How To Inject Personality Into Your Home Using Colour And Texture

Post by Sharon O’Connor.

There’s never been a better time to find yourself a project. And with us all spending much more of the day in our houses right now, it seems most sensible that your next venture is home related…

With that in mind, Sharon O’Connor, the upholstery expert on BBC One’s “Money for Nothing” afternoon show, and owner of Vintique Upholstery, has offered her thoughts for revamping, renovating and refurbishing your old home furnishings.

This will not only give you something fun, creative and practical to sink your teeth into, but also bring new life to your living space – which we agree is beginning to feel quite repetitive at the moment…

Focus On The Little Touches

Accent pieces are what really draw attention within a room. No matter how small, they can be the difference to creating a space that is ‘lovely’, and one which is really engaging and emotive. I find cushions are the perfect place to start when it comes to finding that special vibe. They are comforting, homely and really do a job of bringing out the room’s character.

You can have multiple sizes, bespoke sizes and unique fabric designs.  Upholsters will be able to help you decide what fabrics will achieve the look and feel that works best for you and your home. Small designers like those on Etsy are also a great help for inspiration too.

My top tip would be to go after irregular sized and shaped ones and vibrant stand out colours to offer that extra element of interest.

Make It Look Expensive

Just because your furniture came in a boring and plain material, doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Find yourself a really glamorous print or – my favourite – a bright velvet, and dress your furniture to the nines. There’s no doubt that it will transform what may have been fairly ordinary into something quite extra-ordinary.

Whilst you’re at it, think about throwing in a mixture of cushions, beautiful lamp shades and some greenery to compliment the space. This will help to create a relaxing, modern and lavish looking room at a very affordable price.

My guests always comment on how imaginative and artistic my spare room looks. Truth is – it’s all old offcuts I pulled together to create something special. It also doubles up as my dressing room.

Think Outside The Box…(House)

Take advantage of the days getting longer and the sun getting brighter and give yourself a reason to sit outside in the garden. It’s very easy for garden furniture to get old, worn and tattered, but it doesn’t make sitting outside for a morning coffee or having a family BBQ feel that appealing. Instead, give it a total makeover. It can be just as simple as having new cushion covers made by an upholsterer and repainting.

The best place to start is by looking for a water-resistant and UV-protected fabric. There are a plethora of options available to you, across sites like Kirby Design, eBay, Etsy and many more. Go for big, bold and vibrant weaves which look amazing and stand out on the patio or keep it simple, elegant and sophisticated, like you’re hosting the Queens tea party.

In my opinion our outside spaces should look as good and reflect our style as much as our indoor spaces.

I definitely went for a ‘wow effect’ when I revamped these garden chairs on BBC Money for Nothing.

Don’t Assume It’s Always Out With The Old

We all have those pieces of old, tatty furniture which we can’t bear to get rid of, but in their current form, have no real place in our homes. But why can’t they? Sometimes all it takes is a new fabric covering or paint coat before they can play a staring role.

So what are you waiting for? Stop looking at that knackered arm chair, contemplating throwing out that random footstall and ignoring the rusting garden chairs. Get creative and transform your home into a special, unique space to be proud of.

And if you don’t know where to start, get in touch with an Upholster, like myself, who would be happy to chat through some options and provide inspiration on how you can turn nana’s old favourite chair into an amazing chair for your modern home.

I promise you, with a little thought, love and creativity, we can turn even the most tired and worn items of furniture into something worth showing all of your friends. Get in touch with Sharon via email.  All images from Vintique Upholstery.