Houzz Tour: A Light-Filled, Calm and Elegant London Home
Vintage treasures and a neutral palette with a sprinkling of color give this family’s house a relaxed but grown-up feel
When Caroline Milns and her husband, Felix, stumbled across this Victorian villa in west London three years ago, it was far from their forever home. In fact, Caroline says, “it was a complete dump.” However, they instantly knew that with a little TLC, it could be something special. “We loved the high ceilings and scale of the rooms,” Caroline recalls. “There was lots of potential to turn it into a live-work space.”
If anyone could turn it around, it was this creative pair: Felix is an architect who started design-build company Zulufish; Caroline is a former fabric designer for John Lewis who founded Zulufish’s interior design arm. What were their goals for the renovation? “We were after timeless contemporary elegance, with an easy-to-live-with calm and serene palette,” Caroline says.
If anyone could turn it around, it was this creative pair: Felix is an architect who started design-build company Zulufish; Caroline is a former fabric designer for John Lewis who founded Zulufish’s interior design arm. What were their goals for the renovation? “We were after timeless contemporary elegance, with an easy-to-live-with calm and serene palette,” Caroline says.
You may think that’s a mirror behind the sofa, but in fact it’s an internal window. A custom storage wall divides the hallway and living room. It’s an unexpected device that works beautifully and gets rid of the “dark, skinny hall” problem so many homes have. (Scroll down to see the storage side in the hallway.)
“It opens up the rooms, lets light in and gives a feeling of space,” Caroline says.
For the living room, they aimed for a slick, modern look. Key were warm materials, “so the room’s still cozy and nurturing.”
There’s a definite sense of careful curation — the silky pillows and woven pouf add relaxed color and texture. But the artworks, vintage ceiling lights and lamps create a more formal window view.
Sofa: Matthew Hilton; pillows: Rubelli
“It opens up the rooms, lets light in and gives a feeling of space,” Caroline says.
For the living room, they aimed for a slick, modern look. Key were warm materials, “so the room’s still cozy and nurturing.”
There’s a definite sense of careful curation — the silky pillows and woven pouf add relaxed color and texture. But the artworks, vintage ceiling lights and lamps create a more formal window view.
Sofa: Matthew Hilton; pillows: Rubelli
A chaise longue in the front of the room is a great place for a glass of Moroccan mint tea in the afternoon. “It fit the bay window perfectly,” Caroline says.
Long, silvery curtains add a shimmery touch that complements the silky pillows and gold lamp. “Having sheers helps to soften the shutters,” she says.
Arc low-back lounge chair: Camerich; chair fabric: Holly Hunt
Long, silvery curtains add a shimmery touch that complements the silky pillows and gold lamp. “Having sheers helps to soften the shutters,” she says.
Arc low-back lounge chair: Camerich; chair fabric: Holly Hunt
The light-filled kitchen, living and dining space at the back of the house was previously four separate rooms. This family zone is where the kids can play and run straight into the backyard, while the grown-ups chill out on the generous corner sofa.
Rather than the usual single wall of windows leading out to the yard, the couple opted for two separate openings with black-framed bifold doors for a chic, modern look.
The fun ceiling display isn’t a suspended sculpture — it’s paper pompoms put up for 40th-birthday celebrations. “They never came down, along with the disco ball. The kids love them,” Caroline says.
Fabric on 1980s Roche Bobois sofa: Zinc Textile; Arco lamp by Castiglioni: Flos via John Lewis
Rather than the usual single wall of windows leading out to the yard, the couple opted for two separate openings with black-framed bifold doors for a chic, modern look.
The fun ceiling display isn’t a suspended sculpture — it’s paper pompoms put up for 40th-birthday celebrations. “They never came down, along with the disco ball. The kids love them,” Caroline says.
Fabric on 1980s Roche Bobois sofa: Zinc Textile; Arco lamp by Castiglioni: Flos via John Lewis
Modern and elegant was the order of the day in the kitchen. The sleek, simple kitchen cabinets were custom-designed by Zulufish. The color, a soft taupe, is restful and complements both the light floor tiles (which extend across the room) and dark walnut island.
The pretty metallic mosaic backsplash is a stylish touch, providing low-key glamour. “It gives a jewel-like finish to the walls, which creates interest and sheen,” Caroline says.
Mosaic tiles: Arcadia
The pretty metallic mosaic backsplash is a stylish touch, providing low-key glamour. “It gives a jewel-like finish to the walls, which creates interest and sheen,” Caroline says.
Mosaic tiles: Arcadia
The dining area, opposite the kitchen, is bathed in light, thanks to a generous skylight. “This project was all about maximizing the light into the property,” Caroline says. Spotlights and a modern chandelier make sure it’s uplifting in the evening too. “Lighting is so important and can affect your whole mood,” she says. “It’s important to get it right and plan scenarios for different times of day.”
Warm pieces, such as the walnut cabinet, are also a great way to break up a pale backdrop. “I actually designed it on a beach in Goa [in India]; then they shipped it six months later,” Caroline says.
Mixing up materials helps add further interest. The dining table has a concrete top, while the upholstered chairs are 1920s French numbers.
Chairs: The Old Cinema; chandelier: Ochre; custom artwork: The Drugstore Gallery
Warm pieces, such as the walnut cabinet, are also a great way to break up a pale backdrop. “I actually designed it on a beach in Goa [in India]; then they shipped it six months later,” Caroline says.
Mixing up materials helps add further interest. The dining table has a concrete top, while the upholstered chairs are 1920s French numbers.
Chairs: The Old Cinema; chandelier: Ochre; custom artwork: The Drugstore Gallery
What stands out about this house is how full of quirky, individual items it is, yet it doesn’t cross into cluttered. A case in point are these living room shelves lined with souvenirs and paraphernalia. “All of it is stuff Felix and I picked up on our travels, and has sentimental value,” Caroline says.
The walls are polished plaster. “It gives a textured warmth and seamless finish, with no wallpaper joins.”
Bird tray: Ibride via Liberty
The walls are polished plaster. “It gives a textured warmth and seamless finish, with no wallpaper joins.”
Bird tray: Ibride via Liberty
It’s fair to say that Caroline loves a vase or three. “I’m obsessed with vases. I now have to stop myself buying them!” she says.
The cabinet top in brown limestone is the ideal partner for the polished plaster.
The cabinet top in brown limestone is the ideal partner for the polished plaster.
Hallways can often be overlooked, but not here. Mismatched tiles by Patricia Urquiola — one of Caroline’s big design inspirations — instantly add life and color. And an American post office cabinet at the end, which was picked up at a market in Los Angeles, brings in vintage charm.
The internal window, seen earlier from the other side, filters light from the living area and opens up the space. “The hallway is so important. It’s the entrance to your house where everyone comes through, and it sets the scene,” Caroline says.
While the paneling may look original, it isn’t. Don’t underestimate the power of good woodwork, such as baseboards, Caroline says. It “is like the backbone of the house, linking the rooms and making them feel joined up. Designing it is also really fun, as there are so many styles, and it means storage can look unique rather than functional.”
Azulej floor tiles: Patricia Urquiola via Vicalvi
The internal window, seen earlier from the other side, filters light from the living area and opens up the space. “The hallway is so important. It’s the entrance to your house where everyone comes through, and it sets the scene,” Caroline says.
While the paneling may look original, it isn’t. Don’t underestimate the power of good woodwork, such as baseboards, Caroline says. It “is like the backbone of the house, linking the rooms and making them feel joined up. Designing it is also really fun, as there are so many styles, and it means storage can look unique rather than functional.”
Azulej floor tiles: Patricia Urquiola via Vicalvi
A bright fuchsia bedspread in the master bedroom offers a shot of rich color, proof that one or two standout pieces can transform a room.
The intricate porcelain light gives a restful glow at night. The flooring in here is brushed gray oak.
Wallpaper: Maya Romanoff
The intricate porcelain light gives a restful glow at night. The flooring in here is brushed gray oak.
Wallpaper: Maya Romanoff
There’s just enough color in this house to provide energy and interest. “I like a house to feel like a home, not a showroom,” Caroline says. “My textile design background makes me passionate about texture, color and items with provenance and heritage.”
Caroline designed these cabinets, which are built from spray-painted plywood.
Caroline’s passion for texture is evident all over the house, including this side of the bathroom. Mixing up the finishes lends interest to a neutral palette.
The striking portrait in the guest room was painted by the couple’s friend Toby Boothman. The textured walls in here are sea grass, while the wall sconces are antique crystal.
The couple converted the loft as part of the overall refurbishment. The “wood paneling” in the study area is actually trompe l’oeil wallpaper.
Scrapwood wallpaper: Piet Hein Eek via Rockett St George
Scrapwood wallpaper: Piet Hein Eek via Rockett St George
The girls’ bedrooms may be tucked up in the eaves, but they still have lots of light.
Flamingos wallpaper: Cole & Son
Flamingos wallpaper: Cole & Son
There’s more great wallpaper in Imogen’s room, which has a touch of Shabby Chic style, with a distressed chest of drawers and vintage toy carriage.
Gran Deco Hot Air Balloons wallpaper (similar): Homebase
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Gran Deco Hot Air Balloons wallpaper (similar): Homebase
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Who lives here: Caroline and Felix Milns of Zulufish, and their children, Maisie, 6, and Imogen, 4
Location: Chiswick district, London
Size: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
This is very much a family home with a focus on hard-wearing materials. However, it’s not just a place for little ones to run riot. “We wanted to retain a luxe feel for grown-up entertaining,” Caroline says of the home, which also houses the company office in the basement.
In the living room, the old-school rocking horse hints that kids live here, but the plush blue rug and coffee table piled with art books make it an adult space too.
The 1950s Evitavonni sofa has been re-covered in a retro fabric. Indeed, hunting for old furniture is a passion. “I spent a lot of time at flea markets searching for vintage pieces that would bring the house to life,” Caroline says. The coffee table is a limited edition. “Only 50 were made.”
Blue mohair rug: Flexform