Welcome to the Yorkshire, Edwardian semi home of Michael, his partner Jonathan and their 3 lovable pups. What you see here is phase one of a two phase renovation project. Michael, an interiors blogger (47parkav.blogspot.com), former window dresser/art director for fashion and home brands and soon to be founder of an online interiors shop (47parkavenue.co.uk) has wielded his considerable experience, skill and ingenuity to work his magic on each and every space shown below. So, all you do it yourselfers out there, perk up and take note…
The couple began the renovation by choosing a neutral base color scheme but here neutral does not equate to timid or boring! The 3 meter high (nearly 10 foot) ceiling above was painted a bold Farrow & Ball Pitch Black. The original pine floors throughout the home were sanded and painted in either Great White or Pitch Black floor paint (Farrow & Ball) and the walls were painted in matte estate paint in All White, Downpipe (grey), and Pitch Black (also Farrow & ball). All trims and moldings were painted in matching colors in and eggshell finish.
Michael is a firm believer in mixing styles, periods and price-points. Shown above – a traditional tufted leather sofa, the classic Arne Jacobsen Egg chair in white, vintage finds, and accessories such as a gold side table and knit yellow puff from the affordable UK shop Homesense.
The wood paneling you see here is 100% authentic and is a recent addition to Michael’s small home office, which boasts two super sized industrial lights hanging boldly over a glass desk. A design risk? I’d say so but it is just one of many quirky, bold, and sometimes daring choices that really add great life and personality to the home.
The private spaces take on a more soothing and timeless feel. Michael and Jonathan took down a number of walls to transform two bedrooms and a bath into one large master bedroom that opens to a beautiful bath and shower. The bath, sinks, and fixtures are all reclaimed items which were either re-enameled or re-plated with nickel. Michael used an old trick from his window dressing days to upgrade the couple’s standard inexpensive bed base. Using standard fabric batting, a staple gun, a sheet and the help of a friend, he simply stapled on the batting then the sheet to create a tidy upholstered base.
The couple sacrificed two of the home’s original 5 bedrooms to allow for two gentleman’s dressing rooms. Shown here is Michael’s which comes complete with with a vintage mahogany cabinet for shoes, a central marble top island (which used to be a dentists table), newly installed black grouted tile, hanging rods ingeniously made of scaffolding poles and one uber cool 1970s chandelier.
And so we close my synopsis of part one of Michael and Jonathan’s UK home renovation. Keep in mind there is much more to see. Next up – part two – a large modern extension which will include a spacious kitchen, dining area and a utility room. The best part is you can follow Michael as he blogs his way through the process at 47parkav.blogspot.com. And if you love Michael’s style… stay tuned for his online interiors shop at 47parkavenue.co.uk slated to launch later this year.
Photos 1-6, 8, 10-16 courtesy of 47 Park Avenue. Photos 7 & 9 by Ingrid Rasmussen via dailymail.co.uk.
