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Buying a house with a friend might not be the most traditional route, but for my friend Zara and I, it made perfect sense.
We bought a Victorian mid terrace with good bones, lots of charm and plenty of potential. And while it came with challenges, it’s allowed us to create a space that truly reflects both of us.
Zara and I met at university and have lived together ever since. After five years of renting, including a slightly tired 1920s flat, we started dreaming about something more permanent. During lockdown, we realised that if we aligned our finances and started saving seriously, we could actually get on the property ladder together.
We approached the process like a partnership, with clear financial boundaries and plenty of creative freedom. As we had contributed different amounts to the deposit, we worked with a solicitor to draw up a Declaration of Trust, outlining exactly what each of us had put in. It was one of the smartest decisions we made.
“Live with your friend first. We knew that as we’d survive a global pandemic and still agreed on where the ketchup goes, we were probably good to go. Also, financial transparency is key. If you are going to be contributing different sums of money to a property, stipulate that in an agreement before you purchase a property. Be honest about budget and don’t get too carried away with affordability. It’s better to be comfortable than to stretch yourself too far!”
When it comes to decorating, we’ve always had similar taste; classic with a twist, think rich fabrics, a bit of bold pattern and lots of layering. In this home, we saw more than period charm, we saw possibility. High ceilings, sash windows and original fireplaces gave us the perfect canvas to create a warm, characterful home.
I used Pinterest a lot to get inspiration for our colour and pattern choices. Zara tends to play it safe, while I’m the one who’ll throw in a vibrant colour or a statement piece. But we always make decisions together, especially in shared spaces.
We took the lead in our own bedrooms, but even then, we influenced each other. Zara originally wanted neutral curtains until she saw the Poodle & Blonde fabric I chose for mine. That inspired her to go for a rich velvet curtain called Darcia Velvet Rouge, and it looks stunning.
“Let your home reflect your personality, whether that’s minimalist, maximalist, or somewhere in between.”
Let’s talk about window treatments, because wow, did we learn a lot. When we first moved in, we threw up some temporary curtains, but they weren’t giving us the function we needed. That’s when we turned to Hillarys.
We decided to install Café style shutters, bringing clean lines to the front-facing rooms. Aside from looking beautiful, the shutters also help retain warmth, a huge plus in a draught-prone period property. It’s amazing the difference they’ve made in terms of comfort and privacy.
“Shutters aren’t just a finishing touch, they added structure, style, privacy and practicality in one go.”
In my bedroom, I chose Blackout Roman blinds in Micro Glaze Umber from the Poodle & Blonde collection, finished with red fringing. In the guest room, we kept things softer with a Roman blind in Tetbury Ivory. We also picked motorised blinds for that extra touch of comfort.
In Zara’s bedroom, we added double pencil pleat curtains for a hotel-like finish, layered over our existing café-style shutters. Everything is thermal-lined which was non-negotiable. Our house is over 100 years old, so keeping it warm in winter (and cool in summer) is essential.
“Don’t be afraid of colour or pattern. A room needs at least one talking point.”
Looking back, I wish we’d brought Hillarys in sooner. Trying to save money with temporary fixes ended up costing us more in the long run. I also learned to trust my instincts and not get swayed by trends. Some of our choices are bold, but they’re us and that’s what matters.
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