ORC Week 2 | Living Room: Stripping & Painting

Week One of the One Room Challenge is done, and I’ve made solid progress on the living room makeover in my rented Edwardian home in East Sheen, London.

Here’s a refresher on the interior design mood board. I linked all sources in last week’s One Room Challenge post, and showed you the living room floor plan and before pictures.

Stripping Wallpaper

I wanted to tackle the fireplace wall first, because that was the most intimidating from a DIY perspective. Before, it was wallpapered in a floral print that wasn’t my taste.

We used a steamer to strip the wallpaper, then patched and sanded to prep for painting.

Painting

I’m using Wevet by Farrow and Ball, colour-matched to Johnstones. I had it mixed in a soft sheen, which isn’t a finish you’d normally pick for a living room, but it’s better at reflecting light and easier to clean than a matte finish would be.

I’ve finished two walls with a full three coats so far. The fireplace wall is finished, and the marble fireplace almost shines now.

Painting just the first wall made an immediate and massive difference in how much light there is in the room. Wevet is one of my go-to shades of off white. It reads pink, cream, soft grey or white depending on the light, but it’s warm all the time.

Nothing is styled yet, just propped on the shelves to keep it all off the floor. It’s already looking so much better though.

The TV will be mounted above the fireplace, and the round mirror moved to the wall opposite the window.

These photos are misleading. Pull back and there’s still mess everywhere.

The wall by the window has one coat on part of it, nothing in the bay yet. And nothing on the opposite wall either, apart from a little bit of cutting in.

The painting’s taking longer than I hoped, but still – good progress!

The Living Room To Do List

1. Make it Lighter & Brighter

• Strip the wallpaper ✔
• Repaint – in progress
• Replace curtains with blinds
• Add mirrors

2. Make It Tidier & More Functional

• Hang the TV
• Rehang the door
• Get rid of/replace some of the furniture – in progress
• Organise storage for electronics & guest bedding
• Improve the lighting

3. Make It Happy

• Add colour with art & textiles
• Style the built ins with pretty things

What’s Next?

This week I want to finish painting, list more old furniture for sale, and start placing orders.

I’m posting updates throughout the week on Instagram, especially in my stories (check my ORC highlights). So go follow me over there if you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes.

Head to the One Room Challenge to check out the featured designers‘ progress this week, as well as all the guest participants.

Catch Up On Other ORC 2020 Posts

Mood Board & Plans (Week One)
Stripping & Painting (This Week)
Creating More Light & Space (Week Three)
Shopping, Styling & Redesigning (Week Four)
Week Five (No Post)
Shelf Styling (Week Six)
Design Updates (Week Seven)
The Reveal (Week Eight)