This is what our living room looked like when we moved in. The carpet had stains all over (the previous occupants dog obviously wasn’t housetrained), the radiators were not attached to the walls, the electrics needed sorting and the windows needed replacing. This was the view looking towards the bay window.
And this was the view looking towards the 1950’s fireplace.
The living room is the first room that we renovated. We wanted somewhere, where we could switch off and not see about a million DIY tasks that are yet to be completed. Before even moving in, we removed the carpet. Then we had the windows and the radiator replaced and the electrics sorted. The tulip design in the stained glass is a copy of the original one that would have been there.
Then we had our new fireplace fitted and stripped the ceiling and walls. You can see that there is a line around the wall where the original picture rail would have been. I was a complete mess, but this is what we lived like for a few months until we finally had the room plastered.
When the room was finally plastered we refitted the picture rail, had the cupboard and shelves on either side of the fireplace installed and replaced the missing trim around the windows. The last big job before painting everything was having our floor sanded.
And this is what the room looks like now.
We still need some new furniture and the curtains desperately need replacing. We like the arrangement with the 2-seater sofa and two armchairs, but would like to replace the armchairs with something that is more in proportion with the 2-seater and the rest of the room. We haven’t been able to find any chairs that we like (and that are in budget). If you have any ideas let us know!
Hi Christine
I hope everything is sorted in the house by now and you are happily living in a beautifully renovated period house.
I was wondering in what order you did the jobs in the reception room. I am in the middle of a renovation project as well. So far, demolition job is part way through and I am doing plumbing and electrics. What I’d like to ask your opinion about is the shelves and finishing of the walls. When did you do that, before or after the floor makeover? Generally, a step-by-step list of things that you’ve done to create this beautiful room would also be very helpful.
Best
Thanks Mehdi! You can always see our most current pictures in our house tour section – including the living room which looks very different now! (https://www.littlehouseonthecorner.com/house-tour/).
In terms of the order of things it’s essentially a matter of starting with the dirtier things and moving on to the cleaner things. Sanding floors and painting walls are pretty much the very last things you should be doing.
As a very rough guide it’s – do major building work (like removing walls, adding a fireplace), replace windows, sort plumbing & electrics, add windowsills, plastering, add any built in furniture, decorate, sand & varnish floors (you could also sand the floors and then decorate).
We had our shelves fitted and then had the plastering done around them. It really depends on the way your furniture is designed, but by installing the shelves first they are essentially really secured into the wall.
Hope that’s some help!
Cx
Hello
Found your website tonight via Pinterest whilst seeking inspiration for our new Edwardian home and you definitely provided it.! The look we are trying to go with for our living room is very similar to what you have achieved – we even have the same chair! Would you mind sharing the paint colour you went for, and also where you found those lovely curtains? Thanks again for sharing and inspiring!
Ohh, thank you so much Kate! The colour is Dulux Steel Symphony 4 and the curtains are from Ikea (although I don’t think they have them any more). If there’s anything else you’d like to know we have a source list where we share the details of what we got where. Always happy to help if you have any other questions!
Cx