Few homeowners have demonstrated a more steadfast commitment to the folk fisherman aesthetic than Daniel Matthews from @a.modest.semi. We might have come for his now-iconic trout shutters that conceal the TV, but we’re staying for the crafting, his ‘Sunday scroll’ round-ups and impressive array of neckerchiefs. Daniel, winner of Best DIY Enthusiast in House Beautiful’s Real Style Awards 2026, shares the story behind his ingenious TV wall hack.
What’s your decorating style in three words?
Are three phrases ok? Considered in colour and print, thoughtfully collected, modern folk.
What’s the best lesson you learned from your trout TV cover project?
To really consider the design and plan it properly before executing. Luckily, I knew how to use CAD to plan many iterations. My husband Archie is a carpenter and helped refine the design before he constructed it. We both love the outcome.
And the biggest challenge?
Figuring out how to create a niche for the TV to sit in an existing brick chimney breast. But we did! Also, I had the ‘fear’ when it came to painting the big trout on the shutters… but my skills as a print designer came in handy!
Did you have any DIY disasters along the way?
The only disaster was on my part. As I designed the fire surround, I had to draw the zig zags out to be cut… which was very tricky, I was also very tired from a party the night before.
What’s a surprising hack you discovered whilst doing this project?
It’s not a hack, but I do love the dual functionality of the TV shutters… It’s art, but it’s also functional, and form and function is what everyone wants in their space, right?
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Your best piece of renovating advice?
Live in the home for a few months first, if possible, to get a feel for how you move around the house, where the light hits, what storage you will need. Then you can make informed, planned decisions, which is super-important as renovating isn’t cheap. And also, if you want to try a daring colour you wouldn’t normally go for… do it! It’s just paint, you can change it, don’t overthink it! One of my most favourite rooms in our house is a colour I’ve literally chosen in minutes.
What’s the stage of designing that makes you do a happy dance?
When all the horrible dusty jobs are done, paint is going on the walls and you start to see your 2D moodboard become a 3D reality. I also love styling the room after... it takes on many forms over a few months as you add things and the space continues to evolve.
What’s the secret to getting a professional-looking finish on a project?
Using the right paint for the right surface. Always use eggshell on woodwork, you really get the perfect finish… Another thing I’d say is, be sympathetic to your property's period and try to reinstate or retain features to that time period. This way, you give your home a timeless look, and you can still add your own personal touches in accessories and colour.
What does 'home' mean to you?
Home is an extension of you, it’s where you can dare to dream, your safe space where you can be authentically yourself. Obviously, you have to take into consideration your other household occupants, but luckily, my husband is fully on board! I love how a home portrays the people who live there, and their collections and curation can tell so many stories!
