We’ve seen how transformative colour can be, but Tahira Resalat (@tahirashome) takes it to another level, using paint as a creative force rather than just a finishing touch. From blue-and-white striped walls to painted arches and squiggly picture frames, she’s turning her new-build Cheshire home into a vibrant haven, one brushstroke at a time — a look that’s just won Best Paint Effects at House Beautiful’s Real Style Awards 2026.
Your decorating style in three words
Colourful, squiggly and personal.
The trick that makes decorating easier
That committing to paint isn't an irreversible journey. Once you trust your instincts and stop worrying about trends or rules, colour becomes incredibly empowering. And if you ever grow tired of a colour or feel your taste evolving, it’s absolutely okay to change it and build on your original idea.
The advice on using colour at home
Start small, but be brave. It’s your home and you’re in charge! Try experimenting with colour in both active and passive spaces. An active space might be behind a picture frame you see every day or a contrasting door frame. A passive space could be the inside of kitchen cupboards or an ensuite door – you’re not interacting with it constantly, but it still brings joy whenever you notice it. Remember, paint is one of the easiest things to change, so it’s always worth experimenting.
The biggest challenge that tested your patience
Honestly, time. I love a good colour drench, but that often means investing time in proper prep – especially on surfaces that aren’t walls, like furniture, doors or skirting boards. Taping off carpets, protecting surfaces, sanding and priming all take time, which is particularly challenging if, like me, you’re not blessed with much patience.
The lesson learned the hard way
I wouldn’t say we’ve had any true disasters, but we definitely learnt the importance of choosing the right paint finish for the right job, such as using specialist kitchen cupboard paint rather than standard wall paint. We originally used wall paint on our cupboards and it took seven coats and a paint sprayer, plus a lot of sanding and priming, before we achieved the finish we wanted.
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The surprisingly effective hack
Using tester pots and leftover paint to experiment. Some of my favourite effects started as small tests – upcycling picture frames, painting door frames or colour-blocking before I committed to a whole wall or room.
The stage you dread and the one worth celebrating
I dread the prep – sanding, filling and taping – but then I want to do a happy dance when the tape comes off and you see the finished paintwork for the first time. It never gets old. The power of paint truly never ceases to amaze me; it’s so instantly transformative.
The step to never skip
Testing the colour properly, and in multiple areas of the room. Lighting and shadows change everything, so I always paint swatches in different spots to see how the colour behaves throughout the day and how it interacts with existing furniture before committing.
What home really means
Home is a space that reflects who you are and how you want to feel. For me, it’s about comfort, practicality, personality and creativity – a place where colour tells our story and every room feels lived-in rather than perfect.
