Claire Harwood's Bold & Beautiful Victorian Terrace

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Photo credit: with permission from Claire via @houseofharwoodandrose

If there's one thing I love about Britain, it's the fact that wherever you go - from Newcastle to Newquay - you'll find a Victorian Terrace. These houses are full of charm and personality, with every owner finding a way to put their own 'stamp' of style and personality on them... from those who choose to go with deep, dark paint colours to those who prefer to make them light and airy spaces, it's a period of architecture that can handle a myriad of interior design styles and never, ever get boring.

Claire's Victorian Terrace is mix of all of the above - from her pink front door (which I'm very envious of!) and patterned hallway tiles, to her freestanding navy bathtub and deep, handsome bedroom walls, she's pulled together different strands of styles to make something that feels totally personal to her and her family. Claire kindly agreed to answer my many questions about her lovely home, so scroll on for some inspiration.

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Step Inside Claire Harwood's Victorian Terrace

Hi Claire! Can you tell everyone a bit about yourself, where you live and who lives with you?

My name is Claire Harwood, I am 39 years old and I live in North Shields with my husband James, daughter Scarlett and son Rex. I started my own recruitment business in May this year called Harwood & Rose which I run from home. I am a social media junkie, interior obsessed, and wild at heart.

How long have you been here?

We have lived in this house for 4.5 years.

Have you done much work since you moved in?

We were so lucky when we bought this house that the hard work had already been done. It wasn't to our taste so we redecorated and we did transform the yard into a yarden, which was a game changer at the time, I was pregnant with Rex, so that feeling of having a garden after years of having a very ugly yard was heaven.

We completely transformed the hallway by tiling the floor and we are just about to have a brand new kitchen fitted which I am so excited about,to design my own kitchen from scratch is just a dream for me, I can't wait to see it all come together.

How would you define your interior design style?

Haha this question, I so often talk via my Instagram account about how my home is a complete mish mash of so many different styles. My style evolves from month to month and I feel like my taste changes from one room to the next.

I actually reached out to my followers via my stories and asked the question 'how would you describe my style'?

I received a lot of responses saying eclectic, however my favourite was from from at _no_18 who I feel summed it up perfectly 'Modage - a hybrid of modern and vintage, embracing my home's Victorian heritage whilst incorporating modern twists'.

Your pink front door is beautiful! Why do you think you've had so many 'comments' from the neighbours?

Haha I think when we first painted the front door people were genuinely in shock, I couldn't quite get my head around it, but it certainly brought a lot of attention to our door. I am laughing typing this as for the first month every delivery person and postman passed comment, to me it was just a pink door, but to others it may as well have had polka dots on it.

Tell us about your doormat - it's brilliant!

I love the doormat, I was planning on it simply saying The Harwood Residence and at the last minute, I added the Alreet, being a proud Geordie it just felt right.

Which is your favourite room in your house and why?

Hmmmm I think the entrance / hallway is definitely the most striking however I do love the kitchen, even though currently that room hasn't been revamped, I love to cook sunday roasts and entertain, and we always entertain in the kitchen, this is where we all gather as a family, and this is where me and my hubby like to have a few gins and dance the night away. Our kitchen is DEFINITELY for dancing.

Your office space is lovely - can you talk us through the inspiration for it/how often you use it? Does it work as well as you planned?

The second I decided I was setting up my own business from home, one of the first things I planned and organised was my office space haha!! My husband said that I needed to get my priorities straight however I knew that in order to succeed I needed my own work area.

The alcove in the front lounge is obviously very public, however, I love it. It is right next to the big bay window so I never feel trapped. I bought the desk from made.com and it works so well with the rest of the furniture in that room. I love sitting at my desk, I never retire to the sofa or my bed because I always feel so comfortable there.

How do you find working from home?

I love working from home. I would struggle to go back to an office environment now, to be honest. Harwood & Rose is a recruitment business therefore a lot of my work Is client facing, therefore half my week is spent out and about. I never get bored or lonely, and whilst at home I am good (mostly) at staying focused and motivated. My biggest struggle is the fridge....I am forever in it!!!!

Where are your favourite places to shop for homewares?

Oh there are so many. I love little vintage shops and markets, I am obsessed with TK Maxx, H&M Home and Zara Home, I also like M&S, Wilko, B&M Bargains and Dunelm.

What colour paint did you use in your bedroom? And where is your gorgeous gold mirror from?

I used Farrow & Ball Downpipe, and the mirror was bought 2nd hand from a friend...isn't it gorgeous. I love it. Actually my bedroom is definitely one of my favourite rooms, it's huge, and I am in the process of creating a dressing room in there so watch this space.

It's such a cliche, I know, but what does 'home' mean to you?

I am the ultimate home bird. I am one of those losers who whilst on holiday starts getting excited about getting home to her sofa, pyjamas, candles and a cup of tea. I am extremely house proud, to me home is everything, its where most of our memories are made.

Is this your dream home? Do you plan to be here for years and years, or do you long for something else?

Ahhhh this is such a topic of conversation in my home. My husband feels this is our forever home, and I love the house so very much, but something in the back of my mind tells me we will move again. That said if I was to stay here forever I know I would be happy, and you never know once the new kitchen is fitted I may feel differently.

Which are your favourite Instagram accounts for homes & interiors? Who should I check out?

Oh I love so many for different reasons @lexden_home @insidenumber10 @jemmiju @the @housethatjenbuilt @brooklands_23_ @hornsby_style...I mean I could go on and on...

Thank you so much for showing everyone your lovely home, Claire.

p.s this charming country cottage, and this clever use of space in a small apartment.

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