A BEFORE & AFTER HOME TOUR
Anneli Bush - A Life & Style Diary
Finally, my much awaited (and requested!) home tour is here! It´s taken me a while to pull it all together; although we actually purchased our house in November 2015, started renovations in December and completed it in February – the house has been a continuous and gradual labour of love…
THE PROPERTY
An Edwardian house built circa 1906, located in South West London – set across over three floors, with a reception/lounge room to the front of the property, a second reception/study room in the middle of the property, a utility room, downstairs toilet, and a kitchen/lounge room opening onto the garden. Over the first and second floors there are five bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house was previously modernised to some extent, but still retained a lot of original features and characteristics when we took it over.
THE PROCESS
As the house was a lot bigger than we´d ever lived in before, the design and decorating process was at a whole different level to what I´d managed previously; not that I´m complaining – I loved every minute of it. We´ve been flipping properties since 2009, and the criteria has always been finding something in the worst condition possible (which makes ripping it apart less painful)… In this instance, the house we found, was in fact in very good condition, but just not to our personal taste. Luckily for us, the previous owners had already added the top floor extension, meaning we didn’t have to go through the painful and lengthy process of planning permission and extensive building work. So technically, it was pretty plain sailing, with minor renovations, and just a total style and decor re-vamp (which lets face it, is the fun part).
THE STYLE
Not surprisingly, heavily inspired by my Scandinavian roots – I went for a lot of natural and light materials and colours – with modern and edgy elements – whilst retaining a lot of the original features. The overall style and feel of the house is very airy, relaxing and calm, with a lot of classic elements, still leaving room for change in the future (you never know).
KITCHEN & DINING AREA
BEFORE
A bright room, with dark flooring and modern design and kitchen elements. All the fittings were in excellent condition and of very high quality, but the overall style was too cold, modern and lacked personality. The previous owners had also been renting it out for the past 3-4 years, so it had an odd concoction of various styles throughout the house.
AFTER
As mentioned, this room gets a lot of light, with the ultra high ceilings and various skylights throughout the room. So my vision was to enhance this, by adding a fresh and brighter white paint colour throughout.
As we opted for neutral grey kitchen panels, I wanted to add a bit of warmth via eclectic details; opting for modern brass handles.
I wanted lots of shades of whites and grey, in different textures, materials and styles. Mixing soft wood with industrial wire, crystal and brass with soft furnishings such as sheepskin, small pops of colours via abstract prints and the green plants, all contrasted with sharp greys and blacks…
Miss-matching the dining chairs and materials with the dining table, creating more interesting dining area.
The feeling of open space, really high ceilings with lots of light from the skylights – makes this room one of my favourites. And although we have our front living room – we do tend to spend more time here; especially in the summer, with the bi-folding doors wide open onto the garden.
So much room to make food in my new kitchen! Love it.
We decided to keep the Corian stone worktop as it was such a neutral style, which just blends naturally in within the rest of the neutral shades.
Lots of outside seating; I love the natural flow and elongation of the kitchen onto the garden/patio area. With lots of plants and flowers inside, as well as outside – it really feels like a mini, tranquil oasis.
The kitchen opens into this extra lounge area as an added bonus. I was conscious of making this space really neutral; creating a natural extension of the kitchen in terms of the colours and the feel.
More Handles Brass Kitchen Handles / HAY Wire Bar Stools / Lee Broom Brass & Crystal Light Pendants / Out & Out Original Dining Table / Cult Furniture Wooden Wooden Dining Chairs / HAY Wire Wire Dining Chairs / Tom Dixon Brass Water Jug / French Connection Sofa / Hay Tray Table / Marks & Spencer Cushions / David Ehrenstråhle City Prints / Habitat Shelf / Living Interiors Flooring / Urban Outfitters Plants / Parima Creative Studio Print / Cuero Interiors Sheepskin Rugs / Le Creuset Kettle / Bosch Toaster
GROUND FLOOR HALLWAY
We didn´t do too much to the hallway, other then a re-fresh of colour, new ceiling lights and furniture. The hallway retained one of the many favourite things I love about the house, with the old victorian black and white tiles, as well as a stunning wooden staircase (which we mostly covered in white), and wood panelling on the wall.
FRONT LIVING ROOM
BEFORE
A lot of warm colours, with old-fashion and dated, mismatch decor. Still retained a lot of original features with the high ceilings and cornicing. Big and bright windows giving a lot of light, but the old fashioned decor made it look a lot darker that what it was.
AFTER
A cool and calm colour scheme, painted in a soft pale grey (with a slight hint of blue). We retained all the original features, but re-painted everything in brilliant white. We relayed the floor with the same ash herringbone flooring, to follow through from the back kitchen/lounge. We ripped out the oversized and dated fireplace, but retained the wood burning stove.
As you can see, the colour scheme is cool and calm; with a lot of different textures, such as wool, velvet, linen, wood and pops of brass and metal.
I custom ordered the white wooden bench, to fill what was effectively a relatively dead space; rather creating a little window seat area/storage space.
A mix of classic and neutral elements – mixed with more modern and minimal styles such as the coffee table and cabinets.
These are just regular IKEA cabinets, which I re-vamped by adding brass knobs and wooden/brass legs to; completely transforming a simple piece of furniture, into an interesting statement piece.
The TV in my opinion is far too big and dominating, although the room is incredibly spacious with really high ceilings; I did struggle with the size of the TV on the wall (it was definitely a negotiation process with my husband!). But as this was one of the only few requests he had, I let it go… (just about).
I´ve debated hanging more pictures up on the wall; and although the room is really neutral and minimal – there are a lot of different elements with prints, textures and accessories – so for now, I´m keeping them blank. Sometimes, less is more.
Sofa.com Sofas / M&S Cushions / Etsy Wall Prints / HAY Coffee Tables / Urban Outfitters Plants / IKEA Cabinets with Etsy Brass Handles & Legs / H&M Storage Basket (used for wood) / Cuero Interiors Sheepskin Rugs / Etsy Customised Wooden Benches / Flos Table Lamp / Modernica Bubble Saucer Ceiling Pendant / M&S Pom Pom Blanket
RECEPTION ROOM / STUDY
…to be completed and currently being used for extra storage and an office space (in other words, a total life saver). We might be turning it into an office/gym room – as it´s really quite big with lots of light – but for now, it´s a great room to store our bicycles, books, paperwork and random junk.
MASTER BEDROOM
BEFORE
Really spacious and light, but quite dated, dull and slightly unkept. Lots of storage space with floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, big windows, high ceilings with beautiful cornicing – so a lot of potential!
AFTER
I LOVE this room. As well as the kitchen/lounge this is definitely one my favourite rooms in the house – with such a calm and zen feeling to it. With a warm grey/green, complemented with lots of fresh whites; it´s a really homely and comfortable space.
I mirrored a few similar elements from the front lounge below – with the oversized modern ceiling pendant, and the customised wooden bench. If I find something I love; I don´t mind replicating it to some extent; as long as it flows and blends with everything else.
The chest of drawers and matching bedside tables are again, just IKEA – which I simply modernised by replacing the black knobs with these round brass ones. Such a simple change, yet completely transforms a relatively simple and dull piece – to something more exclusive (without breaking the bank).
Instead of replacing the cupboard handles, I simply spray painted them in gold – so easy, and SO cost-effective.
Again, a good mixture of different textures in this room; with the soft sheepskin, white wood, soft carpet, green plants and quilted throw.
Small personalised touches such as Sam´s Panama hat, which he bought on our honeymoon, and lots of pictures – makes our bedroom that even more cozy.
Fresh flowers, room scents and candles, are always a must…
Feather & Black Bed / The White Company Bed Throw & Bed Linen / IKEA Bedside Tables with Etsy Brass Knobs / A Splash of Colour Table Lamp / Urban Outfitters Plants / IKEA Mirror / Elizabeth Scarlett Pineapple Cushions / Cuero Interiors Sheepskin Rugs / Etsy Customised Wooden Benches / Vintage Brass Tray
FIRST FLOOR LANDING
We rendered and re-painted all the walls in a neutral white in matt finish, as well as the wooden banister. We re-covered the dark carpet, replacing it with a super soft, warm light grey style. Carpets is a very British thing, which you never really come across in any residenal Scandinavian houses. However, it´s definitely grown on me, and I love the warmth and cozy effect it gives (especially in the bedroom) – and it does look really good as a runner on the stairs.
Living Interiors Carpet / Monde Mosaic Print
SECOND BEDROOM / WALK-IN-WARDROBE
BEFORE
This was such a dull and un-loved spare room – crying out for some love and attention. It seemed a lot darker with the muted grey, dated wood and random mix of artefacts…
AFTER
Originally, this was just going to be another spare bedroom – but in the middle of renovations, I decided on changing it into my own walk-in-wardrobe! We already had so much wardrobe space in our main bedroom – but it would have never been enough for the both of us (and we definitely don´t need 4 spare bedrooms just for us) – so it was a no brainer. RIGHT!?
Floor-to-ceiling of space… I was literally in heaven creating this.
Everything laid out, easy to access, on display. Finally I don’t have to store all my excess stuff underneath the bed, in boxes, suitcases in the wardrobe… I can actually see what I´ve got, and I get to wear so much more of what I´ve got! Meaning I´ve actually stopped shopping so much (which is always a good thing).
The closed wardrobes at the back were already fitted by our carpenters before I decided on creating my walk-in-wardrobe – but it kind of worked out, as I´m storing all my off-season clothes here, stuff that I´m selling on my blog shop, and my bulky winter coats.
The open wardrobes were a simple solution from IKEA, which I customised myself. So easy!
IKEA PAX Wardrobes / Ali Express Ceiling Light / Dwell Console Table (old)
SPARE BEDROOM 1
This spare bedroom on the first floor is still not 100% completed in terms of furniture; it´s just had a lick of paint in soft grey and been carpeted. I was originally going to have it as my office; but as I tend to mainly work at the kitchen table, I changed my mind. The room is currently being used as a drying room, and who knows, potentially a room for a little one when that day comes.
DFS Armchair / Ali Express Ceiling Light
MASTER BATHROOM
BEFORE
A very cramped main bathroom – with both a bath tub and a shower, as well as a small sink (tucked behind the door). The layout was not ideal, and although the ceiling height is really good, it seemed very small and tight with everything that had been crammed in there.
AFTER
Firstly, we removed the shower, creating a space for a double sink. We got a larger bath and added just added a shower head and shower screen to the bath suite. This straight away created so much more space in the room.
Another great buy from IKEA, with this double sink cabinet. This time I decided to keep the original knobs, as they fitted perfectly in with the rest of the dark grey colours. The oversized large round mirror also gives more of a feeling of space in the room.
We laid flat metro tiles, with dark grey grouting – contrasted with a graphic mosaic floor tile pattern, and painted the walls in a soft/cool grey.
A simple and minimal white display shelf cabinet, for our all perfumes…
Evidently, we have our clear favourites…
Bathstore Bathroom Suite / IKEA Cabinet & Sink / Walls & Floors Tiles / Wayfair Shelf / John Lewis Mirror / John Lewis Towels
SPARE BEDROOM 2
BEFORE
The top floor extension had only recently been done a few years ago, so all the rooms were in really good condition throughout.
AFTER
Although I do love to mismatch my interiors to some extent, I hate having lots of different mis match elements such as flooring. So we continued the same soft grey carpet throughout. We painted the walls in a warm, soft grey, with neutral decor.
Lots of whites, grey and cold…
This mirror was originally gold, but in a really dark orange tone. So instead of selling it, I re-used it by re-painting it in white – and it fitted perfectly into this room.
Ebay Chest of Drawers
Joss & Maine Mirror
Next Bedside Table with Marble Top from Ebay
Cult Furniture Chair
Soak & Sleep Bed Linen
Elizabeth Scarlett Cushions
SECOND FLOOR LANDING
Re-painted and re-carpeted throughout. I particularly love the double skylights at the top landing – which gives so much light throughout the entire house.
SPARE BEDROOM 3
BEFORE
Again, in really good condition – but for pretty obvious reasons being a teenage room, not so much our style!
AFTER
Re-painted in a soft warm grey and re-carpeted – with lots of white, elements of rustic, washed wood, woven basket, and modern brass details.
We re-used our old Loaf bed – which is an eternal classic; giving this room a but more of a rustic French feel to it.
As the two top bedrooms are only spare rooms – we decided not to fit any wardrobes here for now; rather just fitting a simple pole, with some clothes hangers. There is also some built-in cupboards and eaves storage space, for anything extra needed.
Soft cottons, mixed with linen, stripes and a contrasting throw – gives this room a bit more personality.
Loaf Bed & Bedside Tables
The White Company Bed Linen
Wood / Grey Cushions
Elisabeth Scarlett Bed Throw
IKEA Lamps
Ebay Chest of Drawers
SPARE BATHROOM / SHOWER ROOM
This spare bathroom had recently been done up – so we kept the original bathroom fittings, just did some re-tiling by the sink, replaced the mirror and painted it in a fresh white. As you can see, the style is really neutral – not 100% what I would have chosen – but it´s perfect as a spare bathroom, and blends nicely in colour, and style wise.
H&M Towels
John Lewis Bath Mat
Bamford Hand & Body Wash
Hope you´ve enjoyed the home tour!
If you have any further specifics, or if I´ve forgotten to include any other items/colours or any other interior specifics you were curious about – please leave me a comment below or drop me an e-mail!
