Lose yourself in the colorful world of this rising British design star, obsessed with color.
There are makeovers. And then there's the pure magic of design. For interior designer and master of frescoes Richard O'Gorman, a layoff during the pandemic meant his dream home was at his fingertips. With infinite time to create, and as many creamy, candy-toned paints as he had on hand, Richard's drab Victorian and his Instagram account, House Homo, became a form of color therapy in a year that needed a few more bright spots.
Check out our interview with him to find out how his account exploded practically overnight, and how to add a little boldness to your own home decor.
Thank you for sharing your incredible space with us. Wow. This is so much fun. Can you tell us a little bit about the history of the property, you know, before you worked your magic on it?
Thank you for seeing me! So the house was built around 1900. It's an old Victorian terraced house with a lot of character (and a scary basement), but as soon as I saw it, I fell in love!
How did you approach such a vast project? Did you have an overall vision from the start, or did you come up with ideas as you went along?
I'd actually planned to have a really minimal, chic house, but creating an IG account under the name househomo was a turning point, and the house sort of took its name! I moved in right before the lockdown, so when I was laid off, I figured I'd never have that much time again. So I grabbed a brush and as much paint as I could and went for it!
If you could describe your aesthetic in terms of food, what flavor would it be?
I immediately thought of tapas; lots of different colors and flavors with a touch of spice!
Many people are afraid to use color on their walls - and especially on their ceilings. Here's your chance to convince them. How has embracing color affected the mood and energy of your space?
One of the most surprising moments was when I painted the bathroom ceiling yellow. What I hadn't considered was that sunlight would hit the ceiling and radiate warmth and light into the hallway and throughout the floor. It was completely transformative (and completely unexpected, like the best of Househomo's ideas). Being bold with color in every room is nothing short of joy! Every time I walk into a new room, I feel a breath of color and life, and why wouldn't you want your home to give you that breath?
Tell us a little about your background, as more and more people become interested in your work.
Things really started to accelerate after my bathroom was revealed, I was contacted by some major interior design brands and the account went from 7K to 10K in 3 days. It was a bit of a whirlwind - I couldn't even look at my phone! The best part was that the bathroom was the most like me - the most gay, the most fun. The fact that it elicited such an enthusiastic response was the best feeling in the world! It gave me the confidence to be even bolder with colors and shapes, and last week my dining room was shared on Architectural Digest italia, which is the craziest thing that's ever happened (EVER!).
Your murals are super-clean and well-executed. Are you a trained artist?
You know, I was terrible at art at school, I never had the knack for it. I was mostly a straight-A student, so if I didn't succeed immediately, I'd take a step back and concentrate on music and university studies instead. After university, I went into visual merchandising, and I think that gave me a good sense of detail and balance, but the rest is just luck!
I imagine you can make a terrible mess of your walls without a little experience or professional advice. Can you give us some tips on how to create a successful mural?
It's really smart to plan, and I can hold my hands up and say I don't always do it, but it's so important because going back over things if you change your mind is hard! If you have a project, draw it on the wall and make sure you're happy with it before you paint.
That said, my best advice is as follows:
1) Style the space and walls as early as possible so you can incorporate them into the mural design - a circle around a vase or photo frame makes the whole thing completely intentional [and] more beautiful!
2) Use a very small brush to outline, then switch to larger brushes to fill in. My advice is to paint confidently rather than timidly, especially for curves. A confident brushstroke gives a much stronger line, and if you get it wrong, you can simply repaint over it!
3) Always have a glass of wine on the go - it's a joke, but I always do and it calms the nerves and enriches the paint, resulting in sharper lines!
Since we're on the subject. ... you recently created a piece of neon LED art. Can you tell us about your design?
I love my neon! You very kindly contacted me to work together on a design, and my first idea was, of course, an arch with a man's bust inside. I didn't think it was possible, but the design you came up with is absolutely incredible.
Do you have any tips for showcasing neon art? Does it work best on white walls? Should it be superimposed on other objects or given room to breathe?
As you know, I'm not a fan of white walls, so HOW DARE YOU ask me that question (just kidding)? Personally, I love the look of a neon sign on a brick wall. It's instantly cool, but in a space without bricks, layering is essential! Something about neon glowing through multiple plants makes me a very happy homo.
Thank you for sharing your ideas and your new neon sign. Before we let you go, here's a question our readers will appreciate. Any tips for keeping houseplants alive? Yours are so cheerful and happy, why do mine always die?
Oh dear, I'm not very good at keeping them alive either! I was given about fifteen plants last year, and it completely turned me around and I lost a few over the winter. I always try to keep them as close to the window as possible, and I think it's very important to learn to listen to each plant's needs! You also have to mist them regularly, feed them and sing to them. I once read that plants love classical music, so dust off your opera vinyls and hum along!