Huge decorating job to do... need suggestions.

[FairFriday]

We have been waiting for some building work to be done before redecorating - hooray! It will be completed by spring and the pace is looking very tired.

Kitchen and bathroom are fine - just need a lick of paint and a few new hinges, but the living room, hall and bedrooms need a good working over.

The flat is a very typical 1950s (it must have been amazing when it was first built) - so smallish boxy rooms and parquet floor.

I am willing to just start again - the sofas are getting to the end of their life and we need to get rid of the bedroom chest of drawers and get some tall cupboards in there...

I do like the 50s ‘look’ - smaller sized furniture, wooden legs, clean lines, undisputed prints... I’m a kid of the 70s so can see a lot of my childhood styles there from growing up!

We also have a tonne of books and have seen some shelves that go over doorways so want to get some of these up too (we have piles of books everywhere!

Cost wise - not zillions but I have some money from an inheritance - I’m sure mum would heartily approve of me doing something like this with it!

Where to start, oh wise ones?

I think it’s the size and lines of the 50s furniture. Minimalist, wooden legs...

If you love the chaise keep it, reupholster it in a modern fabric and mix with other vintage pieces against a neutral background. Don't buy mid-century-modern style furniture, get the real deal from vintage sites like vinterior. Be warned, you end up creating millions of wishlist but it's a great way of seeing what you really like. As a PP said etsy and ebay are great as well.

Another blog you might like: Mad about the House, probably the best UK interiors blog.

I'd get the floors sorted (so jealous), paint the whole thing white and get some nice light fittings, Dowsing and Reynolds are fab, and then slowly add furniture and soft furnishings. You might, with time, want to add colour to the walls but by making it all very neutral I think it's easier to see what you want.

Great blog, @CountFosco, thanks!

@FairFriday apologies I missed your question!
I'm working with Olga Adler from delraybeachinteriors.com
She was a referral from a friend. It's working out really well as she's been able to look at the house as a whole.
Working virtually means I'm accessing all her knowledge at a really cost effective price. She's also Polish and has lived in the U.K. so knows the house styles.
I'm thinking tiki for the dining room...

Wow that is gorgeous! She’d run a mile from our crappy wee flat though I fear!

Nope. I live in a 3 bed Victorian terrace!
I'd never have considered hiring someone before but I'm doing every room apart from the kitchen, bathroom and kids rooms and I hadn't a clue where to start.

It's true the houses Olga decorates in Florida are erm very high end but her virtual services are much more affordable and smaller projects.

There'll be lots of other interior designers doing similar, especially in these restricted times.

I don't think I've got a great sense of style apart from a love of mid century furniture so I see this as an invest to stop me making mistakes I've made before...