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UK Room Tour: Rich Hues and Period Details Revive a Dull Space
Deep, smoky-brown tones are the perfect foil for the curated vintage finds and bold artwork in this cosy living room
The owner of this Victorian home in North Yorkshire, UK – a former stables and tack room (used for storing riding equipment such as saddles and bridles) – is a keen art collector and lover of interesting vintage pieces. He wanted somewhere comfortable to sit, read a book, listen to music, play his guitar, and spend time with friends. Step forward interior designer Karen Knox, who was enlisted to create a calm and cosy room scheme with oodles of period character.
“Based on the initial consultation with my client, it was clear he was drawn to dark and cosy spaces with dark wood tones,” says Knox. “I couldn’t wait to reinstate the period details this lovely room deserved.”
“Based on the initial consultation with my client, it was clear he was drawn to dark and cosy spaces with dark wood tones,” says Knox. “I couldn’t wait to reinstate the period details this lovely room deserved.”
Here’s the small fireplace before it was knocked out.
Working with UK-based Carlton House Fireplaces, Knox created a larger opening. An imposing black slate surround and black hearth were added to create an elegant and sophisticated feel, while the back was lined with brick cladding and the existing wood-burning stove was refitted.
“The room now has a striking focal point that’s much more in keeping with its 2.6-metre-high ceiling,” says Knox. The smart fireplace was finished off with chic fireside accessories.
Find a local interior designer on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
“The room now has a striking focal point that’s much more in keeping with its 2.6-metre-high ceiling,” says Knox. The smart fireplace was finished off with chic fireside accessories.
Find a local interior designer on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Reinstating the period mouldings and joinery was the next step. A beautiful new ceiling rose, cornices, picture rails and architraves were added to give the space depth and personality.
“The newly added rails and architraves instantly made such a difference, while the picture rails have been put to very good use throughout the room, hanging a mix of old and new artwork,” says Knox. “It always surprises me how different a room can feel when its wearing the right outfit.”
“The newly added rails and architraves instantly made such a difference, while the picture rails have been put to very good use throughout the room, hanging a mix of old and new artwork,” says Knox. “It always surprises me how different a room can feel when its wearing the right outfit.”
Updating the radiator heaters was a challenge, but one that was well worth the effort. The solid concrete floor prevented Knox from fitting any pipework below it, but she was reluctant to lift the existing wooden floor, as that would have meant taking off all the skirting boards and inevitably disturbing the plasterwork.
Luckily, the plumber and joiner were able to remove just a section of skirting board and lift one plank of flooring to lay new copper pipes, and then installed beautiful bronze column radiators that complement the brown walls. “If you’re going to go to the trouble of paying for fancy-pants new rads, then get your pipes sorted. Your eyes will thank you for it,” says Knox.
Luckily, the plumber and joiner were able to remove just a section of skirting board and lift one plank of flooring to lay new copper pipes, and then installed beautiful bronze column radiators that complement the brown walls. “If you’re going to go to the trouble of paying for fancy-pants new rads, then get your pipes sorted. Your eyes will thank you for it,” says Knox.
As a keen collector of art, the owner wanted his bold pieces to play a starring role, particularly the large canvas above the sofa.
“Being on and in the water has a special significance to my client, so this striking painting was a major reference for the room design,” says Knox. “I loved the idea of a warm, smoky brown for this space, as I knew it would provide a great backdrop to the earthy, autumnal tones of the artwork and furniture.”
The paint colour wasn’t chosen until the end of the design process, when the main elements of the room were in place and the space could be seen as a whole. The selection was honed down to a beautiful brown that changes colour depending on the light.
Browse more inspiring transitional living spaces
“Being on and in the water has a special significance to my client, so this striking painting was a major reference for the room design,” says Knox. “I loved the idea of a warm, smoky brown for this space, as I knew it would provide a great backdrop to the earthy, autumnal tones of the artwork and furniture.”
The paint colour wasn’t chosen until the end of the design process, when the main elements of the room were in place and the space could be seen as a whole. The selection was honed down to a beautiful brown that changes colour depending on the light.
Browse more inspiring transitional living spaces
This ‘before’ shot shows the previous, full-height window shutters and the old radiator heater.
The room’s original white shutters were sold to someone local and replaced with darker ones. The half-height design allows more light to flood into the room while retaining daytime privacy. The Roman blind softens the window, offering evening cosiness when needed.
“I love how the antique Georgian bow-fronted chest of drawers provides a warm, mahogany backdrop to the ‘rare as rocking-horse droppings’ Arne Norell chair – a mid-century classic we had shipped over from Poland,” says Knox.
“I love how the antique Georgian bow-fronted chest of drawers provides a warm, mahogany backdrop to the ‘rare as rocking-horse droppings’ Arne Norell chair – a mid-century classic we had shipped over from Poland,” says Knox.
Using dark colours in a room can be transformative and completely change the feel of a space, but they’re not for everyone. Knox suggests that, before committing to a rich wall tone, you ask yourself how you want to feel in the room and what you’ll do in there, as it will definitely feel darker and more closed in once you’ve added a deep shade.
“If you’ve thought about going dark for more than a few weeks, then my advice is to just do it,” she says. “I’ve never had a client who hasn’t loved their dark space. And, if you do find it’s not for you, it’s just paint, and you can be back over to the light side in a couple of days.
“If you do decide to go dark, don’t leave your ceiling and woodwork pure brilliant white,” she adds.
“If you’ve thought about going dark for more than a few weeks, then my advice is to just do it,” she says. “I’ve never had a client who hasn’t loved their dark space. And, if you do find it’s not for you, it’s just paint, and you can be back over to the light side in a couple of days.
“If you do decide to go dark, don’t leave your ceiling and woodwork pure brilliant white,” she adds.
Knox is proud of this room and how it’s come together. “It really is one of my favourite rooms to have worked on, as I got to mix lots of vintage and antique goodies with modern touches to create a place my client could finally call home,” she says.
“Also, having complete creative control was a dream,” she adds. “I really got to flex my design muscles on this one. I can’t wait to complete the rest of the house!”
Your turn
What’s inspired you about this project? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
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“Also, having complete creative control was a dream,” she adds. “I really got to flex my design muscles on this one. I can’t wait to complete the rest of the house!”
Your turn
What’s inspired you about this project? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Love interior transformations? You won’t want to miss this Before & After: A Paris Apartment Refreshed With a Clever Layout
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A retired man in his fifties
Location: Harrogate, UK
Property: A two-bedroom Victorian house converted from stables, a tack room and workers’ lodgings, which would have been part of a larger coach house estate in the 1800s
Room dimensions: Approximately 3 x 5 metres
Designer: Karen Knox of Making Spaces
Despite good dimensions, there were plenty of areas in this living room that needed attention before any decorating could start, such as the 1980s polystyrene coving and plastic ceiling rose.
“As well as these, there was a small fireplace with a wood-burning stove squeezed into the gap [see below]. It was the wrong scale for the space and looked awkward, so the first thing we did was sort that out,” says Knox. “It’s always important to start with the messy jobs.”