'I've mixed in JOYFUL COLOUR'

Finnish-born Anne blended a white interior with her love of vibrant decor to create an uplifting home that's a cheery take on Nordic style

- JANE CRITTENDEN

we outgrew our previous 1970s home and were keen to buy a bigger property in the nearby countryside but didn't W want to take on a building project,' says Anne. 'This newly renovated property was in immaculate condition and since I'm from Finland, I was drawn to the white walls and hardwood floors, which instantly reminded me of the tranquillity I feel in houses back home.

Although I love this minimalist look, I hadn't chosen the kitchen or the bathrooms and it felt too much like the previous owners' home. Christian and I are outgoing people and I felt strongly that I needed to express our personalities by using colours and prints without losing the sense of calm already here.

COME ON IN!

ABOUT ME I'm Anne Tiainen-Harris (@nordic livingincolour), 50, an interiors PR and business consultant. I live here with my husband Christian, 50, the MD of a digital marketing agency, and our daughters, Elsa, 16, and Hilda, 14.

MY HOME A six-bedroom 1920s house in the Chiltern Hills that we bought in November 2018.

WHEN WE MOVED IN The house was decorated white with wood flooring which had a grown-up and familiar Nordic look, but it lacked warmth.

AND NOW Colour and nature-inspired prints have made our home feel vibrant and playful with plenty of Nordic white space for balance.

STYLE TIP Pick two main colours for a room and add touches of a contrasting third with art, cushions and throws to energise the decor.

Where to start