Our new apartment - after shots

Finally, I can share the after photos! Let me just preface this post with a disclaimer. I am in no way declaring that this space is a) finished, b) fabulous, or c) furnished! Of course it's going to look bigger with no furniture in it, but I am not quite ready to share those photos with you... So, in the meantime, at least take a look at the multitude of sins that a few tins of paint have managed to (mostly) cover up.....

Living Room - again looking from the front door. Yes, it still looks like a bowling alley, but I think the space looks more open and consistent. As you can clearly see, I opted for a light colour, rather than chocolate brown - which I had also considered. I didn't go the dark colour road because, while I think this space is a great candidate for a rich dark colour, we would've had to repaint the place once we were done and ready to leave. And while I had no idea just what a task was at hand when I was chosing the colours, I'm glad I took this path because believe me, I am not painting anything again in a long time!

The second major change is the sisal carpet we had laid wall to wall in the entire space. Mostly to cover up the ghastly tiles in the kitchen/dining, but mostly because as the spaces are joined I wanted them to feel more like one large (and long) space, rather than two smaller connected spaces.

It may be hard to see in these photos, but there were cupboards along one wall which we've converted to bookshelves (as seen on the left side of the below photo) - the doors came off easily and a few coats of paint have allowed us to open up the room ever so slightly, and to display the books my husband and I have amassed between the two of us.

This view (above) is looking back at the entrance from the living room. Those beyond ugly light fittings are still with us, temporarily, until I find a suitable replacement.

From the dining room looking back into the living room. Kitchen is to the left, but as a rental we weren't able to change that or the bathroom, so we have to live with those as they are. Barely visible are the wires for the surround sound system (the black speakers were expelled) that will be installed at some stage (with small white speakers!).

This photo to me shows the greatest amount of change. The front bedroom before was so terribly ugly, and now its actually one of the nicest brightest rooms in the apartment. This photo doesn't show much, but to me its what is not there that makes it so nice (the old bed and built-ins the landlord removed for us).

There is still a bit of work left to do, and lots of cleaning. I'm still finding areas to touch up with paint, and paint spots that need removing. But we're getting there. Next on the to-do list is to get a few pieces recovered so I can perhaps share some real after shots, fully furnished...