Cambridge interior designer shares her secrets to a stylish home

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Wednesday 21 May 2014 12:03 PM

Written byALICE RYAN

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Imagine an interior designers pad and somewhere modern, minimalist and almost painfully perfect comes to mind. The kind of place where you dont want to take off your coat, because putting it down would create unsightly clutter. And youre reluctant to sit on the sofa, for fear of denting the cushions.

Cate Burrens Cambridge home couldnt be further from the stereotype. Yes, shes an interior designer and her flat is beautiful truly beautiful. But modern and minimalist it aint, and within minutes of crossing the threshold Ive kicked off my shoes, parked my bag on the floor and strewn my scarf and jacket across a chair. Its just that kind of place: warm, welcoming, a pleasure to be in.

However lovely a room is to look at, if it doesnt work if it doesnt fulfil its function its no good, says Cate, taking a stool at the tall kitchen table. When I was designing this place, it was vital that it should have a warm and welcoming atmosphere; that it be a sociable space.

And your home should also reflect your personality; thats what really makes it your home. You have to work out what your style is and be true to it. I think mine is becoming more and more traditional the older I get: Im fully aware that Im heading towards old granny-dom . . . but thats me: thats what I like.

The property, which sits right beside the leafy Christs Pieces in central Cambridge, is split into two. The ground floor houses the offices of Angel + Blume, Cates acclaimed interior design company, while the top floor is home to her and her two rescue terriers, Mabel and Hector.

Set on the corner of Emmanuel Road and Elm Street, the building dates from the mid-1800s and was originally a pub, The Golden Rose; curvy saloon doors and the grand pub sign a gilded metal rose, which blooms high up on the brickwork are delightful vestiges.

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Cambridge interior designer shares her secrets to a stylish home