Making a house a home with a limited budget. Case Study

1. A UNIQUE interior design company established to bring
a personal service to homeowners, landlords,
developers and estate agents
We LISTEN, OBSERVE, DISCOVER,
CONSULT, and RESOLVE

2. Project: - Cutlass Court
Granville Street, Birmingham
Project Summary
 1 Bedroom purpose built apartment in the city centre of Birmingham, part furnished. First
time let so freshly painted and new flooring and vertical blinds. The Landlord had
stipulated no change to the wall colour and no curtain rails to be fitted.
 Corporate Let to a professional; working Monday – Friday in Birmingham, returning home
at the weekends – the apartment serves as a ‘crash pad’.
 The living area was furnished with a sofa bed, side table, dining table and chairs and TV
and stand. The bedroom had a built in wardrobe, double bed, bedside tables and chest of
drawers. A few pieces of artwork hung on walls.
Project Outcome
By utilising an appropriate colour scheme and accessories, I created an environment for
living in which was harmonious with the clients home life at weekends and calming and
relaxing to come home to after a hard days work. The project was completed in 3 days,
and included the planning, shopping and styling. A home from home from the High Street.

3. open plan kitchen
The added textures
and accent colours
bring the space
alive with powerful
energy
Artwork inspired by
food creates a
feature wall and
the notice-board
‘contains the area,
in this previously
bland and
featureless space

4. open plan living area
Working with the black
of the sofa, and the
accent colour of red,
the addition of large
pieces of architecturally
inspired artwork add a
dramatic touch to this
otherwise lifeless living
area. The red rug
grounds the table and
the graphic floral
cushions offer a hint of
feminism in this
otherwise masculine
flat.
The addition of a
feature light to
provide
atmosphere and
the planting adds
refinement

5. open plan living area
The dining area of this
living space is clearly
defined by the change in
ceiling light fixtures. The
new artwork creates a
feature wall with the
artwork purposely hung
so that each image can
be studied on its own
rather than a group. The
fabric table runner
continues the theme from
the lounge area unifying
the two. The architectural
nature of the floor lamp is
a reflection of the artwork
in the lounge area.
The central table
arrangement adds
height and is an
elegant feature even
when the table is not
laid for a meal.

6. bedroom
Taking the red accent
colour through to the
bedroom and adding
pattern demonstrates
the power that dressing
the bed has on
changing the feel of the
space when adding
colour to the walls is
not possible. The
plants soften and the
bud vases add a touch
of romance. The
artwork picks up on the
reds and the addition
of the blue in the
cover.

7. bathroom
Working with the black
and red from the
lounge and adding the
blue from the bedroom,
the whole scheme is
pulled together
ensuring that even this
small apartment can be
harmonious. The
mirroring of the
artificial flowers from
the dining table and
the red plant pot from
the kitchen reinforce
that colour flow in a
compact environment.
Sensual elements are
added with the pebbles
and candles.

8. project costs
Store Description Cost £ Room used
B&Q Plants and containers 17.90 Kitchen, lounge, bedroom & bathroom
The Pier Pot Pourri 6.00 Bathroom
Dunelm Vases, candles, artificial flowers, waste bin, 127.62 Lounge, dining, Kitchen, bathroom, outside
Mill artwork, welcome mat, cushion pads front door
IKEA Lighting, mirror, artwork, vases, notice 114.29 Kitchen, lounge, dining, bedroom,
board, storage boxes, fabric bathroom, hallway
BHS Bedlinen & white cushion 45.00 Bedroom
M&S Red cushions 15.00 Lounge & bedroom
Project total exc Design and Management £325.81
Note: Project costs @ May 2008

9. Julie Stevens T| 07889 021140
Younique Designs Ltd E| julie@youniquedesigns.co.uk
1 Castle Hill Court W| www.youniquedesigns.co.uk
Castle Hill
Rochester All images © Younique Designs Ltd
Kent ME1 1LF Project completed May 2008