My new flat has caused quite a bit of comment on the previous post; I am grateful for your thoughts and gratified by the interest! It’s taking shape and here are a few more photos.
I’ve decided to say no more pink walls; the space is too light and airy. If you look at the samples below, I have opted for Farrow & Ball’s ‘James White’, the middle colour of 5 on that wall, which will, I think, have a soft green quality in the room. Still working out staircase and kitchen, which will be a muddy Thames Green and muddy mud colour respectively from Patrick Baty (it will be okay in reality, trust me… and if it is not, the kitchen is the smallest room and easy to repaint). My bedroom is going dark. It just feels the right thing to do; watch this space; Farrow & Ball ‘Brinjal’. The world’s smallest bathroom is going to be painted in F&B ‘Mizzle’, a colour which is new and which I am very happy with. The walls will be tiled with soft plain white tiles from Delft.
One or two people asked ‘can I see the outdoor terrace?’. Yes you can. Here it is. Are you reminded a bit of being in New York, amongst the rooftops and chimney pots? I love the fact it’s on two levels.
One or two other people asked if I was buying the flat because of all the reconstruction work. The answer is no! In fact I’m quite a believer in renting. So long as you are able to do what I’ve done here, as well as in Dorset; to get in before the place has been done up, and to sign a long lease. ‘But aren’t you pouring money down the drain?’ people sometimes say. Well, no, I think: because there’s no way I’d ever be able to afford to buy my house in Dorset, or my new flat in London. But I can afford to rent them. So in a sense, I’m spending it on my life. Which is quite a good philosophy, I sometimes think. Massive mortgages aren’t everything!
