Creating a practical and calming space by @blackfamilyvictorianrenovation

Michelle is a successful interior influencer and co-creator of @blackhomesuk. She shares her newly renovated home with her husband and children in Greater Manchester and likes to create spaces which are modern yet timeless, through a mix of DIY, upcycling, and interior styling. Making newly renovated rooms practical yet a calming place to relax means clever styling and accessories are key and here, Michelle shares what she has learnt.

 

 

Undertaking a renovation mid- pandemic on a furlough budget has really concentrated my mindset on exactly how I want my home to be. The main thing I wanted to do is bring in quality, long standing items and ensure we have statement pieces that aren’t flippant trends. It’s important our home is full of warmth, comfort and practicality due to us having a young family. 

That leads me to share my top tips to dress and bring together an open plan living and dining room. I wanted to create a different feeling to each area, with the lounge being dark cosy opulence and the dining area light and airy with a relaxed, luxe feel. 

I am crazy for textures and layering to create a warm, luxurious, yet comfortable feel to a space. Choosing curtains for both rooms was really easy as the choice and quality is always on point at La Redoute. For the lounge, I chose long sheer velvet corduroy curtain in forest green. They pool at each end of the bay window, and we have matched the curtains with a Saraya velvet cushion for our window seat. They instantly complete a room and bring super cosy vibes. The Colin linen curtains I chose for the dining room to frame our patio doors, keeping in mind that light airy luxe vibe, are a heavy linen in an off-white. Again, these pool at either side and are an amazing addition, especially when the evenings become colder and darker.

I also have a love for natural materials and La Redoute have an incredible range online. I love to be able to confidently clash these materials in the same space. Previously in our lounge we had solid oak nest tables, but they are way too big for our new home. When looking at replacements, I saw these amazing tall slimline marble tables and I knew I had to have them. Both aesthetically pleasing and useful, they are a beautiful colour and  sturdy enough for our very active and clumsy boys.

 

Another addition to bring the space together has to be my favourite woven texture wool rug. Our previous La Redoute rug had suffered due to the renovation and not having any flooring for a year. It was so blissful to finally sit as a family with a dressed table and feel that beautiful warm feeling under foot.
 

Styling these spaces has been so wonderful and fun using all my favourite La Redoute pieces. I am definitely a maximalist and have a lot of love for quirky, bold statement pieces whereas the hubby is a minimalist and would love nothing more than a home only filled the bare essentials. Due to this, I have been mindful in my choices. Choosing practical yet statement pieces, such as this Lesego terracotta plant pot strikes the balance of being a useful and quirky ornament that I crave. 

I’ve loved creating our new living and dining spaces with La Redoute and our house finally feels like a home. 

If you’ve enjoyed Michelle’s edit, please head over to the hub to read How To Do a Mini Seasonal Bedroom Refresh by interiors influencer @mishkashoe.