An à la mode melting pot of ‘evolving relaxed luxury’, Claire Wainwright’s home – or The Green Eyed Girl – is certainly one to be green-eyed over. Her chosen pale, neutral palette strikes an elegant balance to period features like ornate coving and original fireplaces, making her home in Birmingham an utter delight to explore, especially to her devoted, 16,000-strong online following.
I love period properties; I didn’t need to do much at all to make it sing.
Brilliantly stamped with personality, Claire took her design cues from the Edwardian house itself. “I love period properties, and it is the house’s details that formed the basis of what I would do. I didn’t need to do much at all to make it sing, adding interest with colour, hunks of wood, monochrome artwork and luxe velvet and brass finishes.”
“I also like to create different moods throughout the house. For my open kitchen area I like the scent to be fresh, something citrus-based to cut through any cooking: Delicious Rhubarb & Rose Single-Wick Candle hits the right note.” On the other hand, the bedroom is treated as a serene sanctuary, “Coco & Sandalwood is the perfect bedroom scent for me, it smells like fresh washing on holiday – a winning combination!”
Re-charge Black Pepper is the perfect combination of spicy and uplifting.
The open kitchen-diner space is Claire’s favourite part of the house. “We gutted it all and extended it out to create a large open, bright space that looks out on to the garden. I also love that it blurs the indoors and outdoors.” With barbecue season on the horizon, Claire’s stunning garden and enviable pizza oven are certainly objects of desire. “Our garden has become such a great place to entertain; I’ve filled the area with pots of herbs and strung up lighting so it is really atmospheric, and the pizza is incredible!”
Fragrances play a key part in defining a sense of belonging. “The first thing I notice as I walk in the door is how my home smells! I have Gingerlily Aroma Reeds on the go at the moment and so many people comment on it as they walk in.
[My favourite Molton Brown fragrance] would have to be Re-charge Black Pepper, it’s the perfect combination of spicy and uplifting. I was introduced to it by a friend: we had such a brilliant time living together and have so many good memories. She would use the body wash each morning and fill the upstairs with the most delicious scent.”
Led by these fond memories, Black Peppercorn Three-Wick Candle now sits pride of place in Claire’s living room: “Even years later, every time I smell it I am transported back to those fun-filled months.”
