7 minute read
‘WE’VE DARED TO BE DECEDENT’
from Fdxcgv
by elloco2019
‘Rejigging the layout has made the most of our fabulous home’
‘We’ve dared to
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SMART SCHEME
‘I’ve used colour to zone different spaces in our open-plan living area – plush pinks for lounging, deep teal for dining’
COME ON IN!
ABOUT ME I’m Lu Fitoussi-Findlay, 38, and I run interior design company LUFF Studio. I live here with my husband Raphael, 35, a property advisor, and our two-year-old daughter Sylvie. MY HOME A three-bedroom, split-level flat in a Victorian conversion in Blackheath, south-east London. We moved here in 2017. WHEN WE MOVED IN It had been rented out, so it was in a state and the basement smelt of damp. AND NOW We moved windows and doors to create a layout that flows and a home that is full of light. I’ve decorated with gorgeous colours and glam pieces – it now feels fabulous! STYLE TIP Don’t plan to get everything done at once; it’s best to live in your home first and work out what’s really missing.
o BE DECADENT’
IDEA TO STEA L ‘Add glamour with a large statement chandelier’ Lu ’s bright, airy flat is the epitome of modern opulence, decorated with a palette of dainty pinks, indigo blues and flashes of Art Deco gold
n paper, we didn’t think
Othis flat had much going for it,’ says Lu. ‘It had been neglected by tenants, the layout made no sense, and the hall was dark and gloomy. But as soon as I walked into the sitting room and saw the high ceilings and period features, I wanted to take down the For Sale sign immediately!
We’d been living across the river in a modern, one-bedroom flat in north London. It was our first move as a couple and we were looking forward to getting a bigger place that we could work on together. We knew that this was the project we’d been after. Bedroom hideaway
We moved in while work was being carried out, so kitting out the main bedroom and creating an en-suite bathroom were our priorities. We needed somewhere to camp out while the rest of the renovation was going on around us. When we bought the flat, there was only one bathroom, so we made another by taking a slice out of our bedroom. This created enough space for a small ‘hidden’ shower room. We’ve put cupboards against the connecting wall and turned the whole en-suite door into a full-length mirror. When it’s closed you wouldn’t even know the room is there. Changing the layout
The layout throughout didn’t suit us at all and there was a lot of wasted space. There were walkways in odd places and the kitchen was tiny. Both of us love to cook, so moving the kitchen into the dining room, which was a bigger space, made total sense. Then we added a
BALANCE OUT
‘The soothing grey walls and floor stop my dramatic pieces and colour choices from overpowering the room’
back door leading onto the garden and widened the doorway into the living room to make it feel more open-plan. Rejigging the basement was a bigger job. It had been used as a laundry room, and the smell of damp was horrible. We opened the bricked-up windows and moved an internal wall to screen off the washing machine, but made sure to leave enough room for a double bedroom. We needed the extra space and were about to start IVF, so we were hoping that another bedroom would come in handy soon.
Kitchen must-haves
There were a few non-negotiables when it came to designing the kitchen, although we came to regret one or two later! Gorgeous marble worktops were an absolute must, until we discovered that they’re completely impractical, after several stains from wine and curries! On the other hand, we knew we wanted to avoid low wall cabinets while still creating enough storage. So we took our tall cabinets as high as we could and installed open shelving either side of the chimney breast. It isn’t the largest kitchen, but this way we’ve managed to keep a feeling of space and not sacrificed practicality. I spent ages looking for the perfect blue units but couldn’t find any that were just right. In the end, we plumped for Ikea doors and got them professionally sprayed. Then we fitted gold bar handles for a hint of glamour.
Trick of the light
Adding light throughout the flat was really important to me, as it was so TREASURE CHEST
‘I needed storage but didn’t want dull, white cabinets. I love this intricate design, and the polished wood hints at an Art Deco vibe’
Do it!
UPCYCLE A CHEST OF DRAWERS
1Buy a basic chest of drawers from Ikea. Lu has gone for the Malm design.
2Paint the strips in between the drawers. Metallic golds and coppers add a luxe quality; bright primary colours bring a sense of fun to a kid’s bedroom; and pastel tones will suit a serene guest suite.
3Paint a set of hairpin legs in the same colour, then securely attach them to the chest of drawers to elevate the look. Lu’s set are from The Hairpin Leg Co.
FLASH OF BRILLIANCE
‘The chest of drawers is an Ikea hack. I painted the strips gold to make it feel more special’
IDEA TO STEA L ‘Frame a lovely window with dark curtains’
SOOTHING SPACE
‘I glossed the basement ceiling to reflect more light, then decorated with soft pinks and textured greys to create warmth’
TACTILE FINISH
‘In our bedroom, I’ve injected comfort with soft textures – natural linens and sheepskin are mixed in with shiny sateen cushions’
Make it!
BUTTON-BACK HEADBOARD
1Buy a piece of MDF, cut to the measurements of your bed.
2Use a spray adhesive to attach a layer of mattress padding to the wood. Flip it over and trim to size.
3Cover the board and padding with a layer of batting fabric and secure in place.
4Decide where you want your buttons to go and drill holes according to your design.
5Cover with a final layer of fabric using an electric stapler.
6Attach pretty fabric-covered buttons to the headboard holes using a long upholstery needle and thread.
Where to buy Lu’s style
B&Q The one-stop shop for any keen DIYer – this store became Lu’s second home during the renovation. As well as all the essentials, they have some great cheap houseplants too to add the finishing touches.
H&M HOME Plenty of bedding, kitchenware, vases and trinkets to choose from – all in lovely prints and colours, and all super affordable.
MAISONS DU MONDE After a lot of hunting, Lu found her fabulous blue dining room chairs here. A go-to places for interesting furniture and accessories.
LITTLE GREENE Almost all the paint in the house is from Little Greene. With a wide selection to choose from, Lu found the perfect blue, Basalt, for her bathroom.
BRIGHT BEDROOM
‘Half-painted walls and an oversized white pendant light make this room feel fresh and clean’
then I’ve added opulent gold accents. I love the indigo blue in the kitchen. It’s definitely possible to use dark, rich colours in a small home, as long as the room is bright enough. I’ve dared to be decadent and I love the way it all flows.
Tidy home
Finding creative ways to banish clutter and keep the flat tidy were crucial, especially as it’s a smaller space. We’re lucky that we can use the basement to hide things away but, even so, the storage in the flat wasn’t great. We put in tall cupboards in the office and kitchen, and have smart under-bed storage. I veer away from collections and curating overly populated shelfscapes. It helps the flat look less packed with stuff – plus, I can’t be dealing with all the dusting! Then, we’ve gone for fewer, larger pieces, like our supersized sofa, which looks less cluttered than lots of smaller things to bump into.
Unexpected surprises
We wanted a project we could take on together and that’s certainly what we got with this flat. Everything seemed to cost more than we initially budgeted for and there were inevitable hiccups along the way that we needed extra cash for. A rotten timber under the fireplace that needed replacing, a bit of woodworm that needed treating… being an older property we didn’t know what we’d find! The hard work hasn’t put us off at all and we love how it’s turned out. Now we’ve got the bit between our teeth, we’ll probably go for something completely untouched next time!’
