Thinking back, I have no idea how we did as much as we did in three weeks. Especially in London, where building materials go by different names and where we once spent eight hours driving around the city to make two pickups. Two.
But we did it! This two bedroom flat had decent bones and nice looking floors when we arrived, but that was about all. Lots of chunky black frames hung on the walls, and furniture pieces in bright greens, bright pinks, and rich purples filled most of the rooms. Unfortunately, we don’t have perfect before and after pairs. But we don’t have many photos at all, so you’ll get the idea!
Here are two opposite walls in the living room:
And the two main sections of the kitchen:
Clearly everything had to go! Tara flitted all over London, Hastings, Brighton, and Rye looking for cool vintage furniture, while I got to work demoing the mantle, kitchen shelves, and kitchen island (not pictured, but imagine a big chunky imposition); opening up a doorway; plastering like crazy; and then building some pieces: leaves for the existing kitchen table which I cut narrower, a console table for the living room, and a new open kitchen island made from amazing old cheese boards and half the salvaged marble from the old island, with the other half topping the console table.
Whew, that paragraph was as rambling and chaotic as this three-week job felt. Your reward for getting through it: after photos!
First, the same two opposite sides of the living room. Everything you see we either found at an antique shop or built! You can catch a glimpse of the console table in the second photo.
And now the kitchen, with the pink plaster we did and will love forever and ever:
Now one with the new faucet, which didn’t arrive until after we’d flown back home:
A detail of the split-top of the new island we built, half marble and half cheese board:
I love everything you guys do, but it seems that each new project is more gorgeous than the last…until I go back to my Pinterest boards and rediscover a photo from an old job and fall in love all over again.
Well, that’s about the nicest thing you could say. Thanks so much. x!
Another amazing job!! I absolutely love what you two do with your spaces. So talented. If you get around to seeing this, can you tell me, what do you use for curtain rods. They look similar in several of your projects, but not big/bulky like a normal rod. Looks like it’s more organic, but not so much like a branch or anything. Can’t wait to see more soon!
Thanks, Brandi! We actually have used branches as curtain rods once or twice. But usually we use either simple wood dowels and brackets, stained in a color that makes sense for the space, or we use brass rods.
Hi Percy, I’m a huge fan of your work, but the chalky kitchen plaster walls are my favourite to date. Would you mind please explaining your technique, and the UK plaster name? I have heard of Stucco Veneziano, but it looks shiny. I would appreciate any tips so much!
Thank you! We use gypsum finish plaster most of the time. I forget which brand we used in the UK. They’re trade products that are very difficult to work with and take years to learn, so I’d recommend sticking with a more DIY-friendly option like Masters of Plaster. Good luck!
Love the brass tool rail! Would you ever share your source for it? Thanks for all the inspiration…
Thanks, Anna! Don’t mind sharing the source at all, but it’ll be bad news if you’re not in the UK. It’s just a common copper pipe and fantastic brass pipe hangers that are widely available over there. We have tons of trouble finding similar stuff in the US.
Love, love, love everything you do. I’ve been following your style for quite a while so am saddened (as someone who lives in England) that you were not given the recognition you richly deserved. Shame on them. Please accept my apologies on behalf of the British people…we’re not all like that! We’ve just bought a house that needs restoration from top to bottom. It’s an absolute eyesore at the moment but has huge (buried!) potential. Your faultless, beautifully sympathetic transformations played a big part in having the courage to buy it. Thanks for the continued inspiration…now I can’t wait to get stuck in!
Hello, i have a question for you guys if you end up seeing this and don’t mind answering. I have been researching plaster and Venetian plaster techniques as I’d like to reproduce something like your style in my new kitchen (all diy pretty much). I feel like your technique ends up being more matte than other polished plaster looks I’ve seen. Any chance you could share a general idea of what you use and how you get that look? Thank so much, I love you’re work. 🙂
Amazing job guys! I saw the image of the kitchen a while ago and it’s a great inspiration for me. I did manage to get all the way to you to find the full post, love your work!!