Words by PV Influencer Miffy Shaw

It’s been a fun 12 months in the Shaw household. My husband Gareth and I have been working hard to finish our home in the ‘gardens’ area of Penarth, ready for some exciting filming as part of BBC 1 ’s interiors show; ‘Best House In Town’. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!

Kitchen before and after

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being asked to feature our home to compete in the show was a dream come true. It was exciting to meet other interior creatives, and I’m hoping more collaborations and projects develop from the series. Although the whole process was really daunting, I really enjoyed being part of the buzz, sharing the stories and intricate details of our home. The film and production crew were ace, and when the judges called up, asking us about the house, I was fit to burst.

 

I don’t want to give too much away as the show is coming out from February, but I wanted to share some snippets. Keep an eye out for me walking through the front door in an action shot! 

During filming, I wanted to show how my home brings me joy both inside and out. I think every home should be a place of solace, comfort and a reflection of our personality, and that extends into the garden as well! Also, if you’re lucky like us, you can also incorporate some of the history that you’ve inherited. 

One of the stories that I told the judges about our home was its history. Spring is always welcome in our house, and it’s the perfect excuse to get back outside. The previous owner of our house, Alfie, had lived here all his life and loved his apple tree in our garden. After finding this out, we scattered his ashes that were left in the house underneath the tree, making it a focal point in the garden.

Garden before and after

 

 

 

 

 

I wanted our garden to be an extension of indoor living and there are so many creative ways you can use your outdoor space. Practicality plays a lot into our space with my toddler and Tugboat, our dog to bear in mind. Although I wanted real grass we opted for artificial (which looks just as great). Not one for giving up though, we installed a green roof. It’s so nice seeing a trial of wildflowers through the window. If you’re thinking about starting a new project outside, Pinterest is a good place to start for inspiration and the best time to start planning your outdoor space is now! 

Practicality & Personality 

I love all things quirky. We had to take practicality into consideration with our dog Tugboat in the garden and although I love the smell of real grass, we opted for artificial. Not one to give up though we installed a grass roof instead. It’s amazing to see the wildflowers in the spring and summer, and a perfect example of how you don’t have to compromise on what you want, you just need to think outside the box. If wildlife is your thing too add bird boxes, bug, and seed houses to attract wildlife – great for the kids too!

Determination 

There’s nothing like a big deadline to motivate you to finish a project. I’m so proud that we’ve completed all the renovation and design work ourselves. My top tip here is to plan how long you think your project will take to complete and add 10% more time. Preparation is key! Buy all the materials you need before you begin and make sure you have all your tools available. Check out our 2019 trends online to inspire your next reupholstery, painting or design project! 

History

Like Alfie’s tree, it’s always a good idea to try and keep any original features or historical stories alive. Whether it’s finding treasures in the loft or underneath floorboards old houses are great at telling stories that you can tell your friends over wine and cheese!

Collaboration has been a key aim recently, and 2019 is set to bring even more exciting people into the mix. It’s no secret that I love interiors, however, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance of being a host on the ‘Ultimate Bali Tour’ with the decadent brand, Wingsluxe. Does this sound up your street? Check out my Instagram @miffyshaw for more info!

If you’re interested in interior design or have a building project – let’s chat!  

Contact Miffy (interiors) on 07962238871

Contact Gareth (property developments) on 07900404325