‘i wanted to add drama’
Andrew used a deep blue palette to lend impact to his sitting room
Ihad previously always rented, so this property was my first real home of my own,’ says Andrew. ‘I was excited at the opportunity to create my own interior and showcase all the furniture that I’d collected over the years.’
When I first viewed the flat, it didn’t seem like there was much work needed, but once I’d moved in I decided to give it a top-to-toe refurbishment. The living room was the first area to be tackled as I have a demanding job and needed a space to relax and unwind at the end of a working day.
Getting started
The worst aspect was the floor, which had been stained in a dark orange-brown colour with a very high shine. The thick varnish hid all the natural grain and sapped the character out of the floor. I decided to strip the timber boards and have them waxed in a very light grey finish, which immediately made the room look much larger. The feature windows, which I loved, originally had polyester red curtains that hung limply either side, so I went for bespoke shutters which give some privacy, but don’t block out the natural light.
Colour choice
I took my time choosing the paint finish for the walls. The previous owner had painted the chimney breast sky blue and used a muddy magnolia for the remaining walls, which made the room look lifeless. I wanted to create energy and impact using a colour palette that was both dramatic and masculine. I also have a large book collection and I picked a colour that would act as a dark backdrop and make the book spines stand out.
I think having just one feature wall is a bit old fashioned, so I decided to paint two walls in Stiffkey Blue and the other
two in soft grey Ammonite. Both are from Farrow & Ball, and I think the grey perfectly complements the darker blue tone. I had bespoke shelving built into the alcoves and also finished them in Stiffkey Blue so they’d blend into the background.
New layout
A corner recess which had previously been ignored became the perfect position for a leather armchair that I’d bought years ago. It’s right next to one of the windows, making it a bright spot in the morning to sit and read a newspaper and have a coffee. Adding a vintage lamp with an ethnic-inspired lampshade, as well as a selection of rich, textured fabrics, brings the eclectic element I wanted to add to the sitting room.
The right lighting
With its high Victorian ceilings, the room seemed to be calling out for a statement light fitting, but I didn’t want to go traditional. I chose a structured, industrialstyle light that had the big architectural impact of a designer piece, but at a high-street price. You can move the arms around and tilt it for mood lighting.
The whole project took about a month to complete and was a labour of love, as I did most of it myself. I’ve been studying to be an interior designer (find me on Insta @andrewjonathandesign) and refurbishing my new home was my first chance to put all my ideas into action. Attention to detail is something I’m passionate about and I’m proud of the way the new sitting room looks. When it’s sunny, the light floods through the beautiful windows and although it’s close to central London, you feel like you’re in a calm, tranquil space.’
‘don’t be afraid to go for a c ontemporary look in a period property. inject character that’s unique to you into a room’