Step inside the home of interior stylist, designer and creative director Maxine Brady as she opens the doors to her beautiful Brighton home in the heart of Sussex to House Beautiful Magazine.
I still get a little thrill every time I see my name in print, even after years in the industry as an interior stylist and designer. But this feature in House Beautiful felt particularly special. Not just because it’s a magazine I’ve admired for years, but because I used to work there.
In my late twenties, I was part of the House Beautiful editorial team, writing features, styling shoots and learning so much about what makes a home sing. Fast forward to now. I’m an interior stylist and designer with my own Brighton home (in the heart of East Sussex) which proudly featured in its pages. Full circle moment? Absolutely.
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From Wreck to Rainbow
When I first bought my Victorian railway worker’s terrace in Brighton back in 2016, it had been empty for seven years. The bathroom was leaking into the kitchen. The back door wouldn’t open because the garden was so overgrown. Snails regularly appeared on the kitchen floor. It was, quite literally, a mess.
But I saw the potential. With a tight budget, a lot of DIY and the support of friends and family, I tackled one project at a time, from making the roof watertight to knocking down walls, installing new doors, and reconfiguring the kitchen layout. I lived in the house while doing it up, which wasn’t always glamorous, but it helped me make smart, considered design decisions.
Two years of hard graft later, I moved onto the fun part, bringing in colour, pattern and personality.
I grew up in East and West Sussex, so buying my own home in Brighton was a dream come true for me.
As Seen in House Beautiful
The House Beautiful feature captured the spirit of my home so beautifully from the sunshine yellow velvet sofa in the living room to the coral watercolour mural in the main bedroom. You can see just how much I love to mix vintage finds, bold colours and coastal references throughout the space. You can see the original article here (I’ve been featured twice in a year).
My Brighton home is small, so I’ve had to be clever with layout, storage and design choices. I don’t follow trends as I style with things I love, whether that’s a Moroccan tile, a framed gig poster or a secondhand armchair found in a French flea market.
I wanted my home to reflect the creative energy of Brighton, but also feel calm, functional and full of joy.
Photos taken by Bee Holmes
4 Ideas to Steal From My Home
1. Go bold with colour
I painted the exterior of my home in a peppermint green that matches the Brighton promenade railings. It’s cheerful and completely unique and proves that kerb appeal doesn’t have to be beige.
2. Mix old with new
Almost every room in my home has something vintage in it; from upcycled bedroom drawers to a retro TV unit I turned into a linen cupboard. Secondhand pieces add soul, and they’re great for the planet too.
3. Tile with personality
I’m obsessed with tiling. I’ve used Moroccan-inspired tiles on the fireplace hearth, mini mosaics on the stairs, and 3D-effect ones in the kitchen. It’s an easy way to add texture and style without overwhelming a space.
4. Don’t forget the garden
Even a tiny outdoor space can become a sanctuary. I turned my yard into a sunny retreat using CED stone paving, planters on wheels and solar lights. And now it’s an extra living room in summer.
My Colourful Brighton Home In House Beautiful
Having my home featured in House Beautiful feels like a lovely. It’s a space I’ve poured so much love, energy and creativity into and seeing it on those glossy pages was a reminder of how far I’ve come.
If you’re new to my world – welcome. And if you’ve followed my journey from the early days of peeling woodchip wallpaper to today’s styled-up shoots, thank you for being part of it.