Well isn’t this a Dream Home makeover the absolute dream! I was so in my lane with this design and it played to all my maximalist strengths. I was able to go completely bold on colour, indulge in my love of pattern and more is more interiors. Although for Arabella, it was actually a case of less is more! Here I share pictures of the reveal (SPOLIER ALERT) and you can scroll to the end for the full list of products sourced for the reveal. Otherwise please enjoy the show streaming at My5.

Arabella and Marks Georgian pile presented itself as the absolute dream. Perfect proportions, beautiful period details and they had but aside a nice budget to breath new life into their very tired and dated decor. My challenge was going to be bring Arabella’s fabulous exuberance, creativity and dare I say it eccentricity, to the interiors. These two are fabulous fun, hugely sociable, and their interiors spaces just were not hitting the mark.

 

To transform the hallway it all began with a hunt for a fabulous large scaled wallpaper. Nothing too floral- because that reminded Arabella of her mother, and nothing too modern that would jar with the period features. This over sized super colour Protea design by small British brand 17 Wallpapers kicked off the scheme nicely. Next Arabella was adamant that she needed a pattern carpet to hide the dirt from busy family, 3 gorgeous Frenchies and kids coming and going. This is a really practical choice as a pattern carpet hides a multitude of sins, and is still sound softening and warm underfoot. AND is another opportunity for colour and pattern. I matched this design by Alternative Flooring in with the wallpaper so the theme hangs together- even though there is a lot going on.

 

LIVING ROOM

Arabella and Marks living room was rarely used by the family and Arabella admitted she found it too embarrassing to show to friends. Mark came in here to watch TV but that was it. It was a mixture of Arabella’s collection of vintage furniture and oh-my-goodness- how many paintings! Number one thing to change first in here was the layout0 to create a sociable space that was primarily for entertaining as their is a TV in the separate snug/home office. I must admit it was refreshing to design for a family not obsessed with their TV!

After

Arabella and Mark were clear on the palette. They liked warm and dramatic colours. Using the hallway wallpaper as my colour palette I pulled the deep blues and rich reds over into this room. Setting plaster pink is on the ceiling and Inchyra blue on the walls- offering up the perfect dramatic backdrop to Arabellas collection of art and objects. Because Arabella loves mixing different periods and has a particular love of mid century modern pieces we had a oversized circular mirror made for the alcove, that contrast beautifully with the marble fire place. The silver and chrome metallic continues with the original 60’s wall lights and this oversized globe light that Arabella bought in the sale at Graham and Green. Another bargain of Arabella’s was the antique Persian rug she bought off Ebay for £500. Arabella had her heart set on a patterned sofa and this beauty from Ian Snow holds the colour scheme together beautifully. Arabella loves collecting ERcol furniture and has amassed quite the collection. However to elevate it to match in with this rather glamorous scheme we had the tables painted black, and the cocktail cabinet got a makeover with a malachite paper stuck on the front. Another midcentury modern piece- her gorgeous armchairs also got a reinvention with fabulous bengal tiger motif fabric in the schemes petrol blue and ruby red. A mixture of pattern cushions (yes, more pattern) completes this joyful, eccentric, eclectic and rather fabulous look.

 

LIVING ROOM

DECORATION

Walls painted in Inchyra blue modern emulsion, Farrow & Ball 

Ceiling painted in Setting plaster modern emulsion, Farrow & Ball

Wall undercoat painted dark tones primer, Farrow & Ball  

Carpet in Quirky B Ben Pentreath collection in Cube Soane, Alternative Flooring.  

FURNITURE

Floral Florence Sofa covered in mustard tree of life, Ian Snow

Plain claret Oscar sofa, Sofa.com

2 vintage Armchairs, Arabella’s own, covered in Bengal Petrol, Bengal Red, Warner House

Mirrored illusion coffee table, Sweetpea & Willow

Upcycled cocktail cabinet produced by Magdalena Zajac

Cabinet painted in coal-black fusion mineral paint, Colour Mekt 

Cabinet covered in Fornasetti malachite wallpaper, Cole & Son

Handles on the cabinet, Dowsing & Reynolds

Lennox drinks trolley, Oka

LIGHTING

Central light, extra large Nosto light (discontinued), Graham & Green 

Vintage wall lights, Arabella’s Own

All lamp bases, Arabella’s own.

Lampshades on table lamps in carnelian velvet, Graham & Green.

Lampshades on silver pug lights, teal bouquet velvet, Susi Bellamy.  

ART AND MIRRORS

Large bespoke round wall mirror, Fitted Mirrors & Glass

All paintings from Arabella’s collection.

Floating shelves, Dowsing & Reynolds

ACCESSORIES

Large antique rug, bought on eBay.

Red Strata Cushion, Susi Bellamy Blue Strata cushion, Susi Bellamy Teal bouquet cushion, Susi Bellamy 

Tiger cushion, Paloma Home; Tree of life cushion, Paloma Home; Vintage botanicals cushion in blossom, Paloma Home 

Glassware in cocktail cabinet a selection from Oka

All other glassware and vases, Arabella’s own.

HALLWAY

DECORATION

Walls in Proteas Dream pink wallpaper, 17 Patterns

Below dado rail painted in Picture gallery red, Farrow & Ball. Woodwork painted in Dimity eggshell, Farrow & Ball; Ceiling in Pink ground, Farrow & Ball 

Carpet in Quirky B Ben Pentreath collection in Cube Soane, Alternative Flooring.  

ACCESSORIES

Odette swan wall light, Dowsing & Reynolds 

Arabella’s Ercol Table in hallway painted in Yellowcake eggshell, Farrow & Ball

Ada black console table, Graham & Green

Flowers, The Funky Flower Shop

All paintings, ornaments and grandfather clock, Arabella’s own. 

Special thanks to David Bull at Hang My Art