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# my home in one photo
'I used tester pots of paint to create my own wallpaper': Gill shares her candy-striped hallway
Gill wanted the entryway to be a ‘warm and welcoming’ introduction to her home.
EACH WEEK, WE ask someone based in Ireland with a passion for interiors to share one photo of their favourite spot in their home.
Gill and her husband Bryan moved into their renovated, extended Limerick cottage two years ago this summer. With half of their home in the ‘old’ part of the house, and half in the brighter new part, it’s a home that’s full of character – a fact that’s doubly true thanks to Gill’s passion for colour and patterns.
Her favourite spot? This striped hallway, which the mum-of-four says was a “special project and a labour of love”. Check out the rest of Gill’s creative colour-popping home on her Instagram page, @rowans_rainbow.
What do you love about this part of your home?
I painted the striped wall in our hallway last year as I wanted people receive a warm and fun welcome to our home. The rainbow pattern instantly lifts our mood, and says so much about our happy home life. The hallway really makes a statement about the rest of our home and what it’s all about. This was my most time-consuming and intricate paint project in the house so far, and I’m very proud of it.
What was your inspiration for the bold colour palette?
We had no real budget to decorate this part of the house. I was dreaming of the beautiful, vibrant wallpapers that were so popular at the time, but also so expensive. Then I got the idea to paint my own ‘wallpaper’. I used a few tester pots of paint so the cost was really low. I based the colour palette on the Kitty McCall letter prints which are hanging on the wall, spelling the word ‘hope.’
What’s you favourite object in here and why?
Those ‘hope’ prints are of great importance to us as a family – they’re there in honour of some very difficult times we’ve gone through. We always have hope in this house! I also love the large plant on the left, which I grew from a clipping. It has travelled through many of my previous homes and it’s now almost as tall as I am.
Be honest how much tidying did you do before taking this picture?
I have the house in decent order most of the time, but for Instagram I usually do a bit of ‘staging.’ This involves moving all your pretty things into the photo frame… and leaving a mountain of your less photo- worthy belongings just out of view!
Is there anything in here you would like to change?
Since I caught the painting bug, nothing has stayed the same for too long. It’s a small home so I simply run out of walls. Our front door is next for a colour change.
