Houzz Tour: A Victorian Property is Refreshed With Colour and Print
A safe, neutral décor is brought to life with shots of colour and bold pattern in this spacious London family home
Lara Sargent
31 July 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
It can be the easy option to move into a property with an all-over neutral scheme and just live with it, but the owners of this Victorian semi-detached property wanted something a bit more from their family home. It had to be comfortable and easy on the eye, of course, but it also had to be packed with personality and touches of bold colour.
“The owners wanted a classic look to maintain the integrity of the property, but they also wanted to introduce colour and pattern where possible,” says interior designer Ruth Noble, who worked on the refurbishment project. “Often, the biggest challenge is trying to convince a client that an idea will work. These clients saw the bigger picture and were brave in allowing me to specify daring colours.”
“The owners wanted a classic look to maintain the integrity of the property, but they also wanted to introduce colour and pattern where possible,” says interior designer Ruth Noble, who worked on the refurbishment project. “Often, the biggest challenge is trying to convince a client that an idea will work. These clients saw the bigger picture and were brave in allowing me to specify daring colours.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A professional couple with young children
Location Barnes, southwest London
Property A Victorian semi-detached house
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, spread over 3 floors
Designer Ruth Noble of Ruth Noble Interiors
Photos by Arne Zacher
The owners had only recently purchased the property when Dublin-based interior designer Ruth Noble was brought on board to refurbish the entire house.
“It was in good shape, but the rooms were far more neutral in colour with mainly cream walls,” says Noble. “We created schemes for each room, replaced the floors, added shelving, repainted the kitchen cabinets, introduced new light fittings and redesigned the layouts of the bathrooms.”
The living space at the front of the house was overhauled with a sophisticated taupe scheme, offset with deep indigo and a hint of sunshine yellow.
Who lives here A professional couple with young children
Location Barnes, southwest London
Property A Victorian semi-detached house
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, spread over 3 floors
Designer Ruth Noble of Ruth Noble Interiors
Photos by Arne Zacher
The owners had only recently purchased the property when Dublin-based interior designer Ruth Noble was brought on board to refurbish the entire house.
“It was in good shape, but the rooms were far more neutral in colour with mainly cream walls,” says Noble. “We created schemes for each room, replaced the floors, added shelving, repainted the kitchen cabinets, introduced new light fittings and redesigned the layouts of the bathrooms.”
The living space at the front of the house was overhauled with a sophisticated taupe scheme, offset with deep indigo and a hint of sunshine yellow.
Most of the seating and furniture in the light and bright front sitting room were made bespoke for the project.
“Although the style of the chairs is quite traditional, the use of colour and pattern in the accessories, art and soft furnishings allow for a very distinctive look in the finished scheme,” says Noble.
The owners were keen to have their collection of art incorporated into the main living areas. Here, the artwork is by Danish artist Anette Jo.
“The clients chose to install shutters at the bottom half of the sash windows to maximise the natural light flooding into the room, but still allow a certain amount of privacy,” says Noble.
‘Happy’ print, Anette Jo.
Get expert advice on the best style of shutters for your windows
“Although the style of the chairs is quite traditional, the use of colour and pattern in the accessories, art and soft furnishings allow for a very distinctive look in the finished scheme,” says Noble.
The owners were keen to have their collection of art incorporated into the main living areas. Here, the artwork is by Danish artist Anette Jo.
“The clients chose to install shutters at the bottom half of the sash windows to maximise the natural light flooding into the room, but still allow a certain amount of privacy,” says Noble.
‘Happy’ print, Anette Jo.
Get expert advice on the best style of shutters for your windows
Lighting was also a key factor in creating a relaxed, comfortable space where the owners could entertain guests.
“We added dimmer switches to control the ceiling lights and ceramic table lamps either side of the fireplace for balanced lighting,” explains Noble. “The brass mirrors either side also reflect both natural and artificial light back into the room.”
“We added dimmer switches to control the ceiling lights and ceramic table lamps either side of the fireplace for balanced lighting,” explains Noble. “The brass mirrors either side also reflect both natural and artificial light back into the room.”
The previous owners had opened up the downstairs floor to create an open-plan space with multiple uses.
“My clients wanted to use the dining area in the kitchen, allowing for two large reception rooms to the front of the house,” says Noble.
“The drinks trolley was sourced and selected before the craze for trolleys really took off,” adds Noble. “It works really well in this space, which has developed into an area for entertaining as well as relaxing and reading.”
Palmeral cushions, House of Hackney.
“My clients wanted to use the dining area in the kitchen, allowing for two large reception rooms to the front of the house,” says Noble.
“The drinks trolley was sourced and selected before the craze for trolleys really took off,” adds Noble. “It works really well in this space, which has developed into an area for entertaining as well as relaxing and reading.”
Palmeral cushions, House of Hackney.
By adding wall shelving, a desk and the drinks trolley, this end of the room has multiple functions. It’s a work hub, a relaxed seating area and a space for entertaining.
“I suggested the shelves were fitted early on in the project to give the space a distinct function for working and relaxing,” says Noble, “and to allow the clients to store and display books, picture frames, ceramics and collectibles. Painting the shelves in a high gloss, deep blue paint, with lighting fitted at the top turns them into a feature and adds a shot of rich colour.”
The large Art-Deco style mirror above the fireplace disperses the natural light coming through the glass doors which separate this room from the kitchen dining area.
“I suggested the shelves were fitted early on in the project to give the space a distinct function for working and relaxing,” says Noble, “and to allow the clients to store and display books, picture frames, ceramics and collectibles. Painting the shelves in a high gloss, deep blue paint, with lighting fitted at the top turns them into a feature and adds a shot of rich colour.”
The large Art-Deco style mirror above the fireplace disperses the natural light coming through the glass doors which separate this room from the kitchen dining area.
The Shaker-style kitchen and glazed roof over the dining area were installed by the previous owners. To update the room, the new owners painted the unit doors in a soft grey/green shade.
Like the rest of the downstairs, the flooring is a wide plank, semi-solid limed oak wood, which creates a hard-wearing and neutral backdrop.
Like the rest of the downstairs, the flooring is a wide plank, semi-solid limed oak wood, which creates a hard-wearing and neutral backdrop.
The owners wanted their kitchen to be a bright, comfortable space suitable for family living. “We added a contemporary light fitting above the island for both practicality and to make it stand out,” says Noble.
Xenia XL industrial pendant light, Hicken Lighting, Dublin.
Xenia XL industrial pendant light, Hicken Lighting, Dublin.
A generous dining area is ideal for entertaining. The table and upholstered chairs are bespoke pieces, while the wooden chairs were ordered online.
Smart stripes help to lift the neutral palette.
Smart stripes help to lift the neutral palette.
The door to the laundry room has been painted in a rich aubergine shade, addng another unexpected burst of colour.
Nervous about purple? See these non-scary ways to use it in your décor
Nervous about purple? See these non-scary ways to use it in your décor
The wool stair runner has a smart navy herringbone binding at its edges and was designed and commissioned by Ruth for the hallway.
“The owners wanted a bright, contemporary aesthetic for this space to complement their art,” she says. “The handrail colour isn’t the most obvious choice but it makes for a nice feature and echoes the stair runner.”
“The owners wanted a bright, contemporary aesthetic for this space to complement their art,” she says. “The handrail colour isn’t the most obvious choice but it makes for a nice feature and echoes the stair runner.”
The downstairs cloakroom is tucked away under the stairs and has striped, painted walls for a spirited feel.
The house was originally a five-bedroom property, but one of the rooms on the first floor was converted into an en suite and dressing room which joins the main bedroom.
“We changed the layout of this room so that the bed could sit against the wall where the fireplace originally was,” explains Noble. “Stud walls were built either side of the chimney breast and recesses backed in antiqued glass were added, which make for a really effective detail in the room.”
“We changed the layout of this room so that the bed could sit against the wall where the fireplace originally was,” explains Noble. “Stud walls were built either side of the chimney breast and recesses backed in antiqued glass were added, which make for a really effective detail in the room.”
The owners wanted French-style furniture for the main bedroom and their inspiration was drawn from an image they liked.
“The use of patterned and embroidered linen for the Roman blinds completes the overall look,” says Noble. The blinds add a touch of pattern and colour to the room without dominating the overall scheme.
The bay window area was kept open to fit in a cosy two-seater sofa.
“The use of patterned and embroidered linen for the Roman blinds completes the overall look,” says Noble. The blinds add a touch of pattern and colour to the room without dominating the overall scheme.
The bay window area was kept open to fit in a cosy two-seater sofa.
A subtle but striking use of yellow weaves its way through every floor and contrasts with the soft wall colour palette.
“The owners didn’t want a neutral scheme, nor did they want colour to dominate,” explains Noble. “They already had colourful art and were keen to introduce different shades to each room, creating a flow from one space to the next.”
Bright tones and pattern are introduced through soft furnishings, rugs, armchairs, ottomans and decorative ceramics.
“These additional pieces are interchangeable, allowing the clients to update them over time or seasonally should they wish to do so,” adds Noble.
“The owners didn’t want a neutral scheme, nor did they want colour to dominate,” explains Noble. “They already had colourful art and were keen to introduce different shades to each room, creating a flow from one space to the next.”
Bright tones and pattern are introduced through soft furnishings, rugs, armchairs, ottomans and decorative ceramics.
“These additional pieces are interchangeable, allowing the clients to update them over time or seasonally should they wish to do so,” adds Noble.
The en-suite bathroom has a chic, smart feel with crisp white tiles and a black vanity unit.
The main bathroom on the first floor has been updated with new sanitary ware, laminate wood flooring and grey Metro tiles.
“The owners were keen that this space appeared more like a room than a bathroom,” explains Noble. “They liked the idea of incorporating freestanding pieces such as the vanity and linen storage cupboard.”
“The owners were keen that this space appeared more like a room than a bathroom,” explains Noble. “They liked the idea of incorporating freestanding pieces such as the vanity and linen storage cupboard.”
The cabinetry is painted in a dramatic dark shade to offset the brighter walls, silver mirror and Carrara marble worktop.
“Rather than dressing the window with fabric Roman blinds, we decided to mist them out to allow privacy and a certain amount of light to pass through,” says Noble.
TELL US…
What do you think of this classic yet colourful Victorian family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
“Rather than dressing the window with fabric Roman blinds, we decided to mist them out to allow privacy and a certain amount of light to pass through,” says Noble.
TELL US…
What do you think of this classic yet colourful Victorian family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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I know this is a very old post, but I agree with most previous comments. House generally vey bland, but I love the aubergine door.
I have recently done doors for under-eaves storage in a bathroom, which look like panelling, in Majorelle Blue, inspired by a visit to Marrakech. Also have used a brighter blue on a cupboard on the sunny half-landing of an otherwise pale and calm staircase. I love both, they are a surprise and a joy every day!