Dream Houzz: Houzz Staff Editor Kate Burt Designs Her Fantasy Home
In a new series, Houzzers share the photos that make up their dream home. Houzz staff editor Kate Burt kicks things off
Old, but also new; monochrome, but also colourful – and with a secret underground tunnel leading to a sauna at the bottom of the garden. That’s what this fantasy house looks like. Made entirely of Houzz images it’s the ultimate ‘dream home.’ Tell us what you think and share your own versions in the Comments below.
The entrance
Inside, there’d be a light and bright calming hallway to greet visitors.
I love the way this floor-to-ceiling mirror tricks the eye into seeing a bigger space than is there, and it would be handy for checking one’s outfit on the way out. The white-painted floorboards tie in nicely with the weatherboard cladding outside.
Browse photos of more white painted hallways and landings
Inside, there’d be a light and bright calming hallway to greet visitors.
I love the way this floor-to-ceiling mirror tricks the eye into seeing a bigger space than is there, and it would be handy for checking one’s outfit on the way out. The white-painted floorboards tie in nicely with the weatherboard cladding outside.
Browse photos of more white painted hallways and landings
The kitchen
The perfect kitchen would have to be relaxed and homely, but not chaotically crammed with kitchenalia (collecting such items is a hobby I can’t resist). Most time at home is spent sitting at the kitchen table, whether it’s hanging out with friends and family drinking tea or collecting photos of my dream house on Houzz on the laptop.
This room continues the theme of mixing contemporary and traditional style: original features, such as the window and fireplace and that well-loved stone floor, look happy with the pale and tactile modern kitchen table. The mismatched chairs keep the space feeling relaxed, and I like the unexpected dots of colour in the pendant lamp and pale pink chair.
The perfect kitchen would have to be relaxed and homely, but not chaotically crammed with kitchenalia (collecting such items is a hobby I can’t resist). Most time at home is spent sitting at the kitchen table, whether it’s hanging out with friends and family drinking tea or collecting photos of my dream house on Houzz on the laptop.
This room continues the theme of mixing contemporary and traditional style: original features, such as the window and fireplace and that well-loved stone floor, look happy with the pale and tactile modern kitchen table. The mismatched chairs keep the space feeling relaxed, and I like the unexpected dots of colour in the pendant lamp and pale pink chair.
I love black and white as much as I love colour. However, because I’m prone to hoarding and clutter-collecting, my dream house would have a simpler palette than the many-coloured one in which I currently live.
Rooms might start out as pristine as this one, but it wouldn’t last, and a downplayed backdrop would help all my colourful bits and pieces to not compete with the bones of the interior.
While a big, rustic Aga wasn’t on my wish list, a gleaming white one is pretty gorgeous to look at and somehow updates this country classic into something that wouldn’t look out of place in the urban fantasy house.
Rooms might start out as pristine as this one, but it wouldn’t last, and a downplayed backdrop would help all my colourful bits and pieces to not compete with the bones of the interior.
While a big, rustic Aga wasn’t on my wish list, a gleaming white one is pretty gorgeous to look at and somehow updates this country classic into something that wouldn’t look out of place in the urban fantasy house.
A monochrome backdrop works beautifully with wood and shades of blue. The wood panelling pops up again and, since fantasy doesn’t need to reflect reality, collections are curated with restraint and displayed in an orderly fashion.
I’d love to have paintings of the sea like this one dotted all over the house – it’s just so relaxing to gaze at and adds a sense of tranquillity to any space.
I’d love to have paintings of the sea like this one dotted all over the house – it’s just so relaxing to gaze at and adds a sense of tranquillity to any space.
Dark nooks and candlelight, plus well-loved items in use every day, such as these rustic chopping boards, boost that homely feel.
As my own – real – house was built in the 1970s, the fantasy house would have those period details I sometimes hanker for. Here, a vintage brass-knobbed handle, original wooden door and fireplace tick that box.
The living room
Pinks, blues, greens and mustard yellows make up the dreamy colour palette that works beautifully against the monochrome backdrop in my fantasy house. Blue will dominate, but dots of the other hues will appear here and there, as in this squishy sofa covered in dusky pink velvet, which combines style and comfort beautifully.
Is blush pink the new neutral?
Pinks, blues, greens and mustard yellows make up the dreamy colour palette that works beautifully against the monochrome backdrop in my fantasy house. Blue will dominate, but dots of the other hues will appear here and there, as in this squishy sofa covered in dusky pink velvet, which combines style and comfort beautifully.
Is blush pink the new neutral?
Another rustic borrow for this dream city house would be a modern wood-burning stove. There would be an airy modern extension at the back of the house, where this sleek, contemporary design on a concrete plinth would fit right in and provide a stylish contrast to the home’s period detailing elsewhere. All the other relevant rooms would have original fireplaces.
Tour a Victorian terrace in London that’s been totally transformed
Tour a Victorian terrace in London that’s been totally transformed
The music and art nook
A little alcove, also in the modern yet discreet and, of course, sensitively designed extension would provide a complete colour surprise and an element of fun – and encourage late-night sing-a-longs and artistic nieces and nephews. It might even entice me to take up playing the piano… Blue remains the key accent colour.
A little alcove, also in the modern yet discreet and, of course, sensitively designed extension would provide a complete colour surprise and an element of fun – and encourage late-night sing-a-longs and artistic nieces and nephews. It might even entice me to take up playing the piano… Blue remains the key accent colour.
The stairs
Quirky, antique stairs, flanked by another wood-panelled wall, lead up to an unusual glass panel feature, which makes for a wonderfully bright landing.
Quirky, antique stairs, flanked by another wood-panelled wall, lead up to an unusual glass panel feature, which makes for a wonderfully bright landing.
Here it is from the other side. Even in a smart, pared-back fantasy home, I’d like to sprinkle around characterful second-hand finds.
The master bedroom
Again, blue and white dominate, picking up on both the blue of the kitchen display plates and the teal front door in one go. There’s even a dash of pink, too, in the form of the bedside lamp.
A palette that carries through an entire house is something that really lends it a sense of cohesion (and it’s especially good for hoarders struggling to streamline their eclectic collections…). This room is big enough and white enough to absorb various vintage textiles and flea market paintings without creating a cluttered feel. Dreamy.
Again, blue and white dominate, picking up on both the blue of the kitchen display plates and the teal front door in one go. There’s even a dash of pink, too, in the form of the bedside lamp.
A palette that carries through an entire house is something that really lends it a sense of cohesion (and it’s especially good for hoarders struggling to streamline their eclectic collections…). This room is big enough and white enough to absorb various vintage textiles and flea market paintings without creating a cluttered feel. Dreamy.
The guest room
Lucky overnight visitors get to sleep in a more pared-back, formal space, with crisp, starched sheets – and one of the best views from the house, looking over the tranquil garden.
Lucky overnight visitors get to sleep in a more pared-back, formal space, with crisp, starched sheets – and one of the best views from the house, looking over the tranquil garden.
The bathroom
The pink theme would pop up again in here. If you happen to have been to the London restaurant, Granger & Co, in Clerkenwell, you may also have been seduced by the pink and gold bathrooms. Ever since eating there, I’ve been a little obsessed with the urge to paint the bathroom in this rosy hue, accessorised with glamorous brass fittings and some 1970s-style houseplants. All backed with trusty monochrome, of course.
The pink theme would pop up again in here. If you happen to have been to the London restaurant, Granger & Co, in Clerkenwell, you may also have been seduced by the pink and gold bathrooms. Ever since eating there, I’ve been a little obsessed with the urge to paint the bathroom in this rosy hue, accessorised with glamorous brass fittings and some 1970s-style houseplants. All backed with trusty monochrome, of course.
The sauna suite
A discreetly positioned spot in the garden would provide a decadent outdoor shower and sauna, with views into the trees above through a large roof light. So as not to be victim to the British weather on chilly days, when you’d most need the comfort of a sauna, you could access this space via a hidden underground tunnel. Well, why not?
A discreetly positioned spot in the garden would provide a decadent outdoor shower and sauna, with views into the trees above through a large roof light. So as not to be victim to the British weather on chilly days, when you’d most need the comfort of a sauna, you could access this space via a hidden underground tunnel. Well, why not?
The veranda
Despite being in the UK, this dream house would unusually have the sort of wraparound veranda usually found in period rural American or Australian properties. The magic of fantasy, eh?
Despite being in the UK, this dream house would unusually have the sort of wraparound veranda usually found in period rural American or Australian properties. The magic of fantasy, eh?
The garden
A vintage bierkeller table and bench provide a good social hub for the garden. At night, fairy lights and lanterns hung from the pergola twinkle against the foliage and dramatic black wall.
A vintage bierkeller table and bench provide a good social hub for the garden. At night, fairy lights and lanterns hung from the pergola twinkle against the foliage and dramatic black wall.
Oh, yes, and there would be soft, cosy spots for the dog…
…and the cat.
What does your fantasy house look like? Share a link to your dream house Ideabook in the Comments below.
What does your fantasy house look like? Share a link to your dream house Ideabook in the Comments below.
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I love a mix of old and new, and although my fantasy house would be in London, where I already live, my dream front door would be stolen from a Federation-era house in Australia (late 1800s to around 1915).
I love the little workers’ cottages you see all over central Sydney, but seeing as this is a made-up house, I’d pick a more rural version like this. There’d be plenty of space (despite the urban location) and the right weather (despite the British climate) for an open-air porch. (Just out of shot, you’d probably catch me sitting in my favourite rocking chair, reading a book and drinking a cucumber G&T.)
Whitewashed wood panelling would provide a splash of rustic Scandi chic, while this bright front door could only ever offer a cheery welcome.