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At Home with…Claire {Clarina’s Contemplations}

on July 18, 2017

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] am really starting to look forward to having a sneaky peak at a new home every month; I hope that you are too. If you would like to check out one of my previous nosy parker moments, you’re welcome to check out Becky’s home.

This month I would like to introduce you to Claire, from Clarina’s Contemplations. I first met Claire about 5 years ago and we clicked immediately. She’s much younger than me (obviously I hate her for that reason!) but we share a faith in God that brought us together and I love watching how she weaves this into her life as a mum of four – yes you heard me correctly!

Claire never ceases to amaze me with her energy, creativity and passion for all things family. Talking of family, Claire has a husband, two gorgeous girls of 5 and 4 and two little boys of 2 and 3 months.
Shall we take a look at their home? They’ve had a lot of work done on it recently and even had to move out while it was all going on. I’ve been excited to look at how it’s turned out…

Where do you live and how long have you lived in your home? 

 We live in a 1930s terraced house in South-West London. We bought it back in 2010, and were first time buyers right when the crash hit its lowest point, so we were able to snap up a three-bed which would never have been possible otherwise!

What were the first impressions of your home? 

We had been looking at two bed maisonettes when ours came on the market… I think we were just wowed by the prospect of an actual house! It was pure granny-ville with cork walls, crazy funky carpets and even a stair lift! It wasn’t exactly our taste, but we could see past the dated exterior and knew it was a house we could make a home. We put an offer in and that was that!

Have you had any major work done? 

Yes! This past year we’ve had both a loft conversion and an extension – it’s been a bit crazy. The whole lot took a year from the scaffolding going up to Building Regs signing us off. It involved a lot of decision making, a huge number of trips to IKEA, moving into my parents for weeks at a time, and a good few sleepless nights, but we’ve come out the other side and we are so thrilled!
Our builder was absolutely fantastic, and we felt a little sad saying goodbye!

What is your favourite room in the house? 

Without doubt the kitchen diner. We knocked out the entire back of our house and opened it up and its now this huge light room that is the hub of our home. It’s where we spend 90% of our time as a family, and in the summer it opens up onto the garden. I’m still getting used to my new big kitchen… after having a tiny kitchen for so long, I’m still pinching myself!

⇑ White shelf from Ikea ⇑

Is there anything that you would change about your home if you could? 

We’ve never updated the family bathroom. It looks SO dated now, but when we moved in, it was the most habitable and stylish room in the house – and that’s saying something! Its an aqua blue suite… old school, and not in the funky retro sense. One day we’ll do it!

What is the next home project that we can look forward to seeing on your blog? 

With the arrival of our fourth child, and our second little boy, we have plans to move the boys in together (our girls share already)… so there’ll be some kind of adventure-explorer theme. I’ve already started a Pinterest board… watch this space!

⇑ White bunk beds ⇑

What a transformation! I love the simple Scandinavian feel to Claire’s home. Something tells me that she might have been slightly influenced by her half Norwegian husband! Claire also spent 12 months in Austria during her early twenties so her four children are being brought up to be trilingual – German, Norwegian and English. I told you Claire had a zest for life to rival no other!

If you would like to stay in contact with Claire, you can follow her little family on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

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9 COMMENTS

  • Morgana
    7 years ago

    I really enjoyed this post Suzanne. I’ve followed Claire’s blog for a while and it was lovely to get a glimpse around her home and read the story behind it. I especially love the kitchen diner, it’s gorgeous! x

    Reply
    • Suzanne W
      7 years ago AUTHOR

      Glad you enjoyed it Morgana. The kitchen diner is perfect for a growing family ??

      Reply
  • Claire @ Clarina's Contemplations
    7 years ago

    Eeek! Thank you for the feature Suzanne!!! We really MUST sort that coffee soon!!

    Reply
    • Suzanne W
      7 years ago AUTHOR

      We really must Claire! Your baby will be at school by the time I organise it lol! x

      Reply
  • Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
    7 years ago

    Aaah this totally appeals to the nosy neighbour in me!! I always love seeing glimpses into people homes — I loved reading this Suzanne! So nice to have a little tour round Claire’s lovely home 🙂 #HomeEtc

    Reply
  • Stephanie
    7 years ago

    Lovey to hear more about you, and wow what a lot of work you’ve had done, but well worth it

    Reply
  • Lins @ Boo & Maddie
    7 years ago

    Gosh what a lot of work has been done and so amazing with a big young family too! Thank you for sharing Claire’s beautiful home Suzanne X #HomeEtc

    Reply
  • Wilma
    7 years ago

    Such a beautiful home! Love getting a peek (and gathering a few ideas along the way!)

    Reply
    • Suzanne W
      7 years ago AUTHOR

      Isn’t it? I love to see someone’s personality shine through in their home style.

      Reply

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