Shelley Dowling, an interior designer living in a Victorian house in Weybridge, Surrey, transformed her living room by painting all walls and woodwork in navy blue and coordinating furniture and accessories with the same shade. The project aimed to create a cohesive, cozy space within a large area formed by removing partitions and installing bi-fold doors to the garden.
Planning the Transformation
The living room had long been neglected as Dowling and her family prioritized renovating their kitchen and dining room. After moving into the property three years prior, they allocated most of their budget to creating an open-plan living space. The existing sofa showed signs of wear, and heavy brown blinds on the bay window proved impractical, offering only two positions: fully up or down.
Shutters were selected as a solution, allowing light control while maintaining privacy. Though costly, they also helped reduce drafts and improved the appearance of the aging windows. Dowling initially attempted to brighten the beige room with patterned wallpaper, but the carpet was worn and the overall look remained uninspired. The decision to paint every surface navy blue required confidence, especially given her husband Mark’s initial hesitation about such a bold choice.
Selecting Materials and Details
With the shutters installed, painting became the next major step. Dowling found a nearly new navy-blue velvet sofa and matching footstool on eBay, which she described as feeling like a sign to proceed with the blue walls. A rug incorporating blue tones and metallic accents completed the seating area, complemented by high-street accessories that maintained elegance without overwhelming the space.
A previously dull radiator, though stylistically appropriate for the Victorian home, clashed with the room’s evolving scheme. Painting it in the same navy hue created visual continuity, enhancing the room’s cozy atmosphere. Dowling also assembled a gallery wall above the sofa using existing prints, including animal and insect photographs, alongside new blue-themed art pieces that reinforced the color palette.
Dowling’s husband Mark was initially hesitant about the bold color choice, but he trusts her. A carpet in tones matching the kitchen’s wooden flooring further blurred the boundary between the spaces, contributing to a seamless flow throughout the home.
Creating Flow Between Spaces
The adjacent kitchen-diner features light greys and off-whites, providing a bright contrast to the living room’s deeper tones. Internal doors painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue extended the color scheme, making the separated areas feel unified. Dowling emphasized the importance of personalizing the design, stating that they “threw out the rule book to make it our own.” The transformation reflects a balance of thoughtful materials, strategic color choices, and creative reuse of existing items, resulting in a living room that feels both intentional and inviting. The end result is a cozy and elegant space that Dowling and her family can enjoy.
