A Fresh Family Home Makeover: Part 1 – The Vision
I recently embarked on an exciting project for a couple who had returned to the UK after many years abroad. With two almost-teenage children, the family were eager to give their East Sussex home a complete interior makeover. Although no major structural changes were needed, the challenge was to completely revamp the house on a relatively tight budget. In this post, I’ll walk you through my design vision, but stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll reveal the stunning transformation.
The Brief
My clients had a good sense of their design preferences, favouring mid-century and Scandinavian styles. Their Pinterest boards gave me a good starting point for the general mood, but they were also open to suggestions and happy to explore ‘fun’ choices, as long as we stayed within their budget. To keep costs to a minimum, we agreed that some of their existing furniture would be incorporated into the new design if it fit the overall aesthetic. The overall goal was to create a cohesive colour palette for the open-plan ground floor and make better use of the shared living spaces, while also catering to individual tastes in the upstairs bedrooms. Transforming key spaces
Every room in this family home presented its own unique challenges and opportunities. Let’s take a tour through the house, exploring how we addressed the specific needs of each space.
1. Hallway: First impressions count
One of the most important things to get right was the entrance hall, where visitors would form their first impressions of the house. This was a large area with plenty of wall space, but the carpeting and lighting needed a rethink, as did the choice of colour.
Our solution: To give the hallway a more upmarket feel, I suggested replacing the dated carpet with an oak herringbone floor, installing a statement light fixture and introducing plenty of greenery. This will create a welcoming entrance that sets the tone for the entire home. We’ve also planned for an eye-catching art display to utilise the generous wall space.
2. Formal sitting room: Comfort meets style
The big window in the sitting room brought in plenty of natural light, but the room lacked a focal point and cohesive design. The existing layout also didn’t maximise seating for family gatherings and needed a more comfortable and inviting feel.
Our solution: I suggested a Scandi-inspired palette of blue, oak, and white, with an emphasis on natural materials like linen and wool to add warmth and texture. We also redesigned the layout to comfortably seat six people and incorporated brass and glass wall lighting to add cosy, flattering illumination.
Below is the mood board I created based on my design choices.
3. Kitchen: Enhancing colour and lighting
This was a lovely open space with attractive walnut and white cabinets, but there was still quite a lot to do, particularly in regards to the lighting and colour scheme.
Our solution: I recommended introducing a new wall colour to make the existing white cabinets pop, as well as swapping out the red glass backsplash for a mustard basketweave tile. To improve the lighting, we replaced some of the downlights with a mix of pendants and under-cabinet fixtures. I also suggested adding a new dining table in walnut or teak and curtains for the glass sliding doors for extra cosiness on winter evenings.
Here is the mood board I created, showing some tiling, lighting and seating options.
4. Snug: Establishing an identity
Although the secondary sitting room made a good TV room as it received less sunlight, it still felt like it lacked a clear identity. The decision to be made here was whether we should emphasise this lack of light by working with a darker palette.
Our solution: We decided on a bold palette of Prussian blue, deep greens, and mustards to create a dramatic, cosy space. Rich velvet sofas and vintage-inspired curtains add a touch of luxury, while my clients’ existing teak-coloured, herringbone-patterned cabinet is a perfect fit for the new aesthetic. I’m sure this room will become a favourite spot for family film nights.
I used the mood board below to show how atmosphere could be created using a richer palette and a signature mix of old and new in the choice of furnishings.
5. Master bedroom: A touch of luxury
Like most of the other rooms, the lighting here needed careful consideration. It also lacked the warmth expected of a master bedroom, so we wanted to soften the space and create a boutique hotel vibe.
Our solution: We transformed this space with deep pink walls, floral accents, and teak furniture to complement the existing built-in wardrobes. A super king-sized bed with an upholstered headboard became the centerpiece, together with matching chests of drawers doubling as bedside tables on either side. We placed a chaise longue by the window and are deciding on large hanging bedside lights to complete the look.
The mood board below shows the softer-edged cabinetry and boutique hotel vibe.
6. Teenage bedrooms: Catering to individual tastes
The teenage children’s bedrooms needed updating to reflect their personalities and to cater to their evolving needs as they approach their teenage years.
Our solution: The client’s daughter wanted her room to reflect sunsets and the beach, so we incorporated this into a seaside-inspired haven with her favourite colours, turquoise and coral. We also chose to add layers, rattan elements, and fun patterns to give the space character, while remaining adaptable for her changing tastes.
The mood board below was a useful guide in helping the client’s daughter to make choices she would be happy with.
For the son’s room, we went with an industrial, monochrome style with smart lighting for pops of colour. A mix of metal and wood furniture, along with space-themed accents, will create a cool, age-appropriate space that can grow with him.
I used this mood board to show how an industrial theme might work in this room.
7. Guest bedroom/Craft room: Dual-purpose design
My clients wanted this room to have two functions – a workspace for their daughter’s craft projects and a comfortable space for guests. To suit both functions of the room we needed to make better use of the space available.
Our solution: We designed a space that transitions from a comfortable guest room to a functional craft area. A custom work surface under the window with built-in storage serves for craft projects, while a stylish sofa bed with overhead shelving and smart lighting will accommodate guests in comfort.
The vision comes to life
While this project hasn’t involved major renovations, it’s a comprehensive redesign that touches every corner of the home. I’ve been working closely with the family to ensure their mid-century and Scandinavian design preferences shine through, while creating spaces that are both functional and full of personality. In my next post, I’ll reveal the stunning ‘after’ photos and share more details about how each space was transformed, so stay tuned for the big reveal!
Are you inspired to refresh your own living space? Whether it’s a full house makeover or a single room refresh, I'd love to help bring your dream home to life. Get in touch with me today for a consultation.
Nicky