Karen and Andy From Olli & Lime Share Their Flat Renovation
Posted on April 6th, 2009 by ali // 17 Comments »
Olli & Lime founders Karen and Andy share their UK flat renovation story. Keep an eye out for the lime green…it makes me drool. Enjoy!
Karen and I live in a condo within a large Victorian-style building converted into flats in the mid-eighties. It was very run down when we bought it but full of potential with high ceilings, large windows on all sides and plenty of light.
I was sure it was right for us but Karen took some convincing. With hindsight, I think she realized how much work was ahead, having renovated a few properties before. I’d never done anything like this so ploughed ahead in blissful ignorance!
Our motivation for the interior and the layout came from a love of large loft-style apartments typical of New York. We had a desire to replicate that, at least until we could afford the real thing!
First, we stripped everything out, removed all the old carpets, shelves, units etc until we had a blank canvas.
Then we took off all the doors, widened and heightened each doorway and knocked down a few walls, improving the flow throughout. We re-plastered, painted everything white and laid walnut flooring.
We lived with white for a while before adding feature walls in the lounge, office and bedroom.
Our taste is minimal and contemporary but with a retro twist, pretty much like our kids designs, so you’ll notice seventies-esque patterned wallpaper in the lounge, offset by a few designer classics.
We’ve used a color scheme that’s very much in the Olli & Lime palette, so you’ll see brown, white and orange and even a lime green kitchen! The contrasting concrete countertop was a real triumph actually and is always a talking point for new visitors.
Renovating has been really satisfying, particularly because we had a shared vision of what we wanted to achieve. Almost a year on, as we continue to add our own touches, we still look around at what we’ve created and smile.
Thanks, Andy and Karen! You can see all of their Olli & Lime products on DP.
***Special side note! Karen and Andy were nice enough to offer a 20% discount on all EGG products for this weekend only (April 10-13, inclusive). Use coupon code OLLIEGG at checkout. If you get the connection between the egg products and the holiday this weekend you are really smart.
Filed in DIY, DP Designer Posts, House Tours, modern inspiration | 17 Comments
April 6th, 2009 at 4:35 pm (#)
I love the bedroom. And the color used in the kitchen!
April 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm (#)
Can anyone tell me about the bedspread? I love the print.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:18 am (#)
The bedspread is an Orla Keily print. She’s an Irish clothing and home furnishings designer. Target is selling some of her dishes and mugs.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:23 am (#)
Hey Charissa,
The bedspread is an Orla Kiely duvet : http://www.orlakiely.com/uk.cfm/house/bed/Multi_Stem_Print/_/
I want one too!
Ali
April 7th, 2009 at 9:36 am (#)
wow! That’s striking!
April 7th, 2009 at 11:40 am (#)
Very nice! However I wish you would have left the original moldings over the doors, windows etc. In 10 years when this is out of style you will wish it had the original look. You could have done the same thing with the victorian moldings and it would have looked hella cool!
Love the place!
April 7th, 2009 at 2:53 pm (#)
Thanks for your replies! No wonder there was something familiar about it – I recently saw her Target ads.
April 8th, 2009 at 3:35 am (#)
Thanks to everyone for their comments. Great that you seem to like what we’ve done.
@John
Unfortunately there were no original mouldings left when we bought the place. The 80s conversion saw to that! Criminal really
We did have the option of trying to re-create these features but that would have just been fake so we decided to go for a minimal approach.
One day we hope to own a loft-style church/factory conversion with period features intact but, for now at least, we’re very happy with what we’ve achieved!
April 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am (#)
What a gorgeous space! I especially love the floors and that kitchen faucet.
80’s renovations did such horrible damage all over the world! And for what, mirrored walls and Hollywood lights? Sad.
becky
April 8th, 2009 at 10:47 am (#)
LOVE the bedroom paint color! What brand and color did you use?
April 9th, 2009 at 2:07 pm (#)
I really like the floors too, were they original or something else? Great Job!
April 9th, 2009 at 10:42 pm (#)
Nice kitchen unit. Are those steel cabinet doors or high gloss and where did you get them from? The handles look like they came from St. Charles Cabinetry.
April 11th, 2009 at 3:32 am (#)
Hey there- what a fantastic space! Love some info on the wallpaper in the living room. Great post : )
April 13th, 2009 at 3:12 am (#)
A few questions here so I’ll do my best to answer them…
-The bedroom paint is from a UK DIY store and the color is ’sage’
-The floors are American Black Walnut throughout
-The kitchen cabinets are high gloss from Howdens (UK trade)
-The handles we bought online – can’t remember the supplier
-The wallpaper in the living room is from Graham & Brown
Thanks for your interest : )
April 13th, 2009 at 5:05 am (#)
[...] here is a belated thanks to our wonderful retail partner Design Public who recently posted about our home on their Hatch blog. Team member Ali asked us to talk about our renovation so [...]
April 14th, 2009 at 12:36 am (#)
The walnut floor is stunningly gorgeous – I had no idea walnut could look that good. Shame that the original mouldings were already gone, we have had the same problem in our renovation project apartment and have opted for recreating old style by buying used or in some cases making new mouldings in the old style, which is working out quite well as we get the old look but with the door openings where we want them and the walls perfectly straight. I adore your kitchen, was never a fan of concrete but with the lime green it really works quite well.
September 28th, 2009 at 2:50 pm (#)
loving the sittingroom!