IT'S NOT JUST WOMEN SHE MAKES OVER – WHAT NOT TO WEAR PRESENTER MICA PARIS IS GOOD AT INTERIORS TOO

By Claie Wilson

SHE has a teenager and a toddler charging around, so by rights Mica Paris’ home should be a tip. Instead it’s clean, clutter-free and impeccably stylish – but what else would you expect from a woman who presents a TV show about being chic?

The What Not To Wear presenter lives in a grand three-bedroom, three-storey Victorian house in the heart of London’s trendy Chelsea. She’s used her style know-how to combine the house’s traditional charms with her love of the minimalist look – a project that has taken seven months to get right.

READ ABOUT TRACEY COX'S HOME

“I’ve tried to maintain an antique feel,” Mica, 38, explains. “I’ve kept the original fireplace and colonial shutter blinds, then to make it more modern, I’ve gone for the white leather couch and modern art.

“I like mixing it up. I think a room can look really cold and clinical if it’s too minimalist. The most important thing about a home is that it’s comfortable.”

Single mum Mica admits life is constantly hectic. She’s just published a self-help book and is currently working on an album, as well as looking after her two daughters, Monet, 16, and 19-month-old Russia Mae. That’s why she likes her home to be tidy and stress-free.

“I hate mess!” she says. “My daughters think I’ve got obsessive compulsive disorder, but it’s not that, I just can’t stand clutter.

“My house is always neat and I think the white walls, sofa and decor help keep it looking clean. I want – and need – a place where I can relax at the end of the day.”

Mica’s main refuge is her enormous white leather sofa.

“It’s my sanctuary,” she says. “There’s something special about this spot. This is where I dim the lights, chill out and read my books. It has a nice energy to it.”

As she gives us a tour of the rest of the house, Mica reveals the risqué touches in her home which reflect her personality.
At the top of the stairs there’s a huge nude portrait of Mica with just a fluffy dog to hide her modesty, and pride of place in her bedroom is a 6ft antique mirror.

“This is one of my favourite pieces of furniture,” she says, adding: “I really love mixing old with new – as long as it doesn’t cause any mess!”

lBeautiful Within: Finding Happiness And Confidence In Your Own Skin By Mica Paris (Simon & Schuster Ltd, £17.99) is available now

READ ABOUT ANNA RYDER RICHARDSON'S HOME

1. SOFA “I bought this from a German company years ago. It cost £10,000, but was worth every penny. You sink into it, and best of all, it’s wipe clean.”

2. RUG “This was £85 from The White Company. Rugs are essential for warming up a room with wooden floors.”

3. BOOKSHELF “I bought this from B&Q years ago. I put it together and painted it myself.”

4. MIRROR “This is from an antique shop. I love big, old mirrors – they give character to a room.”

5. FLOWERS “I buy flowers every week. These are from a stall on the King’s Road.”

6. PICTURE “My new boyfriend bought me this. I spotted it in an art shop in Chelsea and he sneakily went back to buy it. I love the colours.”

 

MICA'S STYLE TIPS

* Don’t be afraid to use plenty of white. It’s a great backdrop.
* Go for easy-clean wooden floors, especially in rooms where you eat. They’re a must for the kitchen and dining room.
* Total minimalism doesn’t work – it looks too futuristic and cold.

 

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