The Warm & Inviting Modern Rustic Family Home Of Hayley Reay

Our first Home Tour of the year is Great Homes Take Time winner Hayley Reay. Hayley’s relaxed style is perfect for creating a warm and inviting home that’s capable of taking all the knocks and bangs that family life has to throw at it. It’s also an inspirational home for those of you that prefer neutral shades in your homes. Allowing texture do all the singing and dancing to make it shine. Definitely my kind of home and one that I hope you’ll enjoy having a nosey around too.

The Warm & Inviting Modern Rustic Family Home Of Hayley Reay

Hayleys family home is anything but typical of the many 3-bed semi-detached homes that we have all been in. Her decor choices and ultimately her styling has turned this into a wonderful home akin to an Aladdin’s cave. Her curated collections of old and new curiosities provide interest and personality of those that live there. Breathing life into every corner of and making it their own.

About…

Hayley bought her 3-bed semi-detached home 15 years ago with her husband in the north east of England. Now their family has extended to four, the quiet safe leafy area with friendly neighbours has paid off in terms of location. Location being key to creating a happy home is something that we all hear a lot of and this certainly is true in Hayley’s case.

Hayley joined Instagram around 18 months ago as it was an easier way of explaining to people her love of interiors rather than saying, I love cushions! I think there will be a few of you that this will resonate with myself included. I still see family and friends faces eyes mist over whenever I start to mention anything interior related. You can follow Hayley’s amazing home here.

It also happens to be her first and only foray into social media. Like so many, Hayley has found so much inspiration on Instagram. And uses it to inspire her creativity and connect with others who have the same interest and passion, although never to replicate.

My love for interiors started young. My mother was a serial re-decorator! She would wallpaper around me as I played with my toys. I would watch, and then go off and restyle my bedroom! As a child of the 70’s and 80’s, it was all about the big statement, the brown patterned wallpaper, the large palm prints, the Ercol furniture and the plants.

When Hayley viewed the house she instantly fell in love with the view from the dining room window, out into the garden. And I’m not surprised, it’s a beautiful garden.

Now there are 4 of us, and having a young family, our home is definitely not perfect all of the time. Things migrate from all over the house and end up where they shouldn’t be! I am a tidy person and scoop them into their rightful place as I pass by, so manage it quite well.

Travel Inspired…

Travel has made a big impact on Hayley’s interior style. Her first visit to Italy as a teenager found her falling in love with all things gold and ornate as well as a love for architecture. She also believe that every room should have a piece which gives it the WOW factor.

My interior style has been influenced by other countries, such as Spain, for the use of natural materials, and Dubai. One place which I like to look at on Instagram is Texas, it is such an inspirational place. I like to also follow magazine and hotel pages.

Display aka Faffing

If there is one thing you can take inspiration from it’s Hayley’s ability to create the most beautiful vignettes. They’re perfect for showing off her treasured possessions.

Vignettes are also a brilliant way to apply a quick refresh and update your home especially through the seasons such as Christmas. As you can see from Hayley’s styling from the above two images it’s easily achieved too.

Tip: Create vignettes of your curated treasures by collating with similar colours, pattern and texture. And don’t forget to leave some empty space in between to allow the eye to rest.

Everywhere in Hayley’s home is styled and beautifully curated. I particularly love the mini clipboards with art attached (above). Such a simple and effective way to hang and swap up art or photos etc.

Hayley has even applied her fab styling skills to her children’s bedrooms too.

I feel that your home should reflect your personality. Mine is such a mix of styles, which I try my best to pull together. I like natural tones, materials and textures as well as rustic, industrial, opulent and hygge. I love to find original and unique treasures and bargains, from markets and pre-loved stores. I style and restyle according to the seasons, changing up accessories and adding seasonal plants.

Cushions Galore!

Hayley is a self-confessed cushion lover and I don’t blame her. They’re the perfect way to add texture, pattern and colour to your homes. And no, they don’t have to match. It’s a less formal way to use them and helps create those cosy family vibes. I say the more the merrier.

TIP: Cushions and throws provide the ideal opportunity to experiment with colour and pattern. They’re also great for lifting neutral decor by playing around with different contrasting surface materials. Think velvets with linens for example. The more you apply textural details the more you add visual interest to a room, the more the room comes alive.

Don’t just stop at the living room either. Bedrooms are a great place to add cushions and a throw or two to add warm and welcoming vibes as well as interest. I’m particularly smitten with Hayley’s pompom cushion above.

Crazy Loving Plant Lady

Hayley is a girl after my own heart when it comes to being a lover of plants in the home. They form part of the decor in their own right adding wonderful texture and interest with their different forms.

On A Tight Budget No Problem…

Luckily for Hayley, her husband is skilled at DIY and can turn his hand to any of her requests. They’ve literally updated their home all by themselves. A great way to save money. And I’m sure you’ll agree with me, there must be a huge sense of achievement with the home they have created for themselves and their young family.

Want To Be Featured?

I’ll leave you with Hayley’s wise words below and if you would like a chance to have your home featured here and win an Etsy voucher, feel free to join in with Greathomestaketime over on Instagram. And don’t forget to give Hayley a follow to see more of her wonderful home. You can check her out here.

“It is easy to be influenced and strive to change things immediately when you have so much inspiration on a platform like Instagram. But it is not always financially and physically possible to achieve that. This is why the hashtag #greathomestaketime caught my attention and I began to use it. As I believe that message is so true.”

Until next time, thanks for stopping by!

Maria xx