Dream Houzz: Blogger Carl Thompson Designs His Fantasy Home
Lifestyle and fashion blogger Carl Thompson shares the Houzz photos that make up his dream abode
In this series, we invite influencers, designers and homeowners to browse Houzz and put together their favourite images to create their dream home.
The exterior
As any homebuyer is aware, kerb appeal matters, as it can suggest a lot about the inside of your house. Blogger Carl Thompson knows the importance of a stylish welcome.
“Being a menswear, lifestyle and fashion blogger, aesthetics are key,” he says. “Starting with a London white house, I’d have a long, patterned-tile path leading to the front door. For me, though, this greenery might have to be trimmed back a little to show off the full stature of the house front.”
As any homebuyer is aware, kerb appeal matters, as it can suggest a lot about the inside of your house. Blogger Carl Thompson knows the importance of a stylish welcome.
“Being a menswear, lifestyle and fashion blogger, aesthetics are key,” he says. “Starting with a London white house, I’d have a long, patterned-tile path leading to the front door. For me, though, this greenery might have to be trimmed back a little to show off the full stature of the house front.”
The entrance
The hallway is also key in setting the tone of your home.
“Walking through the front door and seeing this epic, quirky, contemporary entrance will make me smile every time,” says Thompson. “As it’s my dream house, I’d have wooden flooring and underfloor heating everywhere! The geometric runner works extremely well with the clean, crisp, white walls.”
As Thompson says, solid wooden floors aren’t great with underfloor heating in reality, but find out what is in this expert guide
The hallway is also key in setting the tone of your home.
“Walking through the front door and seeing this epic, quirky, contemporary entrance will make me smile every time,” says Thompson. “As it’s my dream house, I’d have wooden flooring and underfloor heating everywhere! The geometric runner works extremely well with the clean, crisp, white walls.”
As Thompson says, solid wooden floors aren’t great with underfloor heating in reality, but find out what is in this expert guide
The living room
If you’ve read about Thompson’s own flat renovation on his blog, you’ll see he’s a fan of grey, and this room has beautifully layered pale tones. You might think that, in a dream home, the bigger the room, the better, but not in this blogger’s case.
“I love this minimalist and light design for a front room, although in my dream home, it would be smaller with less open space and a better family feel to it,” he says.
If you’ve read about Thompson’s own flat renovation on his blog, you’ll see he’s a fan of grey, and this room has beautifully layered pale tones. You might think that, in a dream home, the bigger the room, the better, but not in this blogger’s case.
“I love this minimalist and light design for a front room, although in my dream home, it would be smaller with less open space and a better family feel to it,” he says.
The kitchen
The kitchen is a key room in any home, and a large one with plenty of workspace, storage and seating is on most Houzzers’ wish lists. Open shelving is also a popular trend right now, and one into which Thompson has tapped.
“My kitchen has to be spacious, with plenty of storage and worktops,” he says. “I love the clean feel to this kitchen, with copper hues giving it character.”
Check out another Houzz favourite kitchen trend right now
The kitchen is a key room in any home, and a large one with plenty of workspace, storage and seating is on most Houzzers’ wish lists. Open shelving is also a popular trend right now, and one into which Thompson has tapped.
“My kitchen has to be spacious, with plenty of storage and worktops,” he says. “I love the clean feel to this kitchen, with copper hues giving it character.”
Check out another Houzz favourite kitchen trend right now
The dining room
“I love the natural tones of this dining room – greys with duck-egg blue touches work extremely well with reclaimed vintage wood furniture,” Thompson says.
“In here, I’d store plenty of cookery books, because I’m not a great cook without them. A cactus table centrepiece completes my dream dining room.”
“I love the natural tones of this dining room – greys with duck-egg blue touches work extremely well with reclaimed vintage wood furniture,” Thompson says.
“In here, I’d store plenty of cookery books, because I’m not a great cook without them. A cactus table centrepiece completes my dream dining room.”
The wine cellar
As this is a dream house, Thompson has spared no expense and installed a wine cellar. The statement pendant light made out of wine glasses is a witty touch.
“With dinner cooked,” he says, “it’s time to choose a bottle of wine to accompany the meal out of this very modern wine cellar.”
As this is a dream house, Thompson has spared no expense and installed a wine cellar. The statement pendant light made out of wine glasses is a witty touch.
“With dinner cooked,” he says, “it’s time to choose a bottle of wine to accompany the meal out of this very modern wine cellar.”
The snug
Thompson’s dream home would have a secondary room for lounging.
“This room would be small and cosy, with a large open fireplace for cold winter days,” he says. “It would mostly be used for relaxation, with no TV, just comfortable chairs.”
Thompson’s dream home would have a secondary room for lounging.
“This room would be small and cosy, with a large open fireplace for cold winter days,” he says. “It would mostly be used for relaxation, with no TV, just comfortable chairs.”
The master bedroom
Bedrooms should ooze tranquillity and Thompson’s fantasy pad has the ultimate relaxation zone, decorated in natural, calming tones.
“The timber feature wall and dark wood floor work perfectly with the clean white walls and neutral interiors,” he says. “Uncluttered and comfortable – I could stay here all day… Well, that’s if my fantasy swimming pool [see below] was out of action!”
Bedrooms should ooze tranquillity and Thompson’s fantasy pad has the ultimate relaxation zone, decorated in natural, calming tones.
“The timber feature wall and dark wood floor work perfectly with the clean white walls and neutral interiors,” he says. “Uncluttered and comfortable – I could stay here all day… Well, that’s if my fantasy swimming pool [see below] was out of action!”
The dressing room
Surely something on many Houzzers’ fantasy home wish lists – the walk-in wardrobe. As a fashion blogger and founder of his own menswear label, this is a must-have for Thompson.
“To keep the main bedroom clean, I’d like a walk-in wardrobe area,” he says.
Surely something on many Houzzers’ fantasy home wish lists – the walk-in wardrobe. As a fashion blogger and founder of his own menswear label, this is a must-have for Thompson.
“To keep the main bedroom clean, I’d like a walk-in wardrobe area,” he says.
The bathroom
Marble is a timeless material – it’s also a classic indicator of luxury and style, both reasons it features in Thompson’s dream bathroom.
“My main bathroom would have white, glossy tiles and a modern, freestanding marble bath. Just out of shot would be a shower and wet room, again in this marble style.”
Check out 10 ways to get a traditional bathroom
Marble is a timeless material – it’s also a classic indicator of luxury and style, both reasons it features in Thompson’s dream bathroom.
“My main bathroom would have white, glossy tiles and a modern, freestanding marble bath. Just out of shot would be a shower and wet room, again in this marble style.”
Check out 10 ways to get a traditional bathroom
The nursery
Nurseries don’t have to skimp on style. You can go big and bold, or you can decorate to suit the rest of your interior. By the look of this spacious but cosy room, Thompson has opted for a style that blends in with his fantasy home.
“I currently don’t have kids, although I’d love to in my future,” he says. “Plus it’s so much fun buying miniature clothing and furniture! This unisex nursery is so cute and practical.”
See more photos of stylish nurseries on Houzz
Nurseries don’t have to skimp on style. You can go big and bold, or you can decorate to suit the rest of your interior. By the look of this spacious but cosy room, Thompson has opted for a style that blends in with his fantasy home.
“I currently don’t have kids, although I’d love to in my future,” he says. “Plus it’s so much fun buying miniature clothing and furniture! This unisex nursery is so cute and practical.”
See more photos of stylish nurseries on Houzz
“This is the kids’ play area. To get into it, they’d have to go through a secret door in the bookcase, to fuel their imaginations,” he says.
The guest bedroom
Spare rooms shouldn’t be extra storage space, piled high with boxes and unused items, with a bed pushed into the corner. A properly styled guest room not only makes you a fabulous host, it’ll keep your friends and family coming back for more. Thompson’s choice shows just how simple and stylish it can be.
“Wow, this loft extension bedroom is too nice to actually be used!”
Spare rooms shouldn’t be extra storage space, piled high with boxes and unused items, with a bed pushed into the corner. A properly styled guest room not only makes you a fabulous host, it’ll keep your friends and family coming back for more. Thompson’s choice shows just how simple and stylish it can be.
“Wow, this loft extension bedroom is too nice to actually be used!”
“The guest room will have a self-contained bathroom and living area with an exposed brick feature wall,” he says.
The home office
This is room on many bloggers’ wish lists: a home office, particularly one that doesn’t intrude on the rest of the property.
“I often dream about what I’d do if I won the lottery, and I always imagine my house to be a mixture of modern and a country barn conversion, with incredible beams everywhere,” Thompson says.
“As well as being a blogger, I run menswear brand Hawkins & Shepherd, and I’d love to have an office in the house for working, as well as storage space for my products.
“This part of the barn would be dedicated to work, and separate from the rest of the house, with its own entrance leading to the incredible staircase up to the office area.”
Blessed with a double-height room? Take a look at these 11 ways to make the most of it
This is room on many bloggers’ wish lists: a home office, particularly one that doesn’t intrude on the rest of the property.
“I often dream about what I’d do if I won the lottery, and I always imagine my house to be a mixture of modern and a country barn conversion, with incredible beams everywhere,” Thompson says.
“As well as being a blogger, I run menswear brand Hawkins & Shepherd, and I’d love to have an office in the house for working, as well as storage space for my products.
“This part of the barn would be dedicated to work, and separate from the rest of the house, with its own entrance leading to the incredible staircase up to the office area.”
Blessed with a double-height room? Take a look at these 11 ways to make the most of it
“Loads of natural light, wooden beams and office space for a few employees – who wouldn’t want to work here?!” Thompson says.
The garden room
Garden rooms are becoming increasingly popular, and not just for use in the summer months. Thompson has definitely made his dream garden room into a space to keep him inspired all year round.
“Walk outside from the office wing and you’ll be in the part of the garden that’s more like a natural forest,” he says. “Walking down a mystical garden path, you’ll reach this summerhouse, which has been converted into a fully functioning photography studio, with a large open fireplace.”
Garden rooms are becoming increasingly popular, and not just for use in the summer months. Thompson has definitely made his dream garden room into a space to keep him inspired all year round.
“Walk outside from the office wing and you’ll be in the part of the garden that’s more like a natural forest,” he says. “Walking down a mystical garden path, you’ll reach this summerhouse, which has been converted into a fully functioning photography studio, with a large open fireplace.”
The gym
Building your dream home means there’s room to accommodate all your needs and desires, whether it be a painting studio, a library or even a putting green. In Thompson’s fantasy pad, he’s indulged in a luxury gym and spa.
“With the working day finished, it’s time to keep fit and relax in this indoor gym and spa,” he says. “Out of shot would be a bigger gym area, not just two little weights!”
Building your dream home means there’s room to accommodate all your needs and desires, whether it be a painting studio, a library or even a putting green. In Thompson’s fantasy pad, he’s indulged in a luxury gym and spa.
“With the working day finished, it’s time to keep fit and relax in this indoor gym and spa,” he says. “Out of shot would be a bigger gym area, not just two little weights!”
The sauna
“Once I’ve finished in the gym,” he adds, “I’ll take the stairs up to this snug room and hop in the sauna. I deserve it!”
“Once I’ve finished in the gym,” he adds, “I’ll take the stairs up to this snug room and hop in the sauna. I deserve it!”
The swimming pool
“Or I could head down to the indoor heated pool to do a few lengths.”
“Or I could head down to the indoor heated pool to do a few lengths.”
The garden
Increasingly, gardens are treated as an additional room, and a space to use even when the weather turns cooler. In his fantasy garden, Thompson has worked both ideas to a T.
“I’d finally head over to this part of the garden, which is impeccably landscaped for parties and eating alfresco,” he says.
Increasingly, gardens are treated as an additional room, and a space to use even when the weather turns cooler. In his fantasy garden, Thompson has worked both ideas to a T.
“I’d finally head over to this part of the garden, which is impeccably landscaped for parties and eating alfresco,” he says.
The pet lounge
“And,” he adds, “how could I forget an area of relaxation for my Frenchie, Charlie.”
All together now, awww.
Check out Carl Thompson’s blog
What does your fantasy home look like? Share a link to your own Ideabook – or let us know what you think of this one – in the Comments below.
“And,” he adds, “how could I forget an area of relaxation for my Frenchie, Charlie.”
All together now, awww.
Check out Carl Thompson’s blog
What does your fantasy home look like? Share a link to your own Ideabook – or let us know what you think of this one – in the Comments below.
Check out the luxury fantasy house he’s created for himself, then tell us what you think – or share a link to your own Dream House Ideabook – in the Comments below.