Olivia Bowen reveals ‘amazing’ easy-clean homeware she loves as she juggles family and renovating

After meeting her husband, Alex, on Love Island back in 2016, Olivia Bowen never could have guessed that she would find another great love along the way – interior design. After purchasing their home, the couple have since launched their Instagram account, The Bowen Home, which has racked up hundreds of thousands of followers who are all there to see Olivia’s own designs come to life.

Here, we caught up with Olivia to discuss all things interior design, how she manages to juggle everything as a working mum, and one of her favourite homeware purchases that makes it easier to keep her home clean with a busy family.

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Hi Olivia! How did your love for interiors come about?

“It all started when we purchased a house about five years ago that needed a complete renovation project and neither of us had a clue. We’d never done any interiors before, but it was a house that I used to drive past with my mum when I was younger and I’ve always had an infatuation with. When it suddenly came up on the market I thought ‘oh my god, this is meant to be’. So we thought lets just do it, and we took on the task and it became an absolutely beautiful home.

“It was when Covid happened so everyone was working less and we were all at home, so I actually started studying interior design online. And I just fell in love with it. Obviously we had this huge project to complete so it just went hand in hand, and I created the Instagram @ thebowenhome and that blew up overnight. I think it got a quarter of a million followers in one night and we just didn’t expect it, but everything happened at the right time. We started to really enjoy it, and it just carried on from there really.”

How hands on are you with your renovations? Do you prefer to project manage or get stuck in?

“I had a really great friendship with our builder, he was really easy to talk to and any information I needed he was there, so he really got us involved. So I think being able to pick builders that you really trust, and workmen that you really trust is such an important part of the process. We love doing all the painting ourselves and I loved doing the designing myself, but I’m not the best at DIY. I’m trying, but I’m not amazing at it. But that is something I’d love to get better at this year, I want to start doing more things myself. I’ve always been doing all the moodboards though, and finding the inspiration then creating the design for the rooms – but I leave the handiwork to other people.”

Where do you get your inspiration from?

“Oh god Pinterest is amazing for any inspiration, you can type anything in the search bar and you’ll get something! But we’ve travelled a lot, we’ve been really lucky to go to a lot of places so anywhere we go like bars, hotels, restaurants, even the bathrooms in fancy hotels I get so much inspiration from. I think you can really pick it up from anywhere if you’re looking for it, and it’s just always something I’ve been infatuated with.”

How do you divide your time between motherhood, work and renovating?

“I think for me I just work well when I’m under pressure. It doesn’t sound ideal, but I like being stressed! I like having things to do and I like having a full mind. I’ve struggled this January because it’s been quiet as it always is after Christmas, and I just don’t know what to do with myself. I start freaking out! So I just like being busy, I guess I’ve just learnt how to handle that because it’s just part of something I enjoy.

"But I think trying to be organised and having a diary, and Alex is on hand to help with everything – we work as a team. I moan about not having a day to myself because obviously my son is two and a half so he’s just crazy, and I’m like ‘I haven’t had an afternoon to just sit down’ – but then I think why would I want that any way? I can’t do that!”

Has there been anything about renovation that’s surprised you about yourself?

“When we renovated our home that we’re in now it was just a shell, so all the bathrooms needed to be designed and the kitchen etc, and I definitely didn’t give myself enough credit – I didn’t think that I could design bathrooms in the way that I have. I’ve just put them on Instagram and the response has been amazing, it’s really just given me a boost of confidence.

“I think sometimes people think ‘Oh it’s just Olivia from Love Island’ but I’ve realised actually I do have a talent for this and I can do this, and it’s been really enjoyable. People are really loving what I’ve designed, so I think that was quite surprising, to learn that actually, I can do it.”

What’s the one item in your recent renovation that you couldn’t wait to buy?

“Do you know what, I have a love affair with wallpaper at the moment. I just want wallpaper everywhere. I don’t know why, but I’ve just become obsessed with a really maximalist style. Maximalism is coming back around, and I really really love it.

“There’s a lot of different wallpaper companies that I love, but there’s one called Belarte Studio that has the most incredible wallpaper, and now I just want wallpaper in every room. They have such a beautiful one that I’m putting in my office that has pink cherubs [the Cherub Clouds Soft Pink] that’s so lovely, and I think that’s something that I just really enjoy seeing it all get decorated. Magnolia walls are my pet hate now! So as soon as there’s colour on the walls I’m like ‘this is better’.”

What makes a space feel ‘finished’ to you?

“I’m quite bad because I feel like I’m never finished, but I think it’s when you start adding those little touches to it. For me it's when I add a candle or some flowers, that really finishes it off. I am really bad at putting blinds or curtains up too, so usually when they go in it means that the room is finished.

“I also love a good scent. I’ve worked with Glade for nearly three years now, and just updated the scents downstairs from Christmas to a new one called Sandalwood and Jasmine that’s such an expensive rich smell. I’ve got that all the way through downstairs, and you know when you’re spring cleaning and just want that new freshness? It’s the perfect fragrance for that.”

Have there been any homeware pieces that have caught your eye recently?

“I really love Ruggable. They do so many different rugs and there’s some absolutely amazing designs in there that are really full on. I’ve actually got one that’s floral with a zebra [the Iris Apfel On Safari Sapphire Rug] which sounds horrific but it’s great. They have really, really amazing designs, but they’re all machine washable so you just peel them off then stick them in the washing machine, which with a child and a dog is great.”

Which brands do you love to shop at?

“The Cotswold Company is one that I really love for big furniture, and there’s a local store near me called You’re Furnished which is all discounted furniture that’s all really well priced. They’re all very unique, they almost look like antiques but they’re not, and you get them for a really great price.

“That does lead me onto my next one, which is antique shops. I must be getting old, but I’m obsessed. I love finding little bits and bobs. The other day I found a pink poodle lamp that was the most random thing I’ve ever bought, but I just absolutely love it.”