Manchester-based Antonia Ludden is the founder of UK home and interior lifestyle blog #tidylife, and started blogging back in 2012, inspired by the vibrant home interiors blogging scene in the USA. Now, she blogs about home improvements, DIY projects, products and more, including the odd post about fashion, beauty, fitness and family. She also works with brands such as Ikea and wilko and has had a number of product ambassador roles. Sara Walker spoke to Antonia to find out more about #tidylife and why it’s struck such a cord.
“My blog was originally launched as tidyawaytoday,” explains Antonia. “Originally my husband and I set it up with the idea of selling storage solutions. Our children were younger then and the house was a bit overrun with toys and clothes and general ‘stuff’ and we thought there was a gap in the market. However, we were time poor and as I became interested in blogging about home interiors and home design, I just used the existing site. I kept the name ‘tidy away today’ for a few years, but then re-branded the site #tidylife to include more lifestyle topics, too.”
Prior to becoming a fulltime blogger, Antonia worked as a PA to a chief executive for about twelve years before becoming a stay at home mum.
“Blogging was originally just a hobby, but it turned into a business, fortunately,” she says. “I love creating content. I have always been quite artistic and enjoyed writing, so it suits my abilities. I wanted to work on a magazine when I was younger, so this is a little similar.
“As regards my own personal style, I like fairly contemporary interiors, perhaps leaning towards a ‘soft industrial’ look. I love to see raw materials such as brick and scrubbed wood mixed with velvet, marble and metallics.
I’m inspired by a lot of the cool interiors I see on Instagram, Pinterest and in home magazines. I love the transformative power of paint and how it can completely change the look and feel of a room, it has such a big impact for not a lot of effort or expense. And not only on walls, but on furniture, too. But even just introducing a few home essentials such as cushions, mirrors and plants can make a big difference in brightening a space.
“I hope because I love what I do, that comes across in my blog and that’s what readers respond to. I also think my love of a bargain appeals to others – most people don’t have limitless budgets for home improvements. I try to feature affordable homeware and also quick and easy makeover ideas and improvements, too, as I don’t have lots of free time for elaborate schemes – and neither do my readers.
“Running my blog has given me some amazing opportunities, including working for myself and choosing my own hours, which is wonderful as a mum. Being noticed and approached by famous brands to collaborate still makes me pinch myself. I feel very fortunate to get some really creative opportunities. I’ve been able to travel, furnish my home, meet loads of new people and make like minded friends for life, all from blogging!
As regards the future, I’d like to keep doing more of the same hopefully, I also would love to do some more brand ambassador partnerships as I enjoy working with brands on a long term basis. I’d just to keep creating good content that keeps people interested, I guess!
To find out more about Antonia or her blog, visit www.tidyawaytoday.co.uk.
All images (c) Antonia Ludden/tidyawaytoday 2019
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Great interview with Antonia. Thanks for sharing this post.
Emma
Thank you for sharing such an amazing interview with Antonia Ludden & really loved the way she loves her work.
It’s always good to hear more about fellow bloggers. Always enjoyed Antonia’s website x
Ah lovely to learn more about Antonia, I love her blog for her affordable interiors. She’s got a lovely style