Living room makeover

 

When I went to South Africa last summer, in amongst the hordes of goodies I brought home were this small wooden sign and a pile of batik-print fabric. Between them, they cost the equivalent of about £6, but they've led to me spending quite a lot more money.

 

I'd been feeling a bit bored with the purple-and-red colour scheme in my living room and had begun to think I'd like something a bit more modern (not an easy task in a Victorian house).  The grey of the sign and the blue of the fabric were what provided the inspiration for a full-scale makeover, which took my living room from this...

 



 

To this...

 

 

I'm well chuffed with my new-look living room, which seems so much lighter and brighter.  I'd like to find an alternative to the old Ikea side table currently serving as a TV unit, but other than that I love everything.  I'm especially taken with the bargain mid-century modern coffee table that I found in an antiques warehouse near my mum's, and - of course - with my lovingly handmade cushion covers.  I love how traditional African batik techniques have been used to make a modern circle & spot print; they make me happy every time I see them.

 

The sofa cover was the biggest expense, at £169 (gulp - but Bemz covers are excellent quality, and it's still cheaper than buying a new sofa!).  Other than that, I spent £107.10 on new accessories, pictures and the coffee table. I didn't even have to redecorate, because pretty much all the walls in my house are white.  What do you think?

 

 

  Grey sofa cover, £169 Bemz;

Green cushion covers, £12.99 each (bought with Nectar points) Sainsburys;

Blue cushion covers, homemade using African fabric, Mnandi Textiles, Cape Town;

Blue & white throw, £16.99 TK Maxx;

Coffee table, £35 vintage from The Antique Mill, Heckmondwike;

Penguin Classics postcards in an Ikea  Ribba frame £7;

Life Is Either A Daring Adventure... print, £16.13 Etsy;

String of blue/green ball lights, £22.99 Cable & Cotton.