Cheshire

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="818" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-818x1024.jpeg" alt="Lou Crane @notaperioddrama" class="wp-image-7653" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-818x1024.jpeg 818w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-768x961.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-1228x1536.jpeg 1228w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-1637x2048.jpeg 1637w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/photo-output-scaled.jpeg 2046w" sizes="(max-width: 818px) 100vw, 818px" /></figure></div>


<p>The Cheshire-based influencer behind&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/notaperioddrama/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@notaperioddrama</a>, Lou has transformed her Edwardian home into a masterclass in dopamine décor — and she’s done it all herself. From fearless colour choices to personality-packed rooms and a refreshing disregard for beige, she shares it all with honesty and humour. We caught up with Lou to talk decorating without rules, learning as you go, and her fave places to go in Cheshire. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-ve-decorated-your-entire-house-yourself-where-did-you-start-and-why">You’ve decorated your entire house yourself — where did you start, and why?</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="775" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4841-775x1024.jpg" alt="House of Lou Crane @notaperioddrama" class="wp-image-7659" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4841-775x1024.jpg 775w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4841-227x300.jpg 227w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4841-768x1014.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4841-1163x1536.jpg 1163w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4841.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px" /></figure></div>


<p>I started with the living room so I&#8217;d always have a place to go back to during the rest of the renovation process and hide whilst everywhere else was a mess. DIY saves so much money and you can always pay someone to fix something if you get it wrong &#8211; which is far better than paying someone to realise you could have done it yourself all along.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-room-took-the-longest-to-get-right-and-which-came-together-effortlessly">Which room took the longest to get right, and which came together effortlessly?</h2>



<p>The hall, stairs and landing took nearly 12 months &#8211; there were so many layers of old paint to strip off the original bannister and so much wood to bring back to life. It&#8217;s the hardest space because you can&#8217;t just close the door on your stairs! My master bedroom was the easier room. I just had the vision in my head so clearly and didn&#8217;t even buy a tester pot &#8211; I just bought the paint off the shelf.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="780" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4837-780x1024.jpg" alt="Home of Lou Crane @notaperioddrama" class="wp-image-7660" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4837-780x1024.jpg 780w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4837-228x300.jpg 228w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4837-768x1008.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4837-1170x1536.jpg 1170w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4837.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-one-space-you-re-most-proud-of-and-what-makes-it-special-nbsp">What’s the one space you’re most proud of (and what makes it special)?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>My home office. After years of working in corporate prior to my current job I was so used to offices being functional, grey and dark. I love that my office is full of light, creativity, plants and a disco ball that always brings the sparkle. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-have-there-been-any-decorating-disasters-or-what-was-i-thinking-moments-along-the-way-nbsp">Have there been any decorating disasters or “what was I thinking?” moments along the way?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>No disasters but every time I&#8217;ve sanded a floor (seven times) I&#8217;ve wished I&#8217;d remembered how much I hated it from last time.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="794" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4842-794x1024.jpg" alt="Home of Lou Crane @notaperioddrama" class="wp-image-7661" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4842-794x1024.jpg 794w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4842-233x300.jpg 233w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4842-768x990.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4842.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 794px) 100vw, 794px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-best-tip-for-adding-impact-on-a-realistic-budget">What’s your best tip for adding impact on a realistic budget?</h2>



<p>Fill your home with the things you love, the best kind of decor is personality and if you love it, it&#8217;s never a waste of money. I honestly just did everything for me &#8211; thing that would bring me joy at home and that&#8217;s the kind of decor that lasts.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="785" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4838-785x1024.jpg" alt="Home of Lou Crane @notaperioddrama" class="wp-image-7662" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4838-785x1024.jpg 785w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4838-230x300.jpg 230w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4838-768x1002.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4838-1177x1536.jpg 1177w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4838.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px" /></figure></div>


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fave-coffee-spot">Fave coffee spot?</h2>



<p>It has to be <a href="https://celestesolci.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Celeste</a> in Holmes Chapel. They used to have a sister site called Abda in Northwich as well which they now run as a coffee education and event business &#8211; and the coffee is unrivalled. Their expertise in speciality coffee are second to none and it&#8217;s the best chai (made in a pan with spices rather than syrup) you&#8217;ll ever have. As for bakeries&#8230; First up I&#8217;d have to say <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lachouquettebakery/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Chouquette</a>. They have sites in Poynton and Didsbury, and honestly this is the best bread and pastry you&#8217;ll ever get your hands on. And then there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mostbakeryalty/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Most Bakery</a> in Altrincham&nbsp; &#8211; the friendliest bakery around. They always have gorgeous fresh sandwiches on in-house baked bread and their sweet bakes are insane. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-about-indie-women-s-stores">How about indie women&#8217;s stores?</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/shop_front.jpg-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1024x640.jpg" alt="Steranko Didsbury" class="wp-image-7690" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/shop_front.jpg-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/shop_front.jpg-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-300x188.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/shop_front.jpg-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-768x480.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/shop_front.jpg-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>


<p><a href="https://www.steranko.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Steranko </a>in West Didsbury has some really cool brands and it&#8217;s all curated in a way you&#8217;re guaranteed to find a statement piece. It actually opened back in 1991, long before Burton Road was the fun and cool artery it is today. But it&#8217;s clearly doing something very right, having morphed into a cult favourite, stacked with clothes that balance razor-sharp tailoring with relaxed ease.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-go-if-you-want-some-fresh-air-or-to-escape">Where do you go if you want some fresh air or to escape?</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="990" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4859-990x1024.jpg" alt="Lou Crane paddleboarding " class="wp-image-7687" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4859-990x1024.jpg 990w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4859-290x300.jpg 290w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4859-768x794.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4859.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px" /></figure></div>


<p>Pickmere Lake every time. The sunsets are magical and there&#8217;s just something about being near the water. In summer it&#8217;s a gorgeous place to paddle board, swim and have a picnic, and in the spring and autumn when the sun is low you just feel like you&#8217;re on holiday. It&#8217;s always on my way home from somewhere so I frequently just detour when I see a show-stopping sunset on the horizon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-go-for-beauty-treatments">Where do you go for beauty treatments? </h2>



<p>First up it&#8217;s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/angels.bychloe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Angels By Chloe</a> for nails in Winsford &#8211; she&#8217;s the nail art queen and is super speedy. For my tresses, I head to <a href="https://booksolo.co/hairbytiger" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hair by Tiger</a> in Knutsford &#8211; never have I met anyone who just understands the assignment so well. You leave with dreamy hair that&#8217;s just as you imagined it to be. </p>



<p>For brows, it&#8217;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/people/BROW-VOLT/61556173417401/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Browvolt </a>in Northwich. I used to have a brow technician and now I have a brow artist &#8211; the only person who&#8217;s ever been so meticulous about my aftercare and it&#8217;s given me far better results. And finally <a href="https://makclinic.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MAK Clinics</a> for Botox in Knutsford. Jen is so professional and medically trained and I wouldn&#8217;t trust anyone else with an aesthetics procedure. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-are-your-fave-local-restaurants">Where are your fave local restaurants?</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="683" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1-683x1024.jpg" alt="The Roebuck Inn Mobberley " class="wp-image-7683" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/SCFG-109-scaled-1.jpg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>


<p>So if you&#8217;re looking for a wholesome breakfast or lunch, head over to <a href="https://www.blanchflower.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blanchflower</a> in Altrincham. Everything is always so fresh and their dirty chai is gorgeous. A newbie on the list has to be the offshoot of <a href="https://thestolenlamb.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stolen Lamb</a> in Knutsford. Grab a a table here and settle in for small plates over lunch or a full-on feast at dinner, from rich beef stifado to seabass served over orzo. It&#8217;s all incredible and they&#8217;ve nailed the interiors. </p>



<p>Elsewhere, I&#8217;m a little bit in love with <a href="https://www.lindenstores.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Linden Stores</a> in Knutsford. I honestly don&#8217;t think you&#8217;ll get a better quality tasting meal for £50 than their Chef&#8217;s Menu. It&#8217;s always a showstopper but at a really accessible price and their wine menu, service and setting are unmatched. Very cool and understated but the food will always blow you away. </p>



<p>As for pubs? <a href="https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/hayhurstarms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hayhurst Arms</a> in Bostock is a prime example of a proper Cheshire country pub, where you&#8217;ll find a huge beer garden in summer and roaring fires in winter. Oh and its Sunday roasts are insane. And then there&#8217;s <a href="https://roebuckinnmobberley.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Roebuck Inn</a> in Mobberley. If you haven&#8217;t been here, you seriously need to book in asap. This is one of the most beautiful pubs in the area and the menu is always exciting whatever time of the year or day of the week you go. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-you-like-to-work-out-and-why">Where do you like to work out and why?</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="925" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4860-925x1024.jpg" alt="Lou Crane padel Cheshire" class="wp-image-7685" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4860-925x1024.jpg 925w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4860-271x300.jpg 271w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4860-768x850.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cheshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/01/IMG_4860.jpg 1179w" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" /></figure></div>


<p>First up is <a href="https://hotpodyoga.com/studios/northwich/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=20805608586&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADd-pUBvlUdQT4Cdx4ZuliPl4mEDk&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAyP3KBhD9ARIsAAJLnnaKExTV959kxHUW8AJY7VWEDZBuAqTY78ghGA6FHrkoFAecWhnyQ_QaAlwWEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotpod Yoga in Northwich</a>. You don&#8217;t just come here for yoga &#8211; you come here for a community. There&#8217;s a minimum two classes every day so you can always find the time, and despite never doing yoga before I went in, I never felt anything but a part of the studio from day one. I also love <a href="https://baysereformerpilates.com/bayse-reformer-pilates-altrincham-reformer-pilates-classes-altrincham/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23227631265&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBhADEdrwvikmi4ZcsOXuKNOH-weg&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAyP3KBhD9ARIsAAJLnnZwJpJpZlRyVUTNAO5HyIon36yOjuREdQBpIdN3iZDST_OoGdu9ARIaAgHrEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayse Reformer Pilates</a> in Altrincham. There&#8217;s a lot of studios opening in Altrincham which is a good thing for pricing because it means lot are trying to be competitive. Bayse is relatively cheap for reformer and the class times are frequent so you can make the most of your membership. And I&#8217;m a bit of padel nut too and head to <a href="https://destination-padel.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Destination Padel</a> in Northwich, <a href="https://www.thepadelhangar.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Padel Hangar</a> in Allostock and <a href="https://www.hartfordtennisclub.co.uk/padel-tennis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Padel at Hartford Tennis Club</a>. Destination has five courts so it&#8217;s easier to find a time; The Padel Hangar is basically a private space, is really competitively priced, and it&#8217;s my fave indoor court. Hartford Tennis Club, meanwhile, is my favourite summer court as it&#8217;s private and outdoor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-people-reads-from-muddy-stilettos-cheshire">More people reads from Muddy Stilettos Cheshire…</h2>



<p><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/my-fave-places-hattie-norbury-james/">Hattie Norbury-James:</a>&nbsp;Discover where the aspiring actress and influencer gets her endorphin fix and the restaurants on her must-eat list</p>



<p><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/i-went-from-a-size-6-to-16-after-becoming-a-life-saving-organ-donor-and-now-im-a-body-positivity-model/">Soph Hughes:&nbsp;</a>I went from a size 6 to 16 after becoming a life-saving organ donor and now I’m a body positivity model.</p>



<p><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/nikki-hills-fave-cheshire-hang-outs/">Nikki Hill:</a>&nbsp;The Aussie naturopath at the helm of her very own apothecary reveals where to find the best coffee in Cheshire, which facial she swears by, and her favourite local lifestyle store.</p>



<p><a href="https://cheshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/charlotte-leaman-knutsford-manchester-stockport-wilmslow/">Charlotte Leaman:</a>&nbsp;Colour queen of Instagram (@goodmannersstyle) and creator of headbands, Cheshire-based Charlotte Leaman gives Muddy the lowdown on her local hang outs.</p>


My favourite places: interiors and lifestyle influencer, Lou Crane @notaperioddrama

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