Houzz Tour: A New-build Townhouse Gains Warmth and Character
Carefully chosen colours and finishes were key to adding personality to this property in harmony with the existing décor
The challenge for interior designer Bhavin Taylor when it came to styling this modern townhouse was working out how to inject the personality of the owners into the space while retaining many of the main elements that were already in place, such as paint colours, flooring and curtains. But with some thoughtful planning, he managed to beautifully blend new design features with the existing decoration.
A sleek, marble-topped coffee table contrasts with the wooden midcentury armchairs, while a mix of fabrics adds texture. “I introduced more natural elements with houseplants,” Bhavin says.
The window treatments throughout the property were already in place. “The wave-topped design works well with the style of the space,” Bhavin says.
Coffee table, West Elm. Armchairs, Retrospective Interiors.
The window treatments throughout the property were already in place. “The wave-topped design works well with the style of the space,” Bhavin says.
Coffee table, West Elm. Armchairs, Retrospective Interiors.
The couple love music, so Bhavin wanted to give them a separate area for this in the room. “It’s nice to have a focus away from the television, too,” he says.
Sofa, Charlotte James Furniture (trade only). Rug, Floor Story. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Lombok.
Many interior designers are now working remotely. Find one to bring your project to life on Houzz.
Sofa, Charlotte James Furniture (trade only). Rug, Floor Story. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Lombok.
Many interior designers are now working remotely. Find one to bring your project to life on Houzz.
The slick, contemporary kitchen was already in place. Bhavin added a lighter contrast to the dark surfaces with pale wood dining furniture and wicker accessories.
Dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Wicker belly baskets, Sweetpea & Willow. Tableware, Habitat.
Dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Wicker belly baskets, Sweetpea & Willow. Tableware, Habitat.
The large hallway is a bright entrance to the home, but to make it feel even more welcoming, Bhavin created a seating nook below the stairs. “The green and gold tones make the expansive space feel cosy – and the armchair is perfect as a reading spot or somewhere to put on your shoes before you go out,” he says.
Armchair; side table; mirror, all West Elm. Floor lamp, Pooky.
Armchair; side table; mirror, all West Elm. Floor lamp, Pooky.
The couple’s bedroom is on the first floor and had already been painted a pale lavender shade. Bhavin added neutral colours and wooden midcentury furniture to soften the feel of the room.
“The muted colours don’t clash with the wall colour and create a restful space for sleeping,” he says.
The brass finish on the lamp bases and ottoman add a luxurious look to the room and contrast with the wooden bedside tables. The artwork above the bed is actually a light fitting from a previous property. “As we weren’t using it as a light, we removed all the cables and turned it into a piece of textured wall art instead,” Bhavin says.
Bedside tables; lamps; bed, all West Elm. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Lombok. Throw; bed linen, The White Company.
“The muted colours don’t clash with the wall colour and create a restful space for sleeping,” he says.
The brass finish on the lamp bases and ottoman add a luxurious look to the room and contrast with the wooden bedside tables. The artwork above the bed is actually a light fitting from a previous property. “As we weren’t using it as a light, we removed all the cables and turned it into a piece of textured wall art instead,” Bhavin says.
Bedside tables; lamps; bed, all West Elm. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Lombok. Throw; bed linen, The White Company.
Bhavin made the most of the existing curtains by adding items that complement their colour and design. The dark green cushions, for example, help to tie the palette together and create a harmonious scheme. The two-toned lampbase matches the panelled design of the curtain fabric, which also helps to balance the room.
Keen to progress your renovation? Find out how to work remotely with an architect.
Keen to progress your renovation? Find out how to work remotely with an architect.
The owners brought the vintage shoe cabinet from their previous property, and Bhavin used it as a starting point for the room’s design.
Between the cabinet and an adjacent armchair is a simple floor lamp. “The two pieces of furniture are quite bulky, so I wanted to add something less intrusive in the middle,” Bhavin says. “This simple tubular lamp is lovely.”
Armchair, Retrospective Interiors. Floor lamp, Heal’s.
Between the cabinet and an adjacent armchair is a simple floor lamp. “The two pieces of furniture are quite bulky, so I wanted to add something less intrusive in the middle,” Bhavin says. “This simple tubular lamp is lovely.”
Armchair, Retrospective Interiors. Floor lamp, Heal’s.
The chic, contemporary master bathroom was given a cosy feel with some wicker additions.
“It’s a large space with a walk-in shower at the other end, so we made the most of it by including a chair,” Bhavin says. “It’s a real luxury to be able to sit in the bathroom and gives it a spa feel.”
Chair, Sweetpea & Willow.
“It’s a large space with a walk-in shower at the other end, so we made the most of it by including a chair,” Bhavin says. “It’s a real luxury to be able to sit in the bathroom and gives it a spa feel.”
Chair, Sweetpea & Willow.
The top floor guest bedroom has a sloping wall and minimal light, so Bhavin kept the scheme soft and airy.
“I used a lot of texture and mixed different wood tones to add visual interest,” he says.
Table lamp, Habitat. Bench, Swoon Editions. Sheepskin, Room 356.
“I used a lot of texture and mixed different wood tones to add visual interest,” he says.
Table lamp, Habitat. Bench, Swoon Editions. Sheepskin, Room 356.
A table lamp sits on one bedside bench, while on the other side there’s a hanging wall light. “It works in the small space and I really like the simplicity of it,” Bhavin says. “The cork that’s wrapped around the bulb has tones of both the light and dark woods.”
The patterns above the bed were already there, but Bhavin tied them into the scheme with grey elements in the cushions. “It’s all about working with what you have and adding interesting details that become part of the room,” he says.
Wall light, Nove Lighting. Cushions, Andrew Martin and West Elm. Throw; bed linen, all The White Company.
Tell us…
What do you like about this subtly redesigned townhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
The patterns above the bed were already there, but Bhavin tied them into the scheme with grey elements in the cushions. “It’s all about working with what you have and adding interesting details that become part of the room,” he says.
Wall light, Nove Lighting. Cushions, Andrew Martin and West Elm. Throw; bed linen, all The White Company.
Tell us…
What do you like about this subtly redesigned townhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A professional couple
Location West London
Property A new-build townhouse
Size Three bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
Photos by Chris Snook
The soft grey walls and flooring in the living room of this modern townhouse provided an ideal neutral backdrop for adding character. “Pale grey is an easy colour to work with,” Bhavin says.
“I’d worked with one of the homeowners before and knew she loved midcentury design, while her partner prefers clean lines and stone and marble surfaces, so it was important to balance the two styles.
“I kept to neutral grey for the sofa, but added warmth with wood surfaces and cosy orange and yellow textiles,” he says. “Pattern and colour in the artwork and rug also help the room feel brighter and like somewhere to relax.”
Table lamp; throw, both West Elm.