House Tour: A Chic, Bohemian Rental Home, That’s Awash with Bright Colours to Instantly Lift your Spirits
7 May 2021
Today, Sisi welcomes us into her bohemian rental home in Brighton. Our customers often ask us for advice on how they can add personality when renting and Sisi is the perfect example of how this can be achieved! She shares how her battle with chronic illnesses and childhood in Madagascar has influenced her interior. With a warm colour palette of pinks, peaches and oranges, her home practically radiates warmth and positivity! We love the way she has paired bold patterns of polka dot and animal print with boho details of fringed wall hangings, natural wood and leafy foliage.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, who you live with and what city/country you live in?
Hey! I’m Sisi, I’m 26 and I live just outside of Brighton city in England, UK. I’m currently working with children with special needs in a primary school whilst finishing a degree in translating and starting my own business as a freelance stylist. I speak four languages, very sociable and love to connect with other people.
How would you sum up your style?
I am originally from Madagascar which is a tropical island and my culture is my inspiration. I use different bold patterns, bright colours, textiles and some houseplants to bring a vibrant eclectic, maximalist with a Bohemian chic touch vibe. My style also reflects my personality and I use it as a way to express myself. I suffer with some chronic illnesses and spend a lot of time in hospital so I love to come home to all the bright colours. They help lift my spirit up.
What sort of condition did you buy the house in?
I actually live in a rental building, I moved in in October 2020. It was in perfect condition but not my style so I have been on a journey of decorating ever since. Anything that’s rental friendly, name it I’ve done it and possibly more!
You’re not afraid to use some beautiful, bold colours. How do you go about choosing colours for a new room scheme?
I am definitely not afraid of bold colours, if anything I only do colours!! I always start with what kind of look is it that I’m trying to achieve first. Do I want more of a harmonious look or a crash bang colour type. At the moment I have a list of a few favourite colours that I’ve embraced all around the house. However I’ve ended up using colours I didn’t necessarily love but fell in love with because they compliment my favourites so well! So yeah start with a colour that you love.
You have such a unique style – where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration mainly from my homeland where colours, patterns and plants are just to part of the culture but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love a good old Pinterest board. I also follow some amazing home accounts on Instagram that I find inspiring and simply adore.
What’s your top styling tip?
I don’t know if it’s because I’m a maximalist but I always say this to my friends and family, you have got to go mad with the soft furnishings!! It makes all the difference. Get some beautiful curtains, pair or clash it with a fun rug and some different textiles of throws and cushions etc … Scale some artwork to your walls and get some mirrors to bounce the light around the room.
What’s your favourite room in your home and why do you think it works so well?
My favourite room in my home would be my living room. I absolutely love this space, I’ve changed it up quite a few times by now but I’m finally satisfied with how it is. That’s because I decided to throw all of my favourite colours in there. I don’t have one detail that I don’t love, down to the smallest details such as candles and vases. I also love the gallery wall I created, it sets the tone in the room and it’s so vibrant that it almost tells a story. If you knew me in person, you’d be able to tell that it’s my space.
Decorating is very much a learning curve – can you tell us about a decorating mistake that you’ve made over the years which others could learn from?
I made the mistake to go for something because it was on trend and cool and not because I loved it and wanted it in my space. Luckily, it was nothing a lick of paint couldn’t fix. I liked it but didn’t love it … I remember just feeling like something wasn’t quite right until eventually I decided to do me!! I feel like in anything in life we should always be confident to follow our instincts and not feel pressured by what’s out there. It is important to find people that inspire you but you have stay true to yourself. Maybe your touch is the magic touch, you never know!
We want to thank Sisi for sharing her personal reasons for wanting to create a space of positivity and joy. I’m sure you will agree that we think she has achieved this with her colourful, bohemian rental home! Not only this, but Sisi provides a wonderful example of how you can still create a space that suits your needs and showcases your style, even when renting. Follow Sisi on Instagram, @homewithsisi for more colourful, interiors inspiration.
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