'Your home tells the story of who you are': Mum-of-two Ruth shares her stylish kitchen built on a budget

Ruth McLelland likes to switch up what she already has to update her decor.

EACH WEEK, WE ask an Irish person with a passion for interiors to share one photo of their favourite spot in their home.

Ruth McLelland moved into her home in Castlebar, Co Mayo with her husband and two daughters two and a half years ago.

“Everything in the house has been done on a budget. I usually see something I like that’s too expensive so I start the search to find it for less – it’s like a game,” says Ruth. “I got lots of things in Aldi, Lidl, TK Maxx and at car boot sales.”

This week, Ruth (@ruby.aimee) chatted us through her favourite spot in her home: her kitchen.

Ruth McLelland Ruth McLelland

What do you love about this part of your home?

Honestly? I love my lampshade. I’ve always wanted this particular lampshade, but I haven’t managed a trip to Ikea for years. My brother-in-law got me in Kris Kringle a few years ago and got this for me as it was top of my wish-list.

What was your inspiration when you were putting the space together?

I change up my decor regularly so I pull inspiration from lots of places and seasons. Usually I find things I like on Instagram and Pinterest. I switch things around to change the decor. I ‘shop my home’ so I often get a totally different look by not spending any money.

Talk us through some of the objects in the photo.

I decorate with houseplants – I have them everywhere. I hand-painted the unit to make it a little bit different. More is definitely more in our house! I recently added the desk nook to the corner of the kitchen so the girls can do their homework while I’m cooking dinner.

I’ve always wanted Eames Eiffel chairs but they are way out of my budget. I picked these chairs up in Aldi for €55 for two. I got the desk in Lidl a couple of years ago. I love texture and that extends to my walls. I love my wall hangings and have made some of my own for other rooms.

How well does this photo reflect the rest of your home?

My whole house is painted in this colour apart from my bedroom, which is pitch black, and the girls’ room, which is white. I find that having the same colour running through the house gives it a better flow. Nothing is matching in my house, but everything compliments each other from room to room.

Be honest: how much tidying did you do before taking this photo?

Not much. My house is so small that everything has to have a place or else it looks a total mess! I love storage baskets so I make them part of the decor. They’re usually wicker or jute, they sit on shelves so they become part of my style. I won a print on Instagram that’s a quote from Nate Berkus that says, “Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love”, which I think is perfect!

Do you have a spot in your home that you’re particularly proud of? Do you enjoy styling the different rooms in your house? Are you always adding and changing little things to make your space stand out? If so, we want to hear from you! Email amy@thejournal.ie with a few lines about yourself and your home for a chance to feature in My Home in One Photo.