By Odette Gibson, Founder of Daisy’s Emporium
There are two aspects to think about when planning a room transformation. One is the aesthetic—“how do I want it to look when it’s finished?” The other aspect is the practical side; it’s always a good idea to understand the process even if somebody else is decorating.
The Aesthetic
Some people are lucky enough to be able to walk into an empty room and visualise the finished space. For the rest of us poor mortals, the secret is to use a mood board.
The easy way to put together a mood board is just to get a piece of board—it doesn’t have to be an artist board—it can be just a piece of cardboard. Paint it white for a clean canvas.
Go through as many lifestyle and home decorating magazines as possible and just tear out the pages you like, be it colour, fabric, or anything that inspires you. Whittle down your pile until you’re happy with your potential overall look. Then pin those on your board.
Top Tip: Never buy wallpaper directly from the internet without having a physical sample. There’s always a subtle difference in colour.
The Practical
Make sure the person undertaking the redecorating (which might well be you) preps the room properly. Preparation is key; you cannot skimp on this.
Top Preparation Tips
1) Remember to thoroughly sand any woodwork you’re painting. It’s also a good idea to give it an undercoat—being sure to choose the correct undercoat for the top coat you’ll be using.
2) Get to know the difference between the types of paints that are available. For example, oil-based versus water-based paints. The choice you make will affect the final finish.
For example, oil-based paints are harder wearing, but cleaning your brushes is quicker and easier with water-based paints. For most walls, a water-based paint is ideal, but for woodwork, you can consider oil-based.
3) If the walls are in a really bad way, they will need to be replastered by a professional. However, if they just have blemishes, then you can probably get away with just filling them.
If the wall has had water damage or black mould in the past, you may need to apply a specialised undercoat.
Decorating
The next step is something that all professionals follow—a mist coat. That’s 50% water and 50% emulsion paint. If you’re painting straight onto the plaster, it’s imperative you do a mist coat first which, when dried, will highlight areas to be filled and sanded.
Alternatively, you can line the walls with lining paper to smooth them. But always use a high-grade paper.
If you’re using wallpaper, make sure the paper slightly overlaps the edges. The last thing you need is to hang expensive paper then look at it the next morning and see a white line between the two sheets from shrinkage!
Furnishing the Finished Room
Now it’s time to add the finishing touches by choosing your furniture and decorative items. You’ll probably have a good sense of what you want from the images on your mood board. So go back to your board and take another look now your room is decorated. If necessary, look at some more magazines or take a trip to your favourite stores.
If you already have furniture items that you’d like to keep but feel aren’t quite right for the new look, then it’s always nice to upcycle a piece of furniture. Or perhaps you spot a piece that would be perfect—if it were just a little different. Then upcycle it!
What’s Hot in Upcycling Right Now?
My favourite current upcycling pursuit is converting old linen presses into kitchen pantries.
You simply take an old linen press, sand it down, wipe it with methylated spirits and paint it inside and out.
Embellishment is the next stage of decoration. There are so many appliques and onlays available these days. There are also some beautiful gold and metallic paints on the market which can really make your piece pop. Always wax it with two coats.
Put on the most expensive handles that you can afford and try to choose something different.
Top Tip: If you need to wipe the item down at any stage, never use white spirit, only ever use methylated spirit.
I’ve been transforming rooms for a very long time, and I love every aspect. Like most people, I’ve made mistakes, but decorating and interior design is my passion, and I hope I’ve managed to inspire you with these tips and ideas.
About the expert
Odette Gibson is the founder of Daisy’s Emporium London, a boutique shop in the vibrant Harringay area of London, bringing Odette’s popular and unique home décor and design services to the high street. Gibson and her team of dedicated artisans and designers are committed to turning clients’ dreams into reality through personalised services and tailored solutions, including lovingly restored, hand-painted furniture; grand chandeliers and fabulous lamps; curated paintings and fine art prints; upholstery, carpets and curtains; and beautiful antiques and objets d’art.
