This week, we sat down with Paula Sutton also known as @Hillhousevintage, whose beautiful Georgian home in the Norfolk countryside has taken the Instagram world by storm! Her carefully curated interior style and infectious positivity is something that can’t help but warm your cockles! We sat down with Paula to discuss all things interior, and she very kindly shared some exclusive advice on creating the ultimate festive feel at home this year.
We absolutely love Paula’s interior style, which she describes as nostalgic, time-worn, and whimsical. Drawing inspiration from English country house style, Paula is obsessed with all things early and mid-twentieth century, from period dramas and literary adaptations to National Trust houses and gardens!
Seeing our products come to life in real homes is something that always puts a smile on our face, and Paula’s English countryside home is the perfect space for our Oscar button seat sofa in Claret velvet. Its button tufted style is reminiscent of the vintage feel of so many pieces in Paula’s home, and the deep red velvet helps to add that touch of luxe and glamour.
“My Oscar sofa is like something out of the home of Sherlock Holmes. It’s so very large and sumptuous! I’m definitely drawn to the button back because of it’s vintage feel.”
Paula Sutton
Finding a décor theme
When beginning to plan your Christmas look, coming up with a theme is a great way to make your life easier – you can choose a single theme for the whole house, or for an individual room, but once you have the theme you know which colours to choose. For instance, you might opt for fifties glamour, going all out with glitz, glamour and luxury! This is a great choice for those of you with velvet in your home – there’s something about a velvet sofa or chair that adds an extra element of glamour – take a look at Paula’s Oscar sofa, or her Bertie armchair for example.
“My love of velvet stems from how luxurious and sumptuous it feels. It’s such a comfortable fabric to sit back against, so tactile and warm.”
Paula Sutton
It’s important to take into account the surroundings when choosing a festive theme, and in Paula’s case, the natural, almost Dickensian style Christmas works wonders in her home. To achieve this look, turn to to the great outdoors – adding plenty of fresh winter foliage and lean towards natural decorations such as orange slices, nuts and berries.
Lighting up your home
Something Paula absolutely loves at Christmas time is the way in which twinkly fairy lights can totally transform a space, turning your home into a magical wintery wonderland. Who says fairy lights are just for the tree? We love how Paula uses them to adorn mantle pieces to create truly enchanting displays. As well as using fairy lights, you can add candles and lanterns to level up the ambience, and if you have glass baubles and reflective decorations they will add even more sparkle to your home.
“Don’t scrimp on the atmospheric lighting – make your interiors magical!”
Paula Sutton
Something old, something new
Paula is known for her love of mixing new with vintage or antique pieces, and Christmas is the perfect time to combine both old and new. Paula’s favourite things to decorate her home include vintage mercury glass bottles and bowls, candlesticks and delicate ornaments in glimmering silver and gold. They add a magical Christmas shimmer to the dining table, and add interest to mantlepieces and side tables.
“My signature style is to mix new with vintage and antique, so at Christmas time I go all out!”
Paula Sutton
Don’t forget, sometimes the best Christmas decorations are vintage or antique, as they often have sentimental value too. Hanging your family baubles on the Christmas tree each year is so important, even if they don’t quite fit with your theme.
If you’re concerned about over-accessorizing, why not ensure each vintage piece has a purpose? For example use vintage china as bowl full of sweets, or a plate of nuts for everyone to enjoy.
The simplicity of scatter cushions
Changing the covers of scatter cushions is another of Paula’s top tricks and a great way to completely transform a space without spending too much money. If you’ve chosen a traditional Christmas theme this festive season, opt for greens, gold and red velvet cushions covers, or for a more Nordic scheme, different textures of whites, creams and greys can also work.
“Just changing the colours to a tone that is in keeping with your Christmas scheme can unify the overall festive design of a room.”
Paula Sutton
Doing what you truly love
The most important piece of advice from Paula is that, whilst there are certain traditions and norms that people tend to stick to at Christmas, if you don’t like them, don’t feel forced to do so! Decorate in a style you love and that will make you happy. Christmas is a time to have fun and your home should make your heart sing – forget about what everyone else thinks!
“There are no real rules, except to make sure that you decorate for the comfort and joy of yourself and your family – that’s the most important thing of all.”
Paula Sutton
