INTERIORS
THE DESIGN EDIT: You’ve Got the Keys... What’s the plan?
Jill Treloggen, founder of JT Interiors in Oxford, shares practical advice and expert insights to help you create a home that looks beautiful and works for everyday life. In this new regular column, she’ll explore everything from budgeting and room layouts to colour choices and design decisions that help turn your new house into a home
Jill Treloggen , Founder, JT Interiors
WHERE DO I START?
There’s nothing quite like collecting the keys to your first home. After months of anticipation, it’s finally yours.The temptation is to rush in, order furniture, start decorating every room and make dozens of decisions in the first weekend. OUR ADVICE? SLOW DOWN Some of the best interiors evolve over time. Many of the costly mistakes we see, happen when homeowners try to do everything at once.The first few months should be spent understanding your space, prioritising your budget and creating a plan that works for the way you actually live. FIRST THINGS, FIRST An empty house is a wonderful opportunity, so use it wisely. Before a single sofa crosses the threshold, tackle the jobs that are much easier to do with empty rooms. Think essential repairs, electrical work, checking heating systems, replacing flooring and ensuring windows and doors are airtight and secure – particularly important when buying an older property. These may not be the exciting jobs, but it’s far better to complete them before spending money on decoration that may later need to be undone. WHAT SHOULDN’T YOU DO? Avoid rushing out to buy furniture immediately. We often see homeowners purchase pieces based on measurements alone, only to realise they don’t suit the room or their lifestyle. Likewise, hold off on committing to bold colour schemes until you’ve experienced how the light behaves throughout the day. Period features are something to treasure – before you start tearing down dado rails, stop and think about the integrity of the building. A home often reveals its personality once you’ve lived in it for a few weeks.
PLANNING IS EVERYTHING – CREATE A COLOUR & STYLE ROAD MAP
The most successful homes aren’t completed overnight.They’re built through a series of thoughtful decisions. Having an overall vision helps ensure your home feels connected, rather than becoming a collection of unrelated room-by-room choices. Start by defining a look for the whole house. Ask yourself: • What colours, patterns and textures do I naturally gravitate towards? • Are there existing features I want to work with, such as brickwork, period features or fireplaces? • Is the house naturally light and airy or darker and more intimate? • Which colours will flow well between visible rooms? • What metal finishes will I use for handles, taps and lighting?
Creating a simple mood board with paint colours, fabrics and finishes can help you establish a clear direction before making purchases.
12 First Time Buyer October/November 2026
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