Houzz Tour: Relaxed, Traditional Style in a Dorset Family Home
A mix of traditional design and fresh touches gives an informal elegance to this Victorian house
When the owners of this beautiful Victorian property moved in, they were slightly overwhelmed. “Developers had reconverted a large care home back into two adjoining properties,” interior designer Helen Winter explains. “Everything was in good condition, but it was a blank canvas.”
The couple asked Winter to help them work out room layouts and a suitable colour scheme. “They wanted some help in order to do the house justice,” she says.
The couple asked Winter to help them work out room layouts and a suitable colour scheme. “They wanted some help in order to do the house justice,” she says.
MDF built-in cupboards provide storage either side of the chimney breast. “We added a gold mesh grille to these,” says Winter. “It breaks up the furniture and gives it a more delicate look. The owners can also display things inside.
“Scale was very important,” she adds, referring to the large proportions and high ceiling. The large mirrors above the cupboards are the perfect size to fill the space.
A soft-weave wallpaper in delicate grey is complemented by warm white above. The floors were already carpeted when the family moved in, but Winter zoned the seating area with a pale, vintage-style rug.
Rug, Wayfair. Mirrors, Exclusive Mirrors.
Discover easy steps to finding the perfect living room furniture arrangement
“Scale was very important,” she adds, referring to the large proportions and high ceiling. The large mirrors above the cupboards are the perfect size to fill the space.
A soft-weave wallpaper in delicate grey is complemented by warm white above. The floors were already carpeted when the family moved in, but Winter zoned the seating area with a pale, vintage-style rug.
Rug, Wayfair. Mirrors, Exclusive Mirrors.
Discover easy steps to finding the perfect living room furniture arrangement
Two teal lamps sit on a console table behind the sofa. “We wanted to create a nice surface to give some added interest to the space,” says Winter. “The lamps provide another layer of light in the evenings.”
Calia console table, John Lewis. Lamps, Fearne Cotton at Very.
Calia console table, John Lewis. Lamps, Fearne Cotton at Very.
At the rear of the living room is a more informal area where the family can relax together. A peppermint green, L-shaped sofa is the perfect place to hang out, and can be accessorised with different cushions and throws according to the season. These coral cushions give the space a lovely, light feel.
Winter replaced the original plaster wall lights with these modern alternatives, while both spaces have traditional-style chandeliers hanging from the ornate ceiling. Winter also reinstated the ceiling roses, cornicing and corbels using specialist materials. “It’s a very easy and relatively cheap way to reinstate lost period plasterwork,” she says.
Reinstated plasterwork, Orac Decor products from UK Home Interiors. Sofas in both areas, The English Sofa Company. Marie Therese chandeliers; Castleton Home wall lights; all Wayfair.
Winter replaced the original plaster wall lights with these modern alternatives, while both spaces have traditional-style chandeliers hanging from the ornate ceiling. Winter also reinstated the ceiling roses, cornicing and corbels using specialist materials. “It’s a very easy and relatively cheap way to reinstate lost period plasterwork,” she says.
Reinstated plasterwork, Orac Decor products from UK Home Interiors. Sofas in both areas, The English Sofa Company. Marie Therese chandeliers; Castleton Home wall lights; all Wayfair.
The couple had a few pieces of Poole pottery, so Winter sourced a cabinet to display them with other local finds, such as shells.
A glass door leads through to a family room and the garden.
Florence corner display cabinet, Bedroom Furniture Direct. Cushions, Marks & Spencer.
A glass door leads through to a family room and the garden.
Florence corner display cabinet, Bedroom Furniture Direct. Cushions, Marks & Spencer.
The grand hallway is full of beautiful period features, so Winter kept things traditional here. “The console table is new but has been made to look vintage, and the foxed antique mirror adds to the old-world atmosphere,” she says.
The glazed front door leads into a porch area.
The glazed front door leads into a porch area.
A large downstairs cloakroom has been given a fun and lavish look. “We wanted it to feel quite feminine and luxurious,” says Winter. A decorative metal console table sits in front of patterned wallpaper that has a slight metallic touch.
Wallpaper, Harlequin.
Find expert tips on making the most of your cloakroom
Wallpaper, Harlequin.
Find expert tips on making the most of your cloakroom
The bathroom suite and floor were already installed, but Winter warmed up the space by painting the cupboards.
Taupe, faux-silk curtains contrast beautifully with the grey cupboards, while a smoked glass pelmet adds to the glamorous feel of the space. “The pelmet helps to create a feeling of proportion in the high-ceilinged room,” says Winter.
Valleta curtain fabric, Villa Nova. Cupboards painted in Mole’s Breath, Farrow & Ball.
Taupe, faux-silk curtains contrast beautifully with the grey cupboards, while a smoked glass pelmet adds to the glamorous feel of the space. “The pelmet helps to create a feeling of proportion in the high-ceilinged room,” says Winter.
Valleta curtain fabric, Villa Nova. Cupboards painted in Mole’s Breath, Farrow & Ball.
“The dining room was an odd space with some funny angles,” says Winter. “For example, there was only enough space for a curtain on one side. To create privacy, we added some sheer curtains, too.”
She sourced an antique mahogany table from eBay, which fits in with the traditional feel of the property.
Dining chairs, Wayfair.
She sourced an antique mahogany table from eBay, which fits in with the traditional feel of the property.
Dining chairs, Wayfair.
The existing Shaker-style kitchen was fine as it was, so Winter simply hung some Roman blinds at the windows. “They add warmth to the room and make it feel cosy,” she says.
Roman blind fabric, Jocelyn Warner.
Roman blind fabric, Jocelyn Warner.
The master bedroom has large, south-facing windows, which bring plenty of light into the space. “It meant the owners could be bold and go for rich blue walls without it looking too dark or cold,” says Winter.
Picture rails break up the tall walls and make the room appear cosier. “There’s a slight coastal theme with the blue,” says Winter, “but we wanted to bring in another colour, so went for mustard yellow. We also chose tall lamps to play with the height of the room.”
Starla curtain fabric, Sanderson. Walls painted in Pitch Blue, Farrow & Ball. Bed linen and cushions, House of Fraser. Lamps, Iconic Lights.
Picture rails break up the tall walls and make the room appear cosier. “There’s a slight coastal theme with the blue,” says Winter, “but we wanted to bring in another colour, so went for mustard yellow. We also chose tall lamps to play with the height of the room.”
Starla curtain fabric, Sanderson. Walls painted in Pitch Blue, Farrow & Ball. Bed linen and cushions, House of Fraser. Lamps, Iconic Lights.
The radiator below the window could have posed a problem for the curtains, but Winter got around it by draping them over the edge. The voile sheers diffuse the bright light.
For the en suite, Winter continued the blue theme, but brought in grey for a cooler feel. She worked with the existing suite and added faux wall panels with the same products she used to reinstate the plasterwork elsewhere in the home. The patterned tiles on the floor add a warm, textured dimension.
The Roman blind is made from man-made silk, which is durable in a bathroom but also has a lovely, luxurious sheen.
Palau Celeste floor tiles, from a local shop in Dorchester. Valleta blind fabric, Villa Nova.
The Roman blind is made from man-made silk, which is durable in a bathroom but also has a lovely, luxurious sheen.
Palau Celeste floor tiles, from a local shop in Dorchester. Valleta blind fabric, Villa Nova.
The large, ornate mirror behind the gorgeous roll-top bath was chosen to soften up the straight lines in the room.
Mirror, Exclusive Mirrors.
What do you like about this family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Mirror, Exclusive Mirrors.
What do you like about this family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional couple and their two young daughters
Location Dorchester, Dorset
Property A Victorian semi-detached house
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Designer Helen Winter of Coral Interiors
Photos by Sasfi Hope-Ross
The large living room in this Victorian property is divided into two areas. At the front is the more formal, adult seating zone.
“The main feature here was the huge bay window,” says designer Helen Winter. “We wanted to make sure it was beautifully dressed.” She chose half shutters, which offer both privacy and light, while the curtains add a sumptuous feel to the room.
To create symmetry either side of the fireplace, Winter installed two matching chesterfield sofas. These cosy seats are adorned with teal velvet cushions that pick out the blue in the curtains, while bold orange and yellow cushions add another element.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Weave wallpaper, Albany at Wallpaper Direct. Curtains, Romo. Plain cushions, Marks & Spencer. Carly cushions, Boeme.