Houzz Tour: An Old Vicarage Becomes an Elegant Family Home
Not only is this house super sophisticated, but it also works for a busy family of four
Can you design a home that’s both stylish and kid-friendly? That was the intention of the family who took on the task of overhauling this former vicarage, which was in a state of disrepair. The couple hired Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors to create a home that catered for the kids, but kept the feeling of a grown-up space. The result is a property that combines practicality, smart design and fun elements.
The couple had seen a chandelier they loved in one of Lee’s previous projects, but it was out of their price range. Lee helped them source an alternative from an American website and it has a wide shape to fit in the space.
Throughout the ground floor, reclaimed engineered boards in a mid-tone with grey hues were used for flooring. They’re smart, but also a robust, child-friendly choice.
Sofa, Sweetpea & Willow. Rug, Woven. Ottoman, The Sofa & Chair Company, upholstered in Nevada by Designers Guild. Chandelier, Lumens.
Throughout the ground floor, reclaimed engineered boards in a mid-tone with grey hues were used for flooring. They’re smart, but also a robust, child-friendly choice.
Sofa, Sweetpea & Willow. Rug, Woven. Ottoman, The Sofa & Chair Company, upholstered in Nevada by Designers Guild. Chandelier, Lumens.
A pink blossom tree is positioned close to the French doors, and the rest of the garden’s planting has a similar cool palette. Lee and her clients decided to pull the colours from the garden into the living room. “We chose pale, restful colours,” says Lee, “and we could go light as it’s an adult room.”
Lee continued the theme of bringing in nature with this patterned wallpaper. “It has a lovely earthy feel,” she says.
Cracked Earth wallpaper, Zoffany. Armchair, West Elm. Shelf units, La Redoute. Side table, Swoon Editions.
Cracked Earth wallpaper, Zoffany. Armchair, West Elm. Shelf units, La Redoute. Side table, Swoon Editions.
The kids’ play space is practical, comfortable and has plenty of room for fun. The colour scheme uses the classic child shades of blue and pink, but Lee has gone for stylish hues to give it a grown-up edge.
“It’s the first room you walk by when you enter the house,” explains Lee, “so it needed to be both playful and attractive. There is loads of storage to keep everything tidy.”
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Eichholtz. Ottoman (clients’ own) upholstered in Adana, Harlequin.
“It’s the first room you walk by when you enter the house,” explains Lee, “so it needed to be both playful and attractive. There is loads of storage to keep everything tidy.”
Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball. Sofa, Eichholtz. Ottoman (clients’ own) upholstered in Adana, Harlequin.
False panelling hides a wall of copious storage. Touch-catch doors open out to reveal enough space for all the children’s toys, as well as their game consoles.
Check out this beginner’s guide to installing wood panelling
Check out this beginner’s guide to installing wood panelling
Although the hallway is large, the family didn’t want to overfill it with furniture. “They’ve got a dog, a cat and two children, so didn’t want to risk bumping into furniture,” says Lee. “We kept it sleek and accented it with attractive accessories.”
The original Victorian door is a design statement in itself. “We restored the glass and painted the door in a dark colour to make the glass pop,” says Lee.
Lee also painted the stairs and banisters, and laid a statement carpet runner complete with brass stair rods.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone; door painted in Off Black; both Farrow & Ball. Runner, Roger Oates Design. Pendant, Eichholtz. Wall lights, Contardi.
The original Victorian door is a design statement in itself. “We restored the glass and painted the door in a dark colour to make the glass pop,” says Lee.
Lee also painted the stairs and banisters, and laid a statement carpet runner complete with brass stair rods.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone; door painted in Off Black; both Farrow & Ball. Runner, Roger Oates Design. Pendant, Eichholtz. Wall lights, Contardi.
A Crittall-style mirror above the console in the hall reflects the light and replicates the Crittall doors used in many of the rooms.
Mirror, LuxDeco. Console, Andrew Martin.
Mirror, LuxDeco. Console, Andrew Martin.
The cookspace has an industrial-style feel. “The couple had seen this kitchen at a design exhibition and loved it,” says Lee. “They bought it on the spot, so we used it as our starting point.”
The bold kitchen has a stone finish with copper tones, and below the island is laser-cut steel to enhance the industrial look. Lee chose a polished plaster finish for the chimney breast in the dining area to pick up on the copper in the cabinetry, and installed a hole-in-the-wall gas fire, which is a convenient and modern option.
“The kitchen is dark and atmospheric,” says Lee, “but to offset it slightly we went for a lighter flooring.” The dark cabinetry is ideal for hiding the kids’ messy fingerprints.
Kitchen cabinets, Diane Berry Kitchens. Pendants over island, Vibia. Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Flooring, Madarin Stone.
The bold kitchen has a stone finish with copper tones, and below the island is laser-cut steel to enhance the industrial look. Lee chose a polished plaster finish for the chimney breast in the dining area to pick up on the copper in the cabinetry, and installed a hole-in-the-wall gas fire, which is a convenient and modern option.
“The kitchen is dark and atmospheric,” says Lee, “but to offset it slightly we went for a lighter flooring.” The dark cabinetry is ideal for hiding the kids’ messy fingerprints.
Kitchen cabinets, Diane Berry Kitchens. Pendants over island, Vibia. Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball. Flooring, Madarin Stone.
Handleless tall units hide plenty of storage, including a pantry, and small appliance station. Everything is kept out of sight to keep the focus on the beautiful cabinet surfaces.
Lee chose a rustic dining table to add warmth to the room, while statement lighting brings in a striking element.
The space was originally a series of garden storage rooms, which Lee’s team knocked through to create the large open space. They retained the exposed brick, which adds character to the kitchen.
Lee chose a rustic dining table to add warmth to the room, while statement lighting brings in a striking element.
The space was originally a series of garden storage rooms, which Lee’s team knocked through to create the large open space. They retained the exposed brick, which adds character to the kitchen.
Lee had the bench seating upholstered in one of her favourite fabrics, which has a soft cream and black geometrical pattern.
Modo chandelier, Roll & Hill. Dining table, Norr11. Bench, Another Country. Bench upholstered in Escher, Designers Guild.
Modo chandelier, Roll & Hill. Dining table, Norr11. Bench, Another Country. Bench upholstered in Escher, Designers Guild.
In the main bedroom, the couple kept their existing bed, which they found really comfortable. Lee used the oatmeal headboard as the starting point for the room’s colour scheme.
“There were windows on two walls, so the bed was hard to position,” says Lee. “We tried a few options, but this was the preferred spot for us and the clients.”
Lee installed curtains either side of the window to make it appear a similar width to the bed. She also put semi-sheers over the window to prevent glare. Pendant lights on either side act as reading lights, with controls by the doors and the bed.
Lee’s team also restored the skirting boards and architraves.
Walls painted in Cornforth White and Pigeon, Farrow & Ball Curtains made in Plateau in Hemp, Harlequin. Lights, Lee Broom.
“There were windows on two walls, so the bed was hard to position,” says Lee. “We tried a few options, but this was the preferred spot for us and the clients.”
Lee installed curtains either side of the window to make it appear a similar width to the bed. She also put semi-sheers over the window to prevent glare. Pendant lights on either side act as reading lights, with controls by the doors and the bed.
Lee’s team also restored the skirting boards and architraves.
Walls painted in Cornforth White and Pigeon, Farrow & Ball Curtains made in Plateau in Hemp, Harlequin. Lights, Lee Broom.
Pocket doors lead through to an en-suite bathroom and dressing area.
The pocket doors are actually painted in the same colour as the wall. “When they’re closed it makes the room feel really cosy,” says Lee.
The stud column in front of the corner shower has been covered with mother-of-pearl mosaic tiles to add a shimmery element to the space.
“We didn’t want to tile the shower walls, but they had to be waterproof,” adds Lee. “So we chose a back-painted glass, which we painted the same colour as the rest of the walls.”
The pocket doors are actually painted in the same colour as the wall. “When they’re closed it makes the room feel really cosy,” says Lee.
The stud column in front of the corner shower has been covered with mother-of-pearl mosaic tiles to add a shimmery element to the space.
“We didn’t want to tile the shower walls, but they had to be waterproof,” adds Lee. “So we chose a back-painted glass, which we painted the same colour as the rest of the walls.”
A freestanding bath sits in front of a stud wall, too. The half wall was covered in mirrored cladding. The bath tap is fitted into the cladding, and the sink is located behind the wall.
Bath, BC Designs. Flooring, The Reclaimed Flooring Co. Rug, Calvin Klein. Ottoman, Living It Up.
Planning to install a freestanding bath? Here are some key things to consider
Bath, BC Designs. Flooring, The Reclaimed Flooring Co. Rug, Calvin Klein. Ottoman, Living It Up.
Planning to install a freestanding bath? Here are some key things to consider
For their son’s bedroom, the couple wanted a room that would grow with him as he became a teenager. Lee chose classic blues and greys, and added orange accents. The wallpaper behind the bed resembles driftwood panelling.
Timber wallpaper, Andrew Martin. Bedding, Tommy Hilfiger. Cupboard, Go Modern.
Timber wallpaper, Andrew Martin. Bedding, Tommy Hilfiger. Cupboard, Go Modern.
Their son’s desk unit was custom-made from scaffold planks and reflects the driftwood wallpaper used behind the bed. It gives the room an industrial feel and provides plenty of space for storage.
A freestanding wardrobe was colour-matched to the walls.
Walls painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball.
A freestanding wardrobe was colour-matched to the walls.
Walls painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball.
The couple’s young daughter was really keen on animals when her room was created. “We chose the curtain fabric because elephants were her current favourite,” says Lee.
The colour scheme is pink, but Lee chose a subtle, elegant shade that would be suitable for a teen, too. Feminine elements, such as the fluffy lamp, combine with quirky finds such as the cartoon drawing.
Walls painted in Peignoir, Farrow & Ball. Curtains made in Parade, Andrew Martin. Lamp, Vitra.
The colour scheme is pink, but Lee chose a subtle, elegant shade that would be suitable for a teen, too. Feminine elements, such as the fluffy lamp, combine with quirky finds such as the cartoon drawing.
Walls painted in Peignoir, Farrow & Ball. Curtains made in Parade, Andrew Martin. Lamp, Vitra.
This bathroom was designed as a wet room and has a slate herringbone-style floor and a waterproof resin on the walls. “You apply it like polished plaster and it gives a nice continuous finish with interesting textures,” says Lee.
A teak vanity unit adds a natural element to the room and complements the copper hardware.
“The patterns in the room are quite geometric,” Lee says, “so we played around with shape and added a round mirror.”
Floor tiles, Craven Dunnill. Vanity, Fired Earth. Copper hardware, Bagno Design.
A teak vanity unit adds a natural element to the room and complements the copper hardware.
“The patterns in the room are quite geometric,” Lee says, “so we played around with shape and added a round mirror.”
Floor tiles, Craven Dunnill. Vanity, Fired Earth. Copper hardware, Bagno Design.
The large shower area sits under the sloped ceiling and a step made with the same resin material as the walls helps to retain water. Lee made use of the dead space under the eaves by building a ledge, which acts as a seat, as well as a spot for putting towels and toiletries.
What do you like about this former vicarage transformed into a family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you like about this former vicarage transformed into a family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A husband and wife, their 12-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter, as well as their pet cat and poodle.
Location Southeast England
Property A former Victorian vicarage
Year built The early 1900s
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and downstairs cloakroom
Designer Cherie Lee of Cherie Lee Interiors
Photos by Sarah Hogan
The main structural work in this former vicarage involved the removal of internal walls, one of which divided this airy living space leading out to the garden and the reception room in front of it. “The house had a lot of separate reception rooms, so we opened up these two to add something different,” explains Lee. “We installed the Crittall doors to follow the shape of the French doors at the back.”
The two spaces have different functions: the one in the foreground is used mainly for listening to music and reading, and the one at the back is where the couple relax in front of the television at night.
Crittall doors, Clement Windows. Flooring, The Reclaimed Flooring Company. Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.