I am SO excited to be sharing this post with you today. You might recall that for the last few months, we’ve been working away behind the scenes to transform my Mother-in-Law’s flat. You can read all about it in this post but essentially, the flat had been horribly neglected by the previous tenants and so when Marjorie moved in, while the place was in a great location, had great ‘bones’ and a lot of potential, it needed a tonne of work to really make it liveable.
As a reminder, here’s what it looked like on the day Marjorie moved in. Yep, you can say it was pretty shocking.
In the following months, the whole family pitched in to help do what work we could. Wayne’s sisters helped paint the room (Dulux Dusted Moss 2), Wayne arranged for new carpeting to be installed, I hung wallpaper and got her some new lighting but our budget ran out when it came to furnishing the space. This is where my incredible sponsors, Oak Furnitureland, stepped in to help. I know what a privileged position I have as a blogger in terms of being able to bring brands on board to assist with the costs of renovation and so being able to assist someone in my family to benefit from the great relationship I’ve had for years with this brand was a dream come true for me.
So are you ready for the after pictures? Here’s what it’s looking like now…
We’ll start with the star of the show, that beautiful Amelia sofa in grey. Covered in an ultra luxe soft chenille-like fabric, the sofa has a simple contemporary country shape with curved arms. It’s incredibly comfortable with deep seats that make you just want to curl up in it and stay awhile. I styled it here with a pair of pink and green cushions from Ardmore Designs as well as a lovely embroidered leaf cushion which was gifted by Elizabeth Scarlett.
I also chose the matching Amelia armchair. I was slightly nervous it would look too ‘matchy matchy’ but I think in a small space and with such a muted design, it actually helped to unify the space and provide cohesion throughout. The look is restful and relaxed but still has a touch of elegance. Like the sofa, the chair is incredibly comfortable. The delicate floral cushions come standard with the sofa and chair and married so well with the Amazilia wallpaper by Harlequin used on the feature wall.
The main living area in the flat is an unusual shape which made things a little challenging and there is no separate dining room. So transforming this little nook behind the sofa into a dining area was the perfect solution.
I chose the perfectly proportioned Hudson Square 2 seater dining table in natural oak which was just bijou enough to squeeze into this spot comfortably along with two High Back Grass Woven dining chairs. All three pieces were incredibly well made. In fact, everything we received from Oak Furnitureland was and I’m not just saying that! The high quality means Marjorie can enjoy them for many years to come – I was genuinely so impressed! I just adore the texture and pattern those chairs bring to the space.
I also chose the Cairo Solid Oak Natural Sideboard which sits just to the entrance of the living area from the hallway. The lines of the piece carry that more contemporary theme through but the soft natural wood grain gives it an easy-to-live-with style that would work with pretty much anything.
I picked up a few bits at IKEA as well to just round everything out. The simple HOL storage table has great storage inside and provides the perfect spot for a magazine or a cup of tea. I also loved how the lattice pattern added a bit of additional texture to the space, tying nicely in with the natural woven chairs in the dining area.
I also picked up the SATSUMAS Plant stand as well as a spot to gather some of Marjorie’s many plants. It suits this little corner quite nicely I think and the wood legs and shelf tie in really well to the natural oak of the Oak Furnitureland pieces.
One other item I chose from Oak Furnitureland’s impressive range is the Oakdale Nest of Tables in Natural Oak. I used the biggest to float alongside the sofa. I love how versatile pieces like this are – it works so well here but we used the smaller ones as plant stands which could easily be utilised as additional surfaces to rest a drink or even as small stools for extra seating in a pinch.
Shall we talk about the art? I chose a few pieces from Desenio’s range to add some colour and life to Marjorie’s walls. I used an overlying theme of grey pink and green in her space and the three pieces just tied in so beautifully along with the 50×70 oak frames. I’m so happy with how this little area turned out using the artwork along with some of Marjorie’s accessories.
The little dining area also got a splash of colour with a piece from the same collection, tying this area in with the rest of the space. I love how this little spot turned out alongside the soft breezy curtains that Marjorie already owned.
So that’s the whole space! I hope you enjoyed this little transformation from sad and neglected flat to perfectly pretty and cosy space for my Mother in Law.
Needless to say, Marjorie is utterly thrilled with her new look space and I was so incredibly happy to help her with it. I wanted to give a very special thanks to the lovely peeps at Oak Furnitureland for their incredible generosity as I know we could have never done this without them. How cute is my Mother-in-Law by the way? I was so happy this special lady let me take her picture to share with you!
And thank you guys so much for all the encouragement and excitement for this little project! So… what do you think of the before and after?Β Is this a space you could happily live in? Do let me know in the comments!
Disclaimer: I worked with Oak Furnitureland on this post and while I did not receive any compensation, I did receive items free in exchange for coverage on my blog. As always, all images, opinions and words are my very own and I only ever work with companies I really like and think you will too! Thanks for supporting the brands that support Swoon Worthy.
OMG Kimberly!!! You did excellent work as always! What a chic and serene place! I adored all the neutrals !!!
I really love this! It’s soft, warm, muted and neutrals but not flat or generic! Great job and amazing what a difference a few good decisions can make to an uninspiring space – would love to see the other rooms. Enjoy your home Marjorie!
What a cozy space! Love all the plants and wood textures. It feels very serene. The next time you feel bummed that there are no Targets in England (if ever), think of me being bummed that IKEA doesn’t sell that coffee table in America :(
What about bedroom & bath & kitchen? would love to see those areas as well!! Lovely!
What an amazing transformation and how lovely everyone pitched in, including your sponser, beautifully styled, Trish x
It’s all so beautiful. I love how it’s sophisticated yet welcoming, and the plants and pops of color really liven it up. It’s a perfect balance, and done for the nicest reasons.
It is so beautiful and I am touched that you spent so much time (and got such great furniture donated) all for your sweet mother in law. She looks sooo happy in that picture. Cheers to you both!
I absolutely love this transformation!!! The room looks so beautiful, stylish, soft, romantic, feminine, cosy and comfortable! You truly nailed it! It is such a lovely thing you’ve done for your mother-in-law and it’s great how happy she looks with it!
I can’t get enough of it, I keep scrolling through the pictures – it’s so gorgeous!
(I have the same nest of tables, actually – very solid and sturdy and such great quality.)
Great work, you should be really proud, it’s an amazing transformation and a really kind thing to do. xx
Bless Marjorie, she looks so happy in the photo! I think you did a fantastic job. New(-ish) build flats often come with weird and wonderful layouts in this country, but you made the room feel calm and inviting.
Kimberly it’s beautiful, and I love the smile on Marjorie face I think that says it all.
You’ve all done a wonderful job. Xxx
This is so lovely, and what an incredible transformation! Marjorie is a lucky lady, but I bet she deserves it! xo
Kimberly: I feel the love in your work for your MIL. Marjorie is a lucky lady to have you in her life!
Susan
Stunning !!!!!
Oh wow, well done team! You’ve created such a lovely oasis of calm and tranquility. Even though the before pics were a bit grim, you could see there was great natural light in the space and you have capitalised on that so well. I love the muted colours, that wallpaper with the grey suite (which looks all kinds of comfy!) and all the plants – it ties together so well and is soothing and dreamy and romantic. How lovely to see your mum-in-law at the end too, she looks very happy and quite rightly so! Lovely post, thanks for sharing xx
I love what you’ve done. It looks so good
Hun, you’ve done an incredible job. Are you sure you don’t want to be an interior designer? I’ll bet the MIL is chuffed to bits. I know I would be. x
It is so beautiful and cozy. I love how it reminds me of a Country English Cottage. I know your MIL will be happy for years to come. She is so blessed to have such a wonderful DIL and vice versa.ππππ
Looks wonderfully stylish and comfortable Kimberly. Lucky Marjorie.
From sad to fab that’s for sure. No wonder Marjorie is smiling. Super family to pull together like that.
Top job again Kimberley!
Hey Kimberly, I loved Marjorie’s new living room! I think you did a wonderful job with the makeover. This is something a builder like myself aspires to be as creative at!
It looks comfortable, stylish and cosy, Marjorie is a lucky lady! well done!
I absolutely agree. Kimberly did a wonderful job here. She should be very proud!
Oh, this place is so pretty! Your mother in law looks very happy in there. And so she should be, this room is gorgeous. And you just proved how talented you are, working with a style different to yours (although I can see some little glam boho touches here and there which I absolutely love) :)
It’s truly a great transformation. Your mother-in-law must be very happy now. I would love to live in the similar looking home with my family as well. Thanks for sharing.