Redecorating Wambui’s House: Part One

As a décor feature writer, I love meeting people who are willing to share their home decoration stories. It is always an honour to listen to these stories and share them with my readers. This past week, I was introduced to wambui who, it turns out, was about to embark on her home redecorating project. She shared her story and was kind enough to allow me to publish it here.

 

She begun by filling me in on the history of her house:

 

“When I first saw this 3 bedroom bungallow in the outskirts of Nairobi, it was love at first sight. The house was newly finished, and exuded a prestine sparkle. The living room was painted in rich earth colours that I so love. For a family of three, it felt just right. There was no hesitation on my part to seal the deal and in less than a month we made it our new home. 4 years down the line, an additional family member and a little more furniture, I am not as ebbullient about the house. Something feels amiss in the look and feel of the home. We have discussed as a family and have finally resolved that what is needed is redecoration. It has been agreed that the project will be done in five phases (a room per phase) starting with the living room.”

 

 

 

 

 

My interest was stirred up. I wanted to know more, so I begun interviewing her. Below is how our conversation proceeded

 

Pambo Maridadi:  What woud you say are the objectives of this redecorating initiative?

 

Wambui:  I can summarise the objectives of the redecorating my living room as follows:

 

• To create a warm, lively and inviting space
• To creatively display family potraits, art, memorablia and other trinkets
• To make the room and furnishings easy to clean

 

 

 

 

 

Pambo Maridadi:  Are there any specific areas or elements of décor that you will focus on as you redecorate your living room?

Wambui:  My budget being constrained, I have chosen to focus on the following 4 elements of décor for the living room:

 

• Walls: The walls have a matt finish in shades of brown and yellow. I have no problem with the colours but in the interest of creating a canvas for dispalying potraits and art, I want to tone down on the colour saturation. I intend to repaint most of it in pastels of brown and neutral colours. There will certainly be more beige. The paint of choice will be without a doubt matt emulsion with Teflon surface protector. It is time to let my little two year old express herself on the walls with her doodle without me fretting about cleaning them.

 

• Window treatment: The Cornices (window curtain boxes) looked okay when I moved in, but unfortunaely the wood used had not dried properly when installed. They have since warped as the moisture evaporated. I hate that look and I will replace them with a rod. That will require that the curtains be refitted with rings to pass the rod through. I have actually opted to redo the curtains and add something more chick. I am going for festoons or maybe even flounces.

 

 

• Ceiling Décor: My ceilings are (as expected) white in colour. That’s fine, but I want to break that monotous white continuum with some creative lighting. I hope to cover the overhead light with a lovely shade. My budget allowing, the plastic lighting fixture will be replaced with some ornate medallion. To add abit of drama and colour, I will paint the crown moulding in a colour complementary to the walls.

 

• Lighting: My wall lamps look like they are meant for lighting the drive way. I didn’t notice this oddity (I was smitten), until alittle after I had moved and settled in. They have to go! Something more appropriate, more understated yet enchanting has to take their place. I intend to buy a wooden showcase to display some photos, art, memorablia and accessories. Above it, I will install accent lighting. Finally, I will fit a chandalier on the ceiling above the dinning table.

 

 

Pambo Maridadi: This is definitely the beginning of a decorating odyssey. Isn’t it?

 

Wambui:  Yes and I am looking forward to enjoying every step of the way.

 

Pambo Maridadi: You mentioned that this is a 5 phase project. Will you be kind enough to update us on the outcome of your efforts on the whole house?

 

Wambui:  What I have shared today are the ideas that I hope to execute for the living room.  When the project kicks off, I will share my experiences along the way and upon completing each phase, I will share the outcome of my décor endeavour

 

Pambo Maridadi:  Awesome! It has been a real pleasure speaking with you. I wish you all the best in your project.

 

Wambui: The pleasure is mine. Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like Wambui, I am looking forward to a great décor journey. She has agreed to share progress pictures of her project. I will certainly avail them here as they come.

 

Adieu

 

 

 

 

Posted by Pambo Maridadi @ Crown Paints Kenya Ltd Email: info@crownpaints.co.ke