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Houzz Tour: A Once Dark Home Becomes a Light and Calm Oasis
Clever storage and a soothing Japandi aesthetic bring a tranquil, ordered feel to this newly renovated modern house
Tired and dark is not a good look for a home, but despite having been built only 20 years ago, this house in Twickenham was both. Having lived in it for a while, its owner embarked on a complete revamp. She worked with Metre Squared Architecture to reconsider every aspect, from layout to staircase, kitchen to bathrooms, extending at the back and also adding a new floor at the top. The project also included the installation of a new ground source heating system.
Next, the owner contacted interior design company Decorbuddi after seeing its projects on Houzz. Designer Lorraine Sakharet used the new architectural plans as a starting point to draw up layouts for the interior spaces. “The owner had a clear brief,” she says. “She was looking for a clean, bright and simple design to suit her and her teenage son, but also to help futureproof the house for use by any size of family.” This meant flexible, open zones, plenty of storage and a Japandi aesthetic that would deliver a soothing sense of tranquillity.
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
Next, the owner contacted interior design company Decorbuddi after seeing its projects on Houzz. Designer Lorraine Sakharet used the new architectural plans as a starting point to draw up layouts for the interior spaces. “The owner had a clear brief,” she says. “She was looking for a clean, bright and simple design to suit her and her teenage son, but also to help futureproof the house for use by any size of family.” This meant flexible, open zones, plenty of storage and a Japandi aesthetic that would deliver a soothing sense of tranquillity.
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
Before its transformation, the house felt dark. The kitchen was at the front and the living room was at the back with a conservatory off it.
The old conservatory was demolished and the rear of the house was extended to create the new open-plan kitchen, living and dining area.
Well-planned storage helps the new kitchen to feel uncluttered. In addition to plenty of cabinets, there are two separate utility rooms either side of the entrance to the kitchen.
“The original drawings just had one to the right as you come in,” Lorraine says. “This is largely taken up by the pump required for the new ground-source heating. There was an awkward corner to the left where the staircase came down into the hallway. We suggested a design that created an additional storage space here while allowing circulation of hall and stair space.” This is the space seen above the labelled utility here, on the other side of the doors.
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Well-planned storage helps the new kitchen to feel uncluttered. In addition to plenty of cabinets, there are two separate utility rooms either side of the entrance to the kitchen.
“The original drawings just had one to the right as you come in,” Lorraine says. “This is largely taken up by the pump required for the new ground-source heating. There was an awkward corner to the left where the staircase came down into the hallway. We suggested a design that created an additional storage space here while allowing circulation of hall and stair space.” This is the space seen above the labelled utility here, on the other side of the doors.
Easily find and hire reviewed interior designers on Houzz.
The new kitchen opens onto a dining area, and there’s also informal seating at the island.
Hector pendant lights, Original BTC. Angui high stools, AYTM at Made In Design.
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Hector pendant lights, Original BTC. Angui high stools, AYTM at Made In Design.
More: How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
The kitchen is made of plywood. “It was the perfect choice of material – contemporary, naturally beautiful and durable,” Lorraine says.
Kitchen and joinery in snug, living room and main bedroom, Union Bespoke.
Kitchen and joinery in snug, living room and main bedroom, Union Bespoke.
As well as the generous glazing at the rear, this room also has two rooflights, designed by the architects. “The owner loves the light the space offers now,” Lorraine says. “Introducing skylights in the kitchen and then the lighter natural colours and materials we brought in has created such a warm environment. It reflects nature and brings calm to the house.”
Worktop in Milky White Quartz, CJ Stone. Walls painted in Stone III; skirting boards painted in Stone II, both Paint & Paper Library.
Worktop in Milky White Quartz, CJ Stone. Walls painted in Stone III; skirting boards painted in Stone II, both Paint & Paper Library.
“We loved the idea of a window seat overlooking the garden and worked with the kitchen company, Union Bespoke, to create it,” Lorraine says. “It adds a lovely area to relax in. There’s plenty of storage and we even designed in a discreet cat flap for cat access underneath the unit.”
All the upholstery is bespoke and the shelves that line the wall are also ply to match the kitchen cabinetry.
District upholstery fabric in Havana, from the Underground Collection, Kirkby Design.
All the upholstery is bespoke and the shelves that line the wall are also ply to match the kitchen cabinetry.
District upholstery fabric in Havana, from the Underground Collection, Kirkby Design.
Lorraine carefully sourced the perfect table for this space. “I spent some time waiting for the right extendable table,” she says. “In fact, this was still a prototype, but we decided to wait for it to enter production, because we loved the simplicity of the design and colour options for the top.”
It’s teamed with yellow chairs. “They added that touch of colour,” Lorraine says. She then picked the ceiling light, drawn to its unusual silhouette. “I loved the irregularity of its shape and how it’s suspended on a wire,” she says.
Brenin dining table, Grain. Kole polypropylene dining chairs, The Masie. Marset Ambrosia ceiling light, Inspyer Lighting.
It’s teamed with yellow chairs. “They added that touch of colour,” Lorraine says. She then picked the ceiling light, drawn to its unusual silhouette. “I loved the irregularity of its shape and how it’s suspended on a wire,” she says.
Brenin dining table, Grain. Kole polypropylene dining chairs, The Masie. Marset Ambrosia ceiling light, Inspyer Lighting.
“The hallway design is definitely one of my favourite parts of the project,” Lorraine says. The architect suggested the concept of the slatted wood stair panelling. “We then worked on the detailed design to create a continuous line from the ground floor up to the top,” she says. “The material is beautiful solid oak.”
The stair runner was chosen for durability and longevity, as well as design aesthetic. “The handrail was then rather brilliantly made by the builder,” Lorraine says.
There are metal-framed glazed doors on either side of the hallway, allowing maximum natural light to flow through from the front to the back of the house, but still enabling the doors to be shut for soundproofing when necessary.
Stair runner, Woven & Woods.
The stair runner was chosen for durability and longevity, as well as design aesthetic. “The handrail was then rather brilliantly made by the builder,” Lorraine says.
There are metal-framed glazed doors on either side of the hallway, allowing maximum natural light to flow through from the front to the back of the house, but still enabling the doors to be shut for soundproofing when necessary.
Stair runner, Woven & Woods.
The oak slats are repeated on the other side of the hallway and are a nod to the Japandi aesthetic.
“The floor tiles in here are another favourite detail,” Lorraine says. “They underpin the look and feel for the entire design concept. They flow from the floor up the wall in the cloakroom.”
Earthtech Flakes Comfort PTV Matt tiles, Domus Tiles.
“The floor tiles in here are another favourite detail,” Lorraine says. “They underpin the look and feel for the entire design concept. They flow from the floor up the wall in the cloakroom.”
Earthtech Flakes Comfort PTV Matt tiles, Domus Tiles.
“To achieve the clutter-free, calm, mindful space the owner wanted required great storage,” Lorraine says. As with the window seat in the kitchen-living space, the built-in seating here has integrated storage.
The living room is where the kitchen used to be, at the front of the house. “It’s the most comfortable space for relaxing, where the owners can read, watch TV and chill in the evenings,” Lorraine says.
This room is all about winding down and the furniture reflects that, with two comfy sofas and a thick rug underfoot. “It has a really dense weave to create a luxurious look and feel,” Lorraine says.
Rug, Soho Home. Sofas, Andrew Martin and Swyft.
Rug, Soho Home. Sofas, Andrew Martin and Swyft.
The living room features the same ply and steel shelves and ply storage as in the kitchen-living space, giving the whole ground floor a cohesive feel.
This is the main bedroom, which has an en suite bathroom. Again, as elsewhere in the house, Lorraine used muted neutrals to create a calm, clean space.
Walls painted in Canvas II, Paint & Paper Library. Bedside tables, Grain.
Walls painted in Canvas II, Paint & Paper Library. Bedside tables, Grain.
The bespoke wardrobe was built floor to ceiling to fit in completely as part of the room. There’s a dressing table concealed inside with a mirror and a socket for a hair dryer.
The bathroom is clad in microcement and has oak elements to soften the look and feel.
Floor tiles, Kelly Hoppen for Fired Earth. Bath and shower screen, Cuckfield Bathrooms.
Floor tiles, Kelly Hoppen for Fired Earth. Bath and shower screen, Cuckfield Bathrooms.
“Creating this space, as with many lofts, was a challenge of maximising usage and storage in a room with sloping head heights,” Lorraine says.
She designed a built-in wardrobe and also pull-out storage that’s hidden around the edges of the room.
She designed a built-in wardrobe and also pull-out storage that’s hidden around the edges of the room.
“This bathroom might have been the smallest I’ve ever worked with,” Lorraine says. “I just managed to squeeze in a shower, loo and basin.”
She chose monochrome tiles with a dark grout. “They’re a great choice for a teen room,” she says.
Mono Hex Porcelain Blanc tiles, Ca’ Pietra.
She chose monochrome tiles with a dark grout. “They’re a great choice for a teen room,” she says.
Mono Hex Porcelain Blanc tiles, Ca’ Pietra.
A stylish finishing touch is the white tap and shower. “I was so excited to use them,” Lorraine says.
Tap and shower, ABI Interiors.
Tell us…
What do you like most about Lorraine’s redesign of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tap and shower, ABI Interiors.
Tell us…
What do you like most about Lorraine’s redesign of this house? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A mother and her teenage son
Location Twickenham, south-west London
Property A modern, end-of-terrace townhouse, built about 20 years ago
Size Four bedrooms and three bathrooms
Architect Metre Squared Architecture
Designer Lorraine Sakharet of Decorbuddi
Project year 2023 into 2024
Photos by KT1 Photography
The owner wanted a clutter-free, simple design that was calm and minimalist. “I used similar muted tones throughout the property to achieve that tranquil feel and I leant towards midcentury ochres and greens to lift the scheme,” Lorraine says. “I love the mix of ply and clean white worktops, teamed with the touches of green to create an open, contemporary space.”
The project took about a year from the start of the build. “The owner is absolutely delighted with the result,” Lorraine says. “She wanted a calm and contemporary space and that’s what she now has.”
Oska Jungle Matt tiles in Green, Mandarin Stone. Tavolozza Linen Curve tiles in Cream with a satin finish (on island), Claybrook Studio.