Ellen Finch
Ellen is deputy editor of Livingetc magazine, a job she thinks might just be the best in journalism – after all, what’s better than compiling pages of the best ideas and most beautiful homes from around the world every month? After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, she spent a year working at a true life media agency before starting her career in interiors journalism in 2017, where she joined Real Homes magazine as features editor. There she coordinated shoots, sought expert advice from designers and architects, and interviewed homeowners and renters about their passion projects – and kickstarted a love for design that’s driven her career ever since. She became deputy editor at the title in 2020 before moving to Livingetc two years later, thrilled to be able to write across architecture, design and travel with an eye on what’s going on in the fashion and food worlds, too. In her current role Ellen works with our talented art and production teams to publish the monthly print magazine, which features pages and pages of the most inspiring homes around the globe, interviews with leading interior designers and tastemakers, reporting on the hottest trends, and shopping edits of the best new pieces to refresh your space. From time to time she writes for other titles across Future, including Homes & Gardens and Gardeningetc.
Of course, being surrounded by so much inspiration makes it tricky to decide what to do first in her own home – not exactly the worst issue to have. She bought her flat in a converted Victorian house in the Midlands (UK) in 2023, and has since set about investing in timeless furniture pieces (her best purchase: the widest, deepest, butter yellow sofa she could find), finding new ways to display her growing ceramics collection and establishing a tiny but much-loved balcony garden. When budget allows, she’s excited to renovate her bathroom and update her kitchen – her moodboard right now is all rich wood cabinets, glossy zellige tiles and plenty of open shelving for her considerable hoard of recipe books (it’s a bit of a problem). She’s obsessed with the work of Laura Gonzalez, YSG Studio and Rodolphe Parente, but finds inspiration everywhere – from Toronto stylist Katie Merchant’s Substack to the art of Alice Neel or the oh-so-cozy library at the Ibiza Gran Hotel.
In her spare time, Ellen can be found pottering around watering (and, ahem, talking to) her plants, reading her way through her overstacked bookshelf (favorite book: Olivia Laing’s Crudo) or planning her next holiday. She’s a semi-regular member of two local book clubs and enjoys volunteering as a mentor for young women from disadvantaged communities. She’s a big foodie and enjoys researching vibey new restaurants like it’s her second job, but she’s just as happy trying out new recipes in her tiny kitchen, preferably with glass of wine in hand and a good podcast playing in the background.
Latest articles by Ellen Finch
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How to entertain in a small backyard – 8 tips from landscape designers to make alfresco hosting on a tiny scale so easy
Small backyard? No problem – these designer tips will help transform your garden into a space fit for entertaining
By Ellen Finch Published
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10 outdated rules you can break when decorating small spaces, according to interior designers
'No more white walls' – designers say these small-space decorating rules are made to be broken
By Ellen Finch Published
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These 9 tips from designers on how to entertain in a small apartment will make hosting so much easier
It's one of the trickier sides to apartment living – but these tips for small-space entertaining will make your life that little bit simpler
By Ellen Finch Published
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How to feel soothed the moment you walk into your bedroom - 11 interior design ideas for a restful scheme
Make your bedroom the most soothing space in your home with these tips from top designers – you can tick some of them off right away
By Ellen Finch Published
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5 colors you should never buy bedroom furniture in – and what to choose instead for a restful space
Steer clear of these shades when you're furnishing your bedroom and you'll reap the reward of a better night's sleep
By Ellen Finch Published
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10 reasons you should be decorating with terracotta right now – and they're all incredible rooms that use this color
A softer, warmer alternative to black, terracotta accents are the perfect decorating trick – this is how the designers use them
By Ellen Finch Published
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‘Black is like punctuation in poetry’ – 12 ways interior designers decorate with black accents for more elevated schemes
These 12 interior designer-approved ideas for decorating with black accents will help your scheme pack a punch
By Ellen Finch Published
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Thought red was too overpowering? These calming red room ideas from interior designers will prove you wrong
Red can be relaxing if you use it right – and these calming red room ideas are proof
By Ellen Finch Published
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10 living rooms with limewash walls that prove that this textural wall finish is the perfect cozy-but-chic finishing touch
If you still weren't convinced about the power of limewash, these living room ideas will change your mind
By Ellen Finch Published
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5 outdated pattern trends that will make your home feel old-fashioned – and what to use instead
These are the patterns to avoid if you want your scheme to stay contemporary – but don't worry, we've got alternatives for you try, too
By Ellen Finch Published
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Is a light or dark sofa better for a small room? How to pick a couch that flatters tiny spaces, according to designers
Which is best for enhancing a small space: a dark sofa or a light one? We asked interior designers to settle the debate
By Ellen Finch Published
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Is a white sofa a good idea? Designers think so – but there's one big caveat you need to know first
It's the minimalist dream, but is a white sofa a good idea – both aesthetically and practically? Here's what the designers had to say
By Ellen Finch Published
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'Your art should be in conversation with each other' – how to coordinate wall decor in a room for a curated display
It's not all about gallery walls – our guide to coordinating wall art will help you make the most of your collection and enhance your scheme
By Ellen Finch Published
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Which wall colors work best with concrete floors? Pairings to complement and elevate this industrial finish
Choosing wall colors that go with concrete floors can be tricky – but these design experts have the answers
By Ellen Finch Published
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Colors That Go With White Marble — 7 Picks to Complement Light Natural Stone
It might be a neutral, but there's an art to picking colors that go with white marble – we asked design experts for their tips
By Ellen Finch Published
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How do you give a bathroom the perfect finishing touch? 11 designer-approved ways to make your space your own
Think you can’t personalize your bathroom? These stylish ideas for finishing touches say otherwise
By Ellen Finch Published
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I tried one of the world's most expensive beds, owned by megastars like Drake, and found out exactly how it's made
The Swedish company Hästens makes beds costing upwards of $588,000 – so what’s the story behind them?
By Ellen Finch Published
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Should you mix tile colors in a bathroom? Designers weigh in on how to make this bold look work
Opting for colorful bathroom tiles doesn’t mean you’re limited to just one shade – here’s how to make multiple colors work in your space
By Ellen Finch Published
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8 kitchen finishing touches to elevate your space and make it the heart of the home
The work doesn't stop once you're done choosing countertops – these kitchen finishing touches will make your space feel whole
By Ellen Finch Published
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The 6 relaxing kitchen colors you should be using for calming schemes, according to designers
Create a sense of zen in your kitchen with these designer-approved relaxing colors – from calming greens to dreamy blues
By Ellen Finch Published
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Black kitchen countertop ideas – 10 designer-approved looks that make the case for going dark
Get inspired with these stylish black kitchen countertop ideas – proving that this look never dates
By Ellen Finch Published
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What colors best complement terracotta? These are the shades to pair with this on-trend earth tone
Some see it as the new neutral – but what are the colors that complement terracotta, exactly? Designers reveal how they pair it
By Ellen Finch Published
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Are white walls still in style for 2023? How to rework this ‘vanilla’ palette for now, according to designers
Is the simple white wall still on trend? Yes, say the experts – as long as you follow these tips on keeping things contemporary
By Ellen Finch Published
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These are the world's 10 best entertaining-ready spaces to give you holiday-hosting inspiration
These sociable set-ups were made for hosting all year round – here's why we think they work so well
By Ellen Finch Published