Your Room Tour Questions Answered [Part One]
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If you follow me on Instagram you might know that I posted some room tours this week because my house was uncharacteristically clean and tidy, and the questions have rolled in.
I figured putting them into a whopper of a blog post is a great way to have them answered in one place and to be able to direct people here in future to find answers to burning questions, but in some cases I’ve linked to other blog posts where you will find more information.
So buckle up, here we go…
LIVING AND DINING ROOMS
Corresponding reel HERE
Dining Chairs: Longworth Chairs in Oak - Garden Trading
White Panton Chair - The Conran Shop*
CH24 (Wishbone) Chair in North Sea - Carl Hansen & Son
Dining Table: Silhouette Oval Table - West Elm
Sadly no longer available - they sell the round version only, here (available in two sizes), but I have to say I love an oval dining table - the shape is perfect for this tricky room of many doors. Other beautiful oval options are the Rosaline from Soho Home (they also have several other lovely options), and the Hisia* table from La Redoute (you buy the top and the base separately). Alternatively you could buy a base like that and have a top made.
Round Mirror: Metal Framed Oversized Mirror - West Elm*
Lamps : Dohara - Soho Home (Dining Room)
Greyson - Soho Home (Living Room)
Coffee Table: Portnall - Soho Home
I have it in black marble, which is no longer available, but the travertine one is currently available, which typically is the one I actually wanted originally, but it was out of stock at the time. That said I do love our black one and I’m currently of the opinion that square coffee tables are the only way forward.
Rug: Ziri by Linie Designs - Heal’s
Absolutely love this new rug. The 2m x 3m size is perfect for our living room and it’s really lifted the room and made it feel fresh and interesting.
Sofa: Slim Jim in Smokey Clever Velvet - Loaf
The fabric colours have changed now, and the closest look to be Blotting Paper or Warm Dough. We’ve had it for several years, still love it and it looks brand new. The velvet is clever. Very clever indeed.
Paint Colour: Navajo White - Benjamin Moore
Design / Other Questions:
Sideboard details?
An Ikea hack from many, many years ago, made from their old style of kitchen wall cabinets, but you can adapt to the new style. Mine is wall hung and three metres long, providing loads of much needed storage. I mean, how else do you think I managed to completely tidy my house?! I had a local carpenter make a top for it from MDF, which he sprayed to match the original colour. Here’s the post about adding the stepped door detail. It’s currently painted in Farrow & Ball Light Blue*, but it’s been several other colours over the years too!
If I could only save one item in this space, what would it be?
Love this question! I think it would be an original photograph of my mother by my father, in a frame made by him. If you open the back, there are other pieces to make up the bigger image. It’s pretty damn cool. But can I save my wedding photos and vinyl too please?!
UTILITY ROOM / GUEST LOO
Corresponding Reel HERE
Wall colour: Travertine by Little Greene
Worktop: Nero riven slate - Mandarin Stone
Shelves: Oak Store Direct
Design / Other Questions:
Conceal appliances or have doors?
Depends! I’ve used appliance skirts to cover mine because you can see into this room as you come up the stairs and I didn’t want the washing machine on show. I also needed to do this room on a super tight budget with zero bespoke cabinetry, so you would also see the frame for the worktop and it would just generally look a bit unfinished without. I would probably not conceal them at all if I had a utility room that was more tucked away and didn’t double as a guest loo. I wouldn’t have doors on them in a dedicated utility room, but would if I had to have them in the kitchen (like I used to!).
Would I have a separate loo?
In an ideal world, yes. But space and budget didn’t allow.
MORE UTILITY DETAILS HERE
BEDROOM
Corresponding Reel HERE
Mirror: Coastal by Kieran Letts - Heal’s
Bed: Alba Storage bed in Sienna Natural Cotton - Heal’s
Paint Colour: Smoked Trout F&B*
Chest of drawers: Salina by Ercol - Heal’s
Long Cushion: Cushion in Bark - Bethie Tricks
Sofa / Fabric: Vintage Corbusier sofa covered in Florence Broadhurst Japanese Floral
Bedside Lamps: Vintage Onyx from Ebay*
There’s usually a decent selection. Don’t forget to check the size and wiring situation!
Side Table Lamp: Apache Marble from David Hunt (no longer available but try contacting them to check)
Carpet: Arcadian undyed wool in Helligan - fibre
Design / Other Questions:
How do I keep it tidy and not pile clothes up on the sofa?
I don’t, and we do, though I’m REALLY trying.
Is the fig faux?
NOOOOOO. I absolutely loathe faux plants and trees. Don’t do it kids!
Room Dimensions?
3.7m x 4.65m
Built-in wardrobe details?
These were custom built when we moved in fifteen years ago, and incorporate hanging space with shallow shelving over the chimney breast (which we couldn’t afford to remove at the time) and drawers that are set into the firebox area, but they’re covered by doors to keep it looking sleek. I have painted them several times, most recently painted to match the new wall colour (Smoked Trout by Farrow & Ball) and added decorative moulding from Skirting World.
MORE BEDROOM DETAILS HERE
BATHROOM
Corresponding Reel HERE
All product questions are already answered here and here (sorry but there were too many questions that are repeats of things I’ve already answered so I would be re-writing entire posts which seemed a bit mad).
Design / Other Questions:
Bathroom product details?
I don’t need to be asked twice to talk about home fragrances, bath and body products, I am VERY happy to oblige and will dedicate next weeks blog post to exactly that.
OMG that really was a whopper. Hopefully I haven’t missed anything! The last two room tours (for now) will be happening this week, and I will follow up with another blog post if there are any questions!