Decorating Projects · Interior Design

The red has to go!

Living room - before
Living room - before

Well, while I’m waiting for my delivery of inks, screens and squeegee I thought I’d make a start on decorating our living room. I have to admit I’ve been putting it off as there’s lots to do but now is a perfect time and I need another project to get stuck into. Here is a photo of the room – I hate the red wall and I don’t really like the tiles round the fireplace plus the shelves aren’t brilliant, see what I mean, lots to do!

Living room mood board
Mood board

I’m not going to bother with a floor plan this time as the furniture can only fit one way. I have put together a mood board though. If you’re thinking about changing the scheme of a room this is a really good way to start as it helps you visualise the kind of feel you want to achieve in the end. In this case I’m going for blues, greys and whites to make a calming room with natural colours and textures. I’ve been collecting cards and pictures of all different sizes to put in frames on one wall and have already made a cushion so I’ve been thinking about the scheme for some time. I even have the wallpaper already (to go on one wall); another reason to get started in case I don’t like it in a few months time!

Creative Courses

My designs for a Chinese but contemporary bedroom

This was the first project for my Interior Design level 2 course at East Berkshire College in Windsor. We had to choose a global theme, a client and a room to design. I decided to go for a Chinese bedroom in an Edwardian house but with a European, contemporary feel.

Please see photos below showing how the scheme developed.

As with most interior design projects this started with inspiration from a concept or mood board.

Then we had to draw a floor plan and elevations to scale, showing a feature wall.

Finally, sample boards displaying the flooring, wall and ceiling paint colours, furniture, ornaments and fabrics. I chose a damask wallpaper for the feature wall with silk apple blossom fabric cushions and fretwork fabric for a chaise longue. The design includes a dressing area with chinese screen as well as chinese furniture from Orchid and lighting and ornaments from John Lewis. I know the photos aren’t brilliant but hopefully they give you an idea.

I was really pleased to get a distinction for this project, making it worth all the hard work and hours I put in. Now on to the next project (designing a cafe in a museum, a bit more tricky!)

Concept board
Feature wall