Looking for home interior inspiration for a beautiful family home? We caught up with the lovely Helen from @happinessis_interiors, to talk all things interiors, DIY and inspiration! Helen's beautiful family house was the setting for our most recent Valentine's photoshoot too, and we were smitten with her home and adorable pets!
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Helen, a married mum of two currently studying towards my diploma in Professional Coach Mentoring and renovating our family home that we bought in 2017. I also run an Instagram page @happinessis_interiors, which focuses on interiors, fashion and lifestyle content all centred around making people smile.
Have you always loved interiors?
My earliest memories of interiors are rearranging my bedroom at home. I loved dragging my furniture around and sleeping at the opposite end of the bed. It felt like a brand new room every time. As soon as I was allowed, I gave my Mum my thoughts on colours and accessories, but it was buying my very first home that really cemented my love for it. I realised how many choices there were and how wonderful it felt to express ourselves through our homes.
Your house is so beautiful. Where’s your go-to for inspiration?
Thank you so much! Pinterest is a wonderful source of inspiration. It gives you ideas that you might have never considered and then encourages you to make those ideas work for you and your home. Instagram is filled to the brim with incredible interior accounts too, and the people behind them are always willing to give invaluable thoughts, advice and encouragement. Also, I don’t think you can beat flicking through the pages of a good interiors magazine!
Thank you for letting us use your home for our ‘Love to love’ campaign – we’d love to know what room you love the most in your home?
Oh, it has been an absolute pleasure! A dream come true. Thank you for choosing my home.
That’s such a toughie! I absolutely loved renovating the children’s rooms. It was so lovely to reflect their personalities, and I love walking into them and seeing all the little personal touches but as strange as it sounds, it’s our hallway that always makes me smile. It’s a very generous space, far bigger than we’ve ever had before, and I was a little overwhelmed at first as I had no idea how to decorate and style it. But it was so important to me to make it feel welcoming and like an extension of our home, and I think we have achieved that.
What’s been your favourite home project?
I think my favourite project was the makeover we gave to our kitchen/diner last year. It was the first time we attempted panelling and tiling ourselves, and I really feel like we gave the space a new lease of life! I love the colours, and the dining table is also my favourite place to style, as Sophie Allport knows all too well!
Any top tips for people looking to give their home a makeover?
It can be really overwhelming to know what to do in our homes. There are so many different styles and so much inspiration out there, it can be easy to follow the trends and lose sight of what we actually love. I’m definitely no expert but the tips that I have learnt along the way are:
- To not be afraid to make mistakes.
- Give DIY a go… it’s amazing what we can achieve ourselves, which will save us a few pennies too! YouTube videos have taught me an awful lot!
- And lastly, go with what you love. It’s always exciting to pay attention to the latest trends, but our homes should reflect who we are and what makes us happy.
What’s your favourite Sophie Allport design?
Oh, picking one is so difficult! I absolutely love seeing all the hearts come out at Valentines. I get very excited about your seasonal ranges (I adored your Christmas Festive Forest range), but as huge dog lovers, it’s your beautiful pet range that captures my heart!
What’s your favourite Sophie Allport product?
I have my eye on one of your fabulous dog beds, but it’s my dachshund stoneware mug that I love the most! A gorgeous reminder of my much loved and missed dog, Betsy.
Loved reading this Q&A with Helen? Then be sure to follow her on Instagram at @happinessis_interiors. If you're anything like us then you'll fall head over heels for her beautiful family home!
