Style edit: @alicegrace_england on adding character to your home

We’ve partnered with talented Interior Designer and lover of traditional English interiors, @alicegrace_england who has been renovating their family home, a new-build in the gorgeous Somerset countryside. She is an expert when it comes to adding character and experimenting with patterns, you would never know her home is less than a year old.

Alice has selected Lewis and Wood fabric and wallpaper to transform both her master and guest bedroom. The brand’s quintessential British feel and timeless, high-quality finish really stood out to her when planning her schemes.

We caught up with Alice on all things interiors, including her top tips on how to add that classic English style and where to start when it comes to planning a new project.

We just love what you've done with your  new build! Where do you start when planning a room/project?

I tend to start with either a piece of art, a rug or a fabric that to me, captures the essence, mood and vibe of a room.  I will then use the colours, patterns and tones in that to help choose complimentary papers, fabrics and furniture pieces that work. They might clash slightly to add a little bit of interest  - I’m enjoying experimenting with that at the moment!

Where do you take inspiration from?

I take a lot of inspiration through Pinterest and reading books.  I am forever scrolling for ideas and thinking of how I can adapt something I love to fit the spaces I’m designing. 

Your home is a perfect example of using mismatched colours and fabrics. How do you choose clashing items that work so well together?

Someone asked me this the other day and actually I think people get worried about things matching when really if you find something you love - be that a pattern or shape or style of something, inevitably you can pair these things together in some way somewhere in your home!  It is nice to collect things over time and once you have a general scheme for an area or room of your house, finding items to go in that area will be really enjoyable.  This layering really makes a room feel truly homely and lived-in, which I love.

You have recently moved to a new build and have done a fantastic job at adding character and giving it a whole new look and feel. What tips do you have for adding character to a home?

Lighting is key for adding atmosphere and character! I always choose bulbs that emit a warm glowing light and have a variety of wall, table and floor lights too to add extra interest at different levels, drawing your eye and creating cosy corners. 

Experiment with different heights and layering of furniture. Rather than having everything around the outside of a room, I try and cross a space with a console or chair to give that intimate feeling.  I like laying a room out in a slightly unusual way, particularly large open plan spaces that need breaking into smaller, more cosy areas. 

And finally, wall finishes such as panelling, wallpaper, wall hangings and art all add to the layering of a space too. I always choose art that adds charm and history to a new space. Recently I've started using wall hangings as they are warmth, texture and depth to a room  - it's perfect if you’re wanting to add a pattern without committing to a wallpaper.

What's the best way  to add texture to a scheme?

I do think a nice variety in a space works well. I spend a lot of time adding natural, earthy textures to build that character into my new home and this also works for period properties that I design for.  I’m a huge fan of rich velvets and strong patterns that balance dark woods and brass accessories beautifully, but equally it is nice to take a breath and give areas some light, airy linens and with pretty patterns.

You picked out a lot of Lewis & Wood fabric and wallpaper for this project– why did you choose this brand? What made it stand out for you?

Lewis & Wood to me are a quintessential British brand that offers such quality, timeless pieces that they are such a treat to add to a room.  Their patterns and colours are so beautiful and they are often a really nice place to start when planning a space so I find them really easy to work with. 

What styles/colours do you see as being popular this A/W21?

I think earthy colours  - greens, browns and reds, with pops of blue.  I don’t think these ever go out of fashion to be honest!  I’m really drawn to pinks too at the moment. Pinks and greens together!

Alice used our Made to Measure service for her headboard and curtains pictured above. To find out more, discover Made to Measure here.