Room Tour: A Poky Ground Floor Becomes a Flexible Living Space
A dash of coastal colour, playful touches and an updated layout revive a tired 1950s home
Transforming her late nana’s house on the North Wales coast into a holiday home was an exciting prospect for interior designer Clare Bolger and her parents. Her nana had the property built in 1954 as her forever home, so the family were keen to continue enjoying it for future holidays and impromptu getaways.
The detached house in Colwyn Bay sits in a pretty spot and has sea views and idyllic woodland walks close by. Step inside and you’re now greeted by a bright, light-filled, modern living space, but it wasn’t always that way…
The detached house in Colwyn Bay sits in a pretty spot and has sea views and idyllic woodland walks close by. Step inside and you’re now greeted by a bright, light-filled, modern living space, but it wasn’t always that way…
The house hadn’t been decorated for more than 20 years. Clare knew it was a matter of paring everything back, introducing some character and making an impact with colour.
Removing the sliding door immediately helped to modernise the space and freed up enough room for a larger, retro-inspired fridge-freezer.
Painting the archway between the kitchen and dining room bright yellow is a defining statement and one Clare knew would work. “We needed a clean divide between rooms without encroaching on the space in any way, and this adds a playful touch, too,” she says.
Archway painted in Mister David, Little Greene.
Removing the sliding door immediately helped to modernise the space and freed up enough room for a larger, retro-inspired fridge-freezer.
Painting the archway between the kitchen and dining room bright yellow is a defining statement and one Clare knew would work. “We needed a clean divide between rooms without encroaching on the space in any way, and this adds a playful touch, too,” she says.
Archway painted in Mister David, Little Greene.
The original rear kitchen felt tired and dark, and some of the appliances were in need of renewal and streamlining, too.
Ready to revamp your space? Find reviewed interior designers in your area and see photos of their previous projects.
Ready to revamp your space? Find reviewed interior designers in your area and see photos of their previous projects.
The existing solid wood units were updated with a bold, two-tone colour scheme, the paler wall units opening up the space at head height. A new laminate worktop adds a crisp, contemporary touch and is very practical.
“We swapped the gas hob for a sleek induction model, as it’s not only cleaner to use, it can double as a handy work area when not on,” Clare says. “The chimney-style extractor was also changed for a neater, more contemporary version.”
Wall cabinets painted in French Grey; base cabinets painted in Hicks’ Blue, both Little Greene.
“We swapped the gas hob for a sleek induction model, as it’s not only cleaner to use, it can double as a handy work area when not on,” Clare says. “The chimney-style extractor was also changed for a neater, more contemporary version.”
Wall cabinets painted in French Grey; base cabinets painted in Hicks’ Blue, both Little Greene.
Keen to bring some element of pattern into the kitchen, Clare chose splashback tiles with a midcentury-inspired graphic pattern. “We felt they reflected the period in which the house was built,” Clare says. “That’s something I love to do on every project I work on, as it lends subtle character to the interior.”
A mint green mixer tap is another playful touch reminiscent of the 1950s, and its ice-cream hue is perfect for the seaside location.
One layout challenge Clare faced in the kitchen was how to fit in a dishwasher; after all, this was to be the family’s relaxing, holiday getaway. The clever solution was to relocate the washing machine to the understairs area in the hallway, then slide a dishwasher into the vacated spot. The pipework was already in place, but the question was how to conceal it.
“I asked a local carpenter to make a door to match the existing kitchen units, which we then attached with brackets. You can hardly see the difference,” Clare says.
Astrid Grey wall tiles, Mandarin Stone. Neo Mint Tinkisso tap, Dowsing & Reynolds.
A mint green mixer tap is another playful touch reminiscent of the 1950s, and its ice-cream hue is perfect for the seaside location.
One layout challenge Clare faced in the kitchen was how to fit in a dishwasher; after all, this was to be the family’s relaxing, holiday getaway. The clever solution was to relocate the washing machine to the understairs area in the hallway, then slide a dishwasher into the vacated spot. The pipework was already in place, but the question was how to conceal it.
“I asked a local carpenter to make a door to match the existing kitchen units, which we then attached with brackets. You can hardly see the difference,” Clare says.
Astrid Grey wall tiles, Mandarin Stone. Neo Mint Tinkisso tap, Dowsing & Reynolds.
The family wanted to include a place to perch for coffee or a quick bite to eat. A double-sided island unit from Ikea, painted to match the base units, proved ideal for the job.
“With open shelves for display on one side and space for a couple of barstools on the other, it’s perfect,” Clare says. The island also helps to zone off access to the back door.
Stools, Cult Furniture. Ukai Fisherman’s pendant light, Iconic Lights.
“With open shelves for display on one side and space for a couple of barstools on the other, it’s perfect,” Clare says. The island also helps to zone off access to the back door.
Stools, Cult Furniture. Ukai Fisherman’s pendant light, Iconic Lights.
Framed ice cream prints by Andy Warhol are another nod to the 1950s and add to the subtle seaside feel. A smart, striped Roman blind ensures privacy when needed without being fussy.
Prints, King & McGaw. Truro Stripe Linen Sandstone blinds, Blinds2Go. Rattan platters, La Redoute.
Prints, King & McGaw. Truro Stripe Linen Sandstone blinds, Blinds2Go. Rattan platters, La Redoute.
Clare chose to lay a hardwearing, 8mm thick laminate throughout the ground floor. The herringbone design helps to visually tie the space together and adds a sense of flow.
Signature 8mm Herringbone laminate flooring in Light Oak, Discount Flooring Depot.
Signature 8mm Herringbone laminate flooring in Light Oak, Discount Flooring Depot.
The dining area next to the kitchen is where the family congregate. Clare gave it a relaxed feel with a mix of dining chairs, a farmhouse-style table and an industrial pendant light with swagged flex.
“This was actually very practical, too,” Clare says. “As I was managing the project remotely, I could tell the electrician to install the light fitting with plenty of slack, so we could finalise the light position once the furniture was in place.”
Vintage dining chairs, Ercol.
“This was actually very practical, too,” Clare says. “As I was managing the project remotely, I could tell the electrician to install the light fitting with plenty of slack, so we could finalise the light position once the furniture was in place.”
Vintage dining chairs, Ercol.
The ‘nevermind’ poster has personal significance for the family. “One of my nana’s stock phrases was ‘Nevermind’,” Clare says, “so it always raises a smile whenever we see it.”
Print, iamfy. Alvina solid pine dining table, La Redoute.
Print, iamfy. Alvina solid pine dining table, La Redoute.
The living area has been refreshed with two-tone painted walls, giving it a bright, airy feel. “It was a great way to add character without compromising on space or budget,” Clare says.
A rich teal was chosen for the lower half of the walls, while a slightly grey-toned white was used above and on the ceiling. “As well as a nod to the coastal location, the two colours really help to visually raise the low ceiling, creating the feel of extra headroom and, generally, a larger room,” Clare says.
Lower walls painted in Maritime Teal; upper walls painted in Swedish White, both Dulux.
A rich teal was chosen for the lower half of the walls, while a slightly grey-toned white was used above and on the ceiling. “As well as a nod to the coastal location, the two colours really help to visually raise the low ceiling, creating the feel of extra headroom and, generally, a larger room,” Clare says.
Lower walls painted in Maritime Teal; upper walls painted in Swedish White, both Dulux.
Before the renovation, an unusual tapered chimney breast awkwardly divided the two living spaces.
Removing the chimney breast and fireplace has streamlined the space. As it was structural, a builder fitted a small reinforcing lintel, which was then plastered over.
Rattan platters displayed on the wall add natural texture and help to visually ‘soften’ the room. They also disguise a TV point, which was installed in case the family wish to add one at a later date.
Rattan platters displayed on the wall add natural texture and help to visually ‘soften’ the room. They also disguise a TV point, which was installed in case the family wish to add one at a later date.
One piece of furniture Clare is particularly pleased with is the scalloped sideboard. “It’s a really rich colour and the relief detailing on the door fronts adds texture and interest,” she says. “With it’s small knob handles and short, slender legs, it also has a midcentury modern feel, perfect for this house.”
Luxore buffet sideboard in Prussian Blue, La Redoute. Prints, King & McGaw.
Luxore buffet sideboard in Prussian Blue, La Redoute. Prints, King & McGaw.
Seating with clean, simple lines and tapered legs creates the illusion of space in the living area. The rattan coffee table appears sturdy without dominating the central area.
Hexagonal wall shelves and a floor lamp add touches of black to the room. “Black really helps to ground a space,” Clare says. “It gives the eye something to compare other colours to, and it particularly works alongside pastel shades.”
Bangor bamboo coffee table, La Redoute. Starkey brass floor lamp, Made. Hex wall shelves, Melody Maison. Pink armchair, Homebase.
Tell us…
What do you like about this bright coastal space? Share your thoughts in the Comments and save the photos you like.
Hexagonal wall shelves and a floor lamp add touches of black to the room. “Black really helps to ground a space,” Clare says. “It gives the eye something to compare other colours to, and it particularly works alongside pastel shades.”
Bangor bamboo coffee table, La Redoute. Starkey brass floor lamp, Made. Hex wall shelves, Melody Maison. Pink armchair, Homebase.
Tell us…
What do you like about this bright coastal space? Share your thoughts in the Comments and save the photos you like.
Who lives here? Lorraine and Liam Maloney
Location Colwyn Bay, North Wales
Property A 1950s detached house
Size Three bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Clare Bolger of No Space Like Home
The original layout consisted of a front living area to the right of a traditional hallway, which led onto a dining room, and then to a compact kitchen at the rear. This was accessed through a narrow opening covered by the sliding glass door seen here. The whole ground floor living space felt slightly disjointed.