Working for House & Garden, I feel that I shouldn’t be finding the renovation of our tiny flat quite so overwhelming. But I’ve learnt rather a few things over the course of the past 3 months: decision fatigue is real and although we’re quite far through (the new bathroom is in and the rotten windows are a thing of the past), it’s hard to see that the end is indeed in sight.
Our budget was small, so there are some parts we haven’t really touched, including the old Ikea kitchen, which now feels a bit sad in the context of the newly renovated space. Crucially, the time when we make it ours – of decorating, adding layers and filling the space with our belongings – still feels a long way off, so I thought it was about time to start compiling my wishlist of the pieces that might get me excited and keep me motivated through the last few weeks of dust and drilling.
One of the things I’m particularly excited about is textiles and soft furnishings – the textures and patterns that will hopefully make the space feel like home. The blinds for the huge 2 metre high windows are going to be an investment and will take a bit of time to get in place, so I can’t wait to layer up with other pieces. Interior designer Rachel Allen suggests that antique textiles are often the ‘magic ingredient for making a home look like it’s been that way for a long time’ and I like to think it’s applicable to textiles more broadly. I’ve got my eye on a lovely patchwork quilt for our bed as well as some cushions. While we’re a bit short on furniture (we have a sofa, but not much else currently!) I’m rather taken by floor cushions, upholstered in pretty fabrics, which could also double up as a lounging spot for my fussy dog. What the dog will not be sitting on, however, is a new armchair – something lovely and comfortable, upholstered in a slubby linen. Rugs are also top of my list - a big one for the large living area and smaller ones either side of the bed in the bedroom.
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The bathroom is an entirely new space, moved from the back of the flat to the centre, in order to make way for a more generous bedroom. The cost of this was the loss of natural light, so I’m hoping I can distract from that by filling the tiny space with lots of pretty things – nice towels, soaps, objects and a pretty shower curtain made up from a favourite fabric.
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I’ve spent a lot of time thinking how I can zhuzh up the bits that remain – mainly the kitchen units. Paints, handles and tiles are my friends here, as well as a few bits of pretty kitchenware – a bread bin and charming baskets to store vegetables are high on my agenda – that I hope will hide a multitude of sins. One change we did make was to swap high wall units for one long shelf that now runs the width of the kitchen – basically an excuse to indulge my love of studio pottery.
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