Decorating a 1960's type (bland) house...

[Washersaurus]

We have victorian terrace with usual quirks of wonky walls, alcoves, fireplaces etc. which is unfortunately too small.

So, I need help/advice/ideas etc about adding interesting features/styling to a 'modern' box/square room type house?

I could post some example pic's if someone is willing to help with ideas.....

start with the windows;

curtain poles
window dressings; can be more bold in a plainer room

interesting bold artwork

using colour very carefully eg carrying through colours from artwork to walls to flooring

plants etc grouped can add interest to corners

IMO 60s houses look good decorated in a modern, funky style, simple clean lines and also simple furniture.

You could add retro style pattern on cushions or blinds, perhaps something along the lines of Orla Keiley.

Have you looked on the Livingetc forums for inspiration?

This is the kind of style I was thinking about
www.livingetc.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/14155/an/0/page/0#14155

i live in a 60s boxy house. paint walls neutral and go for mad prints, like idea is my advice

I like the style of the one linked to, but that has interesting features, like the ceiling and stairs etc. the one we are looking at is essentially an outdated 60's box.

I have seen a similar house to the one we are considering that has been decorated in a more modern style and it still looks bland...very B&Q IYGWIM.

I like Ikea stuff, but I like it mixed in with the old features of my old house etc. not sure how I could combine my desire for old and new in reverse....

I have added a couple of pictures of the open plan living/dining room area with patio doors.

(I think we would need to put doors in the arch bit as DH will use the corner of the dining room bit to work from home)

Any decorating/furnishing ideas most welcome.

From looking at the photos, I'd ditch the border and paint the room a more modern colour, perhaps off white or warm taupe or even a mossy green which can look great in modern houses. Like this (if the link works)
www.crownpaint.co.uk/scheme/950/tree-house.htm

I'd also take out the light fittings as they make the ceiling look lower and put in recessed spots (white fittings so they are discreet) and funky floor/table lamps. A classic anglepoise light would work well.

Wooden flooring would update the look, a shaggy rug would make it cosy.
I'd take out the fireplaces if you can and have a more modern "hole in the wall" type arrangement.

The arch would be better straightened off to make an angular opening, whether you put in doors or not.

The sofas look a bit dated in this setting, could you cover them with funky throws/cushions?

The curtains at the French windows could again be more modern, the sort of fabrics I was thinking of are something like the fabric in this link
www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk/inspiredecor/gallery/v/newalbum/Retro+living+room.jpg.html

HTH

In one room of my house I made the corner the feature. It's not the biggest sitting room, it's the second one and it's 8 by 14 so a really bad shape. The door is at one end, so I made the opposite corner the feature. You walk in and see the corner. I have a series of prints, 2 on one wall, and one on the other wall (but all close to eachother).
and an l shaped sofa in the corner.

The radiator which on the same wall as the door, I put a nice radiator cover on it and a huge retro mirror above it.

it looks better than I though it would and less like a converted garage (which it is).

I can't afford to read housey magazines because they give me ideas that i can't afford to execute.

I think you should get a bespoke fitted feature wall of storage,A dark wood floor and some simple habitat furniture(not ikea imo).Smooth ceiling and large block colour architectural lampshades.Large contemporary artworks and single striking occasional chairs.

Ooh, yes, there's a really good example of what Noddy says in this month's Living Etc.

Thanks for the good ideas, we were going to square off the arch to start with anyway. Will check out the links in a bit (should be looking after the children properly now really)

Noddy's ideas sound fab (I heart habitat), but not sure we can go to the expense of bespoke furniture for a while as we would be planning on extending the kitchen out to the same depth as the dining room extension and putting in patio doors overlooking the garden from that room too.

That IS NOT my furniture by the way - that is the sales particular photo . Our house is filled with cheap Ikea trashed by thoughtless children!

Find a good local carpenter to build in some varied shelves and boxes and mdf along the big wall and paint yourselves Will try and find pic