A “Scandinavia Meets English Car Boot Sale” London Flat

updated Apr 14, 2019
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Bedrooms
Square feet

749

Sq ft

749

Post Image
(Image credit: Cathy Pyle)

Name: Katy and Jules and their dog, Otto
Location: Bermondsey — London, UK
Size: 749 square feet
Years lived in: 5 years; owned

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This new-build apartment in London, just south of the river, is home to interiors blogger Katy Orme, her partner Jules, and their (adorable!) Golden Retriever, Otto. Katy, who writes the award-winning blog Apartment Apothecary, loves to showcase creative, budget-friendly ideas for crafts, interior styling, and decoration projects to help people’s homes look and feel better. Her own home is—just as you’d expect—filled with creativity and inspiration of all kinds.

(Image credit: Cathy Pyle)

When she moved into this apartment five and a half years ago, Katy set about introducing some character and individuality to the blank slate of a newly-built apartment that was identical to others on the block. She removed the carpets and painted the floors pale grey and white; the results are not only more practical than the original carpet but also give a more individual look. What really gives this home its character, though, is the way Katy has crafted a unique look with her blend of vintage, Mid-century, and contemporary furniture, accessories, and handmade creations—including pieces from her childhood, from her parents and grandparents, and from the school where she worked as a teacher before deciding to pursue blogging and writing full-time. Gentle tones of aqua and pink work well alongside the crispness of the white walls and the warmth of the vintage wood pieces.

The open plan living/dining room, with its large windows on two sides, has wonderful views out across South London’s landmarks and a balcony which is a great little outdoor space in summer. The teal-painted mirror above the dining table reflects even more light back into the room, making the room the perfect place for Katy to photograph projects for her blog.

Katy’s favorite space is the home office, a room that was once a guest bedroom and is now a dedicated space for work, projects, and creativity. It’s an inspiring, cozy space filled with fabrics, yarns, flowers, books, tools, and Katy’s various current projects, all beautifully organized and displayed with Shaker-style pegs, baskets, pegboard, and String shelving.

The master bedroom, like the living room, has a corner window, and is furnished with a mix of modern and vintage pieces in neutral colors. Otto’s favorite place is in this corner, comfortably curled up by the curtains that Katy had custom-made.

(Image credit: Cathy Pyle)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Scandinavia-meets-an English car boot sale… eclectic and always-changing.

Inspiration: Blogs, furniture and vintage shops, other people’s homes. Workshop Living in Brighton is a great source of inspiration.

Favorite Element: The office. It’s light and bright in the morning, and is a cozy, creative space.

Biggest Challenge: Trying to add character to a new-build apartment, which was essentially a white box with a beige carpet when we moved in.

What Friends Say: They’re very complimentary, and always ask for advice…

Biggest Embarrassment: The kitchen, which is long overdue for a revamp! We’re going to replace the upper wall units with open shelving and add new solid wood worktops.

Proudest DIY: The office, which was previously a guest bedroom. We took up the carpet, painted the floors, and made the desks and the pegboard.

Biggest Indulgence: The bedroom curtains.

Best Advice: Take it slowly, let your home evolve organically, and wait until you figure out how to make the space work for you.

Dream Sources: The fourth floor of Liberty (it’s my happy place), and architectural antiques company Lassco.

Resources

PAINT & COLORS

  • All walls: Dulux Brilliant White
  • Entryway floor: International Pale Grey floor paint
  • Bathroom blackboard door in entryway: Ruskin chalk paint
  • Living room floor: International Pale Grey floor paint
  • Kitchen floor: International Pale Grey floor paint
  • Bedroom floor: Farrow & Ball All White floor paint
  • Office floor: Farrow & Ball All White floor paint

ENTRY

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM

  • Vintage dining table: French flea market
  • Ercol dining chairs: given to me by a neighbor when I went to university
  • Mirror: antiques shop on Camden Passage
  • Japanese enamel kettle: gift from a friend

KITCHEN

  • Blue shelf: antiques shop
  • Retro radio: VQ
  • Science lab stool: salvaged from the school I worked at, as it was going to be thrown away when the wood stools were replaced with plastic ones
(Image credit: Cathy Pyle)

BEDROOM

OFFICE/DEN

(Image credit: Cathy Pyle)
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The chalkboard-painted bathroom door is an attractive and useful feature in the entryway. (Image credit: Cathy Pyle)

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Thanks, Katy & Jules!