Cottage family dining room revamp

7 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have a Victorian cottage, with lots of not very original features, such as the upvc windows and modern built stone facia on the fireplace. Although it's cosy, the whole thing looks a bit orange and dated. I'm looking to strip the wallpaper and go for a new colour. The room doesn't get great natural light, so tends to be under artificial light most the time. I'm after something warm that helps to blend the more modern features (that I can't afford to change right now). I'd welcome any suggestions or inspiration! Also any tips on accessories? I really like the scandi country look, and would ideally like to keep some of the turquoise bits and pieces (such as the sofa and electric fire) but just freshened up a little!

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A B

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I love the room as it is and (apart from the fireplace and windows) wouldn't change much. I'd have a declutter and paint the pine table and chairs. How about grey with teal and red print cushions, then add a few yellow accessories. Could any of the furniture go?

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Comments (30)

Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Jen! Yes, I think I could get rid of the desk, I hardly ever use it and it doesn't really fit the style of the room.

A lot of the furniture was gifted to me, or comes from charity shops which is why it's a bit of a mish mash! So yes, a declutter would be good. I think the cat stuff isn't really used much by the cat, so that could go. A lot of the storage I need to keep to contain all my sons toys and the art and craft materials we have.

I love the colour combination you've given there. especially the use of the yellow. So I guess to calm it I'd need the walls to be that kind of cream/putty shade? I think stripping and painting the pine in those shades, then maybe having yellow and turquoise chairs could look quite fun!
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Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Been looking at F&B colours (would attempt to colour match something similar. Seems like skimming stone by farrow and ball or French grey by little green might be a good match. I've got lots of colour throughout the house though, so I'm a bit worried that it might look a bit stark in comparison to the rest of the house. Anyone able to convert be to Greige? Or are there other colours that might work?
minnie101
7 years ago
Hi Gemma. I like Jen's colour ideas. I might actually go for a warm white on the walls and add colour with accessories. You could paint the table turquoise and the chairs in either white or red and add seat cushions. These are from ikea as is the mirror for over the fire. The blinds are from blinds2go but they have other patterns you may like. I'd add a rug under the table to zone it and add a cushion on the sofa picking up all the colours, I'd try ikea again. Have you considered painting the fireplace?
Gemma H thanked minnie101
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks, yes I think painting the woodwork would be the way to go to keep the colourful feel if going for grey or white. I noticed that most of the pictures with this type of look tend to have lots of natural sunlight. What types of tones work best in darker rooms? I'd be tempted to paint the fireplace, but it's a very permanent thing to do as it is real stone.
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Ps. Definitely agree a rug to help zone would be great, and love those cushion covers. I saw this and thought it looked lovely:
Again, I wonder if mine would actually look like that considering it never gets that sunny!
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
So this is what it looks like now on a sunny day!

So as you can imagine it'll never look like the dreamy diner in the first image!
A B
7 years ago
Are the windows north or east facing? I have an east facing bay window in my bedroom but it's beautifully light all morning. Is there any way you could add in French doors or open up to another room to let in more light? Another idea could be to add more lighting and try some daylight bulbs (they're pretty good).
minnie101
7 years ago
What's opposite the fire? Do you have a door from the hall? Could you use a glazed door or a transom window? Dulux do a light and space paint which is meant to reflect twice the amount of light as their normal paint. You could also consider a large floor standing mirror opposite the fire if there's room. Warm neutral paints could also work, farrow and ball have a number, as I assume you don't want to embrace the dark! As Jen said the daylight bulbs will also help
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thanks guys! I've been given some Valspar vouchers, so was planning on taking advantage of some colour matching ;) I've come around to light coloured walls, I think investing in an enormous mirror for the back wall (not in pictures) is a super idea. Then get some daylight bulbs as suggested. I've definitely come around to thinking that with a brighter colour and mirrors (and a really good declutter) I ought to get a brighter feel to the room. Will update with the "after" photos in a couple of weeks when I'm done!
PRO
SelSol Architectural
7 years ago
Straight off the bat I'd strip the fireplace, it's completely out of place. Either take it back to the original brickwork and tidy it up (which will be easy but labour intensive) or just plaster it. Personally, I'd plaster it and the paint it to match the walls to give it a clean finish when you junk the wallpaper. Keep that fire as a centrepiece, it's pretty eye catching.
The pine cladding under the stairs is also not in keeping (the house is not Scandinavian!) so rip it out and tidy it up. If you like having the sofa under there have a look getting some dimmable lights fitted in it to give an isolated reading snug.
The Welsh dresser is eating into the space, you have a dead space between the dresser and the window which is lost and could be used. Nothing closes a room in like a Welsh dresser due to their sheer bulk. I'd be looking to lose it and use the space with a small chair under the window and then use a much narrower sideboard where the dresser is now. If you need to retain storage for toys (I know that feeling) maybe look at building a bench along there with large slide out boxes underneath, not difficult or expensive. You could easily build it with a seating area and an integrated sideboard to put phones / TVs / iPod dock etc on. But then you need to ask "how many seats do I actually need in one room". Just because you can fit something in a space, doesn't mean you should.....
Gemma H thanked SelSol Architectural
Midcenturylass
7 years ago
I think changing the flooring would really help, if you can afford it, as the current floor seems to be absorbing the light. Wood or laminate, but in a whitewashed finish, or carpet or a big rug. I really like the dresser and think it's the best piece of furniture in the room, but maybe you could relocate it? My friend had a similar dining set to you and she painted it all in various pastel shades and it looked incredible.

I would remove the wood paneling on the wall or paint it a soft white. If you can't afford to change the sofa to something more light (eg with legs and less bulk), then try dying the covers or using throws to tuck into the cushions to hide it (grain sacks or ticking fabric would be lovely). I quite like the wallpaper and think it would work with lighter flooring & painted furniture!
Gemma H thanked Midcenturylass
PRO
Bloc Blinds
7 years ago
Hi Gemma,

What a great project! Stripping the wallpaper and painting in a lighter colour will make a huge difference.

In terms of window dressings I would suggest dimout roller blinds so as not to reduce the light into the room you do get, but will still offer you privacy, along with an opportunity to introduce colour if you like.

You could opt for a Smokey Blue Roller Blind below which will add colour with a Nordic feel. Our blinds are swappable so if you want to change the fabric later you just swap it out with a different one!

Good luck with your cottage,

Kiera
Gemma H thanked Bloc Blinds
obobble
7 years ago
I also think the dresser eats space and leaves a dead area by the window. They do provide good storage tho. I wonder if a small unit across and under the window would improve things whilst still providing some storage. I'd also be tempted to put another mirror where the dresser top is now to bounce light from that window across to the understairs side of the room.
Gemma H thanked obobble
PRO
Cormar Carpets
7 years ago
Hi Gemma, with the
features you’ve already got, you could go for a ‘Nordic’ look which is all
about laid-back style with a cosy edge. Use simple, smooth lines and cool,
clean colours while still creating warmth and personality by adding simple
accessories such as lamps, wicker baskets and even your sofa and electric fire
and choose a cosy carpet in a tempting texture. Our Malabar two-fold collection
is manufactured from 100% wool and in colour Cottonwood or Muesli is ideal to
provide the perfect backdrop to Scandi-style living.

http://www.cormarcarpets.co.uk/product_malabar_two-fold/product_malabar_two-fold.php

You can also order three samples of any
of our ranges to see how a range works in a room, as well as in the lighting.
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks guys, I'm working loosely with the colour scheme JenP suggested, although as I couldn't resist colour on the walls I've gone for a pale pink wall colour. Should have the effect of lightening the room and keeping it "warm" feeling.

also decluttered what I can and moved the Welsh dresser to let in more light into the room. Work is in progress so I'll update when it's looking more finished.

Thanks for the blind suggestion Keira- didn't know you could get translucent blinds! I will take a close look.
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Update: only night time pics for now as it's been a busy weekend painting!

Painted walls in Valspar 'Pink Beach', with window recess and wood cladding in Rust-oleum satin 'Shortbread'.

The desk is now in the shed until it can find a new owner, and the Welsh dresser had been moved out of the sunlight stealing spot, out to the back wall, in front of the radiator.

Used a rug, shelves and chair to zone the sofa area.

next steps will be to paint the furniture and get pictures up on the walls, also get a reading light for by the sofa. I'm also very taken with the idea of the translucent blinds!

thanks for all the advice so far, keep it coming!
PRO
V.I.P Walls Interior Specialist
7 years ago
Hi Gemma

Ever thought of wall paneling. Adds some beautiful character to any home.

Not exactly a cheap option but great value for money. Half height with a nice new wall paper would really set the room off.

This is our wall paneling with a Laura Ashley paper above.
PRO
SelSol Architectural
7 years ago
Looks much more spacious and cleaner already. Good start!
PRO
Masterpiece Reproductions
7 years ago
I think your room has so much character that you couldn't create from scratch if you tried so I wouldn't make any big changes. I woulds stick with soft furnishings, ceilng shade, bind for window, de-clutter a little and finally create a feature piece for the room with an oil on canvas reproduction above the fire place. Have a look at this website where you can get some ideas of what you might like, maybe a nice Rembrandt or Constable piece? https://masterpiece-reproductions.com/

I also think choosing one wall to paint plain white will open up the space, and lend more of a decor element to the quintessential nature of the wallpapered walls.
Gemma H thanked Masterpiece Reproductions
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Still far from finished, but I've started painting the table and chairs, the room is really coming together. The room like oks so much lighter in daylight already! Just waiting for some of the accessories to arrive now...
strawberry47
7 years ago
Great look with the painted chairs and walls. So bright and inviting now.
lkirk44
7 years ago
I would white wash the fireplace and add oak mantle this will help the room greatly
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
I've been toying with the idea of whitewashing the fireplace lkirk44 I was going to get the room finished first and see if it it starts to fit. It does match the stonework (original) through the rest of the house so I'm on the fence (or stone wall!). Basically I'm wanting to be sure as if I decide to one day switch to a darker colour scheme again it will be a real pain to undo. Also not keen on ripping out or plastering over, mostly because I don't have that kind of budget, but also because it was the deceased husband of the lady that lives over the road that built it. And I quite like that the house has been in the community a long time, and it has a "story" it tells :)
kazzh
7 years ago
Would the Welsh dresser fit in the recess under the stairs, far enough back to not block that window and borrowing the glass section to reflect light? There appears to be more space on that side of the fire - the newly painted dining table could be be positioned to that side of the fireplace. You could then place the couch (OK, I'm an Aussie and we tend to have couches over sofa's!) closer to the fire for a warm reading area and getting benefit of the window and connect with the fireplace Aqua colouring...The free standing chair could be either nearer the window on that side or in the opposite corner near the radiator. Thereby leaving the radiator free, and I assume able to be more effective? Moving furniture around sometimes helps - I do roll my eyes when hubby suggests repositioning furniture to get things right but it usually gets us thinking about how we use spaces!
Gemma H
Original Author
7 years ago
Would definitely be a better layout kazzh, unfortunately the dresser doesn't have the clearance under the stairs. Although for sensitively reasons I probably should give it up, it's one of my favourite bits of furniture, and feel like it adds a bit of character.
kazzh
7 years ago
Does the dresser miss the clearance by a lot or a little? Are there any tweaks that could be done to the dresser that would help, ie removing feet, or if it is two pieces just using the lower section ? That might enable you to keep the dresser in some form rather than thinking about parting ways with it.
jenniimatthews
7 years ago
Perhaps move the clock to the stairs wall, above the easy chair. Then put a large mirror over the stone fireplace nothing too fancy.....
June Hulton
7 years ago
looking great now much brighter... would the dominant cabinet go into the space where the sofa is..? looks like it is pushed out of the way.. and put the sofa in front of the radiator. ? just a thought.. but great job..
Gemma H
Original Author
5 years ago

Here it is, with blinds, rugs, chairs and pictures :)