It’s that time of year again when we look back at the previous year and set some decorating goals for the new one. I’ve become much more realistic about our reno goals. When it comes to redecorating, sometimes it’s better to wait. But I also like to have a plan so I can actually get things done! I look at our priorities and budget before embarking on any big projects. I do love a mini makeover, though. They take up very little time and money. And I try to do as much as I can myself, which is so rewarding.
Now let’s take a look at what we have achieved this year.
FAMILY AND (HIDDEN) CINEMA ROOM
I have to start with our longest make-over so far. It finally came to an end last year. This was our biggest (and most expensive) room make-over in the new house. We knew it would be a big job but underestimated the time it would take to finish and stay on budget. Luckily, we took our time because it meant we could do things exactly how we wanted. We chose high-end finishes and dreamy accessories for this room to give it the wow factor it deserved. From high-quality custom sofas to bespoke murals, no corner was left untouched. And it turned out to be pretty perfect, even more so than I could have ever imagined. This is now my favourite room in the house, although most of the time it is taken over by our girls lounging on the sofa watching their favourite films. I wouldn’t have it any other way!
COLOURFUL GIRL’S BEDROOM
My youngest daughter wanted her room to reflect her personality. Colourful and fun were the words she used to describe what she was after. I’m a neutral lover so this was a little challenging but I was determined to design something that would make us both happy. We chose a floral mural for the main wall, which is a lovely mix of abstract patterns and colour. To keep with the contemporary theme, all the other walls were painted off-white. I love how light and airy the room feels despite all the different colours. Children’s rooms can often feel cluttered and chaotic, but I feel like we have dodged the bullet with this one. It looks clean and minimalist, but is still quirky and fun!
CLOAKROOM
The cloakroom mini-makeover wasn’t planned, but as it was so quick and cheap to do a few minor updates, I decided to go for it. We replaced the old tiles above the sink and added a nature-inspired gallery wall (with dried flowers from our garden!). It turned out perfect and I love the DIY dried flower artwork I made myself. I enjoyed mixing different shapes and sizes for this gallery wall, creating a cohesive look. The rustic tiles also add a lovely touch to the room. I’m not quite finished with this room yet. I’ll share more later this year!
HOME GYM
The previous owners had converted this room into a home gym, so we didn’t have to do a lot of work. The large mirrored sliding doors bounce light around the room, giving the illusion of a much larger space than it actually is. It’s also useful to be able to see yourself when you’re training. Behind those mirrored doors is a small toilet and a laundry room (which we are currently working on). I didn’t get to choose the floor coverings, but if I had, I would have gone for something a little lighter and with speckles. The black mat flooring shows dust and marks very easily. It is pretty indestructible, but it’s just not my thing. If we were to change it in the future, I’d probably go for a more natural and light-coloured floor. We added the shelving, storage and gym equipment, and that was it. I’m so glad we have this room because it’s the only way I’ve been able to stick to any sort of exercise regime lately.
LAUNDRY ROOM
We started working on our latest mini-room makeover over Christmas, so I haven’t revealed anything here yet. This is a tiny space, but I am determined to make it a functional laundry/utility room. We ordered some bespoke laundry cupboards and built them ourselves. I’ll share all the details with you soon, but I can tell you it looks so much better already.
PLANS FOR 2025
Our master bedroom will be the big project for this year and maybe next. We have a lot of infrastructure work to do (moving radiators, fixing dampness, new flooring etc) so it won’t be a quick fix. I’d love to be able to do this quickly but it’s more important that we do everything in the right order. I’ve got a mood board ready to go and I’m going to take a bit more of a risk with this room. It’ll be a cosy and quiet sanctuary. I might even wallpaper all the walls.
I’m also thinking about doing a few mini-makeovers. Our guest room and guest bathroom need a lick of paint, so that could be a DIY job. I’m hoping to be more hands-on this year and do as much as I can myself. Especially when it comes to painting and small repairs. I’m also planning to up-cycle some of the old furniture that we have and give it a new lease of life.
THANK YOU!
I also wanted to say a huge thank you for being here and reading my blog. It really means the world to me and I’m grateful to have been doing this for over 10 years now. Also a huge thank you to all the wonderful brands I have had the pleasure of working with over the past year. I hope to keep in touch and I’m looking forward to any new opportunities that may arise this year.
