Houzz Tour: A Victorian Terrace That’s Both Stylish and Practical
Robust materials combine with elegant design to create a liveable family home
Amanda Pollard
2 September 2019
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
The owners of this Victorian property weren’t just keen to create a beautiful space, they also needed their home to be practical enough for three active boys and a dog.
Interior designer Laurence Katz was happy to deliver, mixing a stylish scheme with durable finishes, useful storage and plenty of functional elements.
Interior designer Laurence Katz was happy to deliver, mixing a stylish scheme with durable finishes, useful storage and plenty of functional elements.
House at a Glance
Who lives here? A couple with three boys and a dog
Location North London
Property A Victorian terraced house
Size Four bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer Laurence Katz of Elemental Studio
Photos by Nadine Brandt
To make this home work better for her clients, interior designer Laurence Katz needed to begin by moving some rooms around. The kitchen, for example, used to be in the middle of the open-plan ground floor, but was shifted to the back to provide a better connection with the outdoors.
A central fireplace was removed and replaced with a kitchen island. “There was little bit of structural work to be done here,” says Laurence, who hired an engineer to make calculations for a steel beam.
Pendant over dining table, Mimax Lighting.
Who lives here? A couple with three boys and a dog
Location North London
Property A Victorian terraced house
Size Four bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer Laurence Katz of Elemental Studio
Photos by Nadine Brandt
To make this home work better for her clients, interior designer Laurence Katz needed to begin by moving some rooms around. The kitchen, for example, used to be in the middle of the open-plan ground floor, but was shifted to the back to provide a better connection with the outdoors.
A central fireplace was removed and replaced with a kitchen island. “There was little bit of structural work to be done here,” says Laurence, who hired an engineer to make calculations for a steel beam.
Pendant over dining table, Mimax Lighting.
The dark grey bespoke kitchen is made from melamine. “We’d talked about spray-finishing the surfaces,” Laurence says, “but with so much activity in the house, we decided a robust finish was more practical.”
The cabinet handles are made from long, slim strips of copper, which proved challenging to source. “The owner was really keen on using copper, and I wanted to ensure we got it just right for her,” Laurence says. “After a long search, we found the perfect hue.”
The worktop and splashback are made from durable Dekton, and there are plenty of storage drawers and cupboards in the space.
The cabinet handles are made from long, slim strips of copper, which proved challenging to source. “The owner was really keen on using copper, and I wanted to ensure we got it just right for her,” Laurence says. “After a long search, we found the perfect hue.”
The worktop and splashback are made from durable Dekton, and there are plenty of storage drawers and cupboards in the space.
Laurence made use of the steel beam above the island for an extractor fan. As the face plate sits flush to the surface, it doesn’t block any light coming in from the roof window.
The recessed area at the side was ideal for shelving. “I think it’s important to make use of odd areas in a home,” Laurence says.
If you’d like to make your home function better, an interior designer can help. Find a professional in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
The recessed area at the side was ideal for shelving. “I think it’s important to make use of odd areas in a home,” Laurence says.
If you’d like to make your home function better, an interior designer can help. Find a professional in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
A useful larder cupboard (just seen on the left) is positioned at the end of the run of kitchen units, next to a cosy seating area and custom-made media unit.
“We wanted to make sure the storage unit looked separate from the kitchen, so it’s made from MDF and painted in the owner’s favourite grey-pink,” Laurence says.
The cabinets are wall-hung with no legs below, which helps the area to appear more spacious. Recessed LED strip lighting at the back of the unit gives the room an ambient glow.
“I think lighting is really important,” Laurence says. “I try to provide a number of options, combining architectural lighting with pendants, and everything is on a dimmer. It’s worth the effort, as it helps to create lots of different atmospheres.”
Cabinet painted in Peignoir, Farrow & Ball.
“We wanted to make sure the storage unit looked separate from the kitchen, so it’s made from MDF and painted in the owner’s favourite grey-pink,” Laurence says.
The cabinets are wall-hung with no legs below, which helps the area to appear more spacious. Recessed LED strip lighting at the back of the unit gives the room an ambient glow.
“I think lighting is really important,” Laurence says. “I try to provide a number of options, combining architectural lighting with pendants, and everything is on a dimmer. It’s worth the effort, as it helps to create lots of different atmospheres.”
Cabinet painted in Peignoir, Farrow & Ball.
A separate living room is located at the front of the property. The scheme in here was inspired by the feature wallpaper, which complements the owners’ existing furniture. Laurence dressed the space with subtly textured soft furnishings, including a pair of embossed cotton curtains.
LED strip lighting was installed along grooves at the back of the shelving, which brings a cosy warmth to the room.
Utah 2965 51 10 wallpaper, Casadeco. Walls painted in Calluna; woodwork in Manor House Gray; both Farrow & Ball. Radiator, BestHeating.
LED strip lighting was installed along grooves at the back of the shelving, which brings a cosy warmth to the room.
Utah 2965 51 10 wallpaper, Casadeco. Walls painted in Calluna; woodwork in Manor House Gray; both Farrow & Ball. Radiator, BestHeating.
The flooring throughout the ground floor is wood-effect tiles, chosen for practical purposes. “A robust, easy-to-clean surface works well with three sporty boys and a dog,” Laurence explains. “It was important to find ways to make the home beautiful yet sturdy.”
A simple shelf and coat hooks in the hallway are livened up with a backdrop of leafy wallpaper.
Fornasetti Senza Tempo Chiavi Segrete wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Dark hallway? This one change could brighten it up.
Fornasetti Senza Tempo Chiavi Segrete wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Dark hallway? This one change could brighten it up.
In the master bedroom, Laurence once again paid attention to lighting – these wall fittings have a directional spot as well as a glow all around the fascia.
Wall lights, Lighting Styles. Fornasetti Senza Tempo Nuvolette wallpaper, Cole & Son.
Wall lights, Lighting Styles. Fornasetti Senza Tempo Nuvolette wallpaper, Cole & Son.
The fitted wardrobes were already in place, but Laurence updated them with paint and new handles.
“The owner fell in love with this pendant light,” she says. “As it’s positioned over the base of the bed, we could hang it quite low.”
Pale grey, short-pile carpets make the whole of the upstairs cosy and warm.
Melt pendant lights, Heal’s. Cabinets painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball.
“The owner fell in love with this pendant light,” she says. “As it’s positioned over the base of the bed, we could hang it quite low.”
Pale grey, short-pile carpets make the whole of the upstairs cosy and warm.
Melt pendant lights, Heal’s. Cabinets painted in Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball.
Laurence made full use of the study by doubling it up as a laundry area. “The desk surface can be moved to gain access to the boiler in the cupboard nearest the window,” she explains.
“To the right of that are cupboards for a washer and dryer,” she continues. “It makes sense to have the laundry area in the centre of the home, so you don’t need to lug washing up and down the stairs.”
To the left of the desk are drawers and a large cupboard for extra storage.
“To the right of that are cupboards for a washer and dryer,” she continues. “It makes sense to have the laundry area in the centre of the home, so you don’t need to lug washing up and down the stairs.”
To the left of the desk are drawers and a large cupboard for extra storage.
In the kids bedrooms, Laurence kept the palette simple, but added texture with dramatic wallpaper.
Walls painted in Borrowed Light; cabinet painted in Down Pipe; both Farrow & Ball. Formation Moonlight wallpaper, Harlequin. Pendant light, Heal’s.
Walls painted in Borrowed Light; cabinet painted in Down Pipe; both Farrow & Ball. Formation Moonlight wallpaper, Harlequin. Pendant light, Heal’s.
A similar calm colour scheme was used in all the bedrooms, which helps to give the house a unified feel.
Ceiling light, Habitat.
Ceiling light, Habitat.
In this room, Laurence made a feature of the sloping ceiling with brick-effect wallpaper and some fun signage.
The mezzanine floor is currently used as a music room, but it’s flexible enough to be changed at a later date. Laurence installed reinforced glass balustrades, which give it a light, airy feel.
A bespoke storage unit holds family files, and the shelves above are lit to give the space a snug look.
In the guest bedroom, Laurence used a dark tone behind the headboard. Copper wall lights complement the deep hue, and recessed shelves are practical and space-saving.
Wall lights, Heal’s.
Wall lights, Heal’s.
A wall of cupboards provides storage and also cleverly hides the en suite bathroom.
The central doors open up to reveal the warm-toned shower room. A skylight was already in place between the cabinetry and en suite, so to make the most of it, Laurence’s builder came up with a clever solution.
“He installed a shelf with a Perspex panel inside. Sunlight from the window above can flood through the panel and into the bathroom below,” she explains.
“He installed a shelf with a Perspex panel inside. Sunlight from the window above can flood through the panel and into the bathroom below,” she explains.
“The house was a pleasure to work on,” Laurence says. “The owners were open to ideas and the building team were great. With their help, the whole project came in on budget and ahead of schedule.”
Tell us…
What do you like about this revamped Victorian terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you like about this revamped Victorian terrace? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Nice carpentry hiding the en suite away and elegantly dealing with the tight space. The grey muted tones leave lots of scope for adding colour and texture with art, textiles and rugs, like the very inviting red velvet sofa enlivening the living room. Would have liked to see how they dealt with the hallways and stair linking these rooms. Lovely finish, hats of to the to the crafts who did the work.
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Girls bedroom