In Conversation with Sara Mungeam, Interior Stylist and Content Creator behind @houseobsessed
Mylands has been based in Lambeth, London, since it was founded in 1884. This series looks to celebrate our local partners within the Lambeth community and discover their stories.
Sara Mungeam's story begins in property development. Seeking a change in career whilst balancing a family at the same time, Sara's love for properties is what spurred her on to move into development. First alongside a friend, together they renovated properties before Sara started standalone with her own projects. Thus began @houseobsessed, an Instagram account that currently has 130k following, documenting Sara's projects; sharing her journey and learnings; and showcasing her design choices to a wider audience who seek advice and knowledge.
Mylands was invited to Sara's South London home to learn more about her design decision making process, love for property development and the Mylands colours featured throughout her home.
Thank you for inviting us to your home, Sara. Tell us a bit more about the property and where you drew your inspiration from for decorating it?
Having a background in property development and renovations, you’re constantly on the look-out for inspiration and you’re able to try out so many different things in the different projects and spaces. I have never been one to rinse and repeat designs - I always like to do something different and, in any case, it’s important to be true to the era of the building, whether it’s e.g. a period home or a modern, architectural new-build.
When it came to my current home, I wanted to reflect the modern build in the interior. I’ve become a huge fan of Australian and New Zealand modern architecture over the past few years and am drawn to a very modern minimalist aesthetic, using natural materials and textures rather than loud colours and pattern.
What would you advise for someone looking to embrace a modern aesthetic?
For me, it’s the small details that make an interior timeless; these are the things you might not immediately notice, like flush skirtings and architraves, shadow gaps, recessed curtain tracks and datums (or lines) that flow around a room. All of these help to create a calming space, as does having consistent, repetitive themes throughout a house, such as colours, textures, materials and finishes.
Sara Mungeam, interior stylist and content creator behind popular account @houseobsessed on Instagram
Kitchen counter top in Messel™ No.39 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell
"For me, it’s the small details that make an interior timeless; these are the things you might not immediately notice, [...] All of these help to create a calming space, as does having consistent, repetitive themes throughout a house, such as colours, textures, materials and finishes." - Sara Mungeam
Can you give any advice on how you pick these details to highlight around the home?
I’m constantly scouring for inspiration – be that in physical locations I visit, online or in print publications. I collate ideas to refer back to at a later date, creating mood boards to visualise combinations of materials and design elements.
Interrogating the floorplan is also essential early-on in the build. I visualise myself moving through and using the space and plot out where key pieces of furniture will go so that I can work out where all the essentials (such as electrics) need to be positioned. Another big thing to plan out early is storage, as this is essential to create a calm and uncluttered interior. I look out for any nooks and crannies that either naturally exist, or that I can carve out and use for cupboards and shelves. Then it's about trying to unify things as much as possible by, for example, taking cladding across a doorway or across wardrobe door-fronts.
In a more minimalist interior, I think materiality and texture and these little touches are so important to make it interesting instead of bland. Obviously your furnishings and soft finishes can make a difference, but the core materials, such as wall and floor finishes, joinery and lighting are the fundamentals. As I mentioned, repetition around the house is then key to create a sense of flow and serenity.
From left: Cupboard Door in Serpentine™ No.192 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell; Soho Pink™ No.266 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell; Portcullis™ No.170 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell
How did you pick the colours in your home?
I knew I wanted to use colour, but in a muted way. I realised that the colour palette I was drawn to is, what I describe as, ‘natural’ and ‘earthy’, which is why I ended up using a few different greens, and then dusty or ‘dirty’ pinks to go with those. I fell in love with Messel™ No.39 as it’s got an almost ‘muddy’ quality to it; it’s a lovely deep colour, which adds a real richness to the spaces, without being overwhelming. Portcullis™ No.170 is a greeny-grey that goes really well with Messel™ No.39 tonally, and has that knocked-back feel to it – it sort of sits in the background, quietly adding interest and depth. I like to paint woodwork (skirtings and architraves) a slightly darker colour than the walls and I also sometimes have fun with the ceiling, painting it a different colour. In one of the bathrooms, I used the subtle pink of Rose Theatre™ No.249 on the ceiling, which teamed well with the deep green of Brompton Road™ No.205 on the fluted cabinetry. The paint finish used around our house is the Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell on the woodwork and, in my son's room, we opted for Chalk Farm™ No.53 in Marble Matt for a chalky finish. Mylands' Eggshell offers the perfect compromise of a durable paint finish with a soft sheen, without being too shiny. I also use a low-sheen eggshell on walls in bathrooms and high-traffic areas as its more wipeable.
"The quality of [Mylands] paint is exceptional. My daughter accidentally spilled nail varnish on some woodwork painted in Mylands Eggshell. I thought the nail varnish remover would lift the paint colour off also, but I was amazed when this didn’t happen and the paint finish remained unscathed. It’s incredibly durable, which is great for any busy home." - Sara Mungeam
Bedroom Wall in Chalk Farm™ No.53 Marble Matt Emulsion; Bedroom Panel and Wardrobe in Serpentine™ No.192 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell
From left: Bedroom Cupboard Door in Soho Pink™ No.266 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell; Bathroom Sink Panel in Brompton Road™ No.205 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell
Kitchen Island Unit and Pillar in Messel™ No.39 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell
Why Mylands for your home?
I first used Mylands' wood stains on the floor in our old house, and loved the fact that its products are locally produced in Lambeth. When it came to the paint, I had heard great things about the quality, coverage and pigmentation so was keen to try them out in my home.
The quality of the paint is exceptional. My daughter accidentally spilled nail varnish on some woodwork painted in Mylands Eggshell. I thought the nail varnish remover would lift the paint colour off also, but I was amazed when this didn’t happen and the paint finish remained unscathed. It’s incredibly durable, which is great for any busy home.
What is your favourite colour in your home?
I love Messel™ No.39, however Portcullis™ No.192 has been a real surprise for me. It's a lovely subtle colour and despite being a green-grey; it's got a warmth and depth to it that goes beautifully with the concrete floor, both emphasising and complimenting it.
What's next for you?
I use my Instagram to showcase and inspire people about design details, explaining how and when to think about these things in the design and build process. I’ve recently started offering two hour 'Design Dilemma' consultations for those who find themselves stuck in any given area of their interior design / renovation journey. It’s been incredibly gratifying being able to use my knowledge and experience to help others in this way.
Discover more about Sara Mungeam via her Instagram account @houseobsessed
From left: Bootroom Cupboard Doors in Portcullis™ No.170 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell; Bootroom Back Panel and Shelving in Messel™ No.39 Plant-Based Multi-Surface Eggshell
