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Original poster

re-doing the lounge- what do you start with??

21 replies

auntyquated · 27/06/2006 21:18

we want to re-do the lounge....recovering the suite, decorating, new carpet, nrew curtains etc etc

but what should you start with????

it would be great if we would have the room decoarted whilst the suite is away being recoverde but how do we know that the 2 will go togther

i really don't know where to begin...please help

OP posts:

Original poster

auntyquated · 27/06/2006 21:21

and --- what colours are in?

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southeastastra · 27/06/2006 21:22

is there one central feature you like, or a piece of furniture? you could theme the room around that

JackieNo · 27/06/2006 21:24

I remember the House Doctor saying that you should start by choosing the things with the most patterns first, which are probably the curtains, maybe the sofa. Because it can take ages to find a pattern you like, but you can generally find a carpet to go with it, rather than choosing a carpet first, then trying to find curtain material you like and that goes with the carpet. Think that makes sense...

NomDePlume · 27/06/2006 21:27

auntyquated - DON'T go for what's 'in', go for what you like. It'll have to stand the test of time.

Original poster

auntyquated · 27/06/2006 21:29

SEA =- the only thing thst will be staying is the fire and surround...it is living flame fire surrounded by dark grey slate and a dark pine frame thingy

the troible is i don't really know what i like!

OP posts:

JackieNo · 27/06/2006 21:32

Maybe buy some magazines and cut out some pictures you like? Get a feel for the sorts of patterns and colours you like, then see what you can find that chimes in with that in the shops?

apronstrings · 27/06/2006 21:33

I would choose one thing you love and build from there. Could be a favourite colour, a fabric, a picture, a lamp - what ever really grabs you and makes you happy when you see it.

NomDePlume · 27/06/2006 21:34

Get yourself some interior design magazines, so you can get an idea of the style you want - minimalist ? period ? clean & crisp ? cosy ? Have a look in a few of the higher end furniture stores, they'll have lovely room sets which you can take inspiration from and buy the bits and bobs in a similar style elsewhere for less (unless you have a high-end budget, that is). Also consider the age of your house, and given that you are planning to have your suite re-upholstered, the shape/style of that (is it more traditional?)

Chandra · 27/06/2006 21:34

The BBC website have a wonderful site with plenty of examples to be inspired by. You can choose by colour, mood, period, etc.

NomDePlume · 27/06/2006 21:36

Auntyquated, re getting the fabrics/paint colours right whilst your sofe is away being redone, take a big (ish) sample of the fabric you are using for the sofa when you go shopping for the rest of the room. Make sure that the swatch/sample is big enough for you to get a good representation of the pattern (if there is one).

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 27/06/2006 21:37

I think the colour of the walls is the most striking thing - however I also agree with what Jackie No says about matching colours and patterns. So, imho, I think the first step is to decide - roughly - what colour you'd like the walls - cream, pale blue, red - but don't decide the actual paint, choose fabrics first, then when you;ve got them, go back to paint to find the precise one that tones well with / contrasts with / complements your fabric.

southeastastra · 27/06/2006 21:39

it depends whether you like modern decor and change the room alot, or like to keep it the same for a long time.

what colour is the sofa being recovered in?

Original poster

auntyquated · 27/06/2006 21:44

we haven't decided what colr to have the suite

i like this but what would we do with the fire? we have dark pine and slte???

it is a brill site

OP posts:

NomDePlume · 27/06/2006 21:46

can you replace the surround ? The fire is probably fine, but the pine wouldn't go with that look, tbh, it won't go t with much in the contemporary vein.

Original poster

auntyquated · 27/06/2006 21:47

we could change/paint the suround but i think we maybe stuck with the slate

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JackieNo · 27/06/2006 21:48

I guess if you couldn't replace the surround, you could paint it white.

southeastastra · 27/06/2006 21:51

a beigey colour would probably go with slate and dark pine

Original poster

auntyquated · 27/06/2006 21:58

i think i will start by going into the fire place place and see what we can do with our existing fire and how much would a more modern surround cost.

thanks for all your help---tbh i would never have thought about changing the fire and it proably would look naff if we didn't

OP posts:

moondog · 27/06/2006 22:14

Make sure you use good paint.
Farrow &Ball in particular.
Expensive,but so worth it to have colours in soothing tones,not some garish chemical hue from one of the sheds.

Remember,the colour is more pronounced on the wall than it is in the tin,so go for one several shaded lighter than what you think you need.

apronstrings · 27/06/2006 22:48

is it plain slate - no reason that couldn't go with modern - a simple unfussy surround painted in a neutral eggshell finish would work

Original poster

auntyquated · 28/06/2006 13:57

i have been this morning to look at changing the surround and it coud be done for under £500 which also includes changing the brass bits oin the fire to chrome. i think i will drag DH there at the weekend to choose somehting.

thnaks girls

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