Houzz Tours
My Houzz: A Family Home Designed for Living and Working
An unloved Victorian semi has been transformed into a beautiful home that's perfect for everyday life – and work
It wasn’t just the high ceilings and period features that sealed the deal for Michelle Kreussel and Wojtek Godzisz when they first came to see this Victorian semi in St Leonards, East Sussex – it was also the dark, unconverted basement. This may seem unexpected, but the couple knew this space would allow them to create a family home set up for work, rest and play.
BEFORE As this photo shows, the living room had previously been used as a dining room, with the kitchen beyond.
By moving the dining table into the kitchen, the couple were able to convert the dining room back into a living room to make the most of the beautifully proportioned space.
The new living room is now a bright and welcoming space. It’s flooded with light thanks to the large bay window, which has been neatly framed by smart grey shutters. Michelle and Wojtek wanted to install shutters right throughout the house rather than curtains, but had to tackle this in stages as they saved up the funds to install them. “We knew exactly what we wanted,” says Michelle. “We just had to be patient!”
Shutters, Shutterly Fabulous. Chandelier, Cox & Cox.
Shutters, Shutterly Fabulous. Chandelier, Cox & Cox.
The couple kept the large wooden doors that divide the living room and kitchen. They can be folded back to connect the two spaces or closed off when required to create a cosier atmosphere in the living room.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball.
BEFORE The kitchen felt dated when Michelle and Wojtek moved in. However, because they weren’t able to tackle the full restoration project in one go, the couple had to live with the old units until they were able to replace them.
One thing they were keen to do straight away was to lighten up the wood floors throughout the ground floor, as they had been varnished with a dark stain. “We contacted a company called Victorian Wood Flooring and they were amazing,” says Michelle. “They managed to complete the floors before Christmas.”
Floor refinished by Victorian Wood Flooring.
One thing they were keen to do straight away was to lighten up the wood floors throughout the ground floor, as they had been varnished with a dark stain. “We contacted a company called Victorian Wood Flooring and they were amazing,” says Michelle. “They managed to complete the floors before Christmas.”
Floor refinished by Victorian Wood Flooring.
Eighteen months after moving in, the couple started the kitchen revamp. The layout remained the same, but the bulky cabinet to the left of range cooker was removed and more slimline cabinets were put in, along with cheerful blue metro tiles. There’s only one wall cabinet – a vintage piece that adds character to the space.
A scrubbed pine table now sits in the centre of the kitchen, offering a welcoming spot for family meals. “We wanted the table to be in the kitchen as we both love cooking and having friends over. That’s a key thing for us, so I wanted to create a sociable kitchen space,” says Michelle. “This is my favourite part of the house now.”
The view from the kitchen back through to the living room shows how well the new layout works as a flexible living and dining space. A mustard yellow sofa divides and zones the two spaces, and pale wall colours throughout ensure the entire space feels bright and airy.
Enamel lamp shade, Nook London.
Enamel lamp shade, Nook London.
BEFORE This little room, which is tucked away at the back of the ground floor, didn’t have a specific purpose. Rather than just use it as a walkway to access the garden, Michelle and Wojtek decided to turn it into a reading room.
The little room has been transformed thanks to a coat of leafy green paint on the walls and fitted bookshelves either side of the fireplace to house some of the couple’s extensive book collection. The soft green wall colour provides a visual link to the garden outside and helps to create a cosy feeling inside.
A gallery wall is packed with interesting photos and artworks, and two armchairs offer the perfect spot for a cup of coffee and a moment of peace and quiet.
Walls painted in Breakfast Room Green, Farrow & Ball.
A gallery wall is packed with interesting photos and artworks, and two armchairs offer the perfect spot for a cup of coffee and a moment of peace and quiet.
Walls painted in Breakfast Room Green, Farrow & Ball.
The view back into the hallway; the front door is directly ahead and the living room and kitchen are off to the left.
A vintage pew and peg rail in the narrow hallway provide storage and seating without taking up too much space.
The first floor now houses the master bedroom, Penelope’s bedroom and a family bathroom. The master bedroom, shown here, is situated at the front of the house in the room that was previously the living area.
A large bay window faces out towards the sea and draws plenty of natural light into the space. The vintage armoire was an antiques shop find, as are many of the pieces of furniture in the house.
A large bay window faces out towards the sea and draws plenty of natural light into the space. The vintage armoire was an antiques shop find, as are many of the pieces of furniture in the house.
BEFORE This photo shows how the room was being utilised when Michelle and Wojtek first viewed the house. But by moving the living room down to the ground floor, the couple were able to turn this light and airy space back into a bedroom.
The walls in Michelle and Wojtek’s room are painted a soothing putty shade that was actually inspired by the decorating process. “When we took the existing wallpaper off, we revealed the plaster underneath,” says Michelle. “I loved the colour, so when I saw that Farrow & Ball did a colour called Setting Plaster I knew I had to use that on the walls!” The colour is soft and soothing, but it also helps to create a cosy feel in the large room.
Walls painted in Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball. Chandelier, John Lewis.
Walls painted in Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball. Chandelier, John Lewis.
A chest of drawers and small wardrobe are also antiques shops finds. Michelle isn’t afraid of using bold paint shades to give antiques a new lease of life, and the mustard yellow of this wardrobe adds a zingy twist to the restful bedroom scheme.
A large family bathroom at the rear of the first floor has been simply decorated with a coat of light grey paint on the walls.
Michelle and Wojtek asked family members for help with the painting. “My mum, aunt and brother helped a lot with all the painting,” says Michelle.
Michelle and Wojtek asked family members for help with the painting. “My mum, aunt and brother helped a lot with all the painting,” says Michelle.
Next to the master bedroom is Penelope’s room, which has been decorated with bright colours and cheerful accessories. A soft buttercup yellow on the walls acts as a soothing backdrop to bold prints and textiles.
Walls painted in Pale Hound, Farrow & Ball.
Walls painted in Pale Hound, Farrow & Ball.
A striking wallpaper covers one wall in Penelope’s room. “My mum helped me to hang the wallpaper,” says Michelle. “It was rather stressful as it’s a quite expensive paper so I couldn’t afford to buy extra rolls. As such, we couldn’t afford to make any mistakes!”
Fortunately, they did a beautiful job between them and completed the wall with just enough paper to spare.
Charles Voysey Alice in Wonderland wallpaper, Trustworth Studios..
Fortunately, they did a beautiful job between them and completed the wall with just enough paper to spare.
Charles Voysey Alice in Wonderland wallpaper, Trustworth Studios..
On the top floor there are two bedrooms and a bathroom, which Michelle and Wojtek have decorated in uplifting colours.
This guest room has been painted a beautiful pale blue, which is elevated with bright accents of mustard yellow.
Walls painted in Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball.
This guest room has been painted a beautiful pale blue, which is elevated with bright accents of mustard yellow.
Walls painted in Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball.
The walls in the second guest room on the top floor have been painted in a soft apple green, which mirrors the leafy view from the window. A pretty pattered duvet cover adds interest and pattern.
A rich red painted wardrobe in the corner adds an unexpected twist – a signature element of Michelle’s decorating style.
Brooklyn vintage antique ribbed glass retro dome pendant, Industville. Walls painted in Cooking Apple Green, Farrow & Ball.
A rich red painted wardrobe in the corner adds an unexpected twist – a signature element of Michelle’s decorating style.
Brooklyn vintage antique ribbed glass retro dome pendant, Industville. Walls painted in Cooking Apple Green, Farrow & Ball.
The guest bathroom on the top floor has been simply decorated in crisp white and grey, and has smart wooden shutters, as throughout the house.
In the basement of the house, Michelle and Wojtek have carved out space for a studio each, as well as a utility and storage room.
When they first viewed the property, the door to the basement was actually locked and they couldn’t gain access, but they knew the space would have lots of potential.
The basement was in a bad state – it needed new plumbing and electricity, the walls needed to be replastered and the floor needed replacing. The couple called on Browns Carpentry and Construction to help them convert it and they are thrilled with the result.
Basement renovation, Browns Carpentry and Construction.
When they first viewed the property, the door to the basement was actually locked and they couldn’t gain access, but they knew the space would have lots of potential.
The basement was in a bad state – it needed new plumbing and electricity, the walls needed to be replastered and the floor needed replacing. The couple called on Browns Carpentry and Construction to help them convert it and they are thrilled with the result.
Basement renovation, Browns Carpentry and Construction.
Michelle runs her business The Fox in the Attic from the front room, making cushions, home accessories and hand-painted greetings cards. “I always dreamed of having my own studio and now I have it!” says Michelle.
The space is light and bright and packed with inspirational photos and objects, as well as the tools of her trade. Michelle uses the space to make the cushions, toys, baby rattles and stationery she sells through her The Fox in the Attic Etsy shop.
The space is light and bright and packed with inspirational photos and objects, as well as the tools of her trade. Michelle uses the space to make the cushions, toys, baby rattles and stationery she sells through her The Fox in the Attic Etsy shop.
Next door to Michelle’s studio, musician Wojtek also has his own workspace, a dedicated music studio overlooking the back garden.
Thanks to a lot of hard work and a clear creative vision, the couple have created a warm and welcoming family home, perfectly set up for both work and family life.
“Working from home means we can both take turns with childcare,” says Michelle. “When you’re a parent and also a self-employed person, you have to find a routine that works for you, but it’s important to find time for both roles.”
What do you think of this creative family home? Let us know in the Comments below.
“Working from home means we can both take turns with childcare,” says Michelle. “When you’re a parent and also a self-employed person, you have to find a routine that works for you, but it’s important to find time for both roles.”
What do you think of this creative family home? Let us know in the Comments below.
Who lives here Michelle Kreussel, owner of The Fox in the Attic, her musician husband Wojtek Godzisz and their daughter Penelope
Location St Leonards
Property A four-storey, semi-detached house, built circa 1850
Size 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
Michelle and Wojtek got the keys to their new home in December 2013 and from the start, the plan was to turn the run-down basement into two studios – one for Michelle and one for Wojtek, as they are both freelance creatives. But before they tackled that project, the couple needed to sort the rest of the house, which had been awkwardly divided up. There was a kitchen and separate dining room on the ground floor, a living room and bedroom on the first floor, and then two more bedrooms at the top of the house. Having the living room upstairs wasn’t ideal, so the couple decided to move it back down to the ground floor, which then freed up space for a large master bedroom on the first floor.