uFurnish.com Founder Deirdre Mc Gettrick sat down with Sal Riley - 2025 uFurnish.com Home Awards Winner to talk all things interiors inspiration and advice for those on their own interiors journey.
Name: Sal Riley
Instagram handle: @beyondtheblankcanvas
Location: Lancashire
Sum up your home interior style in 3 words or less: Timeless, layered and Functional
What’s your favourite item in your home: My armchair in my living room, reupholstered in a luxurious, warm spice tone. It has a classic shape that makes it perfectly comfortable to curl up in with a book or a warm drink.
If your home had a theme song what would it be: ‘Soul meets body’ by Death Cab for Cutie.
Toilet roll over or under on the holder: Over for sure
Do you place your cups and glasses facing up or down in your cupboard: Down
What inspired your home's interior style and how did you bring that vision to life?
My home’s style is inspired by timeless, classic design with a relaxed, lived-in feel. I’m influenced by stately homes, beautiful architecture, nature, and the colours and ideas I pick up while travelling. Some spaces lean into calm, natural tones, while others have richer colours for added warmth.
To bring the vision to life, I mixed classic and modern elements, blended antiques with contemporary pieces, and used natural textures and curated colour palettes to create a home that feels welcoming, comfortable, and full of character.
How did you balance your design goals with your budget and do you have any clever hacks or cost-saving tips for readers?
I focus on investing in key pieces that will last, like quality furniture or statement items, and then balance them with more affordable finds. I love hunting for pieces that tell a story, whether at antique mills or charity shops. I also enjoy giving old furniture a new lease of life, refreshing my bedroom dressing table or doing a French-chic hack on my living room floor lamp and even small DIY touches, like updating my porch door by adding moulding that complements the character and feel of the house, can make a big difference. Layering vintage pieces thoughtfully and curating each room with care helps create a classic, timeless feel without overspending.
What has been your biggest challenge designing your home and how have you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been creating a home that feels timeless and elegant while still being comfortable and lived-in, all while working within a budget. I’ve learned to focus on one space at a time and allow each room to evolve slowly. Rushing often leads to mistakes, whereas taking my time has helped me make more thoughtful choices that stand the test of time.
Another challenge was making a very small room functional for my little boy. To overcome this, I designed a built in nook with shelves and drawers, and even managed to squeeze in a wardrobe. Using plaid wallpaper and heritage colours transformed the space completely, giving it a classic Ralph Lauren inspired feel while still being practical and fun.
Balancing functionality with style, and layering in personality through key pieces, vintage finds, and small DIY updates has allowed me to create spaces that feel both practical and full of character.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their own home interiors and DIY journey what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice is to take your time and enjoy the process. Don’t feel like you need to rush to finish a space. The best interiors evolve slowly and thoughtfully. Focus on what you love, invest in pieces that will last, and don’t be afraid to incorporate vintage finds or DIY updates to make the space feel personal. A home should reflect the people who live in it, so let it grow naturally and don’t stress about it being perfect from the start.
Is there a particular space in your home that you're most proud of and why?
It’s hard to pick just one, but the spaces I love most are my entryway and living room. In the entryway, both sections are painted in the same classic shade, giving the space warmth and personality. When we moved in, we added black-and-white checkerboard tiles to the larger section, and when I redecorated, I extended them to the smaller section so the space flows seamlessly and adds the perfect character as the first thing you see. I also added moulding to the garage door, a vintage stool for sitting and putting on shoes, and placed stackable shoe boxes under the windows, painted to blend with the walls, keeping the space practical and tidy.
The living room is another favourite. I asked my carpenter to add alcoves that looked like they had always been there, and when we redecorated, I added tongue-and-groove panels and moulding on the alcove doors, painted in a dark shade so my vintage pieces could really pop. My deep rusty red armchair in Spice by Larsen Fabrics sits perfectly in the corner, while the rest of the room is layered with neutrals, textures, and a gallery wall that feels effortlessly curated. Both spaces are elegant yet comfortable, inviting, and full of personality.
Where do you find your inspiration? Are there designers, Instagram accounts or brands that influence your style?
I find inspiration everywhere from stately homes, hotels, and the architecture I spot while travelling, to interior magazines, nature, and the history of the homes I visit. I also love wandering through antique markets, mills, and charity shops, there’s something about a piece with a story that just feels timeless.
I follow designers, brands, and creative accounts on Instagram, but my personal style is centred on creating spaces that feel authentic, timeless, and truly liveable, in my own home as well as in projects outside my home.
What did winning Best Bedroom in the uFurnish.com Home Awards mean to you?
Winning Best Bedroom in the uFurnish.com Home Awards was truly a pinch me moment. While people had often complimented my designs, receiving this recognition made it feel particularly special. Bringing the award home was both rewarding and encouraging, and it’s an experience I’ll always treasure.
What's the next interiors project you want to work on?
I’m planning to focus on a couple of spaces in my own home next, including my loft bedroom and front living room, which I’m excited to update and make feel truly like me, timeless, functional, and lived-in. Outside of that, I’m currently working on three additional bedroom designs, each with its own style and challenges. It’s a rewarding mix of personal and external projects, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them all come together.
Any other information that you'd like to share about your home interiors journey?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on my home interiors journey is to take your time. When we first bought the house, I rushed to get each space finished, and I now realise that was a mistake. Since then, I’ve been going back and gradually shaping each room to reflect my style. If I could do it all over again, I’d focus first on the hard finishes, things like radiators, because fixing them later ends up costing more and is far more than just decorating. Every project, whether in my own home or for others, continues to teach me something new and keeps me inspired.
Each month we'll be interviewing one of our uFurnish.com Home Awards finalists asking them all about their home renovation journey, their inspiration and more so be sure to come back each month to learn more. Find out more about our Home Awards here, follow us on Instagram here for more inspiration and updates and subscribe to our emails here for weekly offers and more.
