Taking Shape

With the bedroom finito, I though a living room update was overdue. 

Though far from finished, this space is finally taking shape and feeling more like home. The space in front of the sofa has been filled with a ming-like coffee table, and the bare bulbs hanging overhead are now hidden behind giant white drum shades.

As the days get longer, the need for curtains is becoming more and more apparent, and the 10 ft windows certainly make it a tricky task. Also on the to-do list are 2 bolster pillows (in the sofa upholstery fabric), and 2 square pillows in the perfect shade of pale pink.

Here is what it looks like now:

Spot the kitty (and the plant she is in the middle of taking down, one leaf at a time).

The basket on the table holds all of our laptop wires, earphones, plugs - all the valuables the kitty has attempted to chew through.

 We're getting there.

Sourcing: Opium Coffee Table - Maison Du Monde, Alseda Footstools - Ikea, Hovet Leaning Mirror - Ikea, Nymo Drum Shade - Ikea, Woven Basket - Rachel & Malika's Brixton Village.

Happy Holidays

So it's been a while.

In the last few weeks, I have spent a fortnight in South East Asia, spent several hours in A&E with a chest infection, and spent not so much time working on the flat.

In other words, not much has changed around here aesthetically.

The chandeliers are STILL on the floor, but not for long as we are preparing for a new addition, in the form of a kitten. Kitten + delicate chandeliers balancing on the floor = disaster.

The only significant change in the flat has been the addition of bookshelves, which enabled us to finally unpack the last of the boxes (which were filled with books).

So this wall:

Now looks like this:

The photo in the frame is just something I tore out of Elle Decoration as a place holder, as I got sick of looking at the Ikea Ribba label. It works...for now.

The dining table and chairs are working out perfectly. It's so nice to be able to sit down to eat properly! We are still waiting for the black wool seat pads, but for the time being we are using bright red ones which are just a little too bright for me.

My main priorities are now finding shades for the pendant lights (in place of the chandeliers), making a final decision on a rug, and of course, buying a coffee table.

I probably will not have any more updates until the new year, but by then I expect to be fully recovered and back on track.

Until then, happy holidays to you all!

The Best Laid Plans

It's been a rough week.

We were told by our electrician, that due to the construction of the ceiling, hanging the "terrible twosome" would be more complicated (and expensive) than anticipated.

We're now waiting to hear from the Barratt electricians, who initially said that hanging these lights wouldn't be a problem, and every single digit of mine is crossed. In the worst case scenario, should these chandeliers prove to be as problematic to hang as indicated, we will just have to dismantle and store them until we are in a better position to get the job done.

I was not happy. However, watching the footage of the devastation in the Philippines certainly put it into perspective and made me realise that though disappointing, this can firmly be filed under "first world problems".

As the chandelier saga unfolded, there was more drama brewing in the form of our dining room chairs. They were already about a week late when we were informed that the delivery would be "curb side". As in, they don't bring them into the flat. As in, someone needed to be there to receive them (full time job, shmull time job).

To make a long story short, after arranging for someone to be here, ONE chair was delivered. The company (which shall remain nameless) for some strange reason split the order, and one delivery truck got lost and drove back to the depot - with the other three chairs!

Cue very angry telephone conversations in which they finally agreed to redeliver on the same day, despite it being "not something they usually do", and we received the remaining chairs late that evening.

We had also ordered black wool seat pads, but won't receive them until the new year when they are back in stock. 

In other news, there is this one wall without windows in our living area, that I have been giving the side eye to ever since we moved in. I keep thinking that if I paint it a very dark hue it will visually recede - and bizarre as this may sound I HAVE been missing our old black wall.

 

This wall runs straight into the kitchen, and I was thinking of painting the entire thing (under the ledge).

The boxes contain books, as this is also the wall where our bookshelves will go, like so or similar -

I've also begun to tire of having no where to rest my feet/glass/stuff and so have been giving more thought to a much needed coffee table. I mocked up the moodboard below to show the direction in which I intend to go.

1. "Railings" - Farrow & Ball   2. Glass Coffee Table - Habitat   3. Alsed Footstools - Ikea   4. Persian Rug - Woven Ground

Though I'm loving this merging of aesthetics (contemporary, traditional, and modern) on paper (screen?), we all know that looks can be deceiving. I plan to visit the Woven Ground showroom to see the colouring of this rug in person before making any final decisions, so there will probably be more on these plans later.

Here's to this upcoming week being better than the last!

Striking A Balance

Because of the modern feel of our flat, and having decided long ago on Bertoia side chairs for the dining area, I knew I needed a dining table that would provide balance and prevent a cold and uninviting feeling. I needed something that would warm up the room and create a nice juxtaposition of old and new.

The more I thought about it, the more I leaned towards a rustic farmhouse style table, like in the images below, preferably with turned legs to mimic the curve of the ceiling and soften the clean lines of the space.

via One Hour

via Abode Love

photo source unknown

photo source unknown

I soon realised that finding a dining room table in London is not a task for the fainthearted. It seemed all the options fell into 3 main categories : affordable/bad quality, expensive/bad quality, extortionate/good quality. An added concern was the issue of space. As in, we don't have much.

So when an acquaintance referred us to the small family run company where he purchased a custom farmhouse table, my initial thought was that we would have to take out another mortgage to be able to afford one.

I was wrong.

Perusing the website, the tables at the Birmingham based Nina's Country Kitchen, appeared to be exceptional value for money. Even more important, they were custom made, allowing me to purchase one built to my own spec.

Based on the dimensions of the Bertoia chairs, and of a standard dining room table I came up with the detail drawing below. I was very conscious of the height of the table apron, and tried to ensure that there was enough clearance for knees/thighs, which which can be a common concern when pairing modern chairs with farmhouse tables.

After a brief correspondence over the email, I sent Nina the drawing, explaining that I wanted the standard turned legs (although the legs in my drawing were slightly fancier). Less than 6 weeks later (yesterday morning), this solid oak beauty turned up.

The holes in the side are for an extension that allows us to seat 2 or 3 more people, and in the background, the infamous chandeliers are still sitting on the floor, mocking me more and more with each passing day. For those of you who have witnessed my facebook ranting, I have dubbed them the terrible twosome.

Once we take delivery of the chairs (Tuesday) and install the terrible twosome, our dining area should look a little something like this...

...and we can finally have meals again without an all consuming fear of spilling food on the beige sofa.

Working With What You Have

Remember this?

I was super inspired and excited about my design proposal for my client's dining room.

Here is what I came up with:

1.Barker & Stonehouse Chair  2.Ikea Stockholm Dining Table  3.Crystal Chandelier - image 17 here

I chose the Saarinen-like uphostered chairs to soften the room, and the Ikea Stockholm table for its warm wood tone and interesting legs. Hanging above the table are two crystal chandeliers, and on the back wall, two framed pieces balance out the off-centre window. I also had big plans for a traditional rug and modern geometric pillows on the bench.

Then I was shot down in flames. Womp womp.

Well, not quite. After much thought and deliberation, my client decided to to redistribute the budget and use his existing dining set. We did get the chandelier, but just one, as the dining table is smaller than the Ikea Stockholm.

I was quite disappointed, but its all a part of the process I suppose.

I read so many great design blogs, but they never seem completely realistic in that they never seem to mention proposals being rejected. In many ways it's like Facebook - people only show you what they want you to see. So I thought I would share this experience anyway, because sometimes you just have to work with what you have.

I will keep you posted on how the room progresses.

Basket Pendant Lust

This image is fast becoming the hussy of the internet.

Photos of this St. Barts home have been doing the rounds for ages now, and I'm pretty sure that somewhere I have the very magazine issue that the shoot features in.

The high contrast colour scheme is balanced by the baskets, a touch of greenery, and of course the over-sized rattan pendants that really just seal the deal for me. They lend the room much needed warmth, and provide texture in the most spectacular way. They are also single-handedly responsible for my 2 day, marathon-like internet search, of all images basket pendant related. Here are my favourites:

IBDB

Residence

Contemporary Living Room by Sydney Home Builders Capital Building

Annaleenas Hem

This then led to me desperately trying to source a similar pair for above the living area and dining area in our new flat . After looking, brainstorming, and then looking some more (and even plotting to have big baskets sent over from Burma to convert to pendants), I found this little beauty - right. under. my. nose. (She can even be stained or painted).

 

Benjamin Dhong

Remodelista

I then crossed my fingers and prayed to the lighting gods that the scale was right for our new space. According to my CAD drawing, the larger size is pretty spot on!

So, I think these may be the ones, or at least are top of the list right now. I tend to change my mind constantly when it comes to designing my own spaces, and with a move in date that is still a vague "between August and September", I'm definitely keeping an eye out.

In the mean time, suggestions are more than welcome. If you see something that you think I would love, send it on over!

Dining in Style

It's ok. Really, I'm alive.

The last few weeks have been loco, with loads going on. I have been working on a freelance project that is moving quite quickly - so quickly in fact that I haven't even had time to do small, necessary tasks, like tweeze my eyebrows. Frida Kahlo, eat your heart out.

My client has just bought a two bedroom flat in the lovely environs of Notting Hill and I have been tasked with designing the living room, bedrooms, and dining room. Work has already begun on site in the living room and bedrooms (ripping out a fireplace and shelves, wiring for wall lights, etc.), but this coming week I will be turning my attention to the dining room.

The built in cupboards provide ample storage, so there is no need for a sideboard, and the walls are to remain neutral. I'm literally just kitting out the space with seating, a table, lighting and accessories.

My client isn't a huge fan of curtains, so ideally I would love add some texture to the space with a banquette under the windows, and an abundance of pillows, like so:

BHG

BHG via Pinterest

LA Design Portfolio

I love that this look is completely versatile - it provides heaps of options, as the banquette looks great with round, square or rectangle tables. Fingers crossed that my client agrees and gives me the go ahead!