island unit second-hand but we also made the polished concrete top ourselves. You can’t beat the feeling of successfully upcycling – and it meant that most of our budget could be spent on quality kitchen appliances.’
Island Botanist wallpaper from the Homelands collection, Mairi Helena. Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball
Today, Shelley and Wayne’s home is a testament to what can be achieved with the right combination of perspiration and inspiration, and regardless of whether her taste in style changes, that’s an ethos Shelley will never give up.
Distressed texture wallpaper depicting blown brickwork meets walls clad in timber offcuts in the guest bedroom. Crumbling Bricks wallpaper, Rebel Walls. Bedding, fabric jellyfish and monochrome print, Hilary & Flo
‘There are so many places to get upcycling inspiration these days,’ she says, ‘and you’re never far away from a vintage fair or a car boot sale. If you gave me a blank chequebook right now, I still wouldn’t want to do it any other way.’
Shelley’s thrifty way with interiors continues outside: the decking was sourced from a timber yard, and the chairs from a cafe. Wayne transformed her old shop counter, made from reclaimed wood, spindles and authentic tin tiles, into a garden bar. Wall print, Margarita sign and wicker table, Hilary & Flo. Rug, Modern Rugs UK. For a similar sofa, try Maisons du Monde
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- Windows Velux
- Accessories Hilary & Flo
- Wall murals Rebel Walls
- Tiles Topps Tiles