Deputy Shopping Editor

What do you do? 'I write features for the magazine and put together the shopping section, so I'm always hunting for great news stories and going to press shows to see the latest trends. I also do some styling for photo shoots and blog for Ideal Home's HomeShoppingSpy.

What do you love about Ideal Home? 'I just feel as though I'm being paid to do my favourite creative things all day long. I'm a complete interiors-addict, so this is basically my dream job.'

Favourite shops? 'Etsy – I love buying unusual items. I also like Rockett St George, Pedlars, Cox and Cox, Bold & Noble, Farrow and Ball for gorgeous paint colours and Cole & Son for stunning wallpapers. I like Lisa Stickley too – her quirky vintage style is right up my street.'

How would you describe your style? 'Retro with a modern twist. I love old furniture, but I like to mix it with contemporary pieces for a funky look.'

Where's home? 'My boyfriend and I have just bought a three-bed Victorian house in south London, which we're in the process of decorating and renovating.'

Favourite item in your home? 'It's too difficult to choose just one thing. I love my vintage chapel chairs – we got them cheap from a local church when they were thrown out. I also really love my 1950s cupboard, which is painted bright apple green, and my new Bold & Noble slate-coloured UK print. My best buy is my vintage trunk, which we use as a coffee table – it was £10 at a car boot sale, but would have been at least £50 in an antiques shop.'

Best decorating tip 'I'm a great believer in recycling. A lot of my furniture is second-hand from markets, car boot sales and junk shops. You can do wonders with a lick of paint and a bit of imagination! With second-hand finds you can give your home a unique look, and it's better for the environment than buying everything new. I have a beautiful vintage butler sink and several Victorian doors that I 'reclaimed' from skips!'

Most suprising thing? 'My first home was haunted and my current house came with two kittens who lived in the garden. We had to adopt them!'

Contact Ellie: ellie_tennant@ipcmedia.com

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