Made by Design

Ally and James’ unique perspectives and interiors background have resulted in a bold, impactful home with plenty of arty touches

- By Ellen Finch. Photographs by Katie Lee

Profile

The owners

Ally and James Dowsing Reynolds, who own home décor business Dowsing & Reynolds (dowsingandreynolds.com), and their daughter Emily, three

The property

A four-bed Grade II-listed Victorian end-of-terrace in Leeds

Project cost

£83,100

Designing a bespoke, functional kitchen is next on the list for Ally and James – in the meantime, James made the most of the room’s proportions to embrace dark colors. ‘When you have 3.5m high ceilings and big rooms, you can get away with them more easily,’ he says.

Handmade units, repainted in All Spruced Up; walls painted in All The Lights Out; Lanesborough pendant lights, all Dowsing & Reynolds. Splashback, made by James. Bar stools, Ally’s grandmas. Monkey fruit bowl, Hilary & Flo

Would you dare to go bold with your home décor? For many of us, the idea of a dark colour palette is a step too far out of our comfort zone. Despite the fact that dark walls can enhance the depth of a room and make it feel more cocooning, we’re often too nervous to take the plunge.