Makeover man Laurence turns bedroom into 'boutique' (From Warrington Guardian)

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen comes to Callands

10:42am Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

WHEN you think your room is looking a bit drab and in need of a makeover most of us make do with some new wallpaper from the DIY store.

But Callands couple Georgina and Ivan Baracskai instead had expert help from star interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

They won a competition run by littlewoods.com to have a £5,000 redesign of their bedroom by the Changing Rooms stalwart.

Georgina, aged 52, said: “I don’t enter competitions but I just saw it in the paper and thought I would give it a go.”

A month later Laurence arrived at their Wrexham Close home with his design team to get an idea of what would suit the couple.

Laurence said: “Georgina and Ivan have done such a good job in the house and they had a strong sense of what they love.

“They had done so much already. This wasn’t an intervention.”

So out went the room layout and in came the vision of creating a boutique hotel feel to their bedroom with the use of mirrored furniture, dark wood, gold and peacock patterns.

Laurence added: “I think bedrooms are such fabulous places were we Brits are more prepared to let our hair down in decorative terms.

“I feel in tune with Georgina and Ivan, I have teenage children, they’re away all the time. It’s the moment when we can claw back our time.

“I know Georgina was concerned about seeing the black stuff. But when you’re just doing all beige there’s no contrasts and the room doesn’t look any bigger.”

The transformation was complete on Thursday when a team of decorators moved in to kit out their boudoir with chandeliers, luxurious bedding and even a gold pineapple.

“There is nothing there that is not to our taste,” added Georgina.

Laurence said: “It’s been a wonderful experience.

“One of the nice things is I’m very used to seeing my products in studios but what I love doing more than anything is working in real homes.”

Ivan, aged 49, added: “It’s been really good, he’s such a nice guy.

“It’s been special to have Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen design your bedroom. Not many people are ever going to have that.”