'Murals create SUPER IMPACT'

Being a tenant shouldn't stop you making a statement, as Avalana Simpson has proved in her opulent Far Eastinspired scheme

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I’m Avalana Simpson, owner of Avalana Design (find me @avalana_design). I rent a three-bedroom 1930s semi in Astley, Manchester, with my husband Derek, owner of Yoi Scissors, and our dogs Zak, Deggy, Vinny and Kasper.

THE CHALLENGE As I am a designer of wallpaper, the first thing that had to go was the out-dated Laura Ashley cream and lilac floral wallpaper in the alcoves. I also wanted to get rid of the cream curtains, which cut off the bay window and made the room feel smaller.

MY WISH LIST I started with an Eastern-style wall mural and went on to introduce rich jewel tones with vibrant velvet furniture and cushions.

It was 2018 when we moved from Salford to this larger rented house further out of Manchester,’ says Avalana. ‘The location is handy for my husband Derek’s mobile hairdresser’s scissor business. And, as I’d just started my own business, Avalana Design, specialising in wallpaper murals, cushions, lampshades and art prints, I needed a space to double up as a showroom.

I wanted somewhere that I could show off my products to clients and so the living room was first on the agenda for us to decorate. Later on, I started using our third bedroom as an office and the conservatory has become my studio.

Starting point