Houzz Tour: A Small Cottage in Chelsea Gets a Clever Redesign
Natural light, an ingenious layout and plenty of space-saving tricks are the secrets to this compact home’s laid-back charm
As three-bedroom/three-bathroom houses go, this light, bright, 19th century cottage is on the small side. In a 1,000 sq ft property you might not expect to have the space for a separate dining area or find one of the en-suite bathrooms roomy enough to accommodate twin basins as well as a tub. But this house is all about expecting the unexpected. A modern hole-in-the-wall fireplace is the focal point of a classically furnished living room, an apparently full bookcase hides the TV, and even the teenage daughter’s bedroom has an air of sophistication.
As designer Philippa Thorp explains, the cottage, which hadn’t been touched for 20 years, was taken on as an architectural and interior design project for clients who have two children. The owners use the cottage during the week as a haven in which to unwind after work, before heading out to the countryside at the weekend. So the emphasis was on creating an easy, relaxing home rather than a space for entertaining.
Thorp Design gutted the dark space, relocating the staircase and replacing the back wall with a glass panel. Skylights were installed above the new kitchen area, while upstairs the space was reconfigured to (somehow) fit three double bedrooms with en suites. ‘It was really challenging,’ Philippa says, ‘like a tiny Rubik’s cube.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of four during the week
Location Chelsea, London
Era built 19th century
Designer Thorp Design
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
As designer Philippa Thorp explains, the cottage, which hadn’t been touched for 20 years, was taken on as an architectural and interior design project for clients who have two children. The owners use the cottage during the week as a haven in which to unwind after work, before heading out to the countryside at the weekend. So the emphasis was on creating an easy, relaxing home rather than a space for entertaining.
Thorp Design gutted the dark space, relocating the staircase and replacing the back wall with a glass panel. Skylights were installed above the new kitchen area, while upstairs the space was reconfigured to (somehow) fit three double bedrooms with en suites. ‘It was really challenging,’ Philippa says, ‘like a tiny Rubik’s cube.’
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of four during the week
Location Chelsea, London
Era built 19th century
Designer Thorp Design
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
An ingenious rise-and-fall mechanism conceals the TV behind a false wall of books in the living room. ‘I had a dreadful time in a second-hand bookshop selecting books that were the right height and width and knowing that I was planning to chop them all up,’ admits Philippa. ‘But when I confessed to the shop owner, he didn’t seem to think it was as sacrilegious as I did!’
The floor was lowered by 18cm to improve the proportions on the ground floor. ‘Now you step down into the room, which helps give it a sense of being much bigger,’ says Philippa. A wing-back chair upholstered in pale fabric fits perfectly into the corner , while the glass-topped table helps maintain a sense of space.
The walls are covered in fabric rather than wallpaper. ‘The fabric helps to absorb any noise. It all adds to the sense of it being a cosy little house. You feel wrapped in it.’
The walls are covered in fabric rather than wallpaper. ‘The fabric helps to absorb any noise. It all adds to the sense of it being a cosy little house. You feel wrapped in it.’
Pale colours have been used throughout the house. ‘Because it’s a small space, a light, bright palette made a lot of sense,’ says Philippa. ‘The mid-oak floor is darker, which grounds the whole space.’ Thorp Design selected all the furniture, lighting and artwork for the house.
The relocated staircase, perfectly in keeping with the original architecture of the 19th century cottage, is now tucked away at the edge of the room. An eclectic collection of lamps provides ambient lighting.
Covered chairs create a formal mood in the compact dining area. An on-trend brass pendant light defines the zone, while a perfectly proportioned chest fits snugly between the alcove shelves.
A large opening between the kitchen and dining room increases the sense of space and natural light. ‘I’m fixated on daylight. I think it’s the secret to happy spaces and it makes everything seem bigger and airier. It’s uplifting,’ says Philippa. Patterned curtains add colour and texture.
The pure-white kitchen is illuminated by skylights, installed by Philippa and her team. Handle-free cupboards keep the look sleek and uncluttered. ‘In order to fit everything in, we had to arrange it in a U shape,’ says Philippa. ‘The breakfast bar is really there to create space underneath.’
Crisp angles and clean lines make the living room feel remarkably spacious. Cream and off-white shades unite the scheme and ensure no piece of furniture is fighting for attention.
The daughter’s airy bedroom, with its matching lamps and bedside tables, wouldn’t look out of place in a boutique hotel. ‘The idea is that it will stand the test of time rather than being a room that would only suit a 13-year-old,’ Philippa explains.
Pale blue paisley wallpaper is feminine without being overly girlie. Ceramic lamp bases and a vase of roses adds a subtle vintage vibe that fits Philippa’s vision of creating ‘a small jewel’.
No space has been wasted in the master bathroom, in which Philippa managed to incorporate double basins. A wall of mirrored cupboards keeps clutter at bay and bounces light around, plus there’s more storage in the vanity unit. The whole scheme is white, creating a quietly luxurious bathing zone.
Classic botanical prints and abstract artwork are tied together by their shared colour palette. A traditional armchair and open fire seem well placed in this period cottage.
A shallow chest of drawers provides useful storage without dominating this bedroom. An antique mirror adds a sense of light, space and history.
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TELL US…
What do you like about this cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Top tips on where to position your TV
Stylish ways to introduce on-trend brass and copper accents
Storage is incorporated into all sorts of places, including the bench seat at the window, the leather-clad coffee table (which has drawers) and alcove shelving that hides a secret…