I loved working with Lesley and John and I think I was not alone, as the nation fell in love with them, and their riverside pad! It’s so refreshing to see anyone open up, discover their inner colour lover and embrace the joy of pattern but when that couple are retired and show the audacity to take on new things with gumption then I think it’s even more magical. Far from set in their ways the couple were up for exploring their wilder side. And the results are show stopping!
Lesley had always wanted to flirt with colour but just didn’t feel confident to roll it out on all walls. She would happily invest in jewel coloured cushions and lampshades and the couple have an impressive collection of art but all the walls and furniture were all in safe shades of grey.
While I have you here, my online course Confident Colour schemeing teaches you everything you need to know about understanding how colour works, how to pick the perfect palette as well as a deep dive into all the decorative elements and surfaces that make up a room. Or for the full package check out my incredible Ultimate Interiors bundle, currently offering a 50% saving.
But here is how we pulled together these colourful and mouthwatering schemes for Lesley and John, with a list of all products sourced.
Before….
After…
The deep blue colour for the walls, inspired by the painting by Becky Blair, gave the couple the wow factor they were looking for
The L shape sofa achieves a more sociable space with views onto the river and the TV. The yellow velvet really pops against the blue
The large TV was a real bug bear for Lesley as it previously dominated the all white room. Now you barely notice it as its surrounded by a deep blue colour
LIVING ROOM CREDITS
Walls painted in Tikkurila, colour matched to Smalt 255, Little Greene
FURNITURE
Mustard Symmetrical Corner Sofa, Love Your Home
Blood Orange Costellini Velvet Ottoman, Oka
Airforce blue Costellini Velvet Ottoman, Oka
Blue Felted Floral Accent Chair, Anthropologie
SOFT FURNISHINGS
Curtains made in Carnival plain/parchment, GP & J Baker
Koi-9 Curtain trim, Samuel & Sons
Curtains and cushions made by, Katherine Brown
Collage Ping Multi Rug, Floor Story
Blue Elfin Cushion; Dorothy velvet Cushion; Blue Elfin Piped Cushion, all That Rebel House
Velvet Ikat Cushion, Punica
Gold Geotile Cushion, Heals
Dreamer and Raspberry Cabaret Strip Cushion, Humphries & Begg
Mazara/Multi Cushion Fabric, GP & J Baker
Celine Ombre Cushion Trim, Samuel & Sons
LIGHTING
Black Aspen Floor Lamp, John Lewis
Peony Pink Velvet Fabric Drum Lampshade, Etsy
Fusia Pink Lampshade, Woodcock & Cavendish
ACCESSORIES
Original Artwork, ‘Rockpools’ acrylic on canvas, Becky Blair
Tropical Birch Wood Tray, Liberty
Tangerine/orange/yellow/cobalt/turquoise Candles, Graham & Green
Vases, LSA
LSA International Utility Vase in Amber, John Lewis
All other items, Lesley and Johns own.
Before…
Another stunning view, but apart from to sleep, the couple had no cause to use this room as its felt uninspiring.
After…
A huge oversized headboard in embroidered fabric takes centre stage. A grass cloth woven wallpaper panels the room in glimmering glory, mirroring the waterly palette outside
Lesley’s practical, yet dated, bedside tables were given a vibrant lick of paint and new handles to tie them into the new scheme
BEDROOM
Wallpaper in Cultured turquoise Glam Grass II Wallpaper, Phillip Jeffries
FURNITURE
Headboard upholstered in Rain Forest Headboard Embroidery Fabric, Sanderson
Bespoke headboard made by Hussebergs Upholstery
Existing side tables spray painted in Vardo, Farrow & Ball
Sassi Boo Stamen cabinet Knobs, More Handles
Classic bobbin pedestal side table in green, John Lewis
Broste Copenhagen Magazine rack in grey, Amara
Pair of vintage chairs, Lesley and Johns own
SOFT FURNISHINGS
Curtains made in Alana Briosca 7853/01, Romo
Cirque Pompom Curtain Trim, Samuel & Sons
Roman Blind in Danza/Tutti Frutti, GP& J Baker
Chair cushions made in Danza/Tutti Frutti, GP & J Baker
Trimmed in Saisons Brush Fringe, Samuel & Sons
Curtains, blinds, cushions, Katherine Brown
Seat cushions made by Moshen
Yellow Scalloped Bed Linen Pillows, Sophie Conran
Yellow Scalloped Flat Sheet, Sophie Conran
Florian Bedspread Super King Throw, The White Company
Tufted Synthia Cushion, Anthropologie
200 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Valance, John Lewis
Ripple Square Cushion in Green, Jonathan Adler
Pink Throw, Joe Browns
Yellow Throw, Joe Browns
Jennifer Manners scallop rug in mustard, Salveson Graham
LIGHTING
Pink resin Bobboli Table Lamp, Pooky
ACCESSORIES
Candles, Vases, Wine Glasses, Photo Frame, Oliver Bonas
Candlesticks- Mixture of sizes and colours, Issy Granger
Ro Collection No. 25 Hurricane Tealight Holder Vase, John Lewis