Houzz Tour: A Creative Couple’s Quirky and Practical Surrey Flat
A cosy flat is given a clever makeover that combines practical storage solutions with original designer touches
For designer Bhavin Taylor, this two-bedroom apartment was a dream to work on. The brief was simple: add clever storage and create a backdrop against which the artistic owners could display their own pieces. But the best thing for Taylor was the couple’s willingness to accept the more quirky aspects of his design. “They could visualise my crazy ideas,” he says with a smile. “And they weren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone.”
Taylor designed the TV cabinet to be both functional and stylish. It sits neatly along the back wall and contains a shelving area for each media element. On either side of the television, the surfaces can be lifted off to reveal storage inside.
As the budget was tight, Taylor had to prioritise where he should splash out. The rocking chair, as well as the sofa and footstool (in the top photograph) were the clients’ own. “There was no need to change them,” says Taylor. “They add a warm, vintage feel to the flat.”
As the budget was tight, Taylor had to prioritise where he should splash out. The rocking chair, as well as the sofa and footstool (in the top photograph) were the clients’ own. “There was no need to change them,” says Taylor. “They add a warm, vintage feel to the flat.”
The entire back wall of the living room houses custom-built storage. Inside the slick white cupboards are shelves of varying heights where the couple can store everything out of sight.
Discover more ingenious storage solutions
Discover more ingenious storage solutions
The owners wanted a very simple design for the kitchen, so Taylor chose white gloss units and an easy-to-clean worktop. The tiles are a slight twist on the classic metro design, with a longer surface and bevelled edges. Storage was key again, so floor-to-ceiling cupboards were chosen to act as useful pantries.
The dining table was moved from the living room, as the storage cupboards had taken the space. “But the table is easy to carry,” says Taylor. “So if the couple have guests over, they can move it back into the living room.” Extra chairs are scattered around the flat.
Kitchen units, Magnet. Table, Dwell. Chairs, Retro Furnish.
The dining table was moved from the living room, as the storage cupboards had taken the space. “But the table is easy to carry,” says Taylor. “So if the couple have guests over, they can move it back into the living room.” Extra chairs are scattered around the flat.
Kitchen units, Magnet. Table, Dwell. Chairs, Retro Furnish.
The couple already had this bed. It’s a dramatic piece of furniture, so they decided to “go with it”. They loved the quirkiness of the animal-themed wallpaper, so chose it as a talking point for the room. It shows off the bed, but works well as a backdrop, as the busy pattern doesn’t distract them when they want to sleep.
The bedside lamps have neutral shades and glass bases that allow the wallpaper pattern to come through. Two bedside tables with cut-out shelves keep the space clutter-free. The plain cushions on the bed pick out colours from the wall, while the navy ceiling light surrounds a copper interior, which gives the room a warm glow.
Wallpaper, House of Hackney. Table lamps, John Lewis. Bedside tables, Dwell. Ceiling light, Made.com.
The bedside lamps have neutral shades and glass bases that allow the wallpaper pattern to come through. Two bedside tables with cut-out shelves keep the space clutter-free. The plain cushions on the bed pick out colours from the wall, while the navy ceiling light surrounds a copper interior, which gives the room a warm glow.
Wallpaper, House of Hackney. Table lamps, John Lewis. Bedside tables, Dwell. Ceiling light, Made.com.
There were previously no cupboards in the bedroom, so Taylor added floor-to-ceiling wardrobes along the whole wall. The design is sleek and practical, and doesn’t compete with the bold touches elsewhere in the room.
Find bold decorating solutions for a small budget
Find bold decorating solutions for a small budget
The shelf-style dressing table is perfect for a small space. It provides a useful surface, while keeping the floor clutter-free. The stool can be tucked away underneath and is multi-functional, as it’s used for extra seating around the dining table.
The mirror is another item the couple already owned.
Dressing table, Ikea. Stool, Retro Furnish.
The mirror is another item the couple already owned.
Dressing table, Ikea. Stool, Retro Furnish.
The artistic owner uses the second bedroom as her studio. Taylor kept the design neutral and functional, with white walls for displaying artwork and ideas, large work tables and a practical unit for storage.
In the bathroom, Taylor wanted to move the basin away from the window in order to put a mirror above it. This proved challenging, as the old soil pipe was large and protruding. He got around this by building a false wall behind the basin and toilet to accommodate the cumbersome plumbing. The wall doubles up as a useful shelf.
Mismatched, hexagonal tiles on the floor add character to the neutral space. Once again, Taylor chose a subtle colour to prevent the pattern overpowering the room.
In a small space, every millimetre counts, so the radiator with flat bars is a practical solution.
Floor tiles, Walls and Floors. Radiator, Towel Rads. Vanity unit, Bauhaus. Units, fixtures and fittings, Crosswater and Duravit.
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Mismatched, hexagonal tiles on the floor add character to the neutral space. Once again, Taylor chose a subtle colour to prevent the pattern overpowering the room.
In a small space, every millimetre counts, so the radiator with flat bars is a practical solution.
Floor tiles, Walls and Floors. Radiator, Towel Rads. Vanity unit, Bauhaus. Units, fixtures and fittings, Crosswater and Duravit.
TELL US…
What do you think of this flat? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A creative couple – an artist and an animator
Location Virginia Water, Surrey
Property A flat in a period building
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Designer Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
The living room perfectly illustrates how Taylor combined streamlined practicality with something much more fun. White walls form a neutral backdrop for a gallery of art, while the Moroccan-style wallpaper on the ceiling brings character into the space.
“The ceiling is quite low, so I didn’t want it to be too oppressive,” explains Taylor. “I had to choose carefully.” The bold pattern is complemented by a muted colourway and the effect is striking, yet balanced.
The ceiling lights are simple LED rings that let the Moroccan design take centre stage.
Ceiling lights, John Lewis. Mandala wallpaper, Mockbee & Co. Hektar floor lamp, Ikea.