When Emily Dawe and her husband Cameron moved into a top‑floor flat in Brixton, they faced a magnolia‑painted rental that felt more like a blank canvas than a home.
Getting Permission and Choosing Colour
Emily, a craft designer and home‑editor at a women’s magazine, called the landlord soon after signing the lease. She explained her work styling homes and asked if she could paint and wallpaper “within reason.” The landlord agreed, giving the couple a rare degree of freedom for renters.
With the green light, she set up Pinterest boards for each room. The pair, both fans of bold hues, selected a deep Ultra Blue from Little Greene for the living‑room chimney breast, while keeping the other three walls neutral to balance the intensity. “Colour doesn’t scare me,” she said, noting she stopped short of covering the entire room in blue because the magnolia background felt too warm.
Furniture choices followed the colour theme. A turquoise armchair from Sofology, a sleek grey sofabed, and a set of Made.com tables anchored the living space.
Transforming the Kitchen and Bedrooms
The kitchen received a pared‑back modern makeover. Emily gutted the original layout and added a shelf above the sink, allowing the new cabinetry to shine.
In the bedroom, the original pale khaki green was replaced with a richer, tranquil shade that she believes “has calming properties.” A dark‑wood dresser created a focal point that sparked conversation.
The bathroom, the brightest room in the flat, stayed light with mint‑green accents and a small chair repurposed for towel storage. She painted the walls a soft blue and added a dark wooden cabinet that doubled as a mini shelf, offering a functional alternative to typical bathroom fixtures.
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During the first three months, Emily was made redundant, turning the spare room from a hobby space into a full‑time office. She installed a proper desk and organized craft supplies in visible fabric baskets from H&M Home.
With a baby on the way, the couple anticipates re‑configuring the spare room again, possibly swapping the desk for a cot. Emily jokes that the baby might end up “snuggled under my desk,” highlighting the challenges of adapting a rental for a growing family.
They plan to keep the kitchen’s modern aspirations for a future purchase. For now, focus remains on making the current space feel lived‑in without risking the deposit.
One practical takeaway emerges: renters should prioritize accessories over permanent changes. “If you’re renting and you know you won’t be living there for very long, try not to spend too much money on decorating,” she advises. “Make accessories your priority; things you can take to your next property.”
The bold blue chimney breast draws most compliments—“most people’s reaction when they step into this room is ‘wow’”—showing that thoughtful colour choices can transform a bland rental into a lively home.
Overall, the Dawe family’s approach shows that even in a lease‑bound setting, a combination of thoughtful colour choices, strategic furniture purchases, and clever storage solutions can transform a bland rental into a lively home. Their story proves a rental doesn’t have to stay beige; with permission and a dash of creativity, bold colour can thrive.
