Houzz Tour: A Victorian Terrace Becomes a Beautiful Family Home
An extension and full refurb turned this tired house into a fabulous one
Amanda Pollard
27 July 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
When Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors was called in to help with the renovation of this Victorian terrace, the owners were looking to add a rear and side-return extension downstairs. “I recommended a builder as a starting point,” says Dadswell, who then worked alongside that building team to transform the property for the owners and their three small children.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of five
Location Southeast London
Property A Victorian terrace
Size 5 beds, 2 bathrooms and a cloakroom
Designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook
Top of the owners’ wish list was a kitchen that could handle a family of five. To achieve this, the builders increased the size of the kitchen by extending it to the rear and into the side return. A pitched roof was used on the side-return extension to prevent blocking out light in the garden and next door. “I also persuaded the owners to go for one long skylight, rather than a few individual ones, as it looks more considered,” says Dadswell.
The owners chose a timeless Shaker-style kitchen in a mushroom colour that’s neutral but adds warmth. The long run of base units below the skylight houses a double butler sink, plenty of storage and an oven with hob. In the island is an integrated bin and a dishwasher, while there’s more storage on the other side of the kitchen in the form of a large fridge-freezer and tall larder.
Kitchen units painted in Mushroom, deVOL Kitchens. Pendant lights, Pooky. Regal Vanilla Matt floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
Who lives here A family of five
Location Southeast London
Property A Victorian terrace
Size 5 beds, 2 bathrooms and a cloakroom
Designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook
Top of the owners’ wish list was a kitchen that could handle a family of five. To achieve this, the builders increased the size of the kitchen by extending it to the rear and into the side return. A pitched roof was used on the side-return extension to prevent blocking out light in the garden and next door. “I also persuaded the owners to go for one long skylight, rather than a few individual ones, as it looks more considered,” says Dadswell.
The owners chose a timeless Shaker-style kitchen in a mushroom colour that’s neutral but adds warmth. The long run of base units below the skylight houses a double butler sink, plenty of storage and an oven with hob. In the island is an integrated bin and a dishwasher, while there’s more storage on the other side of the kitchen in the form of a large fridge-freezer and tall larder.
Kitchen units painted in Mushroom, deVOL Kitchens. Pendant lights, Pooky. Regal Vanilla Matt floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
Handmade-style metro tiles with a subtle crazing to the glaze were used as a splashback. “The imperfect finish bounces the light and the traditional look works well with the cabinetry,” says Dadswell. The walls are painted in a very soft grey. “We tried lots of different shades because the room is north-facing and we had to see what worked best with the kitchen cabinets.”
Carnival Ramon wall tiles, Fired Earth. Walls painted in Lead II, Paint & Paper Library.
Carnival Ramon wall tiles, Fired Earth. Walls painted in Lead II, Paint & Paper Library.
A bench seat is ideal for a family kitchen as there’s plenty of room not only to eat but also to play games at the table. The tongue-and-groove design of the bench ties in with the island unit, and although it is three metres long the arms either end make it feel cosy. “There’s storage underneath the bench and we constructed the back at a height that would hopefully prevent the children’s sticky fingers touching the walls,” says Dadswell.
Simple glass wall lights above the seating give out a soft glow in the evening.
Wall lights, Fritz Fryer.
Discover how to make the most of a kitchen-diner with smart seating
Simple glass wall lights above the seating give out a soft glow in the evening.
Wall lights, Fritz Fryer.
Discover how to make the most of a kitchen-diner with smart seating
By extending at the rear, the owners lost a chunk of their garden. Dadswell laid artificial grass and installed a pre-painted pale grey fence. “It makes the garden feel bigger.” Dadswell also added low-maintenance plants, and purple-hued bulbs such as tulips and alliums for colour.
The kitchen opens up to the living room at the front of the house. There were no structural changes here, but Dadswell used texture and soft colours to create a welcoming space. “The owners had already painted the walls with this green up to the picture rails,” she says. “But by painting them up to the ceiling it makes the room feel larger.” Dadswell added tactile textiles in greys, mauves and even a monochrome print to add depth and texture.
Walls painted in Blue Gray, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling light, Made.com. Rug, Loaf. Cushions, H&M.
Walls painted in Blue Gray, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling light, Made.com. Rug, Loaf. Cushions, H&M.
A grey-based white was used for the woodwork as a brilliant white would have been too jarring.
Woodwork painted in Strong White, Farrow & Ball.
Woodwork painted in Strong White, Farrow & Ball.
The builders increased the height of the doorway leading to the kitchen so that there’s a good view of the garden. This has also helped to brighten the entrance hall.
Dadswell brightened the entrance even further by painting the walls a pale grey, and stripping and limewashing the floorboards. She also fitted a smart new stair runner plus dark column radiators throughout the house, which contrast with the soft wall colours. “We also added black ceramic door handles throughout the house to tie everything together.”
Stair runner, Hammer Carpets. Radiators, Acova.
Dadswell brightened the entrance even further by painting the walls a pale grey, and stripping and limewashing the floorboards. She also fitted a smart new stair runner plus dark column radiators throughout the house, which contrast with the soft wall colours. “We also added black ceramic door handles throughout the house to tie everything together.”
Stair runner, Hammer Carpets. Radiators, Acova.
In the entrance hall, the building team managed to squeeze in a cloakroom. This was also on the owners’ wish list, and it has made the morning rush for this family of five much easier. “It’s a tight space, so we thought we’d go for it with the wall colour and floor tiles to make it fun,” says Dadswell.
Walls painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Fired Earth.
Walls painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Fired Earth.
In the main bedroom, Dadswell had curtains made from a dusky pink linen and replaced the old carpet. The cupboards were painted the same colour as the walls to create a sense of space. Dadswell picked up the armchair at an antiques market and had it re-covered in a soft velvet.
Armchair, Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Cushions, H&M and John Lewis. Bedspread, The White Company. Las Vegas carpet, Hammer Carpets.
Armchair, Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Cushions, H&M and John Lewis. Bedspread, The White Company. Las Vegas carpet, Hammer Carpets.
Another upcycling trick paid off when Dadswell persuaded her clients to revamp their existing bed by painting it black. Pretty washed-linen cushions on the bed tie in with the fabric used for the curtains.
The freestanding bath has a shower overhead and provides enough space for all three kids to pile in together. Dadswell had a linen shower curtain made with a plastic inner curtain so it’s both practical and luxurious. Similar to the kitchen splashback, the wall tiles have an imperfect, handmade look that reflects the light.
Shower curtain made by Village Blinds.
Shower curtain made by Village Blinds.
Dadswell asked the carpenter who made the basin console to construct a storage unit around the cistern. She also fitted a linen Roman blind at the window. It gives privacy but also lets light in.
Find out how to work the mix-and-match trend in your bathroom
Find out how to work the mix-and-match trend in your bathroom
The owners wanted the kids’ rooms to be neutral, so that the schemes could be easily adapted as the children get older. “We also put up floating shelves to provide a display area that can be easily changed,” says Dadswell.
Bed, John Lewis. Pillowcase and duvet set, The White Company. Rug, Oyoy range, This Modern Life. Walls painted in Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball.
Bed, John Lewis. Pillowcase and duvet set, The White Company. Rug, Oyoy range, This Modern Life. Walls painted in Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball.
In the guest room in the loft conversion, the only place the bed could go was under the skylights as the existing loft had badly positioned doors, so Dadswell found a design with a very low headboard. She also sourced the huge antique mirror, which reflects the light coming in from the skylights and also makes the room appear larger.
“The clients have maximised the space they have to its full potential,” says Dadswell. “Their home now feels like a nice, comfortable, family house.”
Washed linen duvet cover, H&M Home. Walls painted in Pigeon, Farrow & Ball.
What do you think of this cosy, yet sophisticated family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
“The clients have maximised the space they have to its full potential,” says Dadswell. “Their home now feels like a nice, comfortable, family house.”
Washed linen duvet cover, H&M Home. Walls painted in Pigeon, Farrow & Ball.
What do you think of this cosy, yet sophisticated family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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I like this house, lovely family home, except the kids room is colourless which is a trend that I don't like. Love the kitchen and tiles in the bathroom tho.
I liked the colour design choices and decor of the whole house with the exception of the large shower curtain in the bath . I know it's a practical necessity to keep the water contained but would prefer something less cumbersome .
Puzzled by lack of cupboards in kitchen for food saucepans china etc and in bedrooms for clothing.