Houzz Tour: A Colourful, Considered Redesign for a Victorian Home
Reworking the ground floor made this home fit for family life, while warm colours and imaginative details have added fun
By the time the owners of this Victorian house in Kew, south-west London, called in interior design Josie Lywood of Q Design House, they’d been living in the property for about eight years. “It was a perfectly livable space, but quite dated,” she says. “They hadn’t done anything to it, as they knew they wanted to do a full refurb at some point.”
The house had already been extended at the back to create a kitchen, but this was quite narrow, and the two reception rooms had been knocked through, creating a dark and underused space in the centre of the house. The owners wanted these structural issues resolved, and an old cellar dug out to create a usable basement floor. They also needed more storage, particularly for coats and shoes – they have three children – and a downstairs loo.
“The brief was for a modern, cosy and homely scheme, harmonious with the original Victorian architecture,” Josie says. “They were not afraid of colour or pattern, so we had a lot of fun creating this design.” Read on to see the beautiful results of this year-long project.
The house had already been extended at the back to create a kitchen, but this was quite narrow, and the two reception rooms had been knocked through, creating a dark and underused space in the centre of the house. The owners wanted these structural issues resolved, and an old cellar dug out to create a usable basement floor. They also needed more storage, particularly for coats and shoes – they have three children – and a downstairs loo.
“The brief was for a modern, cosy and homely scheme, harmonious with the original Victorian architecture,” Josie says. “They were not afraid of colour or pattern, so we had a lot of fun creating this design.” Read on to see the beautiful results of this year-long project.
Glass and steel doors connect the living room to the entrance hall, which used to be quite dark, maximising the light to both areas and bringing the hallway up to date.
The doors sit beautifully alongside the existing original features. “The ground floor had a lot of beautiful detail and there were high skirting boards throughout the house,” Josie says.
A large mirror further boosts the light. “The hall had a really nice arch with a mirror in it, which you can now see from the reception through the glass doors,” she says.
Morris large lantern, Visual Comfort.
The doors sit beautifully alongside the existing original features. “The ground floor had a lot of beautiful detail and there were high skirting boards throughout the house,” Josie says.
A large mirror further boosts the light. “The hall had a really nice arch with a mirror in it, which you can now see from the reception through the glass doors,” she says.
Morris large lantern, Visual Comfort.
The new ground floor plan shows the front living room now sectioned off and the middle room divided into a boot room and cloakroom and a snug, accessed from the kitchen at the back.
Easily find and hire interior designers on Houzz.
Easily find and hire interior designers on Houzz.
As in so many Victorian townhouses, the space in the centre of the ground floor lacked natural light. “This was the main thing to figure out,” Josie says. “The middle part of the house was basically used as a corridor that led into the kitchen.”
She cleverly designed it to become a cosy snug accessed from the kitchen (more of which shortly) and a boot room with a cloakroom off it. “I always try to put practical spaces, such as the cloakroom, utility or boot room, into those darker sections of the plan,” she says.
In the boot room, she maximised the storage with bespoke joinery and designed in a slim bench seat, too.
She cleverly designed it to become a cosy snug accessed from the kitchen (more of which shortly) and a boot room with a cloakroom off it. “I always try to put practical spaces, such as the cloakroom, utility or boot room, into those darker sections of the plan,” she says.
In the boot room, she maximised the storage with bespoke joinery and designed in a slim bench seat, too.
In the cloakroom, Josie worked with the naturally dark feel of the space. “Rather than try to make it bright, I advised the owners to embrace the darkness, then we used artificial light to make it nice and cosy, with LEDs and wall lights,” she says.
She also used bright colour and patterned wallpaper. “It makes it really fun in there, so you don’t walk in and notice there isn’t a window,” she says.
Floor tiles rather than the parquet used elsewhere on the ground floor help this area feel distinct. “We wanted the floor to look fun, so we used a mix of patterned tiles,” Josie says.
Lost World wallpaper, Clarke & Clarke. Panelling panted in India Yellow; walls and woodwork painted in Hague Blue, both Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Mandarin Stone.
She also used bright colour and patterned wallpaper. “It makes it really fun in there, so you don’t walk in and notice there isn’t a window,” she says.
Floor tiles rather than the parquet used elsewhere on the ground floor help this area feel distinct. “We wanted the floor to look fun, so we used a mix of patterned tiles,” Josie says.
Lost World wallpaper, Clarke & Clarke. Panelling panted in India Yellow; walls and woodwork painted in Hague Blue, both Farrow & Ball. Floor tiles, Mandarin Stone.
Next door to the boot room and loo, Josie created a cosy snug in what had been the underused middle room. “The kids use the snug a lot and, with the glass doors onto the kitchen, it works really well,” she says. “You can still feel connected.” The doors also help boost the light in the snug.
The walls are clad in shiplap panelling painted in a rich dark green. “We avoided using ceiling downlights in here as we wanted it to be really cosy,” Josie says. “Instead, we installed a picture rail around the top of the panelling with LED lighting inside. This up-lights the ceiling and enhances the feeling of height in the space.”
She picked fabrics with fun patterns for the cushions and ottoman, as this is a room for the kids. All the soft furnishings in here, including the sofa, were made bespoke.
Walls painted in Studio Green, Farrow & Ball. Ottoman upholstered in Cayeres LZ 894 22, Elitis. Painting by Natasha Kumar.
The walls are clad in shiplap panelling painted in a rich dark green. “We avoided using ceiling downlights in here as we wanted it to be really cosy,” Josie says. “Instead, we installed a picture rail around the top of the panelling with LED lighting inside. This up-lights the ceiling and enhances the feeling of height in the space.”
She picked fabrics with fun patterns for the cushions and ottoman, as this is a room for the kids. All the soft furnishings in here, including the sofa, were made bespoke.
Walls painted in Studio Green, Farrow & Ball. Ottoman upholstered in Cayeres LZ 894 22, Elitis. Painting by Natasha Kumar.
A previously built rear extension already housed the kitchen, but the owners wanted to extend the space to the side, too. “Now it goes right up against the boundary wall, so it’s much wider,” Josie says. “It’s made a huge difference.”
New glass doors at the rear flood the space with light.
New glass doors at the rear flood the space with light.
The kitchen is a bespoke design with a wall of cabinets in a dark green that the owner specified. Arches feature in the living room and entrance hall, and are present here in the glass-fronted cabinets.
Cabinets painted in Ho Ho Green, Little Greene. Pendant lights, Visual Comfort.
Cabinets painted in Ho Ho Green, Little Greene. Pendant lights, Visual Comfort.
The island is in oak, as a warm contrast to the green cabinets. “It also ties in nicely with the dining table, which was an existing piece,” Josie says.
Gunnel bar stool, Bloomingville.
Gunnel bar stool, Bloomingville.
The splashback behind the cooker is ceramic. “We considered natural stone for here, which would look amazing, but in the end opted for something easily maintained and durable, as it’s right next to the hob,” Josie says. “Similarly, the worktop is in practical quartz in a simple off-white matt, which is easy to clean.”
Splashback in Marazzi Bianco Arni satin, Marazzi Surfaces. Becker handles; Lennon Grooved knobs, all Plank Hardware.
Splashback in Marazzi Bianco Arni satin, Marazzi Surfaces. Becker handles; Lennon Grooved knobs, all Plank Hardware.
“The owner was keen for the kitchen to be a really homely, family space with a lived-in look,” Josie says. “The dresser was a key part of that.”
It was made bespoke. “It looks like a freestanding piece, but it’s actually built-in,” Josie says. “It has electrics in it, so it can function as a breakfast station, with a toaster and coffee-maker housed there.” There’s ample storage in the drawers, while open shelves provide space for personal items, creating that homely feel.
Josie sourced most of the furniture for the house, but the dining table was a pre-existing piece. She then added chairs in colours she had specified.
Dresser painted in India Yellow; dining chairs painted in India Yellow, Eating Room Red, De Nimes and Off-Black, all Farrow & Ball.
It was made bespoke. “It looks like a freestanding piece, but it’s actually built-in,” Josie says. “It has electrics in it, so it can function as a breakfast station, with a toaster and coffee-maker housed there.” There’s ample storage in the drawers, while open shelves provide space for personal items, creating that homely feel.
Josie sourced most of the furniture for the house, but the dining table was a pre-existing piece. She then added chairs in colours she had specified.
Dresser painted in India Yellow; dining chairs painted in India Yellow, Eating Room Red, De Nimes and Off-Black, all Farrow & Ball.
In one corner of the kitchen Josie created a cosy seating area. A built-in window seat has a small radiator beneath it. “The room wasn’t quite big enough to have a sofa in it,” she says, “but this space means you can still chill here and have a coffee.”
Painting, David Wheeler.
Painting, David Wheeler.
Josie added half-height panelling to the entrance hall and up the stairs and painted it in a mid-blue. She used the same colour on the cornicing of the first floor to make those details stand out.
Panelling painted in Etruria, Little Greene. Lavine stair runner in Blue, Tim Page Carpets.
Panelling painted in Etruria, Little Greene. Lavine stair runner in Blue, Tim Page Carpets.
A previously empty corner of the landing is now a cosy reading nook. “The owner said it would be nice to have somewhere for the kids to store their books and read,” Josie says. “There was a bit of dead space here, and we’re all about maximising every millimetre with customised and bespoke pieces that use every corner.”
Keil swing-arm wall light, Visual Comfort. Marina Agave striped cushion fabric, Lelievre. Panelling and coving painted in Etruria, Little Greene.
Keil swing-arm wall light, Visual Comfort. Marina Agave striped cushion fabric, Lelievre. Panelling and coving painted in Etruria, Little Greene.
“We looked at lots of different options for the ground floor layout, and considered having a utility room there,” Josie says. “In the end, we put it upstairs, which gave us more room for the boot room.” It’s also very convenient to have a utility on the first floor when it comes to doing laundry.
Tiles in earthy tones inject some pattern into the space. “We kept the rest of the room bright and neutral,” she says.
Riad terracotta/white porcelain floor tiles, Mandarin Stone. Benny wall light with adjustable arm, Soho Home. True Lite ceramic basin, Dyke & Dean.
Tiles in earthy tones inject some pattern into the space. “We kept the rest of the room bright and neutral,” she says.
Riad terracotta/white porcelain floor tiles, Mandarin Stone. Benny wall light with adjustable arm, Soho Home. True Lite ceramic basin, Dyke & Dean.
“The family bathroom is quite compact for a house of this size, but we didn’t want to lose any bedrooms by converting one into a bathroom,” Josie says.
She gave it a sense of fun with bold tiles on the floor and walls and unusual sanitaryware. “[The taps] have a classical shape, but with orange crossheads,” she says. “It’s great for this room, which is used mostly by the kids.”
Rockwell collection taps and shower, The Water Monopoly. Tiles, Bert & May.
More: 17 Bathrooms With Tile Patterns to Inspire
She gave it a sense of fun with bold tiles on the floor and walls and unusual sanitaryware. “[The taps] have a classical shape, but with orange crossheads,” she says. “It’s great for this room, which is used mostly by the kids.”
Rockwell collection taps and shower, The Water Monopoly. Tiles, Bert & May.
More: 17 Bathrooms With Tile Patterns to Inspire
One of the children’s rooms features the same warm, earthy tones found throughout the house. The yellow here echoes the dresser in the kitchen.
Cornicing and skirting boards painted in Babouche; cupboard trim painted in Calke Green, both Farrow & Ball. Seersucker cotton duvet cover, Piglet In Bed.
Cornicing and skirting boards painted in Babouche; cupboard trim painted in Calke Green, both Farrow & Ball. Seersucker cotton duvet cover, Piglet In Bed.
Designing the master bedroom was challenging, as it’s on the top floor. “There’s restricted head height and a sloping ceiling,” Josie says. She divided the space into two, creating a walk-in wardrobe on one side and the bedroom on the other, decorated in soft pink and green tones.
Bedside table with wicker handles, Chelsea Textiles. Remi table lamp, Heathfield & Co. Bed linen, Piglet In Bed.
Bedside table with wicker handles, Chelsea Textiles. Remi table lamp, Heathfield & Co. Bed linen, Piglet In Bed.
The couple’s en suite was also a tricky space due to the eaves. “We used every spare millimetre while trying to make it look beautiful,” Josie says.
The mirrored cabinet was built around some studwork, but contains storage, too. Below, what looks like drawers and a cupboard is actually panelling hiding structural beams. “It meant we could make the room as big as possible, and push it right back to the studwork,” she says.
Haven Mosaics Belvedere floor tiles, Claybrook. Utopia Small Double Bath sconce in Aged Iron, Visual Comfort.
The mirrored cabinet was built around some studwork, but contains storage, too. Below, what looks like drawers and a cupboard is actually panelling hiding structural beams. “It meant we could make the room as big as possible, and push it right back to the studwork,” she says.
Haven Mosaics Belvedere floor tiles, Claybrook. Utopia Small Double Bath sconce in Aged Iron, Visual Comfort.
A niche in the shower is tiled in the same mosaics as the floor to tie in beautifully and create a focal point. It’s just one example of the attention to detail Josie and her team lavished on this house. No wonder its owners are delighted.
“The whole team at Q Design have been a joy to work with,” they said in their review on Houzz. “They are professional, creative and patient. They have been wonderful at listening to our ideas and coming up with their own imaginative and practical solutions for our home.”
Tell us…
What’s your favourite detail in this family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“The whole team at Q Design have been a joy to work with,” they said in their review on Houzz. “They are professional, creative and patient. They have been wonderful at listening to our ideas and coming up with their own imaginative and practical solutions for our home.”
Tell us…
What’s your favourite detail in this family home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple with three young children
Location Kew, south-west London
Property A detached Victorian house with four floors
Size Five bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Josie Lywood of Q Design House
Project year 2024
Photos by Ryan Wicks Photography
To create a distinct living space at the front of the house, Josie reinstated the wall that had been taken out between the two ground floor reception rooms. The fireplace was already there, but she added a wood-burning stove and a new surround.
“The owners wanted colour, especially greens and ochres – those natural and earthy tones,” she says. “They had some really nice art, too, which we worked around.”
Josie had the sofas made bespoke. They are deliberately deep and comfortable to provide that relaxed, cosy feel the owners wanted. “It was important for this space not to feel too formal,” she says. “That’s also why we built in shelves for personal items.”
She bought the coffee table and then had an ottoman made to fit neatly beneath it. “It’s a functional table top for drinks and also a footstool for relaxing in a beautiful, statement peacock fabric,” she says.
Walls painted in Lichen, Farrow & Ball. Furrow wallpaper (in alcove), Arte. Coffee table, Ferm Living. Ottoman covered in Peacock fabric, Lizzo. Vendome wall lights, Visual Comfort. Painting by Alison Rankin.