Houzz Tour: At Home With… Becky Freeman of The Spirited Puddle Jumper
Continuing our series visiting interiors bloggers at home, Becky Freeman opens up her Bromley house and talks about her inspirations
Lara Watson
30 June 2016
Houzz UK and Ireland Editorial Staff. My background is in creative lifestyle publishing and I'm currently a freelance writer/editor. I live in a converted dye factory in East London and am forever searching 'exposed brick' on Houzz.
Houzz UK and Ireland Editorial Staff. My background is in creative lifestyle publishing... More
Becky Freeman’s blog, The Spirited Puddle Jumper, is as it sounds – a joyous celebration of family-inspired fun, from interiors and crafts to food and travel. Freeman’s tone is friendly and easy to identify with, and that spills over into her interiors style, too, which is authentic with a nod to Scandinavian and retro elements. “I think it’s fine to follow trends, or aspects of trends,” she says. “But buying into an entire look for your home can leave it lacking in originality. I love to see people putting their own stamp on things and that’s what I try to do, too.”
COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
To celebrate some of the most creative and inspiring UK bloggers and their homes, we ask each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift that reflects their personal style. Becky has chosen a Goran Liljeberg Butterfly print from Graham & Green as this month’s prize. All you have to do to enter is comment below, telling us what you love about this home.
COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN
To celebrate some of the most creative and inspiring UK bloggers and their homes, we ask each blogger in this series to choose a giveaway gift that reflects their personal style. Becky has chosen a Goran Liljeberg Butterfly print from Graham & Green as this month’s prize. All you have to do to enter is comment below, telling us what you love about this home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Becky Freeman, her husband, Adam, and their two young children, Freddie and Sasha
Blog The Spirited Puddle Jumper
Property A 1930s terraced house
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Location West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley
Fridge, Smeg. Flooring in Walnut,Karndean. Kitchen units,Howdens.
White table and chairs, Ikea.
Who lives here Becky Freeman, her husband, Adam, and their two young children, Freddie and Sasha
Blog The Spirited Puddle Jumper
Property A 1930s terraced house
Size 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Location West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley
Fridge, Smeg. Flooring in Walnut,Karndean. Kitchen units,Howdens.
White table and chairs, Ikea.
What do we need to know about your blog?
It’s a predominantly family, interiors and lifestyle blog that I’d like to think is written in a down-to-earth and non-pretentious way. I like to write about our home and family life, and gradually more and more people have come along for the ride.
See more creative bloggers’ homes
It’s a predominantly family, interiors and lifestyle blog that I’d like to think is written in a down-to-earth and non-pretentious way. I like to write about our home and family life, and gradually more and more people have come along for the ride.
See more creative bloggers’ homes
What made you start blogging?
I’d always loved writing and being creative, having studied for a broadcast journalism degree and worked in PR in a previous life. I then went on to have two babies within 15 months, so didn’t return to work as planned, and while I loved being at home with them, I missed having something for “me”.
I’d always loved writing and being creative, having studied for a broadcast journalism degree and worked in PR in a previous life. I then went on to have two babies within 15 months, so didn’t return to work as planned, and while I loved being at home with them, I missed having something for “me”.
I’d begun reading largely US family blogs and thought, “I could do this!” so I gave it a go. I had a rubbish first two blogs (anyone heard of ‘Young, Hip and Homely’? No? You weren’t missing out!), then decided to set up a craft blog as The Spirited Puddle Jumper. This then morphed to include more and more home and interiors, as we set about renovating our house.
What’s your favourite spot in the house and why?
I absolutely love our kitchen-diner, which we created by knocking through. It really is the heart of the home. We can cook while the children play or draw at the table, and the French windows lead straight onto the decking area. It’s such a sociable space day or night, and there’s nothing better than having a glass of wine at the breakfast bar with friends with the doors open and someone else cooking for you!
I absolutely love our kitchen-diner, which we created by knocking through. It really is the heart of the home. We can cook while the children play or draw at the table, and the French windows lead straight onto the decking area. It’s such a sociable space day or night, and there’s nothing better than having a glass of wine at the breakfast bar with friends with the doors open and someone else cooking for you!
How long have you lived here and how did you and your house meet?
We’ve lived here for four years, and we first clapped eyes on the house via Rightmove. The pictures of it were so bad that I just wasn’t interested in viewing it for ages, until Adam persuaded me. Once we’d had a viewing, I could see the potential, and we decided to go for it.
We’ve lived here for four years, and we first clapped eyes on the house via Rightmove. The pictures of it were so bad that I just wasn’t interested in viewing it for ages, until Adam persuaded me. Once we’d had a viewing, I could see the potential, and we decided to go for it.
Do you have a design rule you live by?
Not really, I just buy what I like at the time, but I’m definitely inspired by magazines and websites. I think it’s nice to have a few quirky pieces and be original in some ways, even if you’re going for an overall theme or style. It means a room dates better, too.
Purple sofa, DFS.
Not really, I just buy what I like at the time, but I’m definitely inspired by magazines and websites. I think it’s nice to have a few quirky pieces and be original in some ways, even if you’re going for an overall theme or style. It means a room dates better, too.
Purple sofa, DFS.
What’s your proudest DIY achievement?
Finding our fireplace in a charity shop for £50, restoring it and painting it black. I feel pleased at the bargain aspect every time I look at it.
Deer head vase, Anthropologie. Circular mirror, Marks and Spencer.
Finding our fireplace in a charity shop for £50, restoring it and painting it black. I feel pleased at the bargain aspect every time I look at it.
Deer head vase, Anthropologie. Circular mirror, Marks and Spencer.
What makes you happiest at home?
Being with my family and just pottering around the house. Or, if I have any child-free time, I love a nice coffee with a book on the sofa.
Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball. Leather chair, DFS.
Being with my family and just pottering around the house. Or, if I have any child-free time, I love a nice coffee with a book on the sofa.
Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball. Leather chair, DFS.
What’s your next big decorating project?
We’ve pretty much finished decorating in terms of the painting, but there are still lots of pictures and prints to put up. I’m also tempted to change the colour of the living room slightly as, while I love grey, I do wonder if it’s too dark and could do with a lighter shade. It’s just a case of summoning up the energy to do so though.
We’ve pretty much finished decorating in terms of the painting, but there are still lots of pictures and prints to put up. I’m also tempted to change the colour of the living room slightly as, while I love grey, I do wonder if it’s too dark and could do with a lighter shade. It’s just a case of summoning up the energy to do so though.
Desk and drawer unit, Alex range at Ikea. Yellow Eames chair, eBay. Superhero paper bag, Tellkiddo at Etsy. Ball string lights, Flying Tiger Copenhagen. Wooden crate, Not On The High Street.
See more white home offices
See more white home offices
What do you think is the next big interiors trend and why?
I honestly have no idea, but I’m pushing for avocado bathroom suites to make a comeback, in both old and new guises. I think they could look great with some slick white tiles and nice flooring! I wrote a blog post on this a little while ago, though, and people weren’t agreeing with me…
I honestly have no idea, but I’m pushing for avocado bathroom suites to make a comeback, in both old and new guises. I think they could look great with some slick white tiles and nice flooring! I wrote a blog post on this a little while ago, though, and people weren’t agreeing with me…
What’s your key to a happy, healthy lifestyle?
Keep busy but not too busy, and eat well. I love having lots going on work- and social-wise, but you have to be careful it doesn’t tip over into stress.
Going regularly to the gym, or for a swim or a run, always helps me rebalance my mindset again. Oh, and laugh and have fun as much as possible.
Butterfly prints, eBay.
Keep busy but not too busy, and eat well. I love having lots going on work- and social-wise, but you have to be careful it doesn’t tip over into stress.
Going regularly to the gym, or for a swim or a run, always helps me rebalance my mindset again. Oh, and laugh and have fun as much as possible.
Butterfly prints, eBay.
What was the house like when you first moved in?
Grim! The previous owners had been there for 10 years, but were more “garden” people, so had done hardly anything to the house. The décor was appalling, with dodgy electrics and light switches in weird places, and the dining room was separate from the tiny galley kitchen.
Bath, eBay. Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball. Tiles, Topps Tiles.
Grim! The previous owners had been there for 10 years, but were more “garden” people, so had done hardly anything to the house. The décor was appalling, with dodgy electrics and light switches in weird places, and the dining room was separate from the tiny galley kitchen.
Bath, eBay. Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball. Tiles, Topps Tiles.
The bathroom was the worst, though – it hadn’t been touched for donkey’s years. The shower produced such a loud noise, it made our then 12-month-old son Freddie cry!
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
I usually have a small person in my face from 6am, which still scares me every time, even though I should be used to it by now. I’d like to say I do something healthy and enlightening, but in reality I roll into the shower and then head downstairs for a coffee.
I usually have a small person in my face from 6am, which still scares me every time, even though I should be used to it by now. I’d like to say I do something healthy and enlightening, but in reality I roll into the shower and then head downstairs for a coffee.
What do you love to do on Sunday afternoons?
If we’re not out and about visiting somewhere like the Science Museum, or at the park with the children on their bikes, we love hanging out at home. Sometimes we have friends over for a roast or barbecue and lots of red wine, but otherwise we just really enjoying playing with the children. We’re so busy with work/school/preschool during the week, that it’s nice just to be together.
Wallpaper, Hibou Home at Not On The High Street. Wooden play shop and theatre, Great Little Trading Co. Car mat, Ikea. Miffy light, Nubie at Not On The High Street.
If we’re not out and about visiting somewhere like the Science Museum, or at the park with the children on their bikes, we love hanging out at home. Sometimes we have friends over for a roast or barbecue and lots of red wine, but otherwise we just really enjoying playing with the children. We’re so busy with work/school/preschool during the week, that it’s nice just to be together.
Wallpaper, Hibou Home at Not On The High Street. Wooden play shop and theatre, Great Little Trading Co. Car mat, Ikea. Miffy light, Nubie at Not On The High Street.
Is there anything you couldn’t live without?
My family and friends. And I hate to say this, but my phone and laptop, and family photos. Everything else I could get by without I think.
Storage, Ikea. Rug, Benuta.
TELL US:
Are you a UK or Irish interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com or irelandeditor@houzz.com.
My family and friends. And I hate to say this, but my phone and laptop, and family photos. Everything else I could get by without I think.
Storage, Ikea. Rug, Benuta.
TELL US:
Are you a UK or Irish interiors blogger? Talk to us! If you’d like to submit your home for this series, please send details to ukeditor@houzz.com or irelandeditor@houzz.com.
Take a look at Becky’s blog here.
COMMENT TO WIN
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is post a comment below on what you love about Becky’s home. A randomly drawn entry from all comments that were submitted in the contest period and approved by Houzz UK Ltd will determine this month’s prize winner. Approved comments will be included in the draw automatically. The prize winner will receive a GoranLiljeberg Butterfly print from Graham & Green. If out of stock, a gift voucher will be issued. Closing date 23.59pm on July 21st 2016. View the full competition T&Cs here.
COMMENT TO WIN
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is post a comment below on what you love about Becky’s home. A randomly drawn entry from all comments that were submitted in the contest period and approved by Houzz UK Ltd will determine this month’s prize winner. Approved comments will be included in the draw automatically. The prize winner will receive a GoranLiljeberg Butterfly print from Graham & Green. If out of stock, a gift voucher will be issued. Closing date 23.59pm on July 21st 2016. View the full competition T&Cs here.
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P.S. Especially love your big tan leather armchair! Makes me wanna pull one of those books off the shelf and curl up in it!
I love that it is clean, modern and white and yet still retains the element of a family home that is lived in and cosy