‘I just knew that daring shades would work together'

After years of renting, Lauren Vine couldn’t wait to get creative with colour and DIY to give the living room in her first home a maximalist makeover

- Lisa Moses

‘I never bother with tester pots,’ says Lauren, adding, ‘My mum tried to persuade me to get samples to try before I invested in paint, but I have an immediate response to colour, and I knew theses shades would work together’

After finishing university in Bradford, Lauren Vine came home to Sheffield and rented for a few years, but admits, ‘I hated the fact that I couldn’t put my stamp on these places. I was desperate to live somewhere I could decorate myself to truly reflect my love of colour and pattern’. After five years, Lauren decided to buy her own place, so she moved in with her parents while she saved. ‘Luckily, the mortgage companies were only asking for a five per cent deposit, so it took just six months to save what I needed.’ Lauren had her heart set on a Victorian terrace, and she got ‘the feeling’ as soon as she viewed this house, although it ticked the practical boxes, too: the house felt sturdy, was in a great location and, as there was no chain, Lauren got the keys within three months.

BEFORE

STEP INSIDE...

WHO LIVES HERE?

I’m Lauren Vine, 28. I’m a nurse and I share my home on Instagram @the.tiny. colourful.terrace. I bought my twoup, two-down Victorian terrace in Sheffield in January 2020, and I live with my kitten, Peachy.

WHAT WAS UPDATED? I changed the flooring straight away, then over time added panelling, color-blocking and built-in storage.

WHY THE CHANGE? The whole room was covered in magnolia paint and an ugly 1980s marble fireplace dominated the room. There was no storage and the space just felt really unloved.