It’s no surprise that interior designer and content creator Nicola Smith’s home caught the attention of Channel 4’s Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen. Outrageous houses. Don’t be afraid of striking colours and patterns, Nicola has transformed her garden room studio into a fantastically weird and wonderful spaceHere she tells the story behind its creation.
WHO LIVES HERE
Nicola Smith, interior designer, content creator and tattoo artist, @thesmithinterior, lives in a 1920s detached house in Andover, Hampshire with her husband Garin, an IT director, and Labrador Olive.
BEFORE
Nicola had a large garden, but at the end there was an empty space that was not being used.
What was the idea behind the garden room?
IT: I needed a separate studio to be able to do my work as a tattoo artist outside the house, but we wanted to make it a place that everyone could use, including my three grown-up children who visit regularly. It has a composting toilet and a composting sink, so with the sofa bed pulled out it can also double as an occasional guest room. I also created a mini office area with a desk and a relaxation area. There’s a small pebbled area outside, so a nice place to sit and have a drink with friends. I also got some garden furniture and waterproof cushions.
Any advice for someone starting a similar project?
IT: We did some research online initially but the best way to do this is to go to a showroom or outdoor area where the various garden room options are available to view. There were so many variables and you have to choose everything from windows to flooring and wall coverings so it’s useful to see them up close and work out what you want. I needed air conditioning to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer and I managed to cover the big white box with leopard print vinyl.
Have you been tempted to go for a neutral interior design?
IT: Not yet. My signature style is lots of colour and pattern, and the garden room follows the house. I knew I wanted to wallpaper the walls, so I went with the simple wall covering rather than something more expensive. I love the William Morris Sanderson Archive prints in bright colours, so I chose those for both the walls and the soft furnishings, including the cushions, which I made myself. I also made the curtains from another Archive print, which gave me lots of colours to choose highlights from.
Is the mix of old and new important to you?
IT: Absolutely. The sofa bed is over 20 years old and my mum originally upholstered it for my sister. I had it reupholstered which cost me £800 plus fabric but I prefer that to buying a new sofa bed. Family pieces add personality to a room. There’s also a glass cabinet I’ve had for years which I’ve painted and a folding screen which I’ve taken from house to house. But I’ve invested in two new antique Chinese lacquer cabinets as well as some inexpensive brand new small tables and a desk.
And how did you furnish the room?
IT: Some of the pieces I’ve had for years, like the giant metal Buddha head and a Balinese carving I got back from California in the boot of a car, but I also buy things from recycling centres and eBay. Accessories don’t have to be expensive. I paired my blue Buddha with two turquoise Mary and Joseph Christmas decorations I bought from Paperchase for £5 each, and I often search Instagram for small businesses to buy from.
OUR SOURCEBOOK
- Garden Room, greenretreats.co.uk
- Sanderson Archive Fabrics, janeclayton.co.uk
- Sanderson Archive wallpaper, wallpaperdirect.com
- Antique Chinese Cabinets, orchidfurniture.co.uk
- Tables, Desk and Chair, bmstores.co.uk
- Vardo and Stiffkey Blue paint, farrow-ball.com
- Sonam Carpets, indiamart.com
- Pink chair, homebase.co.uk
- Outdoor sofa, aldi.co.uk
- Outdoor Cushions, izabelapeters.com
WHAT WE SPENT
- Garden room £30,000
- Reupholster sofa 800 €
- Fabric £1,790
- wallpaper 1,205 €
- Furniture 3,195 €
- Paint 156 €
- Carpets 190 €
- Accesories 466 €
- Total = £37,802
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