Thursday 6 June 2013

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.

15 comments:

  1. Ooh, it's looking great! And, yes, the coffee table is fab.

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    1. Thanks :) I'm so happy with that coffee table; how often do you find EXACTLY what you're looking for on first try?!

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  2. Love the sofa makeover! And I don't think the price is that bad, considering that the cover looks like a good fit/nice quality.

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    1. Their covers really do last well, so I don't begrudge paying that much.

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  3. It looks so fresh now! I'm loving the colour scheme a lot. All these room makeovers are making me want to redecorate my bedroom too!

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  4. Its lovely. I love the bubble lights!

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    1. They're great, aren't they? The Airbnb flat we stayed at in Paris had them, so as soon as I got home I hunted them down online.

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  5. Love the colour scheme! It looks like a really tranquil space now :-)

    I also really like the "I like big books" frame! Was it made yourself or bought? x

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    1. I bought it from Etsy, although I can't remember the seller. It's great isn't it?!

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  6. I lovey be changes you have made! That African fabric is so lovely: the colour, that pattern, everything! Xo

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  7. Loving the revamp! I have the bug to change things too...must be something in the air.
    I really love that picture and am envious of your bookcase!

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  8. The changes are wonderful. Your sofa, especially, looks really cosy.

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  9. Looks wonderful Janet. Love the new look sofa (such a quaint word for a couch :)). Cushions are great and I can't wait to see them in "real life". Behind on blogging and reading blogs so I have been catching up this morning. xx

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    1. Thanks for taking me on the hunt to find the fabric - it's so perfect!

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