Dream Living & Dining Room Reveal with West Elm

Well today is the day I finally show you my new look living and dining rooms. YAY! I've been working on these rooms for the past few months (and thinking about it even longer), and I do believe they are finished. About time huh? But apparently all good things come to those who wait, or something like that, and I am SO happy with the results!

Thea Chairs / Art Display Coffee Table / Distressed Foliage Rug

You can have a look here to see my original moodboards and plans that I worked on in conjunction with a fab in-house West Elm designer. Such a great (and free) service you should check out. There's literally no obligation to buy, but trust me, you will want to!

So what's changed in the rooms? Well, almost everything!

New Radiators:

The old rusted radiators have been replaced with lovely new ones from soak.com. They're perfect for this space because they're modern but quiet, and blend in nicely, but are also good-looking and I no longer feel the need to hide them in photos. Bonus!

They're the Flat Panel Vertical Radiators, quite modern, but are also a nice contrast in traditional spaces. I've replaced the radiator in the hall with one of their Colosseum radiators, and you'll see that once I've painted and added some artwork to that area. A woman's work is never done!

Their radiators are great really value, so definitely take a look at their range when you're next in the market.

New Wallpaper:

I changed the much darker wallpaper on the backs of the shelves, for a grasscloth effect one from Zoffany. It's called Wild Silk, and I chose the Linen colour. Just one roll of wallpaper can have such a big impact on the backs of shelves, adding so much interest and depth. And this one is the perfect backdrop to my bits and pieces, with it's texture it's interesting and draws the eye in, but it doesn't take away from what's on the shelves.

New Colour:

Gone is the pink which I did truly love, but I was really craving a calmer, softer look in here, and something lighter and brighter.

In this case I wanted a pale neutral, but not bright white or grey. So many colours that I loved in theory, looked grey in our north facing dining room. I really struggled until I had a colour consultation with the very lovely Helen Shaw of Shaw Paints, who are the UK distributors of Benjamin Moore paint.

Metal Framed Oversize Round Mirror in Brass

Industrial Outline Table Lamp

I'm going to write another post about my chat with her it in the next few weeks because it was super helpful for me, and I'm sure it will be to anyone else who is struggling to find exactly the right paint colour too.

The colour I ended up choosing is called Navajo White. It's got a good dose of yellow in it, making it a creamy white with a touch of beige. A fabulous light neutral if you're after something that's not white or light grey, and as I found out, off-whites are actually really tricky!

The Benjamin Moore paint was really lovely to use (it's only been available in the UK since September last year). I've used the same colour on the walls, woodwork, coving and ceilings - I used the Regal Select in Matt Finish on the walls, the Regal Select in Eggshell Finish on the woodwork, and I went for the Aura Semi-Gloss on the coving and ceilings. Inside the bookshelves in the dining room, I've used the Advance Satin which is a tougher option for woodwork.

The colour works beautifully with the parquet, and together they set an elegant, grown-up base for the furniture, artwork and accessories.

New Floor:

As I said in my post yesterday about my Amtico floor installation, I've always believed in the transformative power of paint, and that flooring sets the tone. Big time.

The parquet really does add an air of elegance that I've always wanted and just couldn't get with my previous flooring, and I adore it.

Oswald Tufted Slipper Chair

New Furniture & Accessories:

I was going to say that of all the beautiful things from West Elm in these rooms, that the Thea chairs residing in the bay window are my favourites. And they might be, but I also adore the table, the huge brass framed, mirror, the sofa, the coffee table... and the lamps, cushions and rug! Truth is, I love it all, and every time I walk into these rooms the combination of everything makes me smile. So maybe I don't have a favourite after all.

I love a coffee table with a shelf for display, meaning the top can be kept relatively clear, and it's such a nice change having a round one too - no corners for small boys to bump into.

Sloane Sofa / Textured Silk Fringe Cushions

Apparently cats aren't interested in leather, and so far so good, Cleo has not really been on the lovely new Sloane sofa much. Fingers crossed she stays uninterested and that she doesn't take in interest in the Thea chairs either!

I'm particularly happy that for the first time in the ten years we've lived in this house, the dining room actually works. The table shape and size is just right for this tricky space with so many doors, and it's already been used so much more than ever before. It's no longer a storage room and thoroughfare, but a gorgeous space that I want to be in.

Silhouette Oval Dining Table

The oversized brass framed mirror is such a statement piece and is just made for the wall above the sideboard in the dining room. We've moved our spot print to the wall opposite and it's reflected in the mirror now which I love.

So there you go - two more rooms done and dusted. I intend to relax and enjoy them for the rest of the summer, before getting to work on my next projects!

This post is in collaboration with West Elm. Thanks so much for your support in helping me transform these rooms! 

And to my other fabulous sponsors too - Amtico for the floor of dreams, Benjamin Moore UK for the beautiful paint, soak.com for the lovely radiators, and Zoffany for that fab wallpaper.

I really hope you like the new look! Let me know what your favourite thing is in the comments below...