Houzz Tour: Fresh Colour Breathes Life into a Victorian Semi
Blues from aqua and teal to almost black run through this home, giving it cohesion and bags of style
With builders on site and a third child on the way, the owners of this house in Kent lost no time in asking interior designer Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors to help them realise their plans for a modern and stylish family home.
A ground floor rear extension was already well underway, creating space for a large, open-plan kitchen-diner, but with a young family to look after and endless decisions and timeframes to manage, the couple soon felt overwhelmed and knew they needed some professional guidance.
A ground floor rear extension was already well underway, creating space for a large, open-plan kitchen-diner, but with a young family to look after and endless decisions and timeframes to manage, the couple soon felt overwhelmed and knew they needed some professional guidance.
Clare decided to use different shades of blue throughout the house to link the rooms together. She also wanted the overall feel to be bold and modern, with fun colourful accents.
“We were keen to bring in some playfulness, but retain the classic elements in keeping with the period of the house,” she says.
In the formal living room, a coral pink sofa with sumptuous button detailing exudes luxury and is flanked by furniture with warm brass details. A landscape painting in pastel shades subtly links the rooms colours together.
Coral sofa, Love Your Home. Table lamp, Pooky. Side table, West Elm.
“We were keen to bring in some playfulness, but retain the classic elements in keeping with the period of the house,” she says.
In the formal living room, a coral pink sofa with sumptuous button detailing exudes luxury and is flanked by furniture with warm brass details. A landscape painting in pastel shades subtly links the rooms colours together.
Coral sofa, Love Your Home. Table lamp, Pooky. Side table, West Elm.
The front living room’s marble fire surround and wood-burning stove were added to create a cosy focal point and a subtle sense of grandeur.
Built-in storage in the alcove and louvred shutters on the windows help to keep the look neat and clutter-free. The striking, multi-armed pendant light picks up on the warm wood tones and rich gold touches.
Mirror, West Elm. Log basket, H&M Home. Marble fireplace surround, Casa Fireplace Shop.
Built-in storage in the alcove and louvred shutters on the windows help to keep the look neat and clutter-free. The striking, multi-armed pendant light picks up on the warm wood tones and rich gold touches.
Mirror, West Elm. Log basket, H&M Home. Marble fireplace surround, Casa Fireplace Shop.
The family living area leads off the new kitchen-diner extension and doubles as a playroom. Neat, boxy seating in a mix of fabrics and colours creates a comfortable space for the family to unwind together.
Armchair; grey sofa; loveseat, all Love Your Home. Rug, West Elm.
Armchair; grey sofa; loveseat, all Love Your Home. Rug, West Elm.
A clever mix of open and closed storage runs along one side of the family living area and makes a stunning display space, as well as providing valuable toy storage.
The deep blue-black joinery highlights the treasured items on display. Thanks to the simple panelled door fronts and mouldings, it also fills the large space with character without being overpowering.
Units, Build Up City Construction; painted in Basalt, Little Greene.
The deep blue-black joinery highlights the treasured items on display. Thanks to the simple panelled door fronts and mouldings, it also fills the large space with character without being overpowering.
Units, Build Up City Construction; painted in Basalt, Little Greene.
The light-filled rear extension was newly built when Clare started working with the family. “There were builders on site and key decisions needed to be made, particularly with the lighting,” she explains. “Together we planned out where to place statement pendants and wall lights and created layers of task and ambient lighting for different times of day.”
Table and bench, Adventures in Furniture. Wall lights, Fritz Fryer. Walls painted in Loft White, Little Greene.
Table and bench, Adventures in Furniture. Wall lights, Fritz Fryer. Walls painted in Loft White, Little Greene.
Subtly dividing the open-plan extension into distinct areas helps the family to make the most of their modernised home. A central kitchen island not only provides casual seating and prep space, it helps to safely separate cooking from socialising.
Clare sprayed the spindle-back dining chairs the same deep blue-black shade as the fitted storage in the adjacent family living area.
Chairs, Kent & London. Mixer tap, Quooker.
Clare sprayed the spindle-back dining chairs the same deep blue-black shade as the fitted storage in the adjacent family living area.
Chairs, Kent & London. Mixer tap, Quooker.
Although the kitchen units had already been chosen and the layout decided, Clare guided her clients on choosing worktops, the splashback and other fittings.
The island’s base units were painted in the same shade as the living area’s fitted storage for continuity and flow, while a row of barstools with a trio of glass globe pendant lights above adds drama and personality.
Kartell Masters bar stools, Barker and Stonehouse. Pendant lights, Fritz Fryer.
The island’s base units were painted in the same shade as the living area’s fitted storage for continuity and flow, while a row of barstools with a trio of glass globe pendant lights above adds drama and personality.
Kartell Masters bar stools, Barker and Stonehouse. Pendant lights, Fritz Fryer.
An alcove in the extension makes the perfect home working and studying spot. Natural light floods in from the roof window above, making it a bright and uplifting space that’s also conveniently close to the kitchen and kettle.
Desk; artwork, both John Lewis & Partners. Chair, Cult Furniture.
Desk; artwork, both John Lewis & Partners. Chair, Cult Furniture.
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The utility room connects the kitchen and hallway and provides valuable extra storage and workspace. The fitted cupboards were painted in the same deep blue-black shade as the kitchen cabinets and shelving unit for continuity.
Encaustic floor tiles were added for their bold pattern and a nod to period style. “The owners were rather nervous of how practical these encaustic cement floor tiles would be,” Clare says, “but with five coats of sealant, they perform perfectly.”
Floor tiles, London Encaustic. Units, Amazing Spaces Kitchens & Interiors.
Encaustic floor tiles were added for their bold pattern and a nod to period style. “The owners were rather nervous of how practical these encaustic cement floor tiles would be,” Clare says, “but with five coats of sealant, they perform perfectly.”
Floor tiles, London Encaustic. Units, Amazing Spaces Kitchens & Interiors.
An elegant cloakroom sits neatly under the stairs. Wall-hung fittings and a sliding pocket door make the most of the compact space.
Clare suggested a warm colour combination of blush pink and grey and paired it with smart chrome brassware and white sanitaryware for a fresh look.
Wall tiles, Topps Tiles. Wall painted in Calamine, Farrow & Ball. Mirror, Dunelm. Basin, Burlington. Pocket door, Howdens.
Clare suggested a warm colour combination of blush pink and grey and paired it with smart chrome brassware and white sanitaryware for a fresh look.
Wall tiles, Topps Tiles. Wall painted in Calamine, Farrow & Ball. Mirror, Dunelm. Basin, Burlington. Pocket door, Howdens.
In the hallway, Clare picked out the wood panelling in blue to visually link the rooms and levels together. “We wanted a restrained use of colour in the hallway, but felt the blue added a fine thread that runs throughout the house,” she says.
Engineered wood flooring, Havwoods. Walls painted in Long Acre, Mylands. Stair runner, Alternative Flooring.
Engineered wood flooring, Havwoods. Walls painted in Long Acre, Mylands. Stair runner, Alternative Flooring.
The mood in the couple’s bedroom is peaceful. Period details, including the original fireplace, picture rails and skirting boards, have been subtly highlighted with a pale neutral colour palette.
Fitted storage makes good use of an alcove, while a narrow console table sits beneath the window to provide an extra surface without being bulky.
Wardrobes, Build Up City Construction. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Pendant Light, Made. Floor Lamp, TK Maxx.
Fitted storage makes good use of an alcove, while a narrow console table sits beneath the window to provide an extra surface without being bulky.
Wardrobes, Build Up City Construction. Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Pendant Light, Made. Floor Lamp, TK Maxx.
Blush, teal and aqua bed linen continues the favoured blue palette, but with a sophisticated and slightly softer twist. The tall buttoned headboard adds to the plush feel without appearing fussy.
Table lamps, Pooky. Artwork, The Abstract Blonde. Throw, La Redoute. Cushions, Habitat.
Table lamps, Pooky. Artwork, The Abstract Blonde. Throw, La Redoute. Cushions, Habitat.
“The bathroom layout was largely dictated by the existing waste pipework,” Clare says. The space is large enough to fit a bath and a walk-in shower enclosure, but the aim was to streamline the finish while retaining a slight period feel.
A back-to-wall toilet and a basin with washstand help to keep a light, spacious feel, while deep blue walls add definition.
Shower enclosure, Bathroom Discount Centre. Shutters, Shutterly Fabulous. Floor tiles, London Encaustic.
A back-to-wall toilet and a basin with washstand help to keep a light, spacious feel, while deep blue walls add definition.
Shower enclosure, Bathroom Discount Centre. Shutters, Shutterly Fabulous. Floor tiles, London Encaustic.
A herringbone tile pattern adds texture and interest to the classic bathroom. The traditional basin complete with stepped moulding and crosshead taps accentuates the period feel.
Wall tiles, European Heritage. Walls painted in Juniper Ash, Little Greene. Wall lights, Fritz Fryer. Basin, Burlington.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite room in this beautiful home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Wall tiles, European Heritage. Walls painted in Juniper Ash, Little Greene. Wall lights, Fritz Fryer. Basin, Burlington.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite room in this beautiful home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A young professional couple with three children
Location Beckenham, Kent
Property A Victorian semi-detached house
Size Five bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook
The couple fell in love with the Victorian property’s well-proportioned rooms and period details and were keen to include these in their extensive update. “The plan was to totally refurb the ground and first floors, as they were rather battered and bruised,” Clare says. “Also, they wanted to make best use of the new extension and integrate it into the adjacent living areas.”
The front living room was designated as a grown-up space. The owners love blue and teal shades, so Clare took the opportunity to add a deep, restful blue to the walls.
Walls painted in Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball. Chair, Dunelm. Rug, Floor Story. Pendant light, West Elm.