STYLE HOME

"I CALL MY STYLE country punk!"

CARLA BUZASI MASTERED USING THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF COLOUR AND CONTEMPORARY STYLE IN HER RURAL PERIOD HOME

FEATURE STEPHANIE SMITH

HOME NOTES

Carla Buzasi, a trend forecasting expert, lives with husband Toby Morris, a commercial director, with visits from Toby’s sons, Eliott, 13, Oscar, 12 and Digby, nine.

A five-bedroom Victorian detached house in Hampshire, with a separate annexe.

1 “Go for the unexpected, like a green fireplace”

‘Through a process of trial and error we’ve ended up with a group of core neutral backdrop colours throughout the house, and then another small palette of pink, yellow and green for accents. In the living room, we’ve added flashes of colour with the painted fireplace and bright accessories. The contemporary elements, such as the artwork and the lightning mirror, make me smile alongside the vintage fringed floor lamp. This room is perfect for lazy Sunday afternoons watching a film, with the woodburning stove lit and a Bloody Mary on the go.’

2 “Co-ordinate books to add visual interest”

‘The shelves were here when we moved in and I painted them a deep grey as a backdrop to my colourful books and cushions. Go with your instinct and don’t be constrained by traditional schemes.’

3 “Make your rooms different what is expected"

‘I do stalk certain pieces that I want and swoop in when they are in the sale. The dining chairs were expensive, so we bought a pair each time they were reduced, and we’re finally there.’

CONTEMPORARY ARTWORK

Creates an eye-catching statement in a neutral room scheme

4 “Play with the original features in each space”

‘I like to leave my windows without curtains so that their character really shines and this bay is a great spot to display my collection of plants. I like the greenery to stand out, so chose a variety of natural po