A new interiors project is always guaranteed to lift me out of my winter doldrums. As spring approaches and the days begin to lighten and lengthen, I find myself pinning more interiors and finding new inspiration in the home. Having already re-painted our kitchen in a bold, dark blue I’m now turning my attention to our neglected back room.
Here’s the plan.
To give you a bit of background, we spend most of our lounging, TV viewing and relaxing in our front room (which underwent a bit of a makeover a while ago). This is our family room where we hang out and watch films on the big squishy sofa, which manages to accommodate all five of us. But our back room has always been a bit unloved and unused in comparison. In past years, it still housed a lot of toys plus our two pet rats, so it was something of a play room. But as the kids have grown older we recently had a mega declutter, so now it’s just books and a few board games. And since the rats have sadly deceased (RIP Bubble and Squeak), there is no longer a big animal cage in there(!). So I think it’s time to reclaim this room a bit. I want it to be comfy, cosy, grown up and dare I say it a TV-free zone?
It’s a smaller room with a traditional fireplace and two alcoves either side, filled with bookcases. So I think it already lends itself quite well to that kind of snug / reading room / study idea. I’d love it to be a space where you could curl up with a good book or just listen to music. Spoiler alert: I think we might be going for a bit of a green theme! But that might be paint colour (I’m currently loving this Farrow & Ball shade), a feature wall, or perhaps just some green accents and colourful furniture; I can’t stop pinning green velvet sofas. But then I’m not averse to a pink one either!
Product details (clockwise): Velvet Willoughby Sofa: Anthropologie /Small mirror set : Plumo / Antiqued brass desk lamp: Cox & Cox/ Nest of 2 Jimi tables: La Redoute /
As you’ll see from some of my product picks, I don’t want the theme to be too dark and old-fashioned. I love an Anthropologie vibe as much as the next girl but I also still love quite clean, Scandi-Style minimalist furniture so I’m thinking of mixing the two up a bit as we have done elsewhere in the house. Plus I think a dark wall colour looks really effective when contrasted with a nice bright white and some metallics to warm things up a bit too. Any excuse for a copper pineapple or maybe even a gold, tree-shaped candlestick perhaps?
Product details (clockwise): Arden Taper Holder: Anthropologie/ Oak 2 door cupboard: Habitat / Black vintage two-tier coffee table: La Redoute/
Product details (clockwise): Mycroft armchair: and Crispin sofa: Matalan / Angled floor lamp: The Range / Leaf dish: Plumo / Solid walnut coffee table: La Redoute
We already have a dark wood laminate floor plus a florid green rug in there (that’s definitely staying – we bought it in Tunisia on holiday before we had kids and I still love it). And we also have a light grey two-seater sofa bed which is useful for sleepovers. But I really want some more comfy seating in there and am wondering about a couple of wing backed armchairs for a bit more of a traditional, gentleman’s club feel. On a recent trip to Ikea we spied a great wing chair that comes in green (see top image), perfect for tucking your feet into and snuggling up with the papers. But then I also love the mid-century dupe they do in grey. Can you really tell the difference between the original vintage chair in the image below and the new one in the collage beneath?
Product details (clockwise)/ Giant retro floor lamp: The Range / Ekenaset armchair: Ikea / Damensi photographs: La Redoute
And finally, I really want this room to be filled with interesting prints and pictures; artwork to admire, slogans and images to inspire. Yes, I’m going to try and master the art of a gallery wall (which will probably drive me doolally after the umpteenth time of trying to get the right configuration but I love a challenge).
I’ll try to do a proper before-and-after style post (if all goes according to plan) so you can get the full effect eventually. In the mean time, I’m just enjoying the plotting / planning / pinning stage (it’s almost my favourite part). If you like the same aesthetic, take a look at my In the Green Room Pinterest board for more ideas and let me know if you find the perfect chair won’t you!?
P.S. I’ve pinned a few things from La Redoute here because there’s currently a massive 30% off sale on, in case you’re tempted?
