Christmas Collector

Words: Alison Gibb | Photography: Douglas Gibb


A self-confessed magpie, Clare Blacklaw admits to being quite impulsive when it comes to her decor.

Clare and Steven moved into the flat in 2017 from a smaller period property nearby. ‘We loved the feeling of space and the sense of community in the development,’ Clare shares. ‘The flats have been built colony style with outside stairs to the upper flats, both the downstairs and upstairs flats have their own garden but there are communal spaces as well.’ You enter Clare and Steven’s home on the bedroom level and head upstairs to a fabulous, light-filled, open-plan living and dining area with a separate kitchen and a study area. ‘The study area was a godsend during lockdown, when my husband was working from home, and we were home schooling our eldest two and we had a toddler,’ Clare admits.

When they first moved in the decor was completely neutral and Clare knew she wanted to personalise it quickly. ‘I am very instinctive when it comes to interiors, I do not overthink, I just get on with it,’ Clare admits. She effortlessly puts together intriguing vignettes, using upcycled pieces she has found in junk shops and painted in eclectic colours ranging from bold deep emerald to delicate dusky pinks. ‘I have used several key shades repeatedly for continuity though. I am a very impulsive collector: if I see a colourful object that I like I just buy it and add it to a display, so I need to beware of being too eclectic,’ she laughs. ‘I cannot stop buying little ceramic houses that you can light up with tea lights for a cosy glow at Christmas, I cannot resist them!’

There is method behind her eclecticism: Clare loves a project. She herself installed the fire surround that Steven’s mother passed on to them, wanting to create a focal point in the spacious, loft style living-room. She has added colourful accent walls and painted radiator covers throughout the flat and sanded and stained the staircase an uplifting array of pastel hues to add warmth to the very heart of their home, and to ensure it is as attractive and colourful as possible. ‘I have made some bold choices, certainly, but have also made an effort to stick to a palette that I knew worked well for a cohesive result,’ Clare explains.

The children’s rooms are spacious and double as playrooms. They have been decorated with a sense of fun, but Clare has avoided obvious themes. ‘I wanted their rooms to be fairly timeless, they grow up so fast,’ she rues. Painting the walls to wainscot height has added character to their rooms but the contemporary identity of the apartment has been retained.

I am very instinctive when it comes to interiors, I do not overthink, I just get on with it.

The Christmas tree is from Homebase, and over the years Clare has collected a stunning selection of decorations from TK Maxx, a favourite hunting ground for Clare and all interior magpies. ‘Christmas always includes a big family meal around the dining table, my mum, brother, and grandmother all join us. I like to cook and do a fairly traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, although Steve makes the starter as it’s become a favourite in our family, cheddar & broccoli soup,’ Clare shares. ‘I usually make a couple of desserts, favourites being chocolate orange trifle and sticky toffee pudding.’

They put out the stockings on Christmas Eve with the kids and leave out a mince pie and a drink for Santa, then all open presents on Christmas Day morning. Overall, it’s informal and relaxed. ‘We visit Steve’s family on either Boxing Day or New Year’s Day, depending on when his mother is working,’ Clare explains, ‘She works in a hospital so doesn’t get lots of time off over the festive period.’ Clare and Steven typically spend New Year’s Eve at home since having children. ‘We watch a movie and have a nice meal, then we watch the fireworks from Edinburgh Castle as we have a great view from our living-room window!’