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Interviews

In the bedroom with... Catarina Mira

Words by  Sophia Freeman

December 20, 2019

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Actress, lifestyle blogger and fashion guru Catarina Mira is best known for her beautiful photography and sensuous visual storytelling. As a new homeowner, she has recently taken on an expansive renovation challenge in Leyton, East London. With our Burdock Ottoman in Desert fabric featuring in her guest-bedroom, we caught up to discuss all things interior design…
Hi Catarina, Why did you decide to make the move to Leyton, East London?
We looked at houses in lots of different up and coming locations, such as Forest Hill, Brockley, Forest Gate and, of course, Leyton. Even though I'm not from London, and not emotionally attached to any area, choosing a home is an emotional choice. The house where we live now spoke to us, the moment we stepped through the front door we felt like we could be very happy in here. The pedestrianised high street near our house has lots of cute independent stores, coffee shops, restaurants and is where community festivals and get-togethers take place. This is the first time, after 7 years of living in London, that I know my neighbours' names. Leyton makes me feel like I live in a small village but, at the same time, allows me to be in central London in less than 30 minutes. It is the best of both worlds.
We think our Burdock Ottoman looks fabulous in your guest bedroom—how did you develop the interior design scheme for the room?
Thank you! I love it too. When it comes to interior design I don't worry if things clash or not. I think the best advice one can give is to go for pieces that you love. That's what I did with the Burdock Ottoman bed. I had no idea what colour the room was going to be or what furniture I would decide on, but I loved the clean, minimal style of the Burdock ottoman and at the same time found it super functional.
How do you create the bedroom as a calming space to unwind in?
First of all, our bedrooms do not have televisions. Luckily, our house gets beautiful natural light, and this helps me to feel at peace. I believe that the dark blush paint we went for—despite the fact that it's a bit of a statement tone—makes me feel very relaxed. As weird as it sounds, it feels like the room hugs you. Undoubtedly, a good bed and plush bedding are what most contributes to a calming experience. Choosing the right lighting for the room also helps: I very much prefer to have lamps on, instead of the central overhead ceiling light. Lastly, a candle always helps to set the mood.
What are your interior design influences? Where do you go to draw interior design inspiration?
I only buy things that trigger some kind of emotional reaction. Originally born in the Algarve, Portugal, I have accumulated a lot of Portuguese pottery over time, as it makes me feel at home. I think your house should be a reflection of who you are, and I love to mix the old with the new. My latest obsession is trawling through London flea markets at the crack of dawn, searching for a hidden interior treasure. I would say my home is a fusion between ‘scandi minimalism’ and ‘English farmhouse’ in terms of style.
What drew you to the Burdock Ottoman headboard and the fabric—Desert—that you selected for the upholstery?
I know that the Burdock Ottoman will stay with us for many years, so I decided to go for a neutral fabric and tone that would fit with any changes my fiancé and I decide to undertake in the future. I think the headboard height is perfect; it looks great with lots of pillows against it and because is not too tall, it allows me to hang a picture above the bed.
As Londoners know, space in the city is limited! How is the storage capacity of the Ottoman bed helping out? What are you storing inside the Ottoman?
Having an Ottoman is the best thing ever! The guest's room doesn't have space for a wardrobe, so I use the Ottoman to store bedding, towels, soft luggage and some clothes. It has a lot of space and is really easy to access.
Finally, do you have any tips or tricks for picking up unique pieces that add a finishing touch to a bedroom?
Building a home is something that takes time so don't rush the process, pick what you really love because at the end of the day, your home should be a reflection of who you are. A dream home, for me, does not come into being by clinically picking chairs, lamps and accessories. A home should be a living space, and you only come to really know your home by spending time in it and slowly adding bits and pieces as you go. Pinterest mood boards can help—but ultimately, I truly believe that building a home is a very personal process.
Why not visit Catarina Mira's Blog and Instagram