It’s been a while since I got married now and whilst some peoples attention turns to having babies post-wedding… mine turned to the house and holidays. My two loves in life, it took some time for finances to get back on an even keel, but now it’s fairly safe to say I’ve been on a one-woman mission to revamp (actually, just ahem, finish) the house for some months.
We moved into our first home almost four years ago now, – it had been gutted by a developer, painted and carpeted in neutral tones throughout, with a new kitchen and bathroom. Completely live-able, but not my personal taste. It worked for us at the time though as we had other financial pressures and had stretched ourselves to get on the property ladder at all. Little by little we furnished the place and then started to put our personal stamp on the rooms, then it all came to a grinding halt a year later when we got engaged! The majority of the downstairs was done and thats the way it stayed until a few months ago when I decided it was time to finish the house!
Around about the time I got involved with Rock My Wedding we did the spare room, then a few months ago I decided the bedroom needed attention, not to mention the room which had become RMW HQ.
Not so long ago Charlotte shared her own personal sense of style with you all when she gave you a sneak peek into the O’Shea residence. So I thought I might share a little sneak peek into my renovations with you all too.
First up? The Bedroom.
All things bright and beautiful
So you’d think I would know what I want when I decide I need to re-decorate, right? Erm, nope. Ever the contradiction, I was completely torn between two completely different styles, both influenced by one key piece of inspiration.
Having not long been to The Scarlet hotel, I was all about the neutral back drop and bright accents. I’m a huge fan of colour and fell in love with the works of an artist called Yvonne Coomber there which became integral to my planning, whichever way the coin landed. So I set about making an inspiration board for a bright and beautiful bedroom, versus white on white on white, influenced by my other single choice, of a broad stripe wallpaper in white pearlescent and matt, from Laura Ashley.
The Brights I Lusted after…
Pink turned base Lamp, Heals
African small stool, Plumo
Artwork in mixed media, Yvonne Coomber
Wallpaper, Laura Ashley
Paradise Quilt set, Graham and Green
Pumpkin footstool and turquoise oriental bedside, Plumo
Kimono Robe, Pretty Plum Sugar
Green floral Quilt, Graham and Green
French Style Green Painted three drawer chest, Graham and Green
Pompadour drum light shade, Graham and Green.
LOVE pillow cases, Cox and Cox
The White Stuff
I’ve always loved a white on white look, it’s my alternative to magnolia and beige neutrals, forever glamorous, glossy and gorgeous, just like I choose navy over black for my wardrobe. Living Etc’s annual White Issue has only fuelled my obsession, along with The White Company. Best of all, it works with any style, which suits me as I get to blend a mish mash of my favourite glam metallics with battered steel and deco aluminum and pull it all together with touches of grey, making use of layered luxe fabrics.
The Whites I LOVE…
Kartell Bourgie Lamp in white with gold foil inner shade, Graham and Green
50′s style mirrored bedside, Graham and Green
Wallpaper, as before, Laura Ashley
Artwork, as before, Yvonne Coomber
Aluminum side table, Graham and Green
Butterfly print, Rockett St George
Rococco Frame mirror, Laura Ashley
White Bedding (Both) The White Company
Faux Fur throw, Cox and Cox
Tolix small steel stool, Graham and Green
Grey Turkey cushion, John Lewis
So it’s time for you to give me your opinions and share any finds you might have for my little project, before I show you the before and afters 
Yours Truly,
Rebecca
xoxo
that painting is beautiful, i’m smitten.
ooooooooo I love a wee bit of interiors I do, almost as much as the cosmetics posts (speaking of which, just hammered the plastic in Space NK with the 20% discount they have on offer!). Keep them coming!
(p.s. you’re a girl after my own heart – holidays and homes first, babies can wait!)
Love the slightly eclectic, quirky style of the first inspiration board – very much the kind of style I would redecorate ours like if we weren’t renting. Might have to put the quilt on my Christmas list…
I love the white. The wedding is white on white on white on pearls on lace on white.
Infact, should I be so lucky to be featured on RMW, I would like white on white on white etc etc as my tag line.
In a non P-Diddy type of way obviously.
I didn’t peek at this until Rebecca had finished and it’s funny how similar our interior design tastes are, I have almost ordered those LOVE cushions so many times ( just waiting to paint the bedroom to make sure they go!) and I have wanted the G & G green chest for like ever.
I love white. Or white with splashes of bright bold colours. Next week the O’Shea residence is being given “the White over” and new carpets. With my new blank canvas I think I may go on a colour mission.
Charlotte xxx
It’s the white on white for me. So classy. And I LOVE that light from Graham and Green – visiting their website now…
Fabulous painting.
I like the colour option!!
Beautiful.
P.S. Ladies, 20% off at coast announced again!
love the paradice quilt set! I’m saving up for lots of home goodies from h&m online-the cutest illustrations of squirrels and racoons on bedspreads and pillowcases x
I love the white. I am also currently re-vamping the bedroom just ordered loads of wallpaper samples have settled on greys and mustardy/yellows the mirrored furniture you have featured would be perfect hmmm….
I helped my friend paper her hallway in her Vicotrian Edinburgh flat with that exact Laura Ashley wallpaper. It really fitted in with the restoration of the flat, and has a nice vintage and elegant feel. We papered just below the dado rail, and painted it cream above. It looked amazing (even if I do say so myself!). Though it did get a bit squint toward the last stretch – we may have opened a bottle of wine to celebrate our (almost) achievement of finishing the hall! Love the bright colours to go with it, and the shabby chic furniture. Man, I cannot WAIT until we are married and I can start redecorating hubby-to-be’s bachelor pad! xx
I love both looks, but I have to say my favourite is the white on white, I was sold when you mentioned mixing it with grey.
I wish I wasn’t renting so I could do some interior design renovation of my own.
I’m all about white on white we’re going to decorate early next year so much goes on in our room its basically 3 rooms in 1 so the creams with greys will look lovely and help the room look bigger thanks for the great things you’ve shown on her xxxx
Heart the white on white, so luxe and grown up. But I am one clumsy madam and would serioulsy do some damage to all that lovely white!
I am now however, hot footing it over to John Lewis for that turley cushion.
Hols
x
The only trouble Rebecca, is HOW are you ever going to want to leave that bedroom. Stepping outside into the ‘real world’ would just be a huge comedown. I would live there all day and never come out, just staring at the gorgeousness of it all! You’ve managed a great feat – making white cosy and snug for the bedroom and not stark and cold. Love!
Sadly I have no tips on anything white to add. With two messy Boxer dogs in the house whitewashed walls are but a dream so I will enviously await the unveiling of your posh new boudoir ideas! xxx
We’re getting married and buying our first place at the same time so I can understand the financial strain!! So excited to put our mark on our place though.
Hi Rebecca
We have very similar taste I already have the kartell bourgie lamp in silver (which I won in a mydeco competition) and my desk has a black surround with mirrored drawers. our bedsides are mirrored and we have black deep button headboard. I love wallpaper and I have to admit being a huge fan of osborne and little,cole & son and designers guild they all do very bold big patterns in colours or neutrals. The aluminium wine side table is a classic and is extremely popular with my customers as it works with so many different styles. I would also recommend barbara coupe for cushions http://www.barbaracoupe.co.uk she has some really fun designs. Great post love it xxxx
Hello Ladies!
Ooooh I so enjoyed writing this one… and we are one light fitting short of a finished bedroom as I write, so will be bringing the finished room to you shortly :0…
LizzieMc – You’re so right – it has definitely increased the time I spend in there!
Stacey – I have Cole and Son wallpaper in the office, and that yellow lampshade in the top MB is an Osborne and Little paper. Will definitely share RMW HQ when that’s finished too
Rebecca – ‘White on White on White’ is yours
Pria – I LOVE grey and mustardy yellow… a lot!
Am very much looking fwd to seeing Charlotte’s renovations too…
xoxo
Colour, colour, colour! That turquoise quilt is stunning – and a total bargain!
Loverley, I heart rococco mirrors! LOVE the fact that you guys are not just wedding-brained, makes you more real, and helps us B2Bs see light past the bridal tunnel!
p.s When Keiron and I were starting to renovate our cottage we actually set up a business to get a trading account and buy ironmongery and shabby chic stuff dirt cheap and the result was FANTASTIC! We had a dreadful bathroom that was transformed with a roll top bath, slate floor and the works for a tiny amount! I would highly recommend it to cash-strapped b2bs.
I can’t wait for the piccies!
Love a bit of white/colour combo – love a bit of home design full stop I love it when you drop these posts in for us
Jenny x
Erm, Rebecca, can I move into your house?!
Obviously my vote goes to the bright colours. Love them and was really disappointed to not see any ‘before and after’ pics until you said they would be coming later. Yippeeee! xoxo
I totally love these posts! I vote there are more domestic style ones in the future. Like Luci said, it’s nice to know what will be occupying our time once the wedding plans are no longer!
for nosiness sake.
I want a house and holidays and babies. Not all at the same time, but probably in that order.
Looking forward to the pics, though I think we will need to see a before as well as after
Ooh i cant wait to see ! These are definitely some of my fave posts. Loving all your finds – i heart plumo and the white company.
In our house – We’ve nearly finished our dining area and its definitely brights so i’m thinking the lounge could be quite calming – really liking the white on white and all the different textures!
Completely loving the wallpaper and those african stools, and that John lewis cushion, and we have that heals lamp in white – so everything then
You have such lovely taste Rebecca
Rachie xo
OOOOH! Code alert!
20% off until Monday at Midnight with the code X10B20
http://www.grahamandgreen.co.uk
Just landed in my inbox – enjoy ladies
xoxo
We have recently decorated our spare room, wanted something light and bright, yet cosey. So we based it on one of our favourite bars in Ibiza. We did the all white room with splashes of colour; turquoise bedding with lots of cushions of various colours and sizes, lots of different coloured candles etc. Ive always wanted a chandelier and managed to convince the Mr with the Multi-Coloured Gypsy Chandelier from not on the high street. I LOVE IT. Yes it is only small but its so cute. It finishes the room perfectly and really helps to create the style we were after xx
Hello ladies,
I have a question….after buying a house 2 years a go and getting married earlier this year we are now onto FINISHING the house so that we can finally sit back and relax!
I’m leaving the bedroom until last so should hopefully be tackling it this winter once the kitchen is finished (yippeee!).
I think i’m going with white on white with a few coloured bits and bobs (teal/duck egg blue maybe) but my biggest dilemma is the flooring.
What does everyone else have?
At the moment we have white/cream carpets which will need replacing (or at least a good clean!) so i don’t know whether to go with new carpet or a wooden floor.
I had wooden floors at parents which wasn’t as cosy as carpets is now but it was a colder house anyway so i can’t realy compare!
Please help! I need experiences ladies! Thanks