'I gave our bland flatpack furniture a luxurious update'

Dee Phenna got creative with her upcycling skills and transformed her uninspiring bedroom into a colourful space full of one-of-a-kind pieces

- Lisa Moses

Dee and her husband, Jo, knew it was time to upsize, as their three boys were growing bigger by the day, and they saw it as the opportunity to buy something unique. 'Our previous home was on a housing estate, where every property looked the same,' says Dee. 'But on our regular dog walks we saw this Art Deco-style place being renovated and, when it came onto the market, I was intrigued to see the results.'

The couple loved the sea views and the quirky, modern design; plus the fact that the hard work had already been done. 'It meant I could really hit the ground running and throw our personality at the house, without worrying about building works,' explains Dee.

My style tips

ATTACH NO-SEW PELMETS to the top of oversized windows by stapling fabric to a piece of MDF before fixing it to the top of the window frame. They will soften the look, help to cover the blind workings, and add colour.

CREATE COHESION in a gallery wall by sticking to one artistic theme: I chose floral. This allows you to mix up the frames for a playful finish.

USE GOLD LEAF to add an elegant richness to a piece of furniture, while bouncing warm light around a room. It's a versatile, durable material that is easy to apply.