In our latest ‘Time Spent With’ series, we caught up with Hannah Otto to discuss all things DIY, home renovation projects and interiors style inspiration.
Please can you tell us a bit about yourself and your Instagram account.
I’m Hannah, and together with my husband and our three children, we are renovating a 400-year-old thatched cottage. I started using Instagram seven years ago (when we all just shared random pictures with dodgy filters!) and I have since documented the renovation of our first project, a Victorian mid-terrace, our second project, a 1930s semi-detached home and now here, a rambly old cottage in the middle of nowhere.
How would you describe your interior style?
My style has a neutral base with pops of colour and warm woods. I love earthy muted tones like blush pink, terracotta, ochre, and olive green, and tend to incorporate these throughout the house so everything flows and works well together. I love a mix of modern and vintage furniture, preferring to buy second hand (so it doesn’t matter if the kids wreck it!) and upcycle whenever I can.
Where do you find inspiration for your home interiors?
I find colour inspiration everywhere. From the story books I read to the kids, to artwork or colours in nature. I love looking on Pinterest and Instagram for styling and furniture ideas and enjoy looking at high-end designs and working out how I can interpret that in my own style more resourcefully.
What interior trends are you loving right now?
I love the current trend for a raw and honest finish. Clutter free lime wash walls, reclaimed tiles, natural wood, beaten up furniture and creased linens create a beautifully neutral but warm and timeless style. I always say that’s how I want our home to be, but then a lack of budget and love of colour get in the way!! Maybe when I’m a proper grown up it’ll happen!
Which is your favourite Newgate World Product?
I absolutely love our Newgate Mr Clarke Dot Wall Clock in Dark Wood as it ties in all the colours we use across the house into one piece.
What would you consider as your biggest interior mistake?
My biggest mistake is rushing into projects without doing the proper research. I make decisions quickly and once I have an idea, I don’t hang around to implement it! Most of the time I get away with it, but every now and then the project is more complicated or takes longer than it should because I make mistakes or don't have the right tools or supplies!
What is your proudest achievement to date?
I’m not sure, but three wonderful babies and renovating three houses in six years isn’t a bad start.
Are there any other Instagram accounts or bloggers that you’re inspired by?
My absolute favourites are @thevitamindprojec for her consistently stunning and considered aesthetic, @grillodesigns for amazing DIYs and budget friendly style ideas, @astylistguide for dreamy aspirational inspiration and @busolaevans for incredible kitchens and bathrooms.
What advice would you give to new homeowners or those undertaking new renovations and home projects?
Start off by listing all the jobs you would like or need to do, and then put them into an order of priority. Bear in mind that some jobs may need to happen before others (i.e. electrics before skimming) and be prepared to change your ‘order’ depending on the availability of tradesmen or if other unexpected jobs are uncovered. If it feels too overwhelming or costly, divide your jobs up again into phases and ignore anything that isn’t in your first phase.
Find more of Hannah’s inspirational style as well as DIY tips and tricks over on @theottohouse
