Houzz Tour: A Historic Townhouse Gets a Modern Makeover
Iconic architecture meets high-end design in this five-storey refurbishment with a bold glass extension
With its picture-book Regency architecture and dreamy location in London’s Little Venice, the interior of this end-of-terrace house has a lot to live up to. And it exceeds expectations. The substantial family home is both stunning and practical, thanks to an all-encompassing interior redesign by Tavis Wright of Dos Architects. His top-to-toe transformation had its greatest impact on the lower ground floor where boxy rooms were knocked through and a modern glass extension was added. “The previous owners hadn’t really used this floor but now it’s the family’s main living space,” says Wright.
A large, colourful rug defines the living room in this open-plan lower ground floor, which also features the kitchen and dining area. Symmetrical twin sofas and matching alcove seats on either side of the fireplace lend a crisp, smart look with textiles adding a cosy touch and a sculptural pendant light creating a contemporary feel.
Mamounia Sky rug, The Rug Company. Ray sofas, B&B Italia.
Lumi mirror, Skandium. Heerenhuis Mesa console table, Clippings; also available from Different Like a Zoo. Beat fat pendant light, Tom Dixon.
Mamounia Sky rug, The Rug Company. Ray sofas, B&B Italia.
Lumi mirror, Skandium. Heerenhuis Mesa console table, Clippings; also available from Different Like a Zoo. Beat fat pendant light, Tom Dixon.
Although there are some original features, such as the marble fireplace, this floor of the house is far less ornate than the one above. It also has direct access to the garden, making it the perfect family area. “Upstairs, the house has a more formal feel – it has very high ceilings and all the original mouldings. It made sense to make this the main living space,” says Wright.
The bespoke kitchen is made from MDF clad in stainless steel and features a concrete worktop. “The homeowner liked the idea of the contrast between a harsh industrial look of stainless steel and concrete and the softer features of the Victorian architecture – it’s worked really well in other projects we’ve done,” says Wright.
The concrete had to be cast and polished in situ. “It’s a mighty piece and would have been too heavy to cart around. The process was quite a labour of love.”
Bespoke kitchen and concrete worktop, Alex Findlater.
Tractor stools, Bassam Fellows.
See another kitchen that uses concrete
The concrete had to be cast and polished in situ. “It’s a mighty piece and would have been too heavy to cart around. The process was quite a labour of love.”
Bespoke kitchen and concrete worktop, Alex Findlater.
Tractor stools, Bassam Fellows.
See another kitchen that uses concrete
The unashamedly modern extension is a striking addition to this classic example of Regency architecture. “It makes a virtue out of the contrast between what’s old and what’s new, rather than trying to get away from it,” explains Wright.
The original designs for a larger extension had to be modified several times. “The planning process was quite complicated because the house is in a conservation area – in fact, that was more of an issue than its Grade II listed status.”
The glass roof is sloped and self-cleaning and there’s a solar filter, making it both practical and low-maintenance.
“The client was clear that they wanted sliding doors and we were keen on the look of aluminium framing and wanted to try something a bit different,” says Wright. “We’ve deliberately made the frame quite bulky and substantial and, because it’s made of stainless steel, it’s quite striking.”
Glazing, Trombé.
The original designs for a larger extension had to be modified several times. “The planning process was quite complicated because the house is in a conservation area – in fact, that was more of an issue than its Grade II listed status.”
The glass roof is sloped and self-cleaning and there’s a solar filter, making it both practical and low-maintenance.
“The client was clear that they wanted sliding doors and we were keen on the look of aluminium framing and wanted to try something a bit different,” says Wright. “We’ve deliberately made the frame quite bulky and substantial and, because it’s made of stainless steel, it’s quite striking.”
Glazing, Trombé.
Warm, grainy wood contrasts with the sleek texture of the steel and glass extension in the dining area.
Floor, Element 7. Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner, The Conran Shop. Beat wide pendant lights, Tom Dixon. Bespoke dining table, Alex Findlater. Lowry sideboard, Pinch Design.
Floor, Element 7. Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner, The Conran Shop. Beat wide pendant lights, Tom Dixon. Bespoke dining table, Alex Findlater. Lowry sideboard, Pinch Design.
A study area specifically designed for the kids is hidden away off the side of the extension. Baskets tucked into custom-designed cubby-holes keep clutter at bay and there’s plenty of desk space to do homework.
Ray lounge chair by Hay, Twentytwentyone.
Bespoke desk and cubby-hole storage, Alex Findlater.
Ray lounge chair by Hay, Twentytwentyone.
Bespoke desk and cubby-hole storage, Alex Findlater.
The first-floor living room is a more formal area and has double doors that separate the front and back of the house. Original moulding and coving and the beautiful, classically styled windows give a real sense of the history of this house, and the spaces on either side of the ornate fireplace have been filled with bespoke shelving. “The original timber floor remained but we had it stained and painted throughout,” says Wright. The coffee table is a reupholstered vintage design.
There’s an old-fashioned drawing-room feel to the living room with its grand proportions. Twin armchairs upholstered in velvet have decadent appeal and an aged mirror reflects a warm light.
Mirror, Ochre.
Mirror, Ochre.
On the first floor, double doors separate the master bedroom from the dressing room. Ample storage is provided by drawers and two full-height built-in wardrobes. “All of the joinery in the bedrooms was redone,” says Wright.
Bird and Thistle wallpaper, Brunschwig & Fils.
Bird and Thistle wallpaper, Brunschwig & Fils.
Both children have rooms on the second floor. This one features mood-lifting bursts of yellow. “The interior designer chose all of the soft furnishings in the house, and a lot of the loose furniture, too,” says Wright.
Smarties rug, The Rug Company. La Voilère pendant light, The Conran Shop. Bespoke desk, Alex Findlater. Tip Ton chair by Vitra, John Lewis. Limited-edition framed print by R Castle, Castle and Things.
Smarties rug, The Rug Company. La Voilère pendant light, The Conran Shop. Bespoke desk, Alex Findlater. Tip Ton chair by Vitra, John Lewis. Limited-edition framed print by R Castle, Castle and Things.
The younger child has a simple bedroom with a high bed, which makes the most of the floor space.
High bed, Bobo Kids. Bespoke wallpaper, Digetex. The Rug Company can custom-make a similar rug.
See 11 of the best reading nooks for kids
High bed, Bobo Kids. Bespoke wallpaper, Digetex. The Rug Company can custom-make a similar rug.
See 11 of the best reading nooks for kids
A vintage mirror coordinates with traditional brassware in the bathroom. Ever-popular white metro tiles cover just the immediate shower area and are a smart contrast to the masculine blue of the painted walls.
Bathroom fittings, Lefroy Brooks.
Bathroom fittings, Lefroy Brooks.
An all-white scheme, including a generous built-in desk and plenty of bespoke storage, makes this small office a light and practical space. One of the owners works from home so it was important to create an inviting and functional room.
Ponti Blue rug, The Rug Company.
Contrast or blend in: what’s your favourite style of extension for a period home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Ponti Blue rug, The Rug Company.
Contrast or blend in: what’s your favourite style of extension for a period home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A family of 4
Location Little Venice, northwest London
Property A Grade II listed 5-storey, end-of-terrace house built in the late 1800s
Size 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (plus 2 WCs)
Project duration 2 years (including planning approval)
Architect Tavis Wright of Dos Architects
Interior designer Mary Valaika Design
Bespoke joinery Alex Findlater
Photos by Carlo Carossio and Massimo Vitali
“There was a lot of internal partitioning on the lower ground floor and there was a little kitchen and a pokey dining area that weren’t being used,” says Wright. “We opened up all the way through to the back to let in more light, added the extension and brought the house up to date.”