When the owners moved into this terraced Victorian house in west London, the interior looked very different. All the fireplaces and much of the cornicing had been torn out and the original sash windows had been replaced by UPVC versions, so the owners made a priority of reinstating many of these features.
The couple obtained planning permission for all the alterations in one go, although they carried them out in phases so they could stay in the house during the works. The first phase was the remodelling of the ground floor, with an extension that opens the house up to the patio garden, and involved moving the kitchen into the centre and true heart of the house.
The second major phase was the addition of a loft extension, which created two extra bedrooms. This allowed the owners to carve out a new master suite on the second floor.
1/9 Exterior
Throughout, the owner has made a fabulous job of mixing colour, pattern and antiques to create an individual feel in each room. 'I love pieces that tell a story. They give real character to a home.'
2/9 Hallway
From the moment you walk into this family home you are greeted with a stylish combination of colour and pattern. The entrance hall features a striking navy-and-white wallpaper juxtaposed with a textured stair runner featuring a bright orange trim. 'I can't imagine a home without colour,' says the owner.
Similar wallpaper
Kelly Hoppen for Graham & Brown
Stair runner
Roger Oates
3/9 Kitchen
The kitchen was moved to the centre of the property, allowing the owner to create a dining area at one end and a family space at the other. 'In Victorian houses the middle room can be something of a no-man's land, which I wanted to avoid,' says the owner. Hi-gloss units and a glass splashback reflect the light from the rear of the house in this contemporary galley design. The open shelving keeps the open-plan space ultra light and airy.
Similar units
Wren Kitchens
Similar flooring
Buidler Depot
4/9 Kitchen-diner
The dining area was inspired by a bolt of floral fabric the owner picked up in France and turned into beautiful Roman blinds with fuchsia borders. The refreshing combination continues with a green cushioned window seat and pink scatter cushions. Above the antique table and Victorian bench an impressive chandelier is in keeping with the property's period roots.
Similar fabric
Harlequin
Similar dining table
Elizabeth James Antiques
5/9 Family room
At the rear of the ground floor, in front of the patio area, the family room is a stylish mix of pale pink and geometric pattern. Animal prints add an interesting edge to the soft tones, while a huge rose-tinted corner sofa maximises the avaliable space.
Sofa
Sofa.com
Rug
Lesser-Spotted
6/9 Living room
Thanks to the loft extension, the owner had space on the first floor to turn the former bedroom into an elegant sitting room. 'When house-hunting I fell in love with a property that featured a first-floor living area and I was determined to create the same here.' Cool blue walls are complemented by a geometric rug, which also serves as a contemporary counterpoint to the room's more traditional features.
Wall paint
Dix Blue, Farrow and Ball
Mirrored cube
Feather & Black
7/9 Master bedroom
Co-ordinating fabrics instil calm in the spacious master bedroom that was created by knocking two spaces into one. 'Using curtain or blind fabric that references the wall colour helps to create that all-important feeling of co-ordination,' says the owner.
Fabric
Colefax and Folwer
8/9 Child's bedroom
In keeping with the rest of the house, the owner's son's bedroom is a fun combination of both modern and antique furniture. The quirky blue wall shelf is home to bright, fun toys, while lime striped bed linen adds extra colour to the all-white backdrop.
Bed and bed linen
Feather & Black
9/9 Bathroom
The botanical blind is a striking feature in the family bathroom, which is then picked out by the fun and practical yellow flooring. The style of the panelled bath and bespoke cupboards is in keeping with the house style. Although the main works on the house are complete, the owner admits she will never pronounce the interiors are totally finished. 'There is always a new idea I want to try,' she says.
Blind fabric
GP & J Baker
Similar flooring
Harvey Maria
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