All posts tagged: midcentury

The Multi-function Room

Published by Karen Knox

It’s new project time peeps. And i’m back at a property i’ve worked in a couple of times before. Remember these projects? Sherwood Forest And this one too… The Magnetic Playroom Both in the same house with the same lovely client and i’m back again, this time for a bedroom/home office re-design. A nice chunky project indeed. It’s a good sized room at 3.5m x 4.5m, but it needs to work hard as i’ve been given a rather complicated brief. The room needs to fit double bed with storage (with space to run around easily) double wardrobe (more storage) chest of drawers (extra storage) large desk with space for two screens and closed storage for files etc. space for a TV (meaning this room will have 3 screens to try and make look good. Ack) It’s fair to say there’s not much staying in this space, so we’ve got a lot to source as well as a lot of remedial work to do before we get to any of the fun stuff. Oh I tell a …

Meet Cecil (and Obie)

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve had a few new deliveries over the past few months courtesy of MADE, the last being a bit of a biggie, so thought i’d share some piccies with you, because i’m nice like that. “Meet Cecil. A sophisticated armchair in a stylish mid-century shape designed for a contemporary home.” Cecil caught my eye a couple of months ago. It’s such an iconic shape, with those tufted buttons and visible solid oak frame. Not to mention the plush velvet hues and soft leathers on offer. I literally had no room for this chair anywhere at home, but I needed some of that grass green velvet in my life. You might remember me writing about Pantone’s colour of the year; Greenery a few months ago. Isn’t Cecil a dreamboat?! Now, green isn’t a colour I would have necessarily chosen for this room, given that it’s teal (not blue as the pictures might suggest), but the green doesn’t half pop off those walls. I rather like it. Our bedroom already had a few MADE pieces in there including …

The Drawing Room

Published by Karen Knox

I have news. News of the exciting variety. It’s about this room: I introduced this Edwardian property earlier this month. You can have a wee catch up here. Since then we have made massive progress with the renovation and re-design of this room. Huge in fact. The first bit of news is the wallpaper has been agreed. The feedback from the last blog post was fantastic. Everyone loved the wallpaper (how couldn’t they?) but there were some of you with reservations about it being on every wall. And I get that, it’s certainly a bold move. After a few days letting it sink in and letting them mull over it, they’ve decided. They’re going all out and have agreed to Ferm Living’s Lines wallpaper around the whole room. I am so excited, it’s going to look amazeballs. Pics courtesy of the homeowners Secondly, the homeowners have been super busy since moving in having already knocked a wall down upstairs (loving their attitude) and ripped the carpets up downstairs to reveal these glorious floorboards in their front …

The Vintage Hunter

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve been at it again. Busy being a magpie. I thought i’d show you some of my vintage scores picked up over the last fortnight. Some have already been re-homed in projects. Others have been cuddled and caressed gently by moi ready to be sold to their new owner. ** this post does contain crap mobile phone quality photos – apologies. ** Let me show you some rather excellent Gumtree finds I picked up a couple of weekends ago. Listed as a “Retro Coffee Table”, I could tell immediately by the shape of the frame (and the carpet) this was an original early 70’s G-Plan number. And I had just the place for it. (Did you also spot the rather kitsch and slightly unnecessary gold serving trolley in the background? Yeah me too.) The G Plan Coffee Table looked stunning after a good clean & polish. The solid teak frame was in fantastic nick and the crystal clear glass top came up a real treat with a bit of Pledge. This beauty was delivered to its new home …

“Here are a few of my favourite Pins…”

Published by Karen Knox

(Did you get my Sound of Music reference?) I’ve not mentioned the Masonic Villas project for a little while, mainly because i’ve been working like a donkey, juggling four other projects dotted around the region. Eeesh. Anyhoo, the last time this project got a mention on le blog, the living room had just had the ceiling lighting updated. Since then, i’ve been busy planning the schedule of work, solving problems, booking trades and placing orders. The paint for the whole redesign is on its way. Exciting indeed. I’ve also been Pinning like a demon, pieces that I think would look fab in this project. Some of them will make it, some won’t, but I thought it would be nice to share with you, some of my finds. To be precise, 10 of my finds. Pieces for the living room, home office and hallway. Come see. Lara Armchair – Fern and Grey Leather Chair – Cox & Cox Hoxton Swing Arm Wall Light – Bluesuntree Indian Cart Coffee Table – House Junkie Beni Ourain Moroccan Berber Rug – …

Sherwood Forest – Final Reveal

Published by Karen Knox

In October 2015, I had a consultation. A couple had just moved in together into a 1930’s three bedroom semi-detached house in a leafy part of north Leeds. A lovely sized home which held many wonderful treasures. But with all this stuff from two houses being merged together, both with competing design styles… the main living space wasn’t really working. Oh and throw in a new born, just for fun. The living room already had a cool selection of retro, Africana and vintage pieces. A Parker Knoll armchair, taxidermy, old maps, collectors drawers, new maps, pops of orange, brass and copper accents and various pieces of unique, gnarly furniture. It was all there. But it was just a mish-mash. Add in that 70’s tiled fireplace and the room was all over the shop. The colour of the room, I decided upon about an hour into the first consultation. I just knew it would work for them both. A dark, vintage green, using copper and orange as the accent colour was going to make everything in this room …

Mid Century Score – Pt 3

Published by Karen Knox

It’s a Saturday quickie peeps. I’m full of cold and feeling properly sorry for myself. Mainly because it means I can’t gorge myself on Halloween fun and drink tonight. Unless it’s something tasting of paracetamol and lemons. Eugh. Just wanted to show you my eBay find in situ which I mentioned in a previous post last week. My Mid Century walnut drawers looking rather resplendent against the dark teal walls. A colour that I still can’t capture very well. This photo shows the wall colour better. I so wish I could invite you all around so you can see it in real life. Anyone?? Also some pieces i’ve been collecting over the last few weeks to dress the room. Two metal vases/pots in a distressed finish. £3 for the large and £2 for the smaller one. £5 for two. From Netto. I know. Good eh? And that little coppery brass tray was two squid. I bought two for drinks/candles as I think coasters always look a bit cack. Trays are a little more thought out …

Midtown Magic Bedroom

Published by Karen Knox

My bedroom. As it was a few months ago anyway. It was lovely. Light, bright, clean and simple. Good enough for a magazine shoot might I add… but it never really floated my boat. I’ve been itching to get this room more up my street for over a year now, but every time I even mentioned it to the OH, he would wince. a) It’s a big job to sell all that furniture b) and BLOODY expensive to replace it all. Wardrobes were always the sticking point. The ones I liked were always upwards of £600. And we needed two. So there’s £1200 straight away before i’ve even got all creative with my shizzle. During a quick evening session on Gumtree (am always on there hunting down furniture and decor finds for local pick up, don’t forget those 1930’s chest of drawers I picked up for £10), I came across a brand new in box, never built or even opened, LEDGER wardrobe from Made.com. RRP £600. It was on Gumtree for £300. And it was four …

Vintage Home Show #designupnorth

Published by Karen Knox

I’ve just got back from the Vintage Home Show at Pudsey Civic Hall, in Leeds. And i’m still buzzing. A design lover’s dream event. This was my smile BEFORE I got there… imagine how big it was after i’d got back!! The Vintage Home Show is a Discover Vintage event, which was founded by fellow Leeds-ite Keeley Harris in 2009. Since then she’s been organising vintage events across the UK. The Vintage Home Show was launched in 2012 in Manchester and the Leeds show is the first time the event has been held in Yorkshire. Keeley herself has been dealing in the world of vintage since the age of 15 and is now well-known in the field, having shared her expertise on TV and in the National Press. Her current book “Style Me Vintage Home” was launched in March this year. “This event is all about the 1950’s-1970’s with bright colours and bold patterns as well as teak furniture and funky chairs and if you love bright orange, you’ll be right at home” And I totally was at home. Hyperventilating in …

Introducing Sherwood Forest

Published by Karen Knox

I’m currently working on an enormous redesign of a through lounge. It’s going to be a biggie. I’ve named it Sherwood Forest. Scenario: A couple have moved in together. They’ve got too much stuff, differing yet complimentary styles, a four month old baby and severe sleep deprivation. Obv. My job is to bring all of their precious belongings together, including their most precious item, their new baby son and all the gubbins that comes with little people. The room needs to be functional for a family, look amazing, have half as much stuff, whilst looking cohesive. All with a twist of the bonkers. To say my current clients are adventurous in their tastes, is an understatement. One loves mid century, retro pieces and is not afraid of colour AT ALL. The more pop the better. Especially orange pop! And the other describes their taste as “Natural History Museum meets Out of Africa”. Taxidermy, beautiful teals, blues and peacock feathers. Retro bright orange phone. Sitting on an art deco walnut drinks cabinet might I add. Books, salvaged …