Houzz Tour: A Fun Family Home With a Very Surprising Hallway
Bright hues and busy pattern create a quirky but sophisticated family home in a Victorian townhouse
It’s not often you enter a home via a vibrant red tunnel, but that’s exactly the quirky element that sets the personality for this playful family home. “It’s a surprising space with several reveal moments that become more and more playful the further you go up,” explains interior designer Russell Whitehead, one half of design duo 2LG Studio, who worked alongside an architect to convert a series of flats into an exciting family home.
“We met the owners when they booked on to one of our Design Clinics at London Design Festival. They had great ideas, but opposing visions for their finished home: one wanted minimalism with grey and white and everything in hidden storage; the other wanted colour, art and playfulness with patterned fabrics. They were struggling to get on the same page, which is where we came in.”
“We met the owners when they booked on to one of our Design Clinics at London Design Festival. They had great ideas, but opposing visions for their finished home: one wanted minimalism with grey and white and everything in hidden storage; the other wanted colour, art and playfulness with patterned fabrics. They were struggling to get on the same page, which is where we came in.”
As you enter the house, the vibrant, curved-ceiling ‘tunnel’ is a brave and unexpected architectural feature. It creates an element of surprise and anticipation as to what visitors can expect from the rest of the house.
“The fluoro-red tunnel is such an exciting moment, and it lets you know from the moment you enter that this is no ordinary home,” Whitehead says. “It has an architectural lighting strip embedded in the low arched ceiling and an archer’s window halfway along, giving you a glimpse of the minimalist kitchen as you move through the tunnel. It’s a wonderful moment of compression and drama before you enter the modern, open-plan living space.
“There’s a cloakroom off the hall and we used to joke that it was the nightclub tunnel complete with its own toilet. We worked closely with the owners throughout the process and took them out of their comfort zones. They were fantastic, brave clients.”
Walls painted in Steelhead Redd, Valspar.
“The fluoro-red tunnel is such an exciting moment, and it lets you know from the moment you enter that this is no ordinary home,” Whitehead says. “It has an architectural lighting strip embedded in the low arched ceiling and an archer’s window halfway along, giving you a glimpse of the minimalist kitchen as you move through the tunnel. It’s a wonderful moment of compression and drama before you enter the modern, open-plan living space.
“There’s a cloakroom off the hall and we used to joke that it was the nightclub tunnel complete with its own toilet. We worked closely with the owners throughout the process and took them out of their comfort zones. They were fantastic, brave clients.”
Walls painted in Steelhead Redd, Valspar.
The pale walls are punctuated with busy pattern and bold colour throughout the ground floor.
“We had a bespoke colourway made in a patterned fabric that ties many of the colour elements together and connects the living and dining spaces,” says the designer.
In the alcoves, bespoke joinery made from blue Valchromat (a wood fibreboard coloured throughout and engineered for high physical performance) unites the two rooms, which were opened up by removing a central wall.
“The matt waxed blue Valchromat is coloured throughout, so when we cut grooves into the lower sections to create a pattern that echoes the complex direction changes of the floor, the blue colour continued to be seen,” Whitehead says.
“The owners were at odds on the colours and it was our job to let them have the best of both worlds: minimal white bones with bold flashes of colour.”
Wood-burning stove, Jotul.
Discover rooms in which a surprise hit of colour really worked
“We had a bespoke colourway made in a patterned fabric that ties many of the colour elements together and connects the living and dining spaces,” says the designer.
In the alcoves, bespoke joinery made from blue Valchromat (a wood fibreboard coloured throughout and engineered for high physical performance) unites the two rooms, which were opened up by removing a central wall.
“The matt waxed blue Valchromat is coloured throughout, so when we cut grooves into the lower sections to create a pattern that echoes the complex direction changes of the floor, the blue colour continued to be seen,” Whitehead says.
“The owners were at odds on the colours and it was our job to let them have the best of both worlds: minimal white bones with bold flashes of colour.”
Wood-burning stove, Jotul.
Discover rooms in which a surprise hit of colour really worked
One half of the couple trained as an artist at the Royal Academy of Arts and now works in arts fundraising, so finding places for the family’s unique collection of art was high on the wishlist.
“We wanted to create a home with the bones of a gallery space that could house their art and their life,” Whitehead explains.
“We wanted to create a home with the bones of a gallery space that could house their art and their life,” Whitehead explains.
The owners also wanted to incorporate unique elements and sustainable materials with eco credentials. The dining table, for instance, is a bespoke piece made from a recycled plastic material fitted with metal hairpin legs.
The tall cupboards are made from the same Valchromat as the living room storage benches and shelves, linking the spaces.
“The first of the blue storage units houses a drinks cabinet, which is great for entertaining friends,” Whitehead says. “It has a special compartment, made from the same recycled plastic material used for the dining table, for keeping the most precious whiskies and liqueurs. The doors hold the glasses.
“We spent a lot on lighting in this house, too, especially in this main area, to create drama and grandeur,” the designer adds.
Light, Moooi. Circular artwork, local artist Supermundane. Dining table top, made from recycled plastic by Smile Plastics.
The tall cupboards are made from the same Valchromat as the living room storage benches and shelves, linking the spaces.
“The first of the blue storage units houses a drinks cabinet, which is great for entertaining friends,” Whitehead says. “It has a special compartment, made from the same recycled plastic material used for the dining table, for keeping the most precious whiskies and liqueurs. The doors hold the glasses.
“We spent a lot on lighting in this house, too, especially in this main area, to create drama and grandeur,” the designer adds.
Light, Moooi. Circular artwork, local artist Supermundane. Dining table top, made from recycled plastic by Smile Plastics.
Sleek and symmetrical, the kitchen is made up of simple, flat-fronted, faux-concrete doors in light grey, which stretches seamlessly across the splashback to continue the minimal look.
“It’s quite a large space and more than adequate,” Whitehead says. “The family have two ovens and all the storage they need. The key was to make it clean-lined and symmetrical.”
The island is topped with a pale grey composite stone and kitted out with an induction hob and large storage drawers.
Kitchen, Leicht. Bar stools, Hay.
“It’s quite a large space and more than adequate,” Whitehead says. “The family have two ovens and all the storage they need. The key was to make it clean-lined and symmetrical.”
The island is topped with a pale grey composite stone and kitted out with an induction hob and large storage drawers.
Kitchen, Leicht. Bar stools, Hay.
Artistic touches, such as the interlocking bars of colour on the staircase wall, create a unique and considered design in the house.
“We wanted to create an art element that united the three floors of the home [the basement is a separate apartment] with a mural that runs all the way up the staircases of the house,” says Whitehead. “It was created in collaboration with artist friends of the homeowner.
“In our original concept boards, we had more of a fully patterned idea for the hallways, but we created something more sparse to keep the minimalist owner comfortable without losing any impact.”
Light, Made.com.
Find inspiring ideas for Victorian homes from our Houzz Tours
“We wanted to create an art element that united the three floors of the home [the basement is a separate apartment] with a mural that runs all the way up the staircases of the house,” says Whitehead. “It was created in collaboration with artist friends of the homeowner.
“In our original concept boards, we had more of a fully patterned idea for the hallways, but we created something more sparse to keep the minimalist owner comfortable without losing any impact.”
Light, Made.com.
Find inspiring ideas for Victorian homes from our Houzz Tours
Teal velvet and oak combine in the first-floor master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom. “The couple wanted a haven, a space that had luxury,” Whitehead explains.
The oak-veneered plywood wardrobes have blue Valchromat drawer fronts to tie in with downstairs. “One of the wardrobe doors is actually a secret door that leads into the walk-in wardrobe,” the designer adds.
Cherry pendant lights, Petite Friture.
The oak-veneered plywood wardrobes have blue Valchromat drawer fronts to tie in with downstairs. “One of the wardrobe doors is actually a secret door that leads into the walk-in wardrobe,” the designer adds.
Cherry pendant lights, Petite Friture.
“The owners instantly loved the bespoke fabric we commissioned for them with print designer Amelia Graham. It ties in with the other patterns downstairs, but in a more monochrome palette,” Whitehead says.
“The soft headboard is a curve ball, but it works in the Victorian setting.”
Bed, Sofa.com.
“The soft headboard is a curve ball, but it works in the Victorian setting.”
Bed, Sofa.com.
A subtle mint green backdrop is anchored with inky black basins and taps in the master en suite.
“We wanted something modern and graphic and were keen to use black hardware to match the lights in the adjoining bedroom,” the designer explains. “The vanity unit was designed and made by us – it’s a totally bespoke piece using recycled plastic from Smile Plastics.”
Concrete basins, Kast. Savoy wall tiles, Johnson Tiles.
“We wanted something modern and graphic and were keen to use black hardware to match the lights in the adjoining bedroom,” the designer explains. “The vanity unit was designed and made by us – it’s a totally bespoke piece using recycled plastic from Smile Plastics.”
Concrete basins, Kast. Savoy wall tiles, Johnson Tiles.
Vibrant and pattern-clashing, this colour-packed room belongs to the couple’s youngest son; it’s one of two large children’s bedrooms in the converted attic space on the second floor.
“The wall murals are by Gilles & Cecilie, who created the stairway art,” says Whitehead. “We gave them a colour palette to tie into our overall concept and they created the murals based on our discussions with the homeowners.”
Bedding, Hay. Artwork, Gilles & Cecilie.
“The wall murals are by Gilles & Cecilie, who created the stairway art,” says Whitehead. “We gave them a colour palette to tie into our overall concept and they created the murals based on our discussions with the homeowners.”
Bedding, Hay. Artwork, Gilles & Cecilie.
The other son’s bedroom echoes the playful, bold tone of his brother’s, with acid shades, a bespoke mural and modern silhouettes.
“The bedding is also from Hay to tie the two boys’ rooms together,” says Whitehead.
“The bedding is also from Hay to tie the two boys’ rooms together,” says Whitehead.
The yellow balloon wall light adds a 3D element to the playful mural.
Memory balloon light, Brokis, available at Holloways of Ludlow. Green chair; yellow bedside table, both Ikea.
What do you think of this playful and artistic family townhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Memory balloon light, Brokis, available at Holloways of Ludlow. Green chair; yellow bedside table, both Ikea.
What do you think of this playful and artistic family townhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here A professional couple – one works in art fundraising and the other in finance – with their two young sons, 3 and 1
Location Blackheath, London
Property A Victorian townhouse
Size 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Designers Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe of 2LG Studio
Architect E2 Architecture + Interiors
Photos by Megan Taylor
When the owners of this Victorian townhouse were struggling to find a way to harmonise their opposing style ideas (colour-drenched versus minimalism, and busy pattern versus neutral tones), they went to Russell Whitehead and Jordan Cluroe of 2LG Studio.
“It was previously three flats over four floors and in a very tired state,” Whitehead says. “But the greatest challenge was finding a visual language for the clients that they could both love – and trying to get that within their budget.”
The ground-floor living room is open to the kitchen-diner. It’s modern and light-filled, but with colourful elements, such as the bespoke joinery and storage seating that link into the other areas.
“Our geometric design for the engineered flooring was a huge challenge, but so worth it,” Whitehead says. “We designed it with long wooden floorboards and several direction changes, with brass trim to define different areas in the open-plan space.”
The floor-to-ceiling, white linen curtains give a clean, soft finish and recess neatly into the ceiling, so the fittings are invisible.
“The ceiling was lowered as the architects are wonderfully eco-conscious and wanted to have ample insulation and soundproofing for the property,” Whitehead explains. “We made use of the lowered ceiling by designing a recess for the curtains.”
Sofa, Ligne Roset. Armchair, Hay. Orange side table, Moroso. Light, Petite Friture.