You can click on the image to make it bigger, but I thought I’d share some pics that I took yesterday afternoon – just before me and Mr. L fell out before we’d even GOT to the DIY store. The carpet doesn’t look too bad in these, it’s about 50% worse in real life. Leila’s already christened her room “the birdy room” – no, I have no idea why either. It’s all super-bland and a bit beige but at least it is what it is, a blank canvas. Does chartreuse go with beige though?
From Left to right, top to bottom: Sitting Room (looking out toward balcony), Leila’s bedroom, Hallway (check out the two doors on the left – HUGE cupboards), Kitchen, Sitting Room (looking in from balcony – weird shape!), Bathroom (argh, no storage space), Hallway (looking down to kitchen/sitting room), Our bedroom.
The kitchen surprisingly needs the least amount of work doing to it, so – like the total wimps we are – that’s where we’re starting! I don’t know what I’m gonna do without any bathroom storage though. I’m in denial.
This is the view from our balcony. (HDR image for no reason at all, click to enlarge) It ain’t a glamourous view – particularly with the JCB currently parked out the front (and the faint smell of gas in the air (not mine)) BUT, it’s almost fresh air right? And when I stand out there, I can see/smell/taste the gorgeous bakery just down the road.
Massive thank yous for all your advice yesterday – you’ve really helped and I’m gonna rent a Rug Doctor instead of having the carpets professionally cleaned, I’m also going to run like the wind from the IKEA Klippan that we were gonna get. You’re right ladies, don’t scrimp on the sofa(s)!
Thank you chaps (and I’m still all ears to any other nuggets of wisdom!)
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I’m glad you like it – it looks great and I want a birdy room! And what a canvas – you can certainly do anything you like! I agree on not scrimping on the sofa. We bought a very expensive one and my grandchildren will probably be paying it off, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought. *sprawls*
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Your walls are warped! Haha!!! Looks lovely and Im sure the carpets will scrub up xxx
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so nice, fresh, airy and light. My flat is so much darker. your balcony is cool. i live on a ground floor where there is not even chance to hang a small tea towel. Love the flooring in bathroom and kitchen! You’ll have happy times there
xx
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It looks lovely Charlotte – happy new home to you all!
Nic xx
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I can feel your excitement! Looks lovely, a lovely little home for you guys. I’m so jealous!
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Congrats! So happy for your guys. Looks like a great place to call home. I’m going to go ahead and agree with the others on the not scrimping on a sofa. It’s a solid investment. Look for one with a good wooden frame construction and down pillows as the back. Foam/down combination as the seats. I promise you it will last years and years and years. You can have it reupholstered many times and it will look just as fabulous 15 years down the line. So excited for you!
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Not sure if you will have a shop like this by you, but we bought a £1300 M&S sofa from a clearance shop for about £450.
The shop I went to is this one: http://www.lawtonsfurniture.co.uk
They sell ex-display sofas and cancelled made-to-measure sofas as well as tables and chairs etc. Might be worth a hunt for a similar shop near you!
They literally had a warehouse full of single sofas and sets!
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It’s a lovely place, I’m sure you and your family will be very happy there. Keep us posted on the decoration arrangements!
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Maybe try over-the-toilet style shelving units? I got mine from Amazon.com (type ‘over toilet storage’ in the search engine,.i.e.: http://www.amazon.com/ATHome-Contemporary-Savers-Polished-Chrome/dp/B002ULC3KM/), but I’m sure you can find something similar at a store that sells home goods stuff. You might also want to consider getting some small plastic storage drawers for under the sink. They’re light, easy to clean, & will keep your stuff dry. You could also probably get away with sticking a small glass shelf under the bathroom mirror; they’re fairly easy to install & any holes they would make in the wall would be small enough to patch spackle if you decide to move.
Good luck & have fun!
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What a bright and airy space! You’ll have countless places to apply your slap!
I agree with putting storage over the commode, but I’d probably install floating shelves instead of a large unit as space between the commode & bath is a bit tight. Also, the wall to the perpendicular right of the sink looks big enough to install either recessed shelves or a recessed medicine cabinet. If that’s an option, you’ll have a lot of space to store goodies.
As for the construction outside, my son would love nothing more than to look out the window and see a backhoe. Tell Leila that Oliver (Thomas the Tank Engine’s excavator friend) is outside!
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I agree, the neutral colors make a great blank canvas so you can do any colors you want!
Don’t rush trying to buy furnishings for every room. Take your time, this way you can get what you really want instead of settling for “good enough”, and usually allows you to spend a little more by spacing it out instead of spending a massive amount at once.
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Congrats, your place looks lovely! I’d definitely like to see more decor/storage posts as you decorate it.
You can get storage that goes around the sink pedestal like this:
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=110&storeId=10151&partNumber=913511
Have you got any “linen closet” kind of things in the hallway? Or space to put a small wardrobe where you could put towels and spare toiletries?
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We have Ektorp sofas and they are great. You can get spare covers for them too (get the machine washable ones) which are super handy when you have a toddler (or a husband like mine!)
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Oh darling I’m so excited for you guys!! It’s going to be all homely and lovely before you know it. And it means I get to come and play, hurrah! xxx
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Aww it looks lovely, good luck to all of you in your new home! Definately pop down to ikea for any new furniture/storage etc. that’s what we did when we moved, then you can gradually replace it with better stuff over time if you need to. They have some great inexpensive kids stuff which might be nice for your daughters room xo
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That bath is GORGEOUS! Your flat is lovely, and so is the view. I hope you’re all so very happy there!
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It looks great. Not as bad as I expected. Nothing wrong with the colour scheme, it will go with anything.
“Home is where the heart is”
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Looks great! Just be careful with the Rug Doctor, I took a chunk out of the wall when I last used one, they’re not easy to manoeuvre!
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Thank you for sharing this with us charlotte. Your new place is awesomes!
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Your new pad looks lovely.
I have no doubt it will look smashing when you’ve made it your home!
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Ooooh, ooooh! HAVE to tell you – as well as the sales that are currently on, you can also find some bargains for appliances at the comet clearance auction. It works like ebay and they sell stuff that has been dinged up when being delivered, or ex-shop display or whatever. Read the descriptions carefully and check out what you’re prepared to pay against other websites, but there are some stinking bargains to be had. And a washer/dryer is a delight to have on rainy days in winter!
http://www.clearance-comet.co.uk/
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Darling it looks lovely and now we have somewhere to stay whenever we visit…wherever it is that you’re from.
Rug Dr is really good but the stuff they give you to use with it is quite dear so you can actually use All Purpose Stardrops (about £1) with it instead and if the staff are as incompetent as the one who rented us ours, they don’t bother forcing you to buy the official cleaner.
We got some nice bits from Ikea and also good old Argos – at least you can always return broken stuff there and Matalan has nice rugs and bins.
Lovely stuff, home sweet home xxx
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Why has it highlighted the word Matalan in my last comment?
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It did it again!
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How exciting! I’ve been away/hospitalised and had missed all of the excitement. I agree with everyone that it looks like a lovely space and to buy the best you can afford of furnishings like sofas, dining tables and appliances. In my experience, the savings aren’t worth it when you start to have things go wrong. And they will.
Also, if you don’t mind some DIY, charity shops are great if you are discerning. Particularly Sue Ryder -they have big big sales at some of their hospices once a month and some excellent bargains can be had. Some things good as are, others need a coat of pain or fresh upholstery. Their website has the calendar of events. Definitely worth checking out!
And start reading home improvement/decorating blogs- they are full of really good ideas and Hobbycraft or B&Q can usually sort your supplies.
Have fun!
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CRIKEY you done well there! I love the balcony!!!
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How exciting …it looks great!
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[...] Here’s how it looked when we first moved in. [...]
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