My Room: Dark Blue Walls and a Pink Sofa Transform a Living Room
A mix of blush pink, metallic surfaces and deep inky walls gives this living space a stylish, yet cosy feel
It was a gold cabinet that inspired the design of Stephanie Savvides-Howell’s living room. “It was the first item I bought, and it was crying out for a dark backdrop. The rest developed from there,” she says. The finished scheme is a stylish, inviting room that’s full of character – and the winner of the living room category at the ES and Houzz London Home Design Awards.
“The first thing we did was knock out the alcove cupboards and shelves, which were very tightly secured,” says Stephanie. “We had to crowbar them out in the end.”
The job was exacerbated by the discovery of a damp wall behind one of the cupboards. “We had to deal with a low level leak before continuing with the work,” she says.
The couple then removed the brown carpet and had engineered wood flooring laid. “It immediately opened up the space,” says Stephanie.
Engineered oak flooring, The Floor Shop. Ziggy cabinet in brass, Swoon Editions.
The job was exacerbated by the discovery of a damp wall behind one of the cupboards. “We had to deal with a low level leak before continuing with the work,” she says.
The couple then removed the brown carpet and had engineered wood flooring laid. “It immediately opened up the space,” says Stephanie.
Engineered oak flooring, The Floor Shop. Ziggy cabinet in brass, Swoon Editions.
The couple chose dark blue for the walls. “I couldn’t imagine having the gold cabinet against anything but a dark wall, and I knew this blue would look great. I just had to hope it would work against the pink sofa, too,” says Stephanie.
“The risk paid off and I think one of the most striking things about this room is the navy and blush combination.”
Searching for a living room cabinet? Browse chic sideboards in the Houzz Shop
“The risk paid off and I think one of the most striking things about this room is the navy and blush combination.”
Searching for a living room cabinet? Browse chic sideboards in the Houzz Shop
“Painting the walls was a major job,” says Stephanie. “If we did it again, I’d invest in a primer, as we ended up having to paint three coats overall to achieve an even finish.”
To accentuate the height of the room, Stephanie painted the skirting boards and picture rail the same colour as the walls.
She also kept accessories to a simple palette of white, grey and metallics so that they stand out against the navy blue walls.
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sofa; armchair, both Debenhams. Fruugo rug, The Rug Seller. Coffee table; concrete table lamp, both Barker and Stonehouse. Artworks, all Desenio.
To accentuate the height of the room, Stephanie painted the skirting boards and picture rail the same colour as the walls.
She also kept accessories to a simple palette of white, grey and metallics so that they stand out against the navy blue walls.
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sofa; armchair, both Debenhams. Fruugo rug, The Rug Seller. Coffee table; concrete table lamp, both Barker and Stonehouse. Artworks, all Desenio.
The fireplace was already in place when the couple bought the house, but it was stained a pine colour.
“I wanted a stone fireplace surround,” says Stephanie, “but when we had a company around for a quote, they said the surround would be tricky to remove because of the width of our chimney breast.”
So the couple decided to keep the original surround and are now glad they did. “Painting it white makes it really stand out against the dark wall,” says Stephanie.
“I only noticed recently that the details in the tiling of the fireplace are blue and blush,” she adds. “I’m wondering now whether that subconsciously influenced my decisions in the living room or whether it was just a coincidence.”
Chandelier, John Lewis. Floor lamp, Barker and Stonehouse. Mirror, Homesense.
Need expert advice on your chimney options? Find fireplace specialists in your area
“I wanted a stone fireplace surround,” says Stephanie, “but when we had a company around for a quote, they said the surround would be tricky to remove because of the width of our chimney breast.”
So the couple decided to keep the original surround and are now glad they did. “Painting it white makes it really stand out against the dark wall,” says Stephanie.
“I only noticed recently that the details in the tiling of the fireplace are blue and blush,” she adds. “I’m wondering now whether that subconsciously influenced my decisions in the living room or whether it was just a coincidence.”
Chandelier, John Lewis. Floor lamp, Barker and Stonehouse. Mirror, Homesense.
Need expert advice on your chimney options? Find fireplace specialists in your area
As well as a modern chandelier with filament bulbs on the ceiling, Stephanie has added a variety of lamps for ambience.
“I prefer to layer light rather than have one strong, main pendant,” she says. “We have a small table lamp in copper and concrete, and a larger floor lamp of marble and brass. Each one gives out a different glow and makes the room so cosy in the evenings.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this navy, blush and gold living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
“I prefer to layer light rather than have one strong, main pendant,” she says. “We have a small table lamp in copper and concrete, and a larger floor lamp of marble and brass. Each one gives out a different glow and makes the room so cosy in the evenings.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this navy, blush and gold living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Stephanie Savvides-Howell, a deputy head teacher, with her husband, Simon, and their two Bengal cats
Location Whetstone, north London
Property Edwardian semi with five bedrooms
Room dimensions Approx 4.8 x 5.5m
The original living room in the home of Stephanie Savvides-Howell and her husband was very different to how it appears now. Beige, brown and magnolia dominated the décor, the walls were light pink, and heavy, wooden furniture overwhelmed the space.
“I wanted to open up the room as much as possible,” says Stephanie, “and go for a modern look, without losing any of the period charm.”