Houzz Tour: A 1960s House is Restored for 21st-century Living
Retro colours and bespoke plywood fittings modernised this 1960s house, while keeping it faithful to its history
When Carol Pitcher-Towner and her husband Cris Towner were looking for a new home, they were thrilled to get their hands on a 1960s Span house. Named after the development company renowned British designer and architect Eric Lyons co-founded in 1948, Span houses are considered design classics, and are sought after for their modern design, space, light and well-planned interiors.
The Towners not only loved the property, but also the five acres of landscaped gardens it was situated in. There was only one thing the couple were disappointed by – the lack of original features. “Many of the original features had sadly gone,” explains Deborah Moor, interior designer at Slightly Quirky, who was approached by the couple to help with the renovation of the house.
“Carol and Cris hoped to restore some of the charm, but also add interest,” she says. “They were keen to have a home that was true to the original design, but also fun, relaxing and practical.”
The Towners not only loved the property, but also the five acres of landscaped gardens it was situated in. There was only one thing the couple were disappointed by – the lack of original features. “Many of the original features had sadly gone,” explains Deborah Moor, interior designer at Slightly Quirky, who was approached by the couple to help with the renovation of the house.
“Carol and Cris hoped to restore some of the charm, but also add interest,” she says. “They were keen to have a home that was true to the original design, but also fun, relaxing and practical.”
“For the colour palette, we looked back at the colours of the 1960s – earthy tones like olive, red and orange – for inspiration,” says Moor. “The wallpaper is seagrass, inspired by the hessian wallpapers of the era.”
Signature chairs and coffee table, all Carl Hansen & Son. AJ floor lamp, Louis Poulsen. Wallpaper, Thibaut.
Tour another 1960s house given a fresh new makeover
Signature chairs and coffee table, all Carl Hansen & Son. AJ floor lamp, Louis Poulsen. Wallpaper, Thibaut.
Tour another 1960s house given a fresh new makeover
The house had very little storage, so introducing it was a priority. In the living room, plywood, which was the project’s main material, was used to create a versatile storage unit. “Carol and Cris like plywood,” says Moor. “It’s also easy to work with and offers beautiful detail and texture.”
With a solid birch plywood frame, the bespoke unit has concealed supports for the shelves and built-in lighting to ensure a slick but practical piece. Neutral-coloured laminate doors complete the 1960s feel.
With a solid birch plywood frame, the bespoke unit has concealed supports for the shelves and built-in lighting to ensure a slick but practical piece. Neutral-coloured laminate doors complete the 1960s feel.
The door into the hallway was removed and replaced with a floor-to-ceiling sliding pocket door. “The pocket door helps to create an open-plan feel on the ground floor when it’s opened, but you have the option of being able to close it off during the evening for a cosier, private ambience,” says Moor.
Here, you can see the The sliding pocket door completely shut.
An arched wall into the dining area, which is just off the living room, was squared off and framed in plywood for a clean, modern silhouette and to echo the design details throughout the ground floor.
Discover how to tap into the trend for plywood
Discover how to tap into the trend for plywood
The effortlessly stylish dining area continues the same design tempo as the living room, with sisal wallpaper and classic Scandinavian furniture.
“I love how the ground floor flows,” says Moor. “There are individual spaces that are relatively open-plan but they all flow well together. The colour palette, natural materials and textures help connect each space.” The newly laid English elm floor also seamlessly links the living spaces.
Dining table and chairs, Carl Hansen & Son. Pendant light, Tom Dixon. Shang extra fine sisal wallpaper, Thibaut. English elm flooring, Sutton Timber.
“I love how the ground floor flows,” says Moor. “There are individual spaces that are relatively open-plan but they all flow well together. The colour palette, natural materials and textures help connect each space.” The newly laid English elm floor also seamlessly links the living spaces.
Dining table and chairs, Carl Hansen & Son. Pendant light, Tom Dixon. Shang extra fine sisal wallpaper, Thibaut. English elm flooring, Sutton Timber.
The shelving unit above the peninsula is a new addition. Originally there was a full-height wall here. Not only do Carol and Cris get more storage, but they also get a space that is more light and airy. The unit has LEDs that help to create different layers of lighting in the dining area and kitchen.
Door fronts with integrated grip handles are covered in the same laminate as the bespoke storage unit in the living room for continuity. “The kitchen is completely bespoke and handmade from birchwood ply,” says Moor. “Cris really wanted a red cooker, so we worked it into the design.”
Worktops, Caesarstone. Laminate door fronts in F026 Feutre and C035 Camouflage, Polyrey. Delphi range cooker, Britannia.
Worktops, Caesarstone. Laminate door fronts in F026 Feutre and C035 Camouflage, Polyrey. Delphi range cooker, Britannia.
A cluttered office space on the first floor has been transformed into a stylish and organised home-working hub. “We designed the built-in desk from plywood and spray-painted it in white. The doors are laminate,” says Moor. The office chair was re-upholstered in a textured, moss-coloured fabric.
Fabric 7620/50, Romo.
Fabric 7620/50, Romo.
Detail of plywood office drawer.
At the other end of the ‘office’ is a bespoke daybed designed by Slightly Quirky. It makes this room a very multifunctional space.
“It also means that Carol and Cris’s girls can have separate bedrooms as they get older,” says Moor. “So far, they still enjoy each other’s company, but that might change.”
A retro-print Roman blind, striped cushions and floral artwork create a relaxing space for work and sleep.
Fabrics, Robert Allen.
“It also means that Carol and Cris’s girls can have separate bedrooms as they get older,” says Moor. “So far, they still enjoy each other’s company, but that might change.”
A retro-print Roman blind, striped cushions and floral artwork create a relaxing space for work and sleep.
Fabrics, Robert Allen.
Fabric-effect porcelain tiles in the bathroom link in with the textured seagrass and sisal wallcoverings downstairs. A wall-hung vanity unit and WC maintain the neat, clean lines.
Tiles, Mandarin Stone.
Tiles, Mandarin Stone.
The children’s bedroom has been totally transformed with a spectacular mezzanine level and built-in cupboards.
“Carol and Cris had asked us if we thought a mezzanine would work, so we came up with this idea,” says Moor. “It creates a private, quiet space where their younger daughter can leave her toys out, knowing no-one will walk in and disturb them.”
Wallpaper, MissPrint. Headboard fabric, Robert Allen.
“Carol and Cris had asked us if we thought a mezzanine would work, so we came up with this idea,” says Moor. “It creates a private, quiet space where their younger daughter can leave her toys out, knowing no-one will walk in and disturb them.”
Wallpaper, MissPrint. Headboard fabric, Robert Allen.
A graphic floral-print wallpaper creates a striking feature in Carol and Cris’s room.
Summer Lily wallpaper, Cole & Son. Bedside pendant lights, Original BTC.
Summer Lily wallpaper, Cole & Son. Bedside pendant lights, Original BTC.
A slimline desk and chair were slotted in by the window. It’s the perfect place to get ready in the morning or do some work.
Plywood is a unifying theme throughout the property.
A refreshed staircase includes a bespoke handrail complete with LED lighting that was designed by Cris.
This is the rear of the revamped property. You get a glimpse of the five acres of landscaped gardens it is situated in.
What do you think of this 1960s estate house redesigned for modern living? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
What do you think of this 1960s estate house redesigned for modern living? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Carol Pitcher-Towner and her husband Cris Towner, owner of specialist bike company Bicycle Tribe, and their two daughters, aged 12 and 15
Location Taplow, Buckinghamshire/Berkshire border
Property A 1960s Span house
Size 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a cloakroom
Designers Deborah Moor and Caroline Nicholls of Slightly Quirky
Photos by Anna Stathaki
As their home is part of the architecturally-significant 1960s Cedar Chase estate, Carol and Cris wanted the renovation to be sympathetic to the period of the house, but they also wanted a home that was practical for modern-day living. They’ve certainly pulled this tricky balance off.
“Internally there were no building restrictions,” says Moor. Because of this, we made a few structural changes, including squaring off archways for a more modern look, and replacing full-height walls with half walls and adding sliding pocket doors to make the home more open-plan and to create an easy-on-the-eye flow. The light and airy living room is a masterclass in midcentury modern design, with its classic pieces of furniture and retro colours.
Curtain fabric, Robert Allen.