Last year I decided to transform our family room/snug into a study. This room was originally a family room used a lot when my sons were little – they would watch tv and play in here – as it is very close to the kitchen. In recent years, especially since I created the bar room, it has hardly been used.
Colour for cohesion
This room was a problematic space. It is a corridor connecting the kitchen to the rest of the house and therefore has two doors; has dual aspect windows in two completely different styles; faces north/west, and has a huge open fireplace, all in a small room around 11ft x 13ft.
I needed to make this space cohesive. The easiest way to do this was to paint everything the same colour such as the walls, built in furniture, fireplace, windows and doors. I stopped short at the ceiling as I didn’t feel the room had enough natural light and it would feel too dark, so I instead painted it white. I chose Farrow and Ball pigeon – a green grey – and I love it. I also used modern emulsion on the walls and modern eggshell on the wood work.
I kept the existing mirror and the tv, although now the sky box and all the electrics are hidden away!
Built in furniture and rug
This room does have high ceilings and I took full advantage of this, I had library style bookcases built right up to the ceiling on two walls and in the alcove next to the fireplace. This actually makes the room feel bigger and the addition of picture lights – from Elstead Lighting – really elevates the space. All the units were built by a local company Fraser James, click HERE for their website, they were excellent from start to finish and worked hard to make my vision come to fruition. The desk top and shelf base are stained oak which give a traditional, quality look.
The rug is from IRugs, it is the Havana rust/red 5ft x 8ft rug (PR product) click HERE to view on their website. I think a well chosen rug can really pull a room together, this one has the blue tones of the paintwork, the gold tones of the old law books (an EBay find) and the red/brown tones of the stained oak. Incidentally I love the contrast of cool blues with warm reds and golds.
The Window Seat
From the above angle you can see the small window seat. I removed the seat cushion to show off the old dark oak base. I replaced the roman blind with a new velvet one, made by Olive Tree Stitchery using velvet fabric in an Antique gold. I carried the gold through onto the velvet scatter cushion, which are available on my website HERE.
The Chair and Fire
Original chair 
Recovered chair 
Chair back detail
I was in need of a small, comfortable occasional chair and remembered one that I had seen at my mother-in-law’s. The Parker Knoll chair was the perfect size and style but needed some TLC as the wood was worn and the fabric needed an upgrade. I stained and varnished the wooden frame and recovered the chair back myself. The whole process is on an instagram highlight HERE. The fabric is an antique gold velvet from The Millshop Online which also sells upholstery materials like the brass tack strips that I used on the chair back. The base cushion was made by The Olive tree Stitchery.
Originally the fireplace was open, but I knew I would never light a fire in here, so opted for a gas wood burner. This looks incredibly realistic and can be turned on and off using a remote control, which means instant heat without having to turn on the central heating. The fire is the Gazco Chesterfield and it was fitted by Coles for Fires, whom I highly recommend.
The Desk
Desk closed 
Desk open 
Desk support
I designed the desk in conjunction with Fraser James design team. I wanted a traditional feel whilst making a practical work space. It is a fold out desk made of solid oak. When closed it is flush with the shelf base, when open it rests on a support inside the draw (shown in the third photo). There is an electric socket inside the cupboard for my printer and one on the wall of the desk for the lamp and charging my laptop and phone. I also had a hidden cupboard with a flush press shut door installed in the void between the two bookcases.
On the desk is an art nouveau style lamp from Broughtons of Leicester. This is needed as although the desk is next to the window it does not get a lot of natural light.
The desk chair is a dining chair that I inherited from my parents, and had reupholstered in a Deco fan fabric from The Millshop Online.
Details
Light switch 
Desk hinge 
Draw handle
I chose aged brass for the hardware. The light switches are from Broughtons of Leicester in an Edwardian dolly switch style. The desk hinges are actually bar hinges (sourced by Fraser James) and are extremely strong, are flush with the desk top and fold completely flat when closed, and were polished brass which Fraser James aged to match. The draw cup handles are actually a bronze finish but appear brown to start with going more brass with use (sourced by Fraser James).
Many of the decorative objects in the room are from my website Katy at the manor Shop, such as the cushions, brass candlesticks, vases and flower print. The old law books were an EBay find.
I am very pleased with how this room turned out and I use it daily. It feels more spacious yet cosy, the fire is very practical and I love the enveloping feel of the one colour scheme. I have yet to change the lampshade but I’m waiting to see the perfect replacement!
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Katy x
Love your beautiful blog!
Thank you ☺️