A woman has transformed her home with vibrant and pastel colors for 8,000 pounds (approx. US$9,500).
Joanne McCauley, 40, has added more than a splash of color to her five-bedroom detached home in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Prior to the renovation, McCauley’s home was beige, magnolia, and grey, but now it has ombre walls, bright colors, and lots of prints.
“I have lived in this house for nine years but it was so dull and uninspiring ... the house didn’t reflect me at all," McCauley said. “Before starting the renovation in the first lockdown, I had barely picked up a paint brush.
“But I learnt as I went along and even created a pastel ombre effect in one of the spare rooms. It’s okay to make mistakes as I could always go over it. I feel so much better waking up to a colorful home every day.”
McCauley lives with her husband, Deryl, 40, and says he is happy as long as she is happy. “He loves seeing the final outcome,” she said.
“My favorite room in the house is my beauty room, it’s pink and yellow. I instantly feel joy as I walk into it. It is the first room I decorated and then I got the color bug.
“There is a lot of pink and purple in my house, but I have tried to compromise by making the living room with green and darker tones. It is a calm space.”
McCauley’s home aesthetics consist of some new, old, and upcycled items. Many prints are from charity shops or pieces of wrapping paper in a frame.
All of the rugs, which include zebra, aztec, and rainbows, were purchased from Wayfair.
“Most of my spending was on paint as I needed lots of it,” she said. “My walls before were grey, magnolia, or white. and now they’re completely transformed.
“The hall is orange with an art gallery filled with prints ... I also purchased a radiator cover and painted it purple.
“Our home is definitely a fun space.”
McCauley said her shoe wall cost her just 45 pounds (approx. US$50), which she built using a sheet of medium-density fiber and some leftover paint.
“The house décor came to about 3,000 pounds [approx. US$3,500], taking into account the new sofa and chairs, paint for each room, some faux plants, and a lot of prints,” she said.
“I also bought a red sofa bed in my beauty room, but I sold my bed and some furniture, so that halved the cost to around 150 pounds [approx. US$180]. Everyone’s favorite cupboard is in the kitchen, which looks like an ordinary cupboard but it is a minibar.
“I have learnt that décor doesn’t have to be so serious, matching, and perfect. You can’t go wrong as long as you like it.”
Despite going against the norm, McCauley is certain her quirky decorating has added value to the house.
“I know my house isn’t to everyone’s taste, but I don’t think it has decreased in value,” she said. “We spent a further 5,000 pounds [approx. US$6,000] on an outdoor kitchen, which is painted light blue. It is perfect for entertaining guests.
“The colors aren’t for everyone, but anyone who sees my house can appreciate it.”
