WHAT looks from the outside like any other apartment in the Huashan Road compound opens to reveal a flamboyant, vivid interior. There's no doubt this flat belongs to someone with a passion for color, from bold red and hot pink, to sand and sage green, to leopard and zebra print.

Color and texture are essential, and the homeowners tend to surround themselves with their favorite things that they've collected from their travels.

Born and raised in the UK, Victoria Scott moved to Shanghai from San Paulo, Brazil. In Brazil she worked as an English teacher, made a line of eccentric shower caps for a local boutique and helped friends with their interior design.

A change in the husband Donald Scott's job brought the couple to China and they've lived in Shanghai for three-and-a-half years and have twin toddler sons. Victoria now works helping expats to settle into their homes in the city and also set up a support group for the parents of twins.

The couple has lived in their high-rise apartment on Huashan Road for two-and-a-half years. "We lived before in the apartment directly opposite but were flooded out and had to leave. Our neighbors were moving and asked if we would be interested. Even after our bad plumbing experience we still love the layout of these flats and knew that all our furniture and curtains would fit," Scott said.

In her dreams Scott would live in one of the city's old lane houses, however, the practicalities drove her to consider apartment living. "I wanted a house full of light with clean simple lines that I could decorate in my own style, and very importantly, an understanding landlord," she said. "I love to experiment with paint colors for walls and make it, as far as possible, our own place."

This 300-square-meter apartment has a very open plan with abundant light and a great view over the former French concession area during the day and the sparkle of Shanghai at night. "Of course, it doesn't have the soul of an old lane house but it is always warm in the winter and breezy in the summer," Scott said.

When Scott first saw the place, she liked that it had a separate TV nook because she prefers to avoid having the TV as the focal point of the living room. The apartment was in a good condition so renovations simply included painting all the walls, the built-in wardrobes, removing the door between the kitchen and living area as well as changing the door handles on the cupboards to something less glitzy. "Some wall tiles were also removed in the kitchen so I could hang pictures. I also designed all the light fittings," she said.

Scott loves to mix different things, picks up ideas from countries and avoid rules. Having lived in Brazil before arriving here the space has elements of South America, England and, of course, China.

She calls her decoration style "eclectic." "I think it swings wildly between disco fabulous, plantation house, New England, old Shanghai and London, baby!"

When she first moved to Shanghai her home was all sage green walls and palms because she was still feeling Brazil. Now it has rich red walls, red silk lights and leather trunks. "Nothing says 'China' like the color red and as it's one of my favorites. It seems totally appropriate as a strong part of our home decor."

"I work as an interior designer in Shanghai and my home is my calling card. I love to experiment with different color schemes and mix everything that we've collected from our travels," she said.

The clash of vivid hues and fabrics shimmer their way into every available nook and cranny. Without curtains in the generous living area, natural light floods the space with handcrafted treasures.

"I'm a maximalist, without a doubt," Scott said. "My home is stuffed with things that we love, of memories and family treasures. I have a small chair that was left to me by a wonderful aunt of mine which I reupholstered in hot pink velvet because that reminds me of her."

Since playing, eating and sleeping are the twin's priorities, the kitchen and bedroom get plenty of use. "I've erected a tent for them in my bedroom and we spend lots of time in there, reading our favorite stories and practicing their new words."

The master bedroom is decorated with a sand and blue theme as it needs to remind Scott of the sea and the beach. "That is where I feel most relaxed as I grew up near the water. My curtains combine the turquoise, blue, green and sand colors of the seaside. I love white bed linen as it feels so fresh and cozy," she said.

"My living room has brown leather, dark wood, cow hide and lots of textured cushions that remind me of where we've lived. I want the wonderful people we meet here to feel relaxed enough in our home to tell us all their stories."

Q: What's the best thing about living in Shanghai?

A: Cycling through the former French concession area in the sunshine as a family. Spontaneous plans made with great friends. How much the Chinese people love my babies.

Q: Describe your home in three words.

A: Open, colorful, noisy.

Q: What's the first thing you do when you get home?

A: Cuddle my children.

Q: How do you unwind?

A: The perfect combination would be a deep bath and a glass of wine while chatting with my husband.

Q: Where do you spend most of the time at home?

A: Much time is spent in our bathroom as my boys adore their bath time.

Q: What's the best view outside your window?

A: My herb garden (on the 26th floor!) then the former French concession area spreading out below us.

Q: How do you scent your home?

A: Babies and fresh flowers.

Q: What's your favorite object at home?

A: I love my Brazilian carved wooden dove. It represents the Christian idea of the Holy Spirit and all that is glorious about Brazil and the warmth of the people.

Q: Where do you source furniture in Shanghai?

A: Hu & Hu, Kava Kava, Elm Workshop, Kenas, IKEA, Masters Sofa, Shiney furniture, Soozar, Dongtai Road, that marvellous warehouse on the way to Pudong International Airport, the furniture stores at the Hongqiao flower market.

With the dreary months of winter behind us, it is time to put out the welcome sign for the spring season by introducing some fresh decorations into your home. Replace the dark-colored cushions and blankets with more brightly colored ones or rearrange your furniture for a simple, clean look. And do not forget to add spring incense and light a few candles to enhance the feeling of a relaxed spring evening.

Huahom pendent, 2,080 yuan (US$317.82), by O Tazana,

from 100 percent

Address: 72 Wuyuan Rd

Tel: 5404-1678

Fish cushion cover, 290 yuan, from Oshadai

Address: Unit 232, 245 Madang Rd

Tel: 5386-7866

Decoration, 199 yuan/each, from Casa Pagoda

Address: 299 Fuxing Rd W.

Tel: 6467-5608

Storage box, 490 yuan, from Casa Pagoda

Address: 299 Fuxing Rd W.

Tel: 6467-5608

Tonhom floor lamp, 2,680 yuan, by O Tazana, from 100 percent

Address: 72 Wuyuan Rd

Tel: 5404-1678

Paolo Planezza stool, 418 to 618 yuan, from Platane

Address: 127 Yongfu Rd

Tel: 6433-6387

Luna Pasta Bowl, 70 yuan, from Francfranc

Address: 245 Madang Rd

Tel: 5386-0655

Blue and white plate, 135 to 185 yuan, from Platane

Address: 127 Yongfu Rd

Tel: 6433-6387

Hr Det, 498 yuan, by c quoi vase, from 100 percent

Address: 72 Wuyuan Rd

Tel: 5404-1678