I can’t bear for everything to totally match

Redesigning her house has given Susie Ember the chance to display her collections of everything from toadstools to tea cups

Feature Stephanie Smith Photos David Giles

Good idea

Opt for wooden doors rather than aluminium bi-folds for an authentic Thirties feel

Living area

‘This was a bit of a nothing room, which was hardly used before we took the wall down between this and the dining room. It’s brought so much more light in, and now it’s a really popular spot for us to sit, plus I can keep an eye on the kids at the table.’

‘Textures are really important to me – things should feel nice as well as look good’

Welcome to my home

A bit about me

I’m Susie Ember, and I live with my husband, Nick, our children, Betsy, eight, Gabriel, five, and cats Buckley and Bebe.

Where I live

Our home is a fourbedroom 1930s semi in Willesden, North West London.

What I wanted to change

It was all dismal and dated and needed a big injection of character and colour. The downstairs just didn’t work with separate rooms keeping us apart.

How I made it my own

I’ve been sympathetic to the age of the house, using 1930s colours and styles, rather than a contemporary look, particularly in the bathrooms.

My favourite part

The newly created kitchen/dining/living space because there’s now so much room. We can cook, eat, chat and relax here.