Name: Olivia
Location: Stoke Newington, London, England
I live in my one bedroom flat with my husband, our two dogs and two cats. The place is larger than average for a London place, and because it is a lower-ground flat we are really fortunate to have the most charming little garden (which the animals are also very happy with). We've only lived here for 6 months, but I spent a lot of time before we moved in obsessing over every detail, each piece of furniture had to be just right.
Because we're on a budget, we made a deal - we would aim to fund all new decor with money earned from selling old junk and unloved pieces of furniture. Ebay and gumtree were very useful, both for sourcing unique pieces (such as the 1930's french beer table in our kitchen) and for unloading disused things. We also sold a lot of our stuff at flea markets and picked up some great things too.
The most difficult thing in styling our space is that the previous owner had very much a Laura Ashley country cottage aesthetic, with floral curtains and trim and cream wall to wall carpeting. We painted all the rooms with Farrow and Ball paint and took out the curtains and carpeting. The flooring we put down is a white oiled oak, which in retrospect is probably not the best choice with 4 pets in the house (not that I'd do it any differently!).
My husband works from home, so another challenge was making sure he had an office area, without it overtaking things. I had to forgo my dreams of a dining table (even though I had already bought the chairs!), and instead we have a fold-out table which we pull out when guests are over and cover with a tablecloth. It all worked out pretty well!
I'm not sure how I'd define our style, all I know is that when it's been a dreary, cold, rainy London day, the best thing in the world is to come home to my very own flat, do a little happy dance and snuggle on the couch with the gang.
Thanks, Olivia!
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What a sweet and cozy home! I particularly love your sofa. Can you give details?
Your place is lovely, especially those oiled oak floors. Would you mind sharing what product you used? Thanks.
It would be nice to see more of this place; what we can see is charming. London is so absurdly expensive budgeting is mandatory for anyone without a bank account the size of Mitt Romney's.
Would you tell us which Farrow and Ball shade is the lovely color on the bedroom walls? Thanks.
I really like the small table and chairs in the kitchen. I, too, have a kitchen that is somewhat cut off from the rest of the house and have been trying to figure out a way to work in a sitting area. This is a great idea. And the little furry dog is just too cute. Looks very much like my own little fuzzy mutt. :)
You are SO lucky to have that garden indeed!
I love the galley kitchen! And your dog is too cute :)
Good call on the floors
Thanks so much for the lovely comments!
The sofa is from Conran store, but as much as I love it I am planning on replacing it as I think it's a little deep for the space and very worn out after 5 years and 4 pets. The flooring is engineered calista white oiled oak, bought from Jordan Andrews in Muswell Hill and paint colour in the bedroom is Charleston grey.
Beautiful! Lovingly done.
You have a lovely home (and I'd like to see more of it).
What an airy feeling space - lovely!
This is such an inviting looking home... your dog looks very happy!
Loved seeing what you did with effective use of space. The kitchen chairs I've seen on Overstock and love the galvanized steel. Where did you get the kitchen table? And...is that a combo washer/dryer under the kitchen counter? Could you tell me what brand? I have a really small space and thought about doing that but most of the ones I have seen are about 38-inches high and standard counter height (in the US) is like 35 1/2-inches.
Love your garden area! Lovely space...would have loved to see more of it!
This seems like a really sweet little place.
It'd be nice to see more of it, with well-lit, properly taken photographs!
Love your paint colours. I am glad you are replacing the sofa. One with legs will give you an airier look and is just as cozy. In a similar kitchen I am using a built in table height counter with chairs that tuck under neatly rather than a table. The counter is made of maple, and can be used for eating and also for additonal food prep space.
Ohh I want to live in England. How lovely.
I want your couch!! Looks perfect for snuggling up on with a good book and a blanket.
Very nice space!
Lovely flat, really nice
I love your flat. It is just gorgeous! I hope that Apartment Therapy starts giving us more UK tours. I love London. Thanks for sharing.
I love the design of your home and I can tell how much thought and time you have put into the details. Question... the Charleston Grey paint in the bedroom what brand is it? I must use it in my own place! It is beautiful and calming.
You place is so charming. I live in London as well and Im so jealous because you're right, it IS quite big for a one bed flat! My one bed could probably fit into this twice lol
Love it! Very cute and put together nicely. :) It looks very comfortable.
Cute kitchen. Cute garden. Lovely paint colors. :)
love your space. the kitchen chairs are exactly what I want... it all looks so calm and organized. well done.