Rebecca Bradshaw – Making a House a Home

Rebecca Bradshaw – Making a House a Home.

Born in Whalley, I grew up in the Ribble Valley before leaving the family nest to go to university. I spent the next 17 years living in cities before flying full circle and returning to the Ribble Valley to build my very own nest. 

I loved the stunning 3 storey Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian houses in the cities I’d lived in such as London and Liverpool, but when it came to creating a home for my family it just had to be a period cottage and it had to be in the Ribble Valley. We bought and fully renovated our family home in Ribchester 7 years ago, and my love of interiors means our nest is constantly being feathered.

Quite often, the interior decor in cottages can be somewhat twee and this was something I really wanted to avoid. Inspired by the amazing interiors I had seen in the grand city houses, I mixed some of the more modern pieces from high street brands such as H&M Home and Homesense, with inexpensive antique or vintage pieces I found in local treasure troves such as Preston Antique Centre and the YMCA charity shop in Clitheroe.

My top 5 tips to make a Ribble Valley home:

1.If you’re buying a period property get the most detailed (and therefore the most expensive) survey available. Even if you think there’s not much work to be done. If you don’t, you’ll pay for it a hundred times over. Alas, we learnt the hard way.

2.If the roof needs work then make this the very first job that you do and work your way from the top down.

3.A lot of period properties have fairly low ceilings and small windows with limited natural light. Although quaint, this can sometimes make them feel a little claustrophobic. Particularly if the taller than average person has to dodge your pendant lights! One of the best ways to open up the rooms and fill them with light is to replace pendant lighting with spotlights throughout. Make them dimmable too if you want to change the effect. Like the roof, this should be one of the first jobs you do.

4.Use natural hardwood, stone or tiles throughout downstairs. Not only does this help to make your home feel light and airy, the great Ribble Valley outdoors doesn’t really agree with carpets when you bring it indoors on the bottom of your shoes or wellingtons! 

5.Ditch the wallpaper. Nothing beats freshly plastered or skimmed walls. On top of this use Farrow & Ball paint because the colours and chalky finish are just perfect for a period property, plus the way the Ribble Valley light changes the colour is somewhat magical!

Rebecca Bradshaw – Follow on Instagram @ribblevalleyabode

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