Melanie Boyden started out her house search looking for a renovation project. After years living in married quarters while her husband worked in the army, she was used to making do – but once the couple were on the hunt for a home of their own, she was keen to break away from the magnolia walls she’d lived with for years and try something different.
Some time later, she’s taken the parts of military life she loved – hosting parties and entertaining friends – and combined them with the elements she missed to create a home that’s filled with plenty of interest. Her love for pattern shines through the floral murals that adorn her walls and the smaller pieces she’s upcycled in creative ways. Lucky to have an already-extended house to work with, its her bold style that’s brought it to life.
Want to put your own stamp on your home, just like Melanie has? We have lots of ideas and advice on what to do and where to start in our feature on house renovation. For more real home transformations, head to our hub page.
‘Because I spent more on the renovation, I tend to go to charity shops first if I need something,’ says Mel. ‘I’ve done a few upcycling projects, including the dresser at the back of the kitchen. I’m not very good at it but I love it. It looks good in pictures, toon– just don’t get too close!’ Kitchen, Howdens. Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Bar stools, George at Asda. Exposed brick wallpaper, Dunelm. Dresser, charity shop find, painted in Rust-Oleum furniture paint and wallpapered with paper from B&Q
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The owners Melanie Boyden lives with her husband, James, an IT consultant, and their children, Emiko and Zachary
The property A six-bedroom 1940s end-of-terrace in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex
Project cost £41,000
'We were looking for a renovation project. This house had previously been extended over the converted garage to add a utility, bathroom and three bedrooms, as well as out the back of the kitchen, but we think the owners had run out of money because nothing had been done to it. There were still scaffold boards in place and no fitted kitchen or bathrooms. We knew as soon as we walked in that this was the one. It was lovely and spacious with a big garden. It meant we didn’t have to fork out on an extension, but could gut it and make it ours. It had only been on the market for 24 hours, but I jumped at the chance to take it.'
'In the kitchen I wanted a sink that faced the garden so I can see the kids when they’re playing outside. We moved a lot when my husband was in the army and I learned what I wanted from a kitchen by living in lots of different houses. In one of them, the kitchen faced the street, which meant I could never see our back garden – I really felt that.
‘‘We thought we’d host lots of sit-down dinners at the dining table, says Mel, 'But everyone congregates around the kitchen island instead.' Dining table, Marks & Spencer, Chairs, Lakeland Furniture, Pendant lights, B&Q. Rug, Ikea
'Another key influence was the peninsula. It zones the space and keeps the kitchen separate from the seating area. If I was doing the project again, I’d probably have a bigger standalone island, though. We entertain a lot and everyone naturally stands around it, so it would be nice to have a bit more space there. In every project you do, you work out what works and what doesn’t.'
This is absolutely the adults’ room,’ says Mel. ‘It doesn’t get used until we’ve put the kids to bed.' Wall hanging, Rose & Grey. Sofa, DFS. Rug, Ikea. Coffee table, La Redoute
'Coming from a military background, we’re used to having people round. I wanted the space to be somewhere everyone can come for drinks and food. The concept of zoning was centred around that: sit on the sofa and look out at the kids playing in the garden; gather at the dining table for a Sunday roast; host a drinks evening around the island.'
'We’re have a playroom opposite this room – it’s like a bomb’s hit it, with Lego everywhere and chocolate on the walls – but we can shut the door on it at the end of the day and not have to worry about it.’ Dark walls painted in Blue Jade, Valspar. Shelving unit, Maisons du Monde. Mantlepiece painted with Chalk White, Rust-Oleum
'I didn’t realise just how much the island would get used – we rarely sit around the table unless we’re having a sit-down meal. It just shows you can visualise how a room might work when you’re planning it, but people don’t always do what you think they will.'
‘We call this Grandma’s room because my mum nabs it when she’s up from Cornwall,’ says Mel. Bed, Happy Beds. Chandelier, Dassie Artisan. Floral mural, Anewall. Bedside tables, George at Asda
'We gutted the kitchen, lifted the floorboards, rewired and added the utility and downstairs bathroom in about 12 weeks. Then we sanded and varnished floorboards on the first floor, fitted carpets, replastered and reinstalled the fireplace in the master bedroom. We painted everything white, too. My style has changed massively over the years, and Instagram has been a massive driver. I was into that calm grey Scandi look. Now it’s more eclectic, and I’m a fan of biophilic design; lots of plants, natural materials and floral murals.'
‘People are always amazed that it’s a spare room. I did the dresser in a morning – I’d seen something similar on Pinterest so I got a bit of Frog Tape and painted it.’ Dresser painted in Brazilian Rose, Valspar. Walls painted in Chic Shadow, Dulux. Desk, John Lewis & Partners. Mirror, Dunelm
'I’ve always loved pattern and colour. Even when we were in married quarters, where the walls were always magnolia, I’d make sure there was pattern through cushions and curtains. I found the interiors community on Instagram and it opened up a whole new world. I remember seeing people post their geometric rugs, and I went to Ikea and bought loads.'
‘Emiko was about five when I did her room and all she wanted was unicorn wallpaper,’ says Mel. ‘I did get some but it was bad quality so I took it back down. I’m an evil mum! I found this wall mural on Wayfair for about £70 instead and it’s become my favourite wallpaper in the house. I did Emiko’s room up in a day when she was out as a surprise. She’s never asked for the unicorn wallpaper again.' Bed, Ikea. Bed canopy, Ebay. Carpet, Carpetright. Komar Products floral mural, Wayfair. Ceiling light, JD Williams
Contacts
Kitchen Howdens
Paint Rust-Oleum
'We’re used to living in and out of boxes so the renovation itself wasn’t a problem. We had a slow cooker, and it’s amazing what you can do with a kettle. We ate out a lot, too. The builders were friends of the family and we loved having them in the house. We’d just moved to the area and I knew nobody, so they were company for me. I enjoyed watching the house come to life. My husband is less keen to do another – he worries about the money side – but he does love this house. I’ve told him the next one will be even better.'
‘This is the only room that’s remained grey, but I’m itching to put some colour into it,’ says Mel. 'The floor tiles are the statement piece of the room and I wanted a freestanding bath so that you could see them running underneath. I love the vanity-style cabinet sink as well.’ Floor tiles and metro tiles, Topps Tiles. Walls painted in Warm Pewter, Dulux. Bath and sink, Bathstore
When we were house-hunting, all I wanted was bi-fold doors,’ Mel says. ‘We have them open in the summer even when it’s not sunny – I love having uninterrupted views of the garden. Plus, we didn’t have to pay to put the bi-folds in, which was a bonus!’ Teardrop chair, Aldi. Garden lounge set, George at Asda
More reading:
- Clever kitchen island ideas. Add a focal point and lots of storage
- How to create a wall mural: 10 top tips
- Best indoor plants for every room