The Unique & Glamorous Maximalist Home of Sarah Parmenter Upcyclist Extraordinaire​

We’re kickstarting a new month with June’s @greathomestaketime winner Sarah Parmenter’s aka Reloved MCR unique and glamorous maximalist home. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Sarah’s eclectic style and decor. Inspiration can take on so many forms and today your in for a treat. From the overall aesthetic of interior details to understanding the freedom of expression, Sarah’s home has it all.

The Unique & Glamorous Maximalist Home of Sarah Parmenter Upcyclist Extraordinaire​

Sarah’s home is filled with her love of the unique and the affordable. There’s also her journey of transforming unloved furniture pieces into glamorous one-off designs. Having seen them first hand, I have to say I’m in awe of Sarah’s skillset.

For me, understanding a little about the person goes hand in hand with the decor choices they make. And whilst we might take visual inspiration from the countless images of interiors available to us, there’s so much more that we can learn than from just the aesthetic touches.

About The Super Glamorous Sarah Parmenter

How we decorate and use our homes can often be down to outside influences. However, being true to yourself rather than relying on the latest trends, helps create a home that is truly unique to you. Sarah’s home is as individual as she is. As well as being an example of how our lifestyles have a way of embedding themselves into our decor.

With a professional PR consultancy career spanning over 20 years in various creative industries, such as beauty, property, fashion and lifestyle it comes as no surprise that Sarah has had first-hand experience of the power of the aesthetic and how it can be transformational.

When I’m not copywriting and meddling in media relations, I’m up-cycling what many others regard as tatty, dated, unlovable furniture.  

Sarah Parmenter -Reloved MCR

Upcyclist Extraordinaire

Hobbies and interests can cross over into our homes too. Sarah’s award-winning established career in PR and her venture into upcycled unique furniture pieces ensure her home is a true expression of those that live there.

I started up-cycling vintage furniture for my home, partly because I’m too tight to buy on the high steet and partly because I hate owning mass-produced, eat the world, soul-less items which half the population also own.  I wanted quirky and individual, well-made pieces which I could actually afford.

Sarah Parmenter – Reloved MCR

Sarah’s skillset knows no boundaries. Her lifelong love affair of sourcing vintage finds for pennies not pounds began as a youngster. And with a father who instilled her DIY skills at a young age, Sarah’s passion for upcycling was a natural progression into a part-time career, creating one-off design pieces that add value and character.

Upcycletherapy

There’s more to Sarah’s amazing upcycling than at first sight. Sarah’s upcycling skillset really came into its own when her eldest son Archie was born. After a traumatic premature birth, Archie was born with a serious brain injury. Several months later, Archie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and complex learning difficulties. With a bleak prognosis of mobility and communication issues and life long severe seizures, understandably, Sarah found herself in a downward spiral with bouts of severe depression, anxiety and insomnia for the first time in her life.

Ultimately, the motivation to dedicate more time to up-cycling has been driven by the discovery that indulging in the right creative outlet can help manage depression and anxiety.

Sarah Parmenter – Reloved MRC

Where once upcycling was a hobby, Sarah discovered that the process of stripping back a piece and skillfully applying paint and paper became a form of natural therapy. The upcycling process is all-absorbing and one that connects with her adoration of glamour, adornment, people and places.

That was over fifteen years ago and if you’ve followed Sarah on Instagram, as I have, you’ll know just how far Archie has come. He is truly a formidable character who has surpassed all expectations and prognosis. Embracing life with full vigour, regardless of the daily challenges he faces. Archie is an inspiration to us all!   

On a personal note, I can completely relate to the need to find inner peace and balance having being diagnosed with M.E. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and having my world turned upside down. For me, I turned to my love of interiors and found myself throwing myself into studying Interior Design and coming out the other side with a degree. Finding something that allows you to breathe again as a person is truly part of the healing process and helps you to reconnect with who you are as a person.

The Unique & Glamorous Maximalist Home of Sarah Parmenter Upcyclist Extraordinaire​

Sarah’s Unique & Glamorous Maximalist Style

A self-confessed natural-born maximalist at heart, Sarah embraces every interior detail imaginable. From the sumptuous wallpapers adorning her walls and artistic upcycled furniture to the array of textiles that create opulent spaces that have a bohemian edge to them. Sarah has mastered the art of creating a home that’s full of character and personality.

What makes Sarah’s home ultimately zing is her use of texture and surface pattern which she has used throughout her home. They simply make her home shine as they take centre stage.

Layering Textures

A limited colour palette allows the layers of texture and pattern to become the shining stars in Sarah’s home. Layering and variety is key to creating interest and also helps the eye travel around a room.

Style Tip: Try not to overload the senses when layering different textures. The trick is to limit how many you use and vary them. Sarah’s gorgeous bedroom is a great example. From the use of sheepskin stool to the silk blinds, each key piece draws the eye. Too much and you’ll feel overwhelmed. Balance and contrast are key when introducing textures to a room.

Pattern Play

Introducing pattern can be daunting for some. Here, Sarah has combined her love of animal print with softer florals. Whilst you might not think this combination would work, they do by the clever use of colour. For example, the pink from the zebra footstool is picked up through the floral designs throughout her living room space. Again, like Sarah’s use of texture, her clever use of pattern creates interest and draws the eye around the room.

Style Tip: Use colour to connect unrelated patterns to create a cohesive feel and look to a room.

Decorative Lighting

Sarah also understands the importance of lighting when it comes to creating a home. We’re naturally drawn to the brightest point in any room, and carefully positioned lighting will draw your eye around a room.

Style Tip: Take inspiration from Sarah’s home by using decorative lighting to add more textural qualities and interest. This also draws the eye to various points around the room. This is particularly useful in open plan areas as it helps reenforce zoned areas.

Being True to Yourself

What I love about homes like Sarah’s is that there is a loud and clear message of adorning our homes with what ultimately fills us with joy. They’re not validated by others or trends.

Functionality and practicalities aside, our homes should be places that we connect with on a much deeper meaningful level. Walking into a room should arouse feelings of happiness and a love of that space. Allowing yourself the freedom to express yourself as Sarah has in her family home will ensure that you’ll have a home that you’ll not only love but one that connects with you on a personal level too.

Being true to yourselves when it comes to our homes and decor, ensures you ultimately end up with a home that is unique and personal to you. Adding personality, character and objects of your own personal desire should be your objective.

The Interior Editor

As someone who is constantly on the receiving end of current interior trends, what’s hot and what’s new it could be easy for me to fall into the trap of thinking that this is the mainstay. The reality is, we don’t all conform or fit into nice little neat boxes. Go with what you love and what brings you joy.

Whilst Sarah continues to freelance as a PR consultant, upcycling has become an integral part of her week. Her designs are truly unique as is Sarah. A wonderful, person inside and out. I am lucky to have met her in person. I’d highly recommend giving her a follow here and of course her amazing Reloved MRC site here.

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s The Unique & Glamorous Maximalist Home of Sarah Parmenter Upcyclist Extraordinaire​. And don’t forget if you’d like your home featured, play along with @Greathomestaketime over on Instagram and follow all our hosts!

Until next time, thanks as always for stopping by!

Maria xx