The living room project is underway
A quick update as we get started on a living room makeover
Last weekend was one of cancelled plans and rehydration sachets after a sleepless Friday night of throwing up – so I started this week working from home and taking it steady-ish after being so unwell. Now, the energy in the air is already feeling more spring-like and time is going quickly. And it’s not quite as dark in the evening. Lemon and sugar at the ready for Tuesday, guys.
I’ve been getting some writing done – I wrote about combining green and grey for Livingetc, which I’d definitely recommend if you have some grey interiors and want to update it with something that doesn’t feel too scary. I also wrote about organising a small hallway for Woman & Home, with lots of tips from designers and professional home organisers for a more functional entryway. I’ve also been trying to keep on top of life admin and getting more focused on the half-marathon training.
Running-wise, I had a week out because of being ill and feel like that has set me back slightly, which is annoying because I might be feeling a bit speedier at this point otherwise. But there are still two months until the race and I’m doing about four runs each week. I did my third track session on Wednesday, which I’m really enjoying. We did a mega muddy Parkrun yesterday at Endcliffe, and a hilly but sunny run with the running club today.
We are making lots of progress with the small living room project – we’re doing a ‘cosy boho’ scheme with green walls, lots of neutral soft furnishings, layered lighting and decor pieces picked up on travels. The end result’s going to be a really cosy and homely space for watching films, reading and hanging out. We have just about settled on a green for the walls, although we originally thought about going for a soft brown. There weren’t many brown options when we were looking, and I think green will look bolder, while still being very soothing and grounding.
Here are the two mood boards, the first being a little more neutral, the second a little more colourful, but they are very similar:
The original brick around the fireplace has now been exposed, which is going to add so much character and texture to the space once it all comes together, as well as making the space feel totally different.
I wanted to put bespoke shelving on either side of the fireplace, making it fairly symmetrical, but there’s very little space between the wall on the left-hand side, and the window at the front of the house, so shelving can’t go all the way across without blocking out some of the light from the window. So the shelves are one of the main things we need to work out in the next week. But we’ve sorted some artwork for a gallery wall behind the sofa, we’ve got shoe storage, a rug, storage baskets, a new lampshade for the ceiling, and a coffee table.
The next step is to get the paint colour matched, organise a paint party and get the paint on the walls. The current plan is to paint the ceiling a warm white, with green undertones, and potentially bring the white down to picture rail level. Once the space is painted, we’ll be able to choose the curtains for the window more easily, and a curtain to cover the door to help keep things warm in winter. Then, the shelves can go up and it’ll quickly start to come together. More updates soon!
I’ve also seen some really inspiring interiors out and about lately, in coffee shops and even at the gym. I love the colour drenching in Sheffield’s ELM and the clever lighting trick they’ve used:
Hanging a pendant light low over a plant casts leafy shadows, adding pattern and interest, while making a simple house plant more of a ‘moment’ in the room. I also really like the matte grey light fitting against the blue walls, and the shiny, oversized ceramic pot. The combination of textures and light play works really well. Big, big fan. The space is a great example of a dark colour not making a room look small, just making it look cool.
Next week is pancake day, obviously, and a lot of the same: running, working on the living room, and keeping on top of deadlines. Have a great week and thanks for reading until the end!