Be inspired by a living room anchored by a bold blue sofa

Having rented a city apartment before moving, this couple were looking for a period home with high ceilings, and that's exactly what they found in this four bedroom Edwardian home. The living room was the first area to be renovated - 'We wanted a place to retreat to when the rest of the house was still such a state.' says the owner, Christine, who blogs at LittleHouseOnTheCorner.com.

'We needed a warm, elegant, grown-up space we could use for entertaining. We ripped out the carpet straight away but, in winter, it felt quite cold.' This led the couple to install insulation under the floor, as well as replace the 1950s gas fire with one that would match the style of the house.

1/6 Be inspired by a living room anchored by a bold blue sofa

The couple already had a black leather sofa and decided to go for a neutral colour scheme. 'After we decorated, the room felt bland and the black sofa seemed cold, so we added warm blues, teals and yellows in artwork, cushions and ornaments. Recently we replaced the black sofa with a new turquoise velvet Chesterfield, which was a brave move for us.'

Wall colour
Steel Symphony by Dulux at B&Q
Coffee table
Dunelm

2/6 Bold blue sofa

It was important to the couple that the seating be focused around talking to one another, rather than looking at the TV, so 'we placed the sofa along the long wall and the armchairs either side of the fireplace. The neutral backdrop needed a splash of colour to really bring it to life. 'The bold colour has enlivened the room, and we're so happy with how the space has turned out.'

Sofa fabric
Designers Guild
Table
G-Plan at Ebay

3/6 A neutral backdrop

'I wanted to decorate the room with subtle greys and soft textures to create a calm, neutral feel.' By using a soft colour palette on the largest surfaces - walls and cabinetry - the couple gave the space a serene feeling. Accents that feature similar shades, such as the upholstered chair and deep-pile rug - help to pull the look together.

Chair
Ikea
Rug
Ikea

4/6 Old meets new

Dressing a mid-century chair with quirky accessories gives it a contemporary look that matches the scheme in the rest of the room. Co-ordinating bright accessories, such as the yellow radio and a yellow throw, add a pop of colour that give the room some added pizazz.

Cushion
John Lewis
Radio
House of Fraser

5/6 Defining features

A 1950s gas fire was replaced wit ha reclaimed fireplace that matched the house's age. This helped make the room feel more homely. 'We chose a reclaimed fireplace as the detail is much sharper than reproduction models. The soft blue tulip tiles in the fire surround match the walls and stained glass in the windows.'

Fireplace
The Antique Fireplace Restoration Company
Wire candle holder
Habitat

6/6 Before the transformation

From neglected shell to vibrant entertaining space, this project is living proof that a defined colour palette and a bit of confidence can go a long way.

'The bold colour has enlivened the room, and we're so happy with how the space has turned out,' say the owners.