Houzz Tour: A Victorian Cottage Goes From Cluttered to Cosy
A complete redesign of this once cramped, dark cottage has brought it to life as a light, warm and personal space
Jo Simmons
13 February 2017
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
The couple who own this cottage in west London were looking for a complete redesign of their space when they approached interior designer Natasha Powers. “They’d lived here for about six years and done some bits and pieces during that time, but were ready to overhaul it,” she says.
The interior’s magnolia scheme and pink carpet were dated and unlovely, and the rooms felt dark and were cluttered with mismatched pieces. Fresh colours, natural materials and some nifty upcycling mean this cottage is now light, bright and welcoming, with its owners’ treasured pieces beautifully displayed.
The interior’s magnolia scheme and pink carpet were dated and unlovely, and the rooms felt dark and were cluttered with mismatched pieces. Fresh colours, natural materials and some nifty upcycling mean this cottage is now light, bright and welcoming, with its owners’ treasured pieces beautifully displayed.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A professional couple
Location Ealing, west London
Property An end-of-terrace cottage in a conservation area built in 1880
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Interior designer Natasha Powers of Natasha Powers Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook
The owners of this cottage wanted to use ecofriendly and natural materials whenever possible, with a palette of soft greys and neutrals to replace the tired magnolia. “She’s Russian and he’s Scottish, so we honoured both those backgrounds in the design,” says Natasha Powers.
After putting together mood boards, the owners chose a warm, welcoming look, which Powers describes as modern country with a hint of Scandi freshness.
Who lives here A professional couple
Location Ealing, west London
Property An end-of-terrace cottage in a conservation area built in 1880
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Interior designer Natasha Powers of Natasha Powers Interiors
Photos by Chris Snook
The owners of this cottage wanted to use ecofriendly and natural materials whenever possible, with a palette of soft greys and neutrals to replace the tired magnolia. “She’s Russian and he’s Scottish, so we honoured both those backgrounds in the design,” says Natasha Powers.
After putting together mood boards, the owners chose a warm, welcoming look, which Powers describes as modern country with a hint of Scandi freshness.
In order to stay true to the environmentally responsible brief, Powers renovated much of the existing furniture. “The owners didn’t want to just throw away the furniture they had, so we used Annie Sloan paints to transform it,” she says. “We turned the dining table into an antique-looking piece with a varnished taupe finish.”
The storage either side of the fireplace was updated, too. “We brought lots of the furniture to life by repainting it,” says Powers. “It was great furniture, either pine or oak; nothing wrong with it. It just needed a fresher look.”
The storage either side of the fireplace was updated, too. “We brought lots of the furniture to life by repainting it,” says Powers. “It was great furniture, either pine or oak; nothing wrong with it. It just needed a fresher look.”
A bright, patterned cushion brings a splash of colour to the living space. “The owner wanted grey and neutral tones, because she was fed up with magnolia,” says Powers, “but we added splashes of colour here and there to be playful and it really made the house.”
Tetrad Harris Tweed Lewis petite sofa in Bracken/Tan, John Lewis. Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball.
Tetrad Harris Tweed Lewis petite sofa in Bracken/Tan, John Lewis. Walls painted in Shadow White, Farrow & Ball.
The owner was happy to invest in quality pieces and finishes, as well as upcycling. There’s a new wool carpet, linen curtains and a new sofa and armchair downstairs. “They work with the property, which is an old cottage, and make the space look warm,” says Powers. The tweed pattern on the armchair is a nod to the male owner’s Scottish roots.
Tetrad Harris Tweed Flynn armchair in Forest Check, John Lewis.
Tetrad Harris Tweed Flynn armchair in Forest Check, John Lewis.
A photographic family tree hangs on the wall above this sideboard. “The owners had lots of pieces we could dust off, like little photos, things with history, for which they previously hadn’t found a place,” says Powers. “These things were in cupboards or the loft. We took them all out and found beautiful ways to display them.”
9 simple daily habits to keep your home clutter-free
9 simple daily habits to keep your home clutter-free
The spiral staircase to the bedrooms was installed in 1950. A window above means light pours down it to the ground floor. Powers dotted houseplants through the home. “Greenery brings the space alive,” she says. “It’s actually a very bright cottage and plants add a nice freshness.”
There had been a curtain hanging at the entrance to the kitchen, but Powers took this down and fitted a decorative valance instead. “The curtain used to hide the kitchen,” she says, “but it looks so good, there’s no need now.”
The Russian icon over the dining table was cross-stitched by the owner.
Raglan fabric on valance, Tinsmiths.
The Russian icon over the dining table was cross-stitched by the owner.
Raglan fabric on valance, Tinsmiths.
The owners had fitted a new kitchen when they bought the cottage six years ago. “There was no need to replace it again,” says Powers. “I just added some colour and shelving.”
To add warmth to the white kitchen, Powers used Annie Sloan paint to decorate the niches.
The owners bought the textiles hanging in the glass-fronted cupboards in Cyprus. “It’s lovely old lacy cotton, which makes a nice touch,” says Powers.
Cupboards painted in Duck Egg Blue mixed with Louis Blue, Annie Sloan.
The owners bought the textiles hanging in the glass-fronted cupboards in Cyprus. “It’s lovely old lacy cotton, which makes a nice touch,” says Powers.
Cupboards painted in Duck Egg Blue mixed with Louis Blue, Annie Sloan.
Powers removed the curtains hanging at the kitchen window, replacing them with a simple valance with a single fold. “They don’t need a window treatment here for privacy and I didn’t want to block the light,” she says. “This looks like a Roman blind.” It’s made in the same fabric as the valance over the kitchen entrance, to link the spaces.
Raglan fabric, Tinsmiths.
Raglan fabric, Tinsmiths.
Powers added two shelves to the kitchen to break up the white scheme and provide space for the owners to display treasures.
The original bathroom, which was carpeted, was gutted and refitted. “The owners wanted a bath and a shower,” Powers says. “We had to plan the space carefully to get it all in.”
She chose a small tub and then painted its underside and feet. “It was an inexpensive acrylic bath, and we spent time painting and distressing it to create a cast-iron effect,” she says.
Premier Grosvenor 1500 small double-ended roll-top bath, Victorian Plumbing. Imperial Drift vanity unit, UK Bathroom Store.
She chose a small tub and then painted its underside and feet. “It was an inexpensive acrylic bath, and we spent time painting and distressing it to create a cast-iron effect,” she says.
Premier Grosvenor 1500 small double-ended roll-top bath, Victorian Plumbing. Imperial Drift vanity unit, UK Bathroom Store.
The master bedroom has a natural, minimal scheme, with a nod to the owner’s Scottish heritage in the artwork. “We didn’t get carried away with frills and girlie things in here,” says Powers. “It’s quite a modest room, to take into account the husband’s taste.”
The wardrobe is from an ecofriendly range of furniture and Powers painted it the same colour as the walls. “It looks really nice and blends in, so you don’t really notice how much storage there is.”
Wardrobe, Empatika. Walls and wardrobe painted in French Grey, Little Greene. Cobweave throw in Mustard Yellow, The British Blanket Company.
The wardrobe is from an ecofriendly range of furniture and Powers painted it the same colour as the walls. “It looks really nice and blends in, so you don’t really notice how much storage there is.”
Wardrobe, Empatika. Walls and wardrobe painted in French Grey, Little Greene. Cobweave throw in Mustard Yellow, The British Blanket Company.
The owner wanted a feature wall in the master bedroom. “It works well here,” says Powers. “It stretches the room and gives depth down that side. It’s a nice backdrop for the mirror and table.”
Padstow Stripe wallpaper, John Lewis.
Padstow Stripe wallpaper, John Lewis.
While the master bedroom is quite masculine, the guest bedroom is more playful. Powers sourced a new iron bed for the room. “You need to play with textures,” she says. “The previous bed was wooden, but it was good to break up all the timber and introduce a new material.”
She modified the cast concrete pendant light by spray-painting its interior copper.
Urban pendant light, PR Home. Walls painted in Joanna, Little Greene.
Check out 11 flexible features to maximise space in your bedroom
She modified the cast concrete pendant light by spray-painting its interior copper.
Urban pendant light, PR Home. Walls painted in Joanna, Little Greene.
Check out 11 flexible features to maximise space in your bedroom
The owner wanted a basin in the guest bedroom, so Powers sourced a pretty and decorative design. “By placing it on a chest of drawers, it creates an interesting little focal point,” she says. “The top drawer hides the pipes.”
Handmade Moroccan basin and tap, eBay.
Impressed by this cottage transformation? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Handmade Moroccan basin and tap, eBay.
Impressed by this cottage transformation? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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The fiddle leaf fig keeps "dotting" itself in various locations!
I like what you have done. It is simple, warm and neat.
I like that you restored the furniture that was there & that is always good for the environment, instead of buying new stuff that is not made as well.
Thanks for sharing:)
Enjoy your fresh warm home.