If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and found yourself completely captivated by a burst of colour, layers of floral prints, or a perfectly styled corner that sparks pure joy, chances are you’ve stumbled into the world of Tamzin McGillen. Known for her bold use of pattern and her passion for maximalist florals, Tamzin is an interior stylist who believes in decorating from the heart and her home is a joyful reflection of that ethos.
From renovating a neutral new build into a vibrant, personality-packed family space to turning her love for interiors into a new career, Tamzin brings creativity, confidence, and a whole lot of charm to everything she touches. In this Q&A, we chat with Tamzin about dopamine decor, the magic of wallpaper, and why pink and green will forever be her dream colour combo.
Whether you’re looking to add a splash of colour to your home or wondering how to pattern clash like a pro, Tamzin’s story and styling tips are sure to inspire!
1. Can you tell us a bit about your interiors background?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
I’ve always loved textiles and patterns. When studying textiles at university, I fell in love with pattern making and was very fortunate to find a job in a sample room at an interior furnishing company. I was able to work my way up to studio manager, helping to develop and produce printed fabrics and wallpapers. At this time, my husband and I also bought our first home, which was a complete renovation. We gutted the house and I really enjoyed project managing the renovation as well as designing the interior.
Fast forward a few years and after welcoming two children into our family, we decided to move to a new project. The house we purchased was very different to our last home; it has no particular features as a newer build and the decor was incredibly grey inside. Every surface was grey, black or white and it really felt quite sad! I struggled to connect to the new house, so I decided to start decorating during my daughter’s nap times, focusing on one room at a time, adding as much colour and pattern as possible.
Over the years, I have become more confident with colour and layering patterns, and I completed a diploma in Interior Design, looking to turn my hobby into a new career.
2. How would you describe your own interior style?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
I would describe my interior style as colourful, with a floral aesthetic. I often use the term ‘maximalist florals’ as I adore wallpaper — the more floral the better, which can be seen around my home on the walls and soft furnishings I choose to decorate with.
3. Where do you find inspiration for your styling choices?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
Like so many of us, I find Instagram a huge inspiration. I love following other home accounts for ideas as well as textile manufacturers and small businesses selling beautiful homeware. There are so many talented creators and makers out there.
4. What is dopamine decor?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
I would describe dopamine decor as a feeling of joy when you enter a room. I feel instantly uplifted as I enter the hallway of our home. I find the patterns, prints and textures visually stimulating and I love that. I can appreciate that bold colours and prints are not for everyone, but I need that dopamine hit and visual stimuli as it fuels my creativity.
5. How do you embrace more colour and pattern in your home?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
I would recommend starting with furnishings like cushions or bedding. I have a real addiction to bed linen and enjoy mixing and matching sets to create different style combinations. It’s a great way to teach yourself pattern layering and exploring which colours, prints, and textures work well together. Aside from bedding, I would say wallpaper is the easiest and quickest way to transform any space. You can wallpaper an entire room, one wall, an alcove, a ceiling or even a cupboard, there are so many creative ways to use wallpaper and countless designs to choose from.
6. Which colour combinations are you loving right now?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
Pink and green will always be my favourite colour combination. However, yellow is having a real moment right now, and I can see why, it’s such a happy sunny colour. I recently painted my porch sunflower yellow and it just feels fabulous.
7. What are your top tips when it comes to wallpapering?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
So I love wallpapering, and I’ve hung a lot! My top tips would be:
- Ensure you have a perfect plumb line* and create a new one for each wall.
- Use a fresh blade for every drop of wallpaper you cut — the blades dull so quickly and it really ensures a perfect finish.
- I use a well-known brand of pink wallpaper paste, which means you can’t miss any patches when you apply it to the wall.
- Don’t be afraid to fix any mistakes in the corners especially. You can also cut out small motifs from your wallpaper design to cover over any minor tears or imperfections — no one will ever know!
*A plumb line is a piece of string with a weight attached to the end to help you ensure that your wallpaper is vertical and slopes at the correct angle.
8. How do you approach pattern clashing?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
I think the key to pattern clashing is finding a common colour theme in each pattern and adjusting the scale of the pattern. Imagine a room where the wallpaper, rug, blinds, and cushions were all the same scale in different colours, your eye would just see a chaos of colours. Now imagine the same room where the scale of those pieces were different, your eye would be drawn to the different details in each design and there would be a common colour thread which feels harmonious yet interesting.
9. What to consider when mixing and matching furniture?
I love to mix and match furniture but you don’t want it to look too chaotic. I suggest sticking to two to three materials to create a cohesive look. For example, in a living space, I might include natural wood, leather, and marble. Throwing a glass table into the mix could make the scheme feel less focused and together.
10. How did you style your Oak Furnitureland items in your home?
Parquet sideboard | Parquet coffee table | @at_the_mcgillens
We have two beautiful pieces of wooden furniture from Oak Furnitureland in our family room. This is predominantly an area where the children play and relax, so we chose solid wood pieces that would be sturdy enough to withstand playtime but also give us maximum storage.
Parquet sideboard | Parquet coffee table | @at_the_mcgillens
I have styled the Parquet sideboard very simply with plants, as I love the green foliage against the oak. The Parquet coffee table is often styled with toys! But I always keep a tray as a little styling feature where I can add a candle, placemats, a few books, and ideally some fresh flowers.
11. What’s one simple way to refresh a space without spending much money?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
There are so many ways to freshen up a space on a budget. Pictures are always a great way to add personality — I’ve framed gift bags before to create unique pieces of artwork. Paint, particularly tester pots, is another easy option — you could paint a motif or even the reveal of a door or window to add a pop of colour.
12. What’s one design rule you love to break?
Credit: @at_the_mcgillens
Are there any design rules? I’m a big advocate for decorating for yourself and not trends. I love to add colour in unexpected places, such as adding a colourful ceiling or bold woodwork in a room scheme.
13. What advice would you give someone who’s just starting to define their interior style?
Decorate for you. If you don’t love something, then don’t add it to your home. When you find a style or design idea that you like, don’t be afraid to stick with it. Each room doesn’t have to be its own story, a cohesive house has a story or thread carried throughout. In my home, I have a very cohesive palette of pink and green but use them in varying quantities and in different patterns to help it all flow.
For more home inspiration from interior stylist Tazmin McGillen, follow her colourful feed over on Instagram @at_the_mcgillens and check out Tamzin’s website www.tamzinmcgillencreative.co.uk for even more styling tips!
