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Houzz Tour: A Sensitively Renovated, Light-filled Waterfront Home
Victorian character and modern comfort combine with playful touches to create an inviting family house
The owners of this Victorian townhouse had originally hired interior designer Tanya Bentley to help them update their kitchen, but, after some lengthy discussions, they realised there was the potential to redesign the whole house.
Tanya suggested a reconfigured floor plan, put together a design scheme to reflect the architecture of the house and its surroundings, and project-managed the extensive renovations. There’s no doubt it was a big undertaking, but the result is a wonderfully welcoming, light-filled home that will stand the test of time.
Tanya suggested a reconfigured floor plan, put together a design scheme to reflect the architecture of the house and its surroundings, and project-managed the extensive renovations. There’s no doubt it was a big undertaking, but the result is a wonderfully welcoming, light-filled home that will stand the test of time.
In contrast, further along the hallway Tanya added a more contemporary element by replacing a solid wall between the hall and dining area with a Crittall panel to bring a light, open feel into the space. The panel is 2.4m wide x 2.7m high, which is the largest size available in fire-rated glass.
The frame is painted dark blue, similar to the deep blue skirting boards in the hallway. “Dark blue is a colour that runs throughout the house,” Tanya says.
Skirting boards painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Crittall panel, D&R Design.
The frame is painted dark blue, similar to the deep blue skirting boards in the hallway. “Dark blue is a colour that runs throughout the house,” Tanya says.
Skirting boards painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Crittall panel, D&R Design.
There was originally a door to the kitchen in the hallway, but Tanya decided to use this space for a cloakroom. “The downstairs loo used to be tucked into the utility room at the back of the house,” Tanya says, “so guests would have to walk past all the laundry to get to it.”
Floor tiles, Original Style. Stair runner, Roger Oates.
Floor tiles, Original Style. Stair runner, Roger Oates.
Here’s the hallway before the renovation. (The old door to the kitchen is out of shot behind the stairs.)
Tanya covered the top half of the cloakroom walls in a gorgeous wallpaper to make the space feel luxurious, and chose Victorian-style sanitaryware in keeping with the age of the property.
Wallpaper, Pierre Frey. Basin, The Water Monopoly. Wall lights, Vaughan.
Wallpaper, Pierre Frey. Basin, The Water Monopoly. Wall lights, Vaughan.
A recessed shelf above the loo is fitted with a stain-resistant Corian surface and LED lights.
The living room is at the front of the ground floor’s open-plan space and looks out to the river. “It’s a lovely east-facing view that gets the morning sun,” Tanya says. “We chose armchairs with low backs so you can see the view from the dining room behind.”
The room’s colour scheme was inspired by two paintings by a local artist that hang above the sofa. There’s more of that mix of old and new in here with the pendant light, which is a pared-back, modern take on a Victorian chandelier.
Sofa, Kingcome. Blue lamp with white shade, Porta Romana. White lamp base, Heathfield; blue shade, Vaughan. Rug, Stark. Blue velvet chair, Heal’s. Coffee table, Neptune. Fontenoy fabric on window seat, Designers Guild. Herringbone flooring, Ted Todd.
The room’s colour scheme was inspired by two paintings by a local artist that hang above the sofa. There’s more of that mix of old and new in here with the pendant light, which is a pared-back, modern take on a Victorian chandelier.
Sofa, Kingcome. Blue lamp with white shade, Porta Romana. White lamp base, Heathfield; blue shade, Vaughan. Rug, Stark. Blue velvet chair, Heal’s. Coffee table, Neptune. Fontenoy fabric on window seat, Designers Guild. Herringbone flooring, Ted Todd.
The dining area sits alongside the Crittall panel, while another glazed door leads out to a boot room and utility at the rear of the house.
The ceiling in the kitchen area was originally much lower, so the team raised the floor of the room above by half a metre. Now the kitchen ceiling perfectly aligns with the top of the rear Crittall panel. It’s a detail you might not immediately notice, but it’s important for helping to give the home a balanced, harmonious feel.
A roof window brings plenty of light into this middle space, which is illustrated in this photo – the dark blue joinery and Crittall frame at the back look much lighter than they are due to the reflected sunlight.
Kitchen island and banquette seating painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Dining table, Tom Faulkner. Chairs, Neptune. Pendant light over dining table, Original BTC. Rug, Stark.
The ceiling in the kitchen area was originally much lower, so the team raised the floor of the room above by half a metre. Now the kitchen ceiling perfectly aligns with the top of the rear Crittall panel. It’s a detail you might not immediately notice, but it’s important for helping to give the home a balanced, harmonious feel.
A roof window brings plenty of light into this middle space, which is illustrated in this photo – the dark blue joinery and Crittall frame at the back look much lighter than they are due to the reflected sunlight.
Kitchen island and banquette seating painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Dining table, Tom Faulkner. Chairs, Neptune. Pendant light over dining table, Original BTC. Rug, Stark.
The team borrowed some space from the original kitchen to make a larger utility room, which is behind the oven wall and accessed via the rear door. “We then wrapped the storage around into the dining room, but changed the style of it to reflect the space it was in,” Tanya says.
The reeded panel on the dining room storage picks up on a recurring design elsewhere in the house.
Tanya chose a marble-effect worktop and splashback to bring character into the space and broke this up with a wooden surface on the island.
A striking orange pendant adds a quirky element to the room, while open shelves allow the owner to display her collection of ceramics.
Crawford pendant light, Porta Romana. Calacatta worktop and splashback, County Stone. Ironmongery, Corston Architectural Detail. Floor tiles, Artisans of Devizes.
The reeded panel on the dining room storage picks up on a recurring design elsewhere in the house.
Tanya chose a marble-effect worktop and splashback to bring character into the space and broke this up with a wooden surface on the island.
A striking orange pendant adds a quirky element to the room, while open shelves allow the owner to display her collection of ceramics.
Crawford pendant light, Porta Romana. Calacatta worktop and splashback, County Stone. Ironmongery, Corston Architectural Detail. Floor tiles, Artisans of Devizes.
The ground floor plan shows the new layout.
A previously unused outdoor space, which provides access to the sloping garden via a staircase, was replaced with a useful boot room. A panelled coat storage and seating area is positioned alongside a space-maximising understairs cupboard; behind those sliding doors are generous, LED-lit shelves with room for around 30 pairs of shoes.
The reeded design from the dining room is seen here again on the glazed back door.
Carpet, Unnatural Flooring.
The reeded design from the dining room is seen here again on the glazed back door.
Carpet, Unnatural Flooring.
The utility room, which is connected to the boot room, contains a dog shower for the family’s two spaniels.
Tanya chose mustard tiles to add personality and warmth to the functional space. Slatted shelves above allow the family to drip-dry wet towels.
Carnival Oro tiles, Fired Earth.
Carnival Oro tiles, Fired Earth.
Above the kitchen was an old sunroom, seen here on the first-floor plan.
The original sunroom felt quite dark and enclosed.
Tanya’s team transformed the room into a bright, comfortable orangery-style family space. The room is lined with traditional sash windows and French doors that lead out to the sloping garden, while a roof window brings in even more sunshine.
A large sofa and additional seats provide enough room for all the family to relax together.
Sofa, Darlings of Chelsea. Sheepskin chairs, Twentytwentyone.
A large sofa and additional seats provide enough room for all the family to relax together.
Sofa, Darlings of Chelsea. Sheepskin chairs, Twentytwentyone.
As the kitchen is downstairs, Tanya thought it would be a nice touch to slot a kitchenette into the sunroom, so the family can easily grab a drink or snack. Double doors open up to reveal a brightly lit unit and sink area with an antique glass splashback and warm yellow cabinets.
Kitchenette cabinets painted in India Yellow, Farrow & Ball. Flooring, Ted Todd.
Kitchenette cabinets painted in India Yellow, Farrow & Ball. Flooring, Ted Todd.
The team opened up the single door to form a large opening, which floods light into the first floor landing. A couple of steps lead up to the room, as the floor was raised to accommodate the higher kitchen ceiling.
Orbit 2 pendant light, Porta Romana.
Orbit 2 pendant light, Porta Romana.
The main bedroom is at the front of the first floor and has views out to the river. Tanya designed wall-to-wall wardrobes for the couple with textured wallpaper on the doors.
A couple of chairs provide a quiet spot to gaze out at the water.
A couple of chairs provide a quiet spot to gaze out at the water.
The en suite was completely open to the bedroom, so Tanya added a door. A contemporary vanity unit and shelf storage contrast with vintage patterned floor tiles. “The faded design makes them look as if they were already there,” she says.
Vanity unit and wall shelves, West One Bathrooms. Faded vintage floor tiles, Villeroy & Boch.
Vanity unit and wall shelves, West One Bathrooms. Faded vintage floor tiles, Villeroy & Boch.
A contemporary version of a traditional freestanding bath sits in front of the window, while a sheer linen curtain provides privacy when needed.
Pendant light, Curiousa. Bath, Lusso Stone. 100% linen curtain, Larsen Fabrics.
Pendant light, Curiousa. Bath, Lusso Stone. 100% linen curtain, Larsen Fabrics.
Tanya introduced a brighter palette in the guest bedroom. Wall lights either side of the bed save space on the small bedside tables.
Wall light, Corston Architectural Detail. Bedside table, West Elm.
Wall light, Corston Architectural Detail. Bedside table, West Elm.
A wall-hung basin in the guest en suite tones with the bedroom’s colour scheme.
Basin, West One Bathrooms.
Basin, West One Bathrooms.
There are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a study on the second floor.
Tanya’s team also renovated these second floor rooms (see photos here) and built a fun, practical garden room. The whole project was carried out during the pandemic and took two and half years. “They were wonderful clients to work with,” Tanya says. “[They were] really trusting, which was great.”
Tell us…
What do you like best about Tanya’s design for this family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tanya’s team also renovated these second floor rooms (see photos here) and built a fun, practical garden room. The whole project was carried out during the pandemic and took two and half years. “They were wonderful clients to work with,” Tanya says. “[They were] really trusting, which was great.”
Tell us…
What do you like best about Tanya’s design for this family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple with two older children and two spaniels
Location Fowey, Cornwall
Property A Victorian townhouse
Size Five bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer Tanya Bentley
Tanya’s aim when designing her clients’ home was to seamlessly incorporate contemporary touches while staying sensitive to the property’s period architecture. You can immediately see this at the home’s entrance.
The front door, for instance, was refurbished to be more in keeping with the age of the home. Tanya commissioned a local craftswoman to replace the plain glazed panels with beautiful stained glass.
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