Edwardian Home, North East England

Q&A with Elise from @makemyhomepretty

Prioritizing quality from the outset, interiors influencer Elise Dodds built her home renovation on strong bones. Her energetic combinations of color and pattern remind us that home decoration can be so full of joy!

Elise is originally from North East England, but spent years studying and working in London and New York. She found herself drawn back to Northumberland with her husband when starting their family. We spoke to her about design choices and how the right heating solution became an integral part of her home’s character.

Tell us about the house and what drew you to it.

Our home was built around 1905 and is Edwardian in style. From the moment we walked in, I fell in love with the character it still had. From the original tiles in the porch, to the incredible bay windows and beautiful high patterned ceilings.

The house really surprised us when we first viewed it, we weren’t expecting to love it as much as we did! Once we stepped inside, the big windows and the way the light streams in completely sold it to us. The garden isn’t as big as we’d like but we’re just a short walk to the beach, so the location made it feel like the perfect home.

You’re spoiled for beaches here, have you got a favorite?

If I had to choose just one, it would be Bamburgh Beach. It’s absolutely breathtaking. I always love stopping by the Copper Kettle for a coffee or lunch. It’s one of my favorite places in the world.

No regrets about leaving London then?

We had always said we’d return to London, but once we were home we realized how much we loved being here. It was just too good to leave again. I love the balance of being near the beach and the city – it really is the best of both worlds. Having the countryside of Northumberland on our doorstep is such a gift. We love traveling, but honestly, nothing beats the feeling of coming home.

How do you find inspiration?

I spent so much time while we were renovating planning colors, mood boards and schemes. I love Instagram and Pinterest but I also find inspiration everywhere! My phone is full of quick snaps of things I’ve spotted in magazines or even simple things like a patterned tile in the subway or a bunch of colorful flowers in a shop window.

Describe your interior style.

I’d say my style is all about color, character, and joy! I love restoring original features and then layering in bold, playful design choices to make the house feel full of life. Each room has its own personality from patterned, layered bedrooms to calm, light-filled living spaces but together they feel cohesive. Most importantly, our home has to be practical. It’s a space we all live in so I’ve worked hard to make sure it feels fun, functional and family-friendly.

What led you to invest in cast iron radiators?

I really wanted to renovate the house sympathetically, restoring the period feel but with my own colorful, modern twist. Cast iron radiators felt like a natural choice and when I discovered Castrads’ Emmeline model I knew instantly they were perfect. The soft curves are so elegant and they’re not just practical, they’re like a piece of design in their own right.

You clearly had a lot of fun picking the colors. Was sizing your radiators more tricky?

Choosing radiators can feel overwhelming, working out sizes, heat output, and what’s best for each space, but Castrads made it simple and stress-free. Their attention to detail and advice were invaluable. From the very beginning when the house was still a building site, their team were so helpful, guiding me through every decision.

Now the radiators are not only keeping the house beautifully warm and cosy, but they’ve also become real features in their own right. People always comment on them! I honestly couldn’t recommend Castrads more, they’ve been such an important part of making this house feel like home.

Inspired by Elise’s bold, playful style?

Color drench with confidence

When you pick a custom color for your Castrads radiators, we never color match. We only ever use the real deal supplied direct by your favorite paint brands.

Choose any color from Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, Little Greene, Paint and Paper Library, Mylands, COAT and more.

“The team were so helpful, guiding me through every decision”

One-to-one consultations ensure you get the perfect bespoke radiators for your space. Call us or visit a showroom to discover how we can help bring your vision to life.

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Why does Emmeline suit an Edwardian home?

Emmeline is an update on a classic Edwardian design. As a lighter touch in home decoration came into fashion around 1910, ‘plain’ radiator designs replaced Victorian patterned styles. With smooth surfaces and minimal decoration, these styles were seen as easier to clean and less likely to harbour dust. They were a popular choice for institutional settings and came to be known in England as School Radiators.