# My Colourful House Has Transformed the Way I Dress **URL:** \ **Category:** News\ **Created:** [August 24, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299 "2025-08-24T19:13:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Onyxx](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Onyxx](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Onyxx)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 7:13pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/1 "2025-08-24T19:13:58Z")
# How One Bold Renovation Turned a Monochrome Flat Into a Joyful, Colorful Home ![image](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/5/5ff9a944f0e307d9563f628fcc7b3bb66c536930.png) **Ana Estrougo** , founder of _The Octopus Club_ - a marketplace for second-hand baby clothes and toys - once lived in a minimalist, grey-toned flat near Tower Bridge. But after the birth of her son and a move to Richmond, she envisioned something completely different: a home alive with joy, creativity, and fearless use of color. What followed was a **vibrant home renovation** that transformed both her living space and her outlook on life. * * * ## From Monochrome to Vibrant Interiors Ana’s renovation flipped the script on neutral design. Every wall, door, and stair shifted from muted greys to a palette bursting with **plaster-pink walls** and **striking yellow doors and staircases**. Even the exterior received a bold coat of yellow, offering a cheerful welcome to all who visit. The result: a playful, stimulating home that radiates energy and personality. * * * ## Sustainable Design With Heart This project wasn’t just about aesthetics - it was rooted in **sustainability and thoughtful choices**. - **Energy upgrades:** insulation improvements, double- and triple-glazed windows, and a heat-pump–ready system ensure long-term comfort. - **Creative reuse:** Ana reimaginedexisting materials. Brazilian green granite remnants became bathroom counters and shelves. Leftover tiles, paints, and even surplus bricks were cleverly repurposed. a technique she fondly calls _“crumble.”_ Her approach proves that sustainable renovation can be stylish, affordable, and deeply personal. * * * ## Budget-Friendly Choices With Personality Ana struck a balance between budget and design impact. - **Kitchen:** Ikea’s reliable **METOD** base units provided structure, while colorful, sustainably made fronts from UK maker **HØLTE** added flair. - **Finishing touches:** small-batch producers supplied the details—sleek handles from **Swarf** and eco-conscious, low-VOC paints from **Little Greene**. Every choice carried both character and consciousness. * * * ## Second-Hand Furniture: Smart, Sustainable, Stylish Nearly all the loose furniture came from second-hand finds, giving the home a curated and lived-in authenticity. Standout pieces included mid-century gems and a repurposed **Ercol coffee table** fashioned from her old dining table. Ana also made savvy use of trade discounts and outlet deals, choosing durable items, like an iron bath; that blended quality with practicality. This mix of second-hand treasures and smart buying strategies made the home unique while keeping costs in check. * * * ## Living With Color: A Personal Transformation Perhaps the most surprising outcome was how this colorful home influenced Ana herself. > _“I’m so much more adventurous in using colour in my life after I took the plunge and did the house like this,”_ she reflects. Her home didn’t just change her surroundings. It reshaped her sense of style, inspiring her to experiment with bolder clothing and self-expression. * * * ## Why Color Matters in Design Ana’s story highlights how our **living environments shape our emotions and confidence**. Bright colors can act as a catalyst for creativity and joy; an idea mirrored in the growing trend of **dopamine dressing** , where vibrant clothing is worn to uplift spirits. Similar examples abound: - In Glasgow, a woman embraced orange in every aspect of her life - from home to hair - as a source of energy and identity. - In Paris, designer **Nicolas Payet** turned a compact apartment into a creative, colorful haven, proving that even small spaces can benefit from bold hues. * * * ## Key Takeaways for Your Own Home - Don’t fear **color**! It can transform not just your interiors, but your mood. - Mix **second-hand finds** with clever upgrades for sustainable, character-rich design. - Think beyond aesthetics: **reuse, repurpose, and insulate** for comfort and long-term value. - Let your home reflect your personality. It might just inspire personal growth in unexpected ways. * * * Ana Estrougo’s renovation is more than a makeover …it’s a reminder that **home design is deeply personal**. With creativity, sustainability, and a willingness to embrace bold choices, any space can become a true reflection of joy and individuality. ---
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Brown](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/michelle_brown/32/2325_2.png) [@Michelle\_Brown](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Michelle_Brown)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/2 "2025-08-24T20:46:10Z")
Thanks for sharing this ---
**Author:** ![Joyboy03j](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/joyboy03j/32/2900_2.png) [@Joyboy03j](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Joyboy03j)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/3 "2025-08-24T21:05:21Z")
What a great story man ---
**Author:** ![Lexi\_Carter1](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/lexi_carter1/32/2767_2.png) [@Lexi\_Carter1](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Lexi_Carter1)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/4 "2025-08-24T22:10:30Z")
Thanks for sharing this. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_Michael1](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/tim_michael1/32/6294_2.png) [@Tim\_Michael1](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Tim_Michael1)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/5 "2025-08-24T22:55:46Z")
Good job brother Onyx Thanks ---
**Author:** ![BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/buildersltd/32/14872_2.png) [@BuildersLTD](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/BuildersLTD)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 11:55am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/6 "2025-08-25T11:55:03Z")
I love her quote “home design is deeply personal”. This is true beyond all measures - good job Ana! ---
**Author:** ![Meta\_maven0](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/meta_maven0/32/2091_2.png) [@Meta\_maven0](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Meta_maven0)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 12:07pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/7 "2025-08-25T12:07:07Z")
Thanks for the highlight buddy it means a lot ---
**Author:** ![Theodore\_3456](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/theodore_3456/32/2821_2.png) [@Theodore\_3456](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Theodore_3456)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2025, 5:34pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/8 "2025-08-25T17:34:42Z")
This is really wonderful mate 👏🏾 ---
**Author:** ![Bobby\_Michael](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/bobby_michael/32/2057_2.png) [@Bobby\_Michael](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Bobby_Michael)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 8:55pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/9 "2025-09-18T20:55:06Z")
I’m so glad you came up with this mate ---
**Author:** ![Muller](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Muller](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Muller)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:23am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/10 "2026-01-06T02:23:36Z")
Thanks for sharing mate, I’ll work on this ---
**Author:** ![MichaelRobert](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MichaelRobert](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/MichaelRobert)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/11 "2026-01-06T02:24:08Z")
Nice renovation insight man ---
**Author:** ![Marz0\_1](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/marz0_1/32/15056_2.png) [@Marz0\_1](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Marz0_1)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/my-colourful-house-has-transformed-the-way-i-dress/23299/12 "2026-01-10T09:09:08Z")
Thanks for the tip bro