At home with… Camilla Grayley

What makes a house feel like home? In “At Home With…,” I explore this question with fellow business owners and public figures, uncovering the unique ways they shape their spaces. Through a shared set of questions, each guest reveals what’s important to them—from treasured items to thoughtful design choices that reflect their lives and values.

Today, I’m thrilled to feature Camilla Grayley, garden designer at Camilla Grayley Garden Design . Step inside as Camilla shares her style, her inspirations, and the details that make her home a true reflection of who she is…

Garden desaigner, Camilla Grayley of Camilla Grayley Garden Design, York

Camilla is the owner of Camilla Grayley Garden Design, a Yorkshire-based garden design business helping clients create outdoor spaces around their lives and lifestyle.

Camilla sees garden design as a collaborative process between designer and client, “after all it is yours to love and enjoy for many years to come”. Having studied ecology and environmental management at university, sustainability and encouraging biodiversity into the garden are key considerations in Camilla’s designs.

Let’s get Camilla’s perspective on what makes a house a home…

Tell me a little bit about your home and who you share it with?

I live in a 1930s house with my husband, there are a few minor items to fix but it has mostly been renovated now.

When we bought it had belonged to the same family since it was built. Half had been left untouched since the 1930s (there was still a meat safe in the kitchen) and half had been updated in the 1960s. Some rooms had green swirly carpet and the bathroom walls had been painted in pink gloss, a nightmare to cover over! The kitchen was half tile-effect wallpaper with windmills, and half plywood wood panel with kitchen foil behind it. It really was kitchen foil not insulation, as every two metres it said you've run out don't forget to add it to your shopping list!

What is your favourite spot in your home and why?

My favourite spot to sit, particularly to write, is at the kitchen table in the extension that we had built. I get to look down the garden and observe it through the seasons. Although at the moment it is probably more of a distraction, last year I took all the topiary out of the borders. It had succumbed to box moth caterpillar and now I'm redesigning and planning some changes.

Camilla enjoys views of her garden from her home

Do you have any family heirlooms, or items inspired by your family history in your home?

They aren't really family heirlooms but I have a walnut sofa table that belonged to my grandparents. It is currently in my office with notebooks and photos on it. I also have a chair that was grandmothers, when I was given it, it was a slightly grubby white armchair. I realised the white material was a cover she had, had made for it. Underneath it had painted wooden arms and legs and pale coloured upholstery. I stripped the paint off and waxed the wood, then shampooed the fabric. It had lost some of its pins, mainly decorative but also holding some of the fabric in place, so I replaced these. It give me a lot of satisfaction and joy bringing the chair back to life. If anyone stays with us, it is in the spare room.

Do you have any quirky or unusual items?

A few years ago we went to Cambridge for my birthday and visited the art gallery at Kettle's Yard. Ai Weiwei has a strong connection with Cambridge and they sell some of his work in the gallery shop. I bought a print that says 'Have you seen Ai Weiwei's cats' and there is a pen sketch of two cats underneath. Every time I walk past it makes me smile.

Camilla’s Ai Weiwei print evokes fond memories and makes her smile.

What is the oldest thing in your house?

The oldest things are probably Victorian, we have a couple of wine tables that we use as side tables in the living room and some pot lids (one of my uncles was an antiques dealer). The pot lids have scenes from Shakespeare on such as the ghost of Hamlet's father. It is amazing how much effort the Victorians put into decorating lids on condiments, such as fish paste and gentleman's relish.

What is the last thing you bought for your house?

The last thing I bought was lovely soft throw that lives on the sofa. It came from a shop in Melrose in the Scottish Borders, that I found while on holiday. I love finding things for the home or garden on holiday, whether it is a piece of art or wandering round a flea market.

Camilla’s most recent purchase for her home was a soft throw from a shop in Melrose in the Scottish borders.

What colours have you used in your home and what inspired those choices?

The colours are mainly neutrals and blues, inspired by Scandinavian design. Most of the house has wooden floors, mid-century furniture and Scandinavian designed lighting (Danish) and accessories (Swedish glass). I spent many years working in Norway and Sweden (with the odd trip to Denmark) and came to love all things Scandinavian. Always enjoy watching a good Scandi Noir too.

Camilla loves Scandinavian design and has styled her home with mid-century furniture and accessories including this Danish lamp and Swedish glass.

A well-designed home doesn’t only look great, it works on a practical level, and makes life easier for those who live there.  Are there any life-enhancing, practical design features in your home?

We had shelving built in the living room, for my ever increasing book collection. It has made the house look much tidier and it doesn't go all the way down to the floor, so it looks like its floating.

If money were no object, where would you live and what would your home be like?

I would like to live near water, the sea or a large lake and the house would have lots of glass and timber. To let the light in and enjoy the views over the surrounding landscape.

Nest and Flourish Interiors is known for creating accessible and inclusive spaces, can you describe what makes you feel welcome and comfortable in a space?

I enjoy good design but I also like homes that look lived in. As someone who has been known to haul gardening tools through the house (they can go round the side but it involves additional keys) and take delivery of paving samples and plants for clients. Not to mention the pile of trainers by the front door (they do live in a basket), as I enjoy running. I like to think the house, even if not at its tidiest, still says come in and have a coffee.    

And what puts you off and makes you want to leave a space?

It doesn't make me want to leave but glistening white spaces tend to make me worried about spilling coffee! I also like well designed but comfortable seating.

What makes a house a home in your eyes?

Along with having a space that feels it is used and enjoyed, I like having lots of layers of soft furnishings. Particularly giving that cosy feeling in the living room, to make it a space that anyone can sprawl out in and relax in front of the fire.

Tell me about your business, what you do, where you do it, who you help, and how people can contact you?

I run Camilla Grayley Garden Design, a garden design business offering the full garden design service from ideas and sketches to putting the work out to tender and planting it all up. To garden consultations, planting design (sometimes it can be as simple as adding autumn and winter colour to the borders to turn it into the ideal garden) and garden writing (blogs and articles for magazines and newspapers).

People can contact me by email info@camillagrayleydesign.com or phone me on 07887 926095.

Many thanks to Camilla for allowing us a peek inside her home. If you would like to be featured in the Nest and Flourish “At home with blog…” email Kim Heslip kim@nestandflourish.co.uk.

Nest and Flourish Interiors, founded by interior designer and former nurse Kim Heslip, specialises in creating beautiful, accessible, and inclusive spaces that promote dignity, independence, and wellbeing.

With 20 years of nursing experience, Kim understands the transformative power of supportive environments and designs homes and workspaces that cater to health needs, disabilities, and different neurotypes.

Based in Yorkshire, Nest and Flourish Interiors provides tailored, one-to-one design services across Leeds, York, Harrogate, and beyond.

Contact Kim to discover how she can help you create a thoughtfully designed space that works for everyone who uses it.