Decorating our lounge - blank canvas
ghesp
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
We've stripped our lounge right back, put in downlights and are now in a position to start painting, papering, designing and then furnishing.
What we're struggling with though is how to decorate it. We have a very modern refurbished house, and we want the light to fall in line with this. What we don't want though, is a clinical lounge - we want this to be a comforting place where we can dim the lights and keep that warm feeling.
We like it to be dark, yet at the same time light with the lighting - no bright colours etc please, and no magnolia! We'd also like to try and stay away from grey - our kitchen is white, with grey worktops, tiles and walls (LG French Pale Grey)
I know lighting plays a huge part, hence the downlights, but will also be adding floor lamp and table lamps. All ceiling lights are on dimmers.
Anything decoration wise is up for grabs, from the paint, paper, sofas, window covers etc. The only thing that can't be changed is the location of the sockets, the fire, carpet (a light brown/cream mix?) and the lighting.
Any suggestions - please ignore the current mess?
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minnie101
8 years ago
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Blank canvas! Ideas please!
Comments (19)I would leave the fireplace as is, it's a feature of the room. If the rooms are small I would paint up to the picture rail and leave above in white. Something like elephants breath by farrow and ball could work for downstairs. Invest in some statement lighting as it make a room and also a stylish sofa. Look for secondhand furniture, mirrors etc on ebay. Depending on your style, you can always makeover any furniture yourself. If the kitchen cupboards are paintable then i would do this. If you don't like the kitchen as it is now, I would make a feature of the back window wall as your eye will be drawn to this. The diy shops have some good and cheap wallpapers in at the moment. I recently did a quick "tart up" of my basement utility room. I love tin tiles but couldn't find them in the right size in the uk so I bought turner tile anaglypta wallpaper (about £10 a roll) and then painted it metallic silver which looks great ( I think!). If you're keen on using copper this might be a cheap idea. I would just focus on getting the basics done now and then accessorise as budget permits....See MoreA blank canvas - let's see what you can suggest!
Comments (10)Depends on your budget. When we got our first home in 1971 we didn't expect to have all the best of everything straight away, we were handed down odd chairs etc. from various members of the family and a dining table and chairs too. As the house wasn't brand new, we paid the previous owner for their carpets and Venetian blinds, I made new curtains and we did buy a new bed. We didn't get a tv for about 18 months and then it was a secondhand black and white one. Whatever you do, remember getting into debt, just so you can have everything you want before you know what you really need, is not a good idea. Your taste could change before you have paid off the loan! If you are a fantastically wealthy person, then ask an interior designer to help you, whatever you do, remember to enjoy yourself and you don't have to overspend to do that either....See MoreBlank canvas !
Comments (9)Hello Sian, Although it's not possible to see the whole room with the photo's you have added, I do think the sofa and love seat need to interact with each other spatially so there's room between the two... It balances the room and lends itself to conversation beautifully whether that's opposite each other or some other arrangement. Then look at something to compliment.. Some layered throws for the sofa and seat on an arm or over the back of the sofa.. Grouping the cushions at ends rather than along is a nice way to open the sofas/chairs and stylishly shows them off and the sofa/chair they sit on, to their best.. But here's a little idea I put together to illustrate how a few additions can make a big impact.. I have found things with texture and the idea is that you layer the look to create something warm and inviting and really with very little effort... Feathered light shade and feathered mirror give texture and a feminine touch but not over the top.. Whilst green accents for the sofa in the form of cushions and throws can give subtle impact and a layered look - I have chosen a scheme that's subtle but I think is inviting as it is serene. With further additions like the fiddle leaf fig which is one of my favourites. A table lamp or two would also be a nice idea for mood and accent lighting and here you can imagine a small little side table behind the love seat with the lamp on it.. .. : ))...See MoreBlank canvas grey bedroom, what would you do with it?
Comments (51)Yes you’re right about that Love your home bed, the wings are deeper than our wardrobes (which are half recessed) so if we had little shelf bedsides they’d be really hard to reach, we‘d have to sit up and reach around the wings. If I’m honest I don’t think we can face doing anything too complicated like false wall or moving the sockets to allow for the full width headboard! New lights.... maybe... husband is predictably Not Keen. So, I think that boils it down to the naturalmat Prideaux bed, in linen 😁 with the bigger headboard size if they will do that. I’m up for painting that section of wall though - we could either use the mid grey green shown on the door, or a much darker grey green (the mid is Blanket and the dark is Squid Ink, both Paint & Paper library). If we use the mid paint then the bed colour would be dark and vice versa. Linen curtains - need to look at all my samples in the room later on today! Not heard of vinterior, I will have a browse. 😁 Yes I hope the cat is real!...See Moremrsmcee74
8 years agoclairabellegolightly
8 years agoghesp
8 years agoghesp
8 years agoPetite Maison
8 years agomrsmcee74
8 years agoGhesp, go with grasscloth look rather than the real thing. This one is excellent and on offer at the moment at £36 a roll, you don't need to use as much because there's no pattern matching:
http://www.janeclayton.co.uk/product/oralia/48152?gclid=CPHvueq6nMkCFROeGwodu-wNJg
ghesp thanked mrsmcee74
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