Living room makeover: 'I used colour to evoke Marrakech in Sussex'

Trips to colourful locations inspired Gemma Gear to transform her living room from Victorian to vibrant with patterns and textures. Here, she shares her makeover story...

My story...

Buying our first home together was always going to be special, so when we secured this property we couldn’t wait to get started.

The house hadn’t really been loved for a long time, but we wanted it to reflect us as well as make the most of the original features it retained.

First on the living room to-do list was the Artex ceiling, which was replastered. We then refloored the room using redwood boards, like the originals upstairs.

Deciding on the layout in order to maximise the space was challenging. The three most important things are to measure, measure, measure!

• Living room makeover: ‘I wanted the space to be rustic and weathered’

We had our TV unit and alcove shelving custom-made as a result, and triple-checked the size of our sofa to make sure it fitted.

In terms of décor, my inspiration comes from travelling, especially the vibrancy of places like India and Marrakech. My colourful pouffe was a holiday find I managed to squeeze into my suitcase.

We initially painted the room white and after a couple of months of getting a feel for how we’d use it, we added bright blue and yellow, making the space much more inviting.

It wasn’t all plain sailing, however. The first floor stain dried out orange and, after many tears, had to be sanded and redone.

• Living room makeover: ‘Opening up two adjoining rooms has made all the difference’

Thankfully, we now love how it’s all come together – even our dog Digby, despite getting wet paint on his tail at various times!

My style advice

Don’t be afraid of colour

It’s easy to play it safe and stick with white, but adding pops of bright shades can take your scheme to the next level. Planning is key to the design process, says Gemma.

• Living room makeover: ‘My new-look room hides a quirky secret!’

‘Time spent making moodboards of different swatches and samples of the materials you want to incorporate into the room is never wasted,’ she says. ‘It gives you a chance to mix and match until you find a colour combination that you really love.’

Accessorise

Experiment with different accessories so you can get a feel for your own style and preferences. Then use those preferences to help influence your decisions regarding more costly pieces in the room, such as blinds, rugs and artwork.

• Living room makeover: ‘We’ve made the most of an awkward space’

‘I quickly discovered I loved brightly coloured cushions, throws and plant pots,’ says Gemma. ‘That gave me the confidence to splash out on our statement blue sofa.’

Create a focal point

‘In a small room especially, it’s good to make a focal point out of a feature and link other accessories to that whether by colour, texture or pattern,’ says Gemma.

• Real home: ‘Our house is homely with a twist’

‘I painted my chimney breast in bold colours to stand out against the white walls and make the room feel more exciting. As soon as it was completed it transformed the space and made it instantly more welcoming. People always comment on it!’

This is a digital version of a feature that originally appeared in Home Style magazine. For more inspirational home ideas, why not subscribe today?