I first connected with designer and columnist Peter Irvine from @thewhitehome through a mutual friend Joanne Hardcastle, another fabulous homeowner whose home I’ve had the pleasure of writing about a couple of times for Reclaim magazine. Be sure to check out my home tour of ultra-opulent ‘Hardcastle Towers’ next.
When Joanne appeared on series 4 of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters, Peter was another of the talented designers on the show and she put me in touch with him. Straight away, I knew we would get on – his minimalistic style mirrors my own love of crisp white walls and subtle texture – so I was excited to write about his inspirational home, and to steal some of his decor tricks for myself!
The first thing I spotted when I browsed Peter’s photos of his peaceful home was the kitchen. The hand-built, Mediterranean-style plastered cupboards were finished with doors made from upcycled pallet wood. Considering I’d completed a plethora of pallet projects for my own home and garden, I knew this was a person after my own heart.
I loved how such a simple material could be made to look so luxe by Peter. The kitchen is elevated by a stone trough sink, tiled worktop and golden hardware, which enhance the handmade nature of the built-in units. I especially loved the little cubby holes crafted solely to display the ceramic hen Peter inherited from his grandparents – such a heartwarming touch.
The bedrooms are possibly some of the most restful spaces I’ve ever seen. I’m sure I’d have no trouble relaxing in a room filled with natural wood grains, linen and moss-green walls. And what a clever idea to use a slice of live-edge timber as a headboard that spans twin beds – definitely a design trick that’s worth emulating in your own home.
Another characteristic of the home is that it’s filled with vintage and reclaimed finds. Secondhand furniture and heirloom pieces sit beside contemporary yet textured designs, such as the chic sofa and rattan unit, to create an eclectic interior that both elevates off-the-shelf designs and subtly modernises old, rustic pieces.
There’s not a single room in Peter’s home that hasn’t been completely transformed by a DIY project. From the living room’s Spanish-inspired fireplace and the plastered basin stand in the bathroom to the polished concrete floors that Peter and his partner poured themselves, it’s inspiring to see how such a luxurious look can be achieved on a budget if you’re willing to give it a go yourself.
You can probably tell that I was a big fan of this home when I wrote about it and it’s no exaggeration when I say that it looked stunning in the magazine; Peter’s beautiful photos shone from the pages and I felt that the ‘Get the Look’ section I put together for the issue truly reflected his unique style.
Peter has since gone on to star in Virgin Media’s Salvage Squad and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted him in the Behind The Screens documentary on ITVX. My article in Reclaim magazine also made a brief appearance in that show, so I definitely owe him one for showing that clip!
If you’d like to read the article I wrote about The White Home for Reclaim magazine, you can find it in the back issue archive in Issue 88. And please let me know what you love about Peter’s home in the comments below – I’d love to hear what hacks you’re taking inspiration from for your own home. 🙂
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