Houzz Tour: A Victorian House That’s a Perfect Mix of Old and New
Contemporary glazing and an open-plan layout combine beautifully with period features in this elegant family home
Like many a Victorian property, this Hertfordshire house has great proportions. What it lacked, though, was a generous space in which the family could gather. It was also in need of new electrics and plumbing – and a brand new look. “The décor was multi-coloured,” says Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors, who came to the property’s rescue.
But, as well as needing to have a less hectic appearance than its previous incarnation, it was vital the property’s refurbished interior was relaxed and comfortable. “The couple didn’t want their children wallking on eggshells,” says Cherie. Crucial, too, was a finish that respected the house’s age as well as introducing modern touches.
But, as well as needing to have a less hectic appearance than its previous incarnation, it was vital the property’s refurbished interior was relaxed and comfortable. “The couple didn’t want their children wallking on eggshells,” says Cherie. Crucial, too, was a finish that respected the house’s age as well as introducing modern touches.
The revamped layout allows the family to entertain groups of all ages. “It’s the hub of the house,” says Cherie.
Dining table, Oka. CH24 Wishbone dining chairs, Carl Hansen & Son. Alfred sofa, Sweetpea & Willow.
Dining table, Oka. CH24 Wishbone dining chairs, Carl Hansen & Son. Alfred sofa, Sweetpea & Willow.
A new slot window (seen on the right) and a pivot door that leads outside were incorporated into the living area. “We wanted to mix modern elements into the fabric of the building itself, not just in the furnishings,” explains Cherie.
Cherie introduced a woodburner to help zone the living area, and add cosiness to the large space. “It really makes you want to gather round the fire,” she says.
The woodburner is positioned on a polished concrete plinth that works as both a decorative feature and a handy platform to store logs.
Graphic patterns, like the throw and armchair fabric, add interest to the neutral backdrop.
Armchair, Loaf.
The woodburner is positioned on a polished concrete plinth that works as both a decorative feature and a handy platform to store logs.
Graphic patterns, like the throw and armchair fabric, add interest to the neutral backdrop.
Armchair, Loaf.
An exposed wall was created using brick slips cut from reclaimed bricks. As well as bringing in texture and warmth, it adds another traditional element to the Victorian home.
Downton cabinet, Abigail Ahern.
Downton cabinet, Abigail Ahern.
The original bay window was rotten, so Cherie replaced it with one in the same style and added a window seat underneath, which makes the most of the view to the garden. “We made sure we weren’t losing the period elements of the house and retained those touches wherever we could,” she says.
Considering a window seat? Take a look at these stylish ideas
Considering a window seat? Take a look at these stylish ideas
A wall was taken down to create an open layout from the living and dining space to the relocated kitchen.
Cherie chose kitchen cabinetry sympathetic to the age of the property, but in contemporary colours to continue the fine balance between old and new.
Kitchen, Humphrey Munson.
Cherie chose kitchen cabinetry sympathetic to the age of the property, but in contemporary colours to continue the fine balance between old and new.
Kitchen, Humphrey Munson.
An island was one of the family’s must-have features, ensuring that whoever’s in the kitchen doesn’t feel cut off from the entertaining space.
A vintage mirrored splashback behind the range cooker keeps the room light and reflects a beautiful view of the garden.
Cleo pendant lights, Olive & the Fox. AAS 38 bar stools, Hay.
A vintage mirrored splashback behind the range cooker keeps the room light and reflects a beautiful view of the garden.
Cleo pendant lights, Olive & the Fox. AAS 38 bar stools, Hay.
A generous fridge-freezer is among a host of appliances. “The kitchen is full of gadgets, but they’re well blended in,” says Cherie.
The hall features fabulous original panelling. “It needed restoration because it had taken a bit of a battering,” says Cherie.
A deep grey palette was chosen to add warmth. “This area is a little deprived of daylight and we were never going to make it super light, so we went for something atmospheric and snug instead,” explains Cherie.
Woodwork painted in Mole’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. Jutland oak herringbone flooring, Havwoods. Reader armchair in Bumblebee velvet, Loaf.
Unsure how to indentify a period feature? Check out our handy glossary
A deep grey palette was chosen to add warmth. “This area is a little deprived of daylight and we were never going to make it super light, so we went for something atmospheric and snug instead,” explains Cherie.
Woodwork painted in Mole’s Breath, Farrow & Ball. Jutland oak herringbone flooring, Havwoods. Reader armchair in Bumblebee velvet, Loaf.
Unsure how to indentify a period feature? Check out our handy glossary
A large hallway mirror for last-minute checks on the way out was firmly on the owners’ wish list.
The house used to have a mixture of old and new radiators, but Cherie replaced these with efficient modern cast-iron designs throughout.
Farol wall light, Bert Frank.
The house used to have a mixture of old and new radiators, but Cherie replaced these with efficient modern cast-iron designs throughout.
Farol wall light, Bert Frank.
An old store cupboard has been turned into a cloakroom, allowing a utility room to be added where the original cloakroom used to be. Cherie went for a period look here with a high-level cistern loo.
“It was important to the couple that their bedroom was a relaxed sanctuary,” says Cherie. As the walls are neutral, a pop of teal was added in the furnishings to ensure the scheme didn’t look too bland.
A smart wooden floor gives a hotel-style ambience to the space.
Bed, Sweetpea & Willow. Downton chandelier, Graham & Green.
A smart wooden floor gives a hotel-style ambience to the space.
Bed, Sweetpea & Willow. Downton chandelier, Graham & Green.
The en suite to the master bedroom features geometric patterns used elsewhere in the house, with the herringbone wall tiles recalling the flooring in the hall and open-plan living space. The brassware and sanitary ware, meanwhile, have a traditional feel, giving a nod to the age of the property.
Metro tiles, Craven Dunnill. Hexagonal tiles, Mandarin Stone. Brassware, Drummonds.
Metro tiles, Craven Dunnill. Hexagonal tiles, Mandarin Stone. Brassware, Drummonds.
Small hexagonal tiles around the basin echo those on the shower walls, helping to tie the look together.
Basin, Drummonds. Wall tiles, Bert & May.
Basin, Drummonds. Wall tiles, Bert & May.
“Building in storage was really important in the son’s room, so we used a big wardrobe with extra drawers,” says Cherie.
The original fireplace was missing from this room, so Cherie installed one taken from another room, creating a classic feature. Star wallpaper on the chimney breast adds a playful feel.
Wardrobe, Cuckooland. Wallpaper, Peony & Sage. Wall painted in Oval Room Blue, Farrow & Ball. Tent, Nobodinoz.
The original fireplace was missing from this room, so Cherie installed one taken from another room, creating a classic feature. Star wallpaper on the chimney breast adds a playful feel.
Wardrobe, Cuckooland. Wallpaper, Peony & Sage. Wall painted in Oval Room Blue, Farrow & Ball. Tent, Nobodinoz.
Cherie futureproofed the twins’ bedroom scheme. “Pink was the colour of the moment, but we didn’t want a room they’d outgrow in a few years, so we only included pink accents, which can be updated to suit as required,” she says.
Beds, Nubie. Walls painted in Glass III, Paint & Paper Library; and Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
Beds, Nubie. Walls painted in Glass III, Paint & Paper Library; and Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
The previous bathroom had wood panelling – something that didn’t work well with young children, so when it came to this family bathroom: “It was really important that everything was tiled to the max,” says Cherie.
The traditional bath shape adds a period feel, while the geometric floor tiles give the space a contemporary update.
Cherie designed the colour scheme to suit all the family. “The wall tiles are a blush tone, but I didn’t want to make it too girly,” she says, “so it’s toughened up with black and dark greys.”
Bath, BC Designs. Floor tiles, Bert & May. Wall tiles, Topps Tiles.
The traditional bath shape adds a period feel, while the geometric floor tiles give the space a contemporary update.
Cherie designed the colour scheme to suit all the family. “The wall tiles are a blush tone, but I didn’t want to make it too girly,” she says, “so it’s toughened up with black and dark greys.”
Bath, BC Designs. Floor tiles, Bert & May. Wall tiles, Topps Tiles.
Cherie transformed the original kitchen into a home office, installing a fire from the owners’ former home where a range cooker used to be. In the alcoves alongside, she used bespoke joinery to create hidden storage for files and folders.
Cabinetry and chimney breast painted in Down Pipe; wall painted in Pavilion Gray, both Farrow & Ball.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite part of this Victorian family house? Let us know in the Comments section.
Cabinetry and chimney breast painted in Down Pipe; wall painted in Pavilion Gray, both Farrow & Ball.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite part of this Victorian family house? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here A couple with their son, six, and three-year-old twin girls
Location Hertfordshire
Property A detached Victorian house
Size Six bedrooms and four bathrooms, plus a cloakroom
Designer Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors
Photos by Ray Main
The house used to have two separate reception rooms with the kitchen nowhere near them. Now, those rooms have been knocked through to create an open-plan living and dining area leading through to a kitchen. At the far end, a previously dead space has become a cosy chill-out room for the children. “They’re too young to be in a separate room at the moment,” says Cherie.
A new roof light boosts the amount of daylight in the open-plan space, helping to brighten the previously dark interior. The inherited rainbow décor, meanwhile, has been superseded by a neutral scheme that’s soft enough to also add warmth.