Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Victorian Townhouse Gets a Light-boosting Extension
The redesign of this large townhouse creates a perfect combination of bright spaces and quiet retreats
When designer Clare Weeks of My-Studio was called in to renovate this large London townhouse, her brief was simple. “The clients wanted the entertaining spaces to be light and bright, and other areas like bedrooms to be darker and quieter,” she explains. Weeks worked alongside building contractor Ben Palmer Page and architect firm CG Architecture to create a home that pulls in extra natural light where needed, and also incorporates some clever storage. A soft palette of light and dark tones combines with well-placed lighting to ensure the space is both airy and cosy.
The custom-built kitchen is fitted with elm-veneer doors, which warm up the space and complement the cool Scandinavian blue and green colour scheme.
The larder at the rear provides useful storage, while a long island features integrated waste bins and built-in chopping boards. “The owners like to cook and entertain, so we made sure they can face the dining table while preparing food,” says Weeks.
On top of the island sits a composite worktop, and below is a concrete floor with a warm honed finish and underfloor heating.
Worktop, Caeserstone.
The larder at the rear provides useful storage, while a long island features integrated waste bins and built-in chopping boards. “The owners like to cook and entertain, so we made sure they can face the dining table while preparing food,” says Weeks.
On top of the island sits a composite worktop, and below is a concrete floor with a warm honed finish and underfloor heating.
Worktop, Caeserstone.
A large oak dining table with separate extendable panels sits in front of a stunning Nordic-forest-wallpapered wall.
The dining chairs are all the same style, but to add interest the client suggested incorporating different finishes. “Some are made of plywood, while the coloured ones are polyurethane,” says Weeks. “The colours tie in with the rest of the scheme.”
The couple’s vintage trolley works well as a portable bar area.
Lowlight dining table, and Hal dining chairs, TwentyTwentyOne. Weaving Wood wallpaper, Scandinavian Surface.
The dining chairs are all the same style, but to add interest the client suggested incorporating different finishes. “Some are made of plywood, while the coloured ones are polyurethane,” says Weeks. “The colours tie in with the rest of the scheme.”
The couple’s vintage trolley works well as a portable bar area.
Lowlight dining table, and Hal dining chairs, TwentyTwentyOne. Weaving Wood wallpaper, Scandinavian Surface.
Narrow wall units for storing glasses and cups help to break up the elevation and provide space for concealed lighting.
To keep the island neat and tidy, Weeks chose a deep, undermounted sink where dishes can be placed out of the way. On the left is a row of spacious drawers, which are perfect for pots and pans.
Porcelain tiles, Mandarin Stone.
Want a tidy kitchen? Here’s how to design the perfect storage
To keep the island neat and tidy, Weeks chose a deep, undermounted sink where dishes can be placed out of the way. On the left is a row of spacious drawers, which are perfect for pots and pans.
Porcelain tiles, Mandarin Stone.
Want a tidy kitchen? Here’s how to design the perfect storage
Weeks says of her clients, “They are very design savvy, so I really enjoyed working with them.” The kitchen in particular was a real team effort between the owners, Weeks and her joinery team.
The dark units cleverly conceal appliances such as a tower oven and microwave. The pocket doors push back to give access, but can be closed later for a neat, streamlined look.
Porcelain tiles were used to replicate a marble splashback. “They come as bookmatched,” says Weeks. “So you can create the pattern you would get with natural marble.”
The dark units cleverly conceal appliances such as a tower oven and microwave. The pocket doors push back to give access, but can be closed later for a neat, streamlined look.
Porcelain tiles were used to replicate a marble splashback. “They come as bookmatched,” says Weeks. “So you can create the pattern you would get with natural marble.”
Narrow shadow gaps instead of handles keep the kitchen doors looking streamlined and contemporary.
The back wall is fitted with plenty of glazing to bring in as much light as possible from outside.
A couple of comfortable ottomans form a relaxed seating area facing the garden.
Ottomans, Ligne Roset
A couple of comfortable ottomans form a relaxed seating area facing the garden.
Ottomans, Ligne Roset
The open-plan living area pays homage to the midcentury style of California, which is where the clients come from. A piece of photo-realist artwork sits above a low plinth, while a laidback corner sofa fits perfectly in the space.
The pendants are all from the same range. “We grouped a selection of lights together and hung them at different heights,” says Weeks.
Bubble pendant lights by George Nelson, available at Heal’s. Sofa, Roche Bobois.
The pendants are all from the same range. “We grouped a selection of lights together and hung them at different heights,” says Weeks.
Bubble pendant lights by George Nelson, available at Heal’s. Sofa, Roche Bobois.
The coffee table’s glass top allows the rug’s pattern to show through from underneath.
Artwork, Andrew McIntosh.
Artwork, Andrew McIntosh.
The owners had seen this style of chair in an Italian hotel. Weeks had it recovered in Danish fabric.
The gas fireplace is clean and efficient and is fitted with a concrete plinth in front of it. “You can sit on here to enjoy the warmth,” says Weeks. “Or choose one of the other portable seats dotted around.”
Utrecht armchair, Cassina.
The gas fireplace is clean and efficient and is fitted with a concrete plinth in front of it. “You can sit on here to enjoy the warmth,” says Weeks. “Or choose one of the other portable seats dotted around.”
Utrecht armchair, Cassina.
The joinery team built this shelving unit, which was based on a creation by French designer Charlotte Perriand. The white panels slide across to change the look.
In the hallway, the team painted the original balustrade a dark grey to give a graphic effect. An oak chevron floor runs throughout the hallway and living room, and continues on the treads of the staircase.
To make the hallway bright and welcoming, Weeks positioned a large mirror on top of a light coloured stone-topped console. The ceiling pendants are glass to push light around the room and there are even spotlights running along the treads of the staircase.
The clients were keen to have a feature wall in this room. The polished plaster (seen on the near left) was the perfect solution as it adds a soft, yet industrial look and provides an interesting textured surface that reflects in the mirror opposite.
A cloak closet with brass handles contains front-facing hangers to prevent the cupboard eating into the living room behind. Next to this is a cloakroom.
1950s antique mirror, Fiona McDonald. Console table, Pinch Design. Peggy wall lamp, Gong. Polished plaster, Tadelakt.
To make the hallway bright and welcoming, Weeks positioned a large mirror on top of a light coloured stone-topped console. The ceiling pendants are glass to push light around the room and there are even spotlights running along the treads of the staircase.
The clients were keen to have a feature wall in this room. The polished plaster (seen on the near left) was the perfect solution as it adds a soft, yet industrial look and provides an interesting textured surface that reflects in the mirror opposite.
A cloak closet with brass handles contains front-facing hangers to prevent the cupboard eating into the living room behind. Next to this is a cloakroom.
1950s antique mirror, Fiona McDonald. Console table, Pinch Design. Peggy wall lamp, Gong. Polished plaster, Tadelakt.
At the top of the stairs, the building team meticulously laid individual MDF chevrons on the bespoke sliding door.
Discover more beautiful ways to use a chevron tile pattern
Discover more beautiful ways to use a chevron tile pattern
Upstairs, the master suite has a dark colour palette to create a feeling of understated luxury.
The velvet headboard doubles as a storage unit, with shelves and shallow cupboards on the reverse for accessories, such as belts. Behind, the fitted wardrobes are covered with wallpaper that resembles a meadow.
The brass accents that are featured throughout the house reappear in the contemporary pendant light above the bed.
Feather Grass wallpaper, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling light, Lambert & Fils.
The velvet headboard doubles as a storage unit, with shelves and shallow cupboards on the reverse for accessories, such as belts. Behind, the fitted wardrobes are covered with wallpaper that resembles a meadow.
The brass accents that are featured throughout the house reappear in the contemporary pendant light above the bed.
Feather Grass wallpaper, Farrow & Ball. Ceiling light, Lambert & Fils.
On all the upper levels, Weeks used the same oak flooring as downstairs, but chose planks instead of a chevron pattern.
Curtain fabric, Kvadrat.
Curtain fabric, Kvadrat.
A dressing area, lined with walnut-veneer wardrobes and a full-length mirror leads to the en suite.
In the master bathroom, Weeks used a combination of Viola marble and white metro tiles. The anthracite grey grouting gives a contemporary, graphic look.
The large bespoke mirror is finished with a slim brass frame and sits above a wall-hung vanity unit.
Mirror, Novocastrian. Wall lights, Atelier Areti.
The large bespoke mirror is finished with a slim brass frame and sits above a wall-hung vanity unit.
Mirror, Novocastrian. Wall lights, Atelier Areti.
Next to the walk-in shower the loo is tucked away behind a frosted glass door.
In this east-facing study, it was important to make it as light as possible, so the team fitted skylights above a soft cork table. The bespoke cabinet behind is reminiscent of Californian midcentury style to remind the client of her home state when she is working in here.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball and Cosmic Grey, Sanderson. Sinnerlig cork table, Ikea.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball and Cosmic Grey, Sanderson. Sinnerlig cork table, Ikea.
An unusual light with adjustable leather straps forms a feature in the centre of the room, while a vintage sofa provides a break-out spot for reading.
Long John pendant light, Rubn.
Long John pendant light, Rubn.
In the family bathroom a patchwork wall of tiles is in the same calm tones as the rest of the house. The built-out wall hides pipework and forms a handy shelf.
This guest bedroom is a cosy place for family and friends to stay. The simple bespoke wardrobes have cutout handles, similar to the kitchen units downstairs.
Roman blinds with a 1950s feel hang at the windows, complemented by a classic Scandinavian pendant.
Fabric on Roman blind, Christopher Farr. Pendant light 4200, Secto.
Roman blinds with a 1950s feel hang at the windows, complemented by a classic Scandinavian pendant.
Fabric on Roman blind, Christopher Farr. Pendant light 4200, Secto.
The soft blue headboard has a rubber lamp draped over it. The clever design of this light means you can use it as a pendant, a table lamp or a directional light.
Headboard upholstered by Sue Whimster. Rubber Bollard lamp, Menu.
What’s your favourite part of this large London townhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Headboard upholstered by Sue Whimster. Rubber Bollard lamp, Menu.
What’s your favourite part of this large London townhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional couple
Location Brook Green, west London
Property A Victorian five-storey townhouse
Size 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Designer Clare Weeks of My-Studio Ltd
Photos by Catherine Frawley
Designer Clare Weeks’ main focus when creating this London property’s kitchen extension was to bring in as much light as possible. “The back garden is east facing, so it only gets sunlight until the afternoon,” she explains. “We installed a large rooflight and added glazing to the rear of the house, too.”
There is also plenty of lighting in this space, with concealed LED strips in the cabinets and spotlights in the ceiling. “The spots are positioned to be functional, so we didn’t put any in the walkways,” says Weeks. “They either highlight a piece of joinery or illuminate a workspace or seating area.”