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Before and After
Houzz Tour: Storage and a Cohesive Palette Create a Calm Home
Enjoy the before and after photos that chart the gradual transformation of this compact Victorian house
Some people, when planning a redesign of their entire home, wait until they can do it all at once: a single big push, doing as much as possible while all the relevant contractors are in. The owners of this Victorian mid-terrace house in east London took a different approach, tackling their home in stages, a single room – or perhaps two – at a time, until all the key spaces were transformed.
“They enjoyed doing it that way,” says Olivia Boardman of My Bespoke Room, who worked on all the room designs for the owners. “It’s less disruption, so they could live in while the work was happening, and, because I handled each stage, we were able to create a really cohesive look.”
The brief was cohesive, too. The owners wanted more light throughout and to bring the space up to date and inject a little style. They also had lots of houseplants, some art, and a few favourite pieces to include. Now, a scheme of green, warm wood and dots of soft pink weaves through this home, with soft brass on lights and handles and a few stylish Scandi touches thrown in.
“They enjoyed doing it that way,” says Olivia Boardman of My Bespoke Room, who worked on all the room designs for the owners. “It’s less disruption, so they could live in while the work was happening, and, because I handled each stage, we were able to create a really cohesive look.”
The brief was cohesive, too. The owners wanted more light throughout and to bring the space up to date and inject a little style. They also had lots of houseplants, some art, and a few favourite pieces to include. Now, a scheme of green, warm wood and dots of soft pink weaves through this home, with soft brass on lights and handles and a few stylish Scandi touches thrown in.
This before image shows the living room separated from the entrance by a wall. Tidying this area and creating shoe storage was on the to-do list for the redesign.
Looking for an interior designer to guide your decor decisions? Find one near you today.
Looking for an interior designer to guide your decor decisions? Find one near you today.
To maximise space in the living area, Olivia took down the partition wall dividing it from the entrance area.
“This opened up the space and allowed natural light to flood through,” she says. “Storage was non-existent in the living/dining area and we solved this by adding as many built-in cabinets as possible.”
One area that got new bespoke storage was the wall facing the sofa – a full-length, low-level unit beneath the television. It features walnut veneer fronts that tie in with other details around the space. Olivia designed the unit to store consoles and hide cables out of sight.
Further down, you’ll be able to see how Olivia tackled the issue of cloakroom and shoe storage.
“This opened up the space and allowed natural light to flood through,” she says. “Storage was non-existent in the living/dining area and we solved this by adding as many built-in cabinets as possible.”
One area that got new bespoke storage was the wall facing the sofa – a full-length, low-level unit beneath the television. It features walnut veneer fronts that tie in with other details around the space. Olivia designed the unit to store consoles and hide cables out of sight.
Further down, you’ll be able to see how Olivia tackled the issue of cloakroom and shoe storage.
Other space-saving details include the footstool and slim side tables. The footstool can operate as somewhere to put your feet up while watching TV, additional seating when friends come over, or, with a tray on top, as a coffee table. The slim side tables, meanwhile, can be tucked neatly into the sofa when not in use.
Charley C-Side table in Walnut / Antique Brass, West Elm.
Charley C-Side table in Walnut / Antique Brass, West Elm.
“I picked a really comfortable sofa in a deep green velvet that can seat up to four,” Olivia says.
Green, along with soft pink and wood, makes up the key colour theme running through the house.
Door painted in Factor Fifty, Coat Paints. Izzy sofa and footstool, sofa.com.
Green, along with soft pink and wood, makes up the key colour theme running through the house.
Door painted in Factor Fifty, Coat Paints. Izzy sofa and footstool, sofa.com.
More warm-toned wood storage continues in the dining space with a tall bar cabinet. “Before, the owners had a freestanding bar cabinet, which made the space look cluttered,” Olivia says. “The newly designed ‘hidden’ bar area means all the glasses and bottles are now neatly tucked behind the beautiful walnut veneer doors.”
Soft throws on the sofa and armchair bring a Scandi touch to the scheme.
Table lamp, John Lewis.
Soft throws on the sofa and armchair bring a Scandi touch to the scheme.
Table lamp, John Lewis.
At the back of the dining area, a full-length window brings the outside in and floods the room with natural light. “Flooring in a soft light oak was laid lengthwise to elongate the room,” Olivia says.
The fireplace void brickwork was painted in the same colour as the walls to create a spot for plants.
The fireplace void brickwork was painted in the same colour as the walls to create a spot for plants.
The owners had some prints of birds they were keen to display. Olivia worked out where to rehang them to best effect, and their colours became some of the inspiration for the design.
The many houseplants the owners have were also influential in picking a green-toned scheme.
Dining chairs, Atkin & Thyme.
The many houseplants the owners have were also influential in picking a green-toned scheme.
Dining chairs, Atkin & Thyme.
Before, the stairs had open treads, meaning anything stored beneath was visible and prone to looking messy.
The stairs were replaced with a more solid set. Olivia designed storage underneath for shoes, coats and outdoor kit, helping the open-plan living and dining space to feel tidy.
The pendant light over the dining table belonged to the owners, and Olivia picked one that has a similar tiered look for the living room. “It’s [always] about working with an owner’s existing pieces and treasured items, and complementing them,” she says.
The leopard candle holders were a playful suggestion of Olivia’s. “The owner was a bit like, ‘really?’ but she loved them.”
Anyday two-tier ceiling light, John Lewis & Partners. Leopard candle holders, Oka.
The pendant light over the dining table belonged to the owners, and Olivia picked one that has a similar tiered look for the living room. “It’s [always] about working with an owner’s existing pieces and treasured items, and complementing them,” she says.
The leopard candle holders were a playful suggestion of Olivia’s. “The owner was a bit like, ‘really?’ but she loved them.”
Anyday two-tier ceiling light, John Lewis & Partners. Leopard candle holders, Oka.
Olivia used mirrors around the house to boost light levels and create a sense of space.
The owners went on to paint the fence outside in the same pink as the front door.
The owners went on to paint the fence outside in the same pink as the front door.
The kitchen was the first room Olivia worked on. The owners liked the idea of a “Victorian modern” look, with traditional Shaker-style cabinets and monochrome mosaic tiles underfoot. Then Olivia added some contemporary touches with the gold handles and fluted splashback tiles.
The door at the far end leads to the downstairs shower room.
Knobs, Plank Hardware.
The door at the far end leads to the downstairs shower room.
Knobs, Plank Hardware.
Olivia suggested taking out the original ceiling so two rooflights could be installed to pull in lots of daylight. The sloping pitch of the roof also adds enormously to the airy feeling. “If you can’t extend out, this is the next best way to really increase the sense of space,” Olivia says.
Kitchen cabinets, Wren.
Kitchen cabinets, Wren.
Rather than fit cabinets right up to the ceiling on the newly raised wall, Olivia fitted them where the original ceiling sat. “They might have crowded out the space otherwise,” she says, “and they wouldn’t have been easy to access, either.”
Instead, she fitted a shelf above the cabinets for the owners’ beloved plants. “They use a ladder when they need to water them,” she says.
Instead, she fitted a shelf above the cabinets for the owners’ beloved plants. “They use a ladder when they need to water them,” she says.
Cabinets on the exterior wall are angled to fit the pitch of the new ceiling.
A view of the exterior wall before.
Knurled brass knobs warm up the dark cabinet fronts. The boiling-water tap is also in brass.
Olivia redesigned the bathroom, moving the loo along the wall and creating space for an elegant vanity unit. “You might not imagine you could get such a good-sized piece in here,” she says.
It’s wall-hung, allowing you to see more of the floor beneath, which helps this small bathroom to feel bigger. Terrazzo tiles form a statement splashback and, again, a large mirror improves the light and adds to the feeling of space.
Billy wall-hung vanity unit in Reed Green; Hoxton mirror, both Drench.
It’s wall-hung, allowing you to see more of the floor beneath, which helps this small bathroom to feel bigger. Terrazzo tiles form a statement splashback and, again, a large mirror improves the light and adds to the feeling of space.
Billy wall-hung vanity unit in Reed Green; Hoxton mirror, both Drench.
A before shot shows the original position of the loo and basin in the downstairs bathroom.
Olivia kept the bath in its original location, but brought it up to date with metro tiles in a brick-bond pattern highlighted with dark grout. She moved the radiator to create space for the vanity unit and designed in a slim, black one next to the shower screen.
The bathroom before.
The loo now sits between the bath and the basin. The mosaic tiles on the floor are the same as those used in the kitchen. “It’s a way to help the house feel cohesive,” Olivia says.
The soft green of the vanity unit picks up the green tones used around the rest of the home, but it’s lighter here than in the living room. Again, it’s teamed with pastel pink, used on the walls here. “This was definitely pushing the owners out of their comfort zone,” Olivia says. “They love the pink now.”
Wall painted in Canvas, Graham & Brown.
Wall painted in Canvas, Graham & Brown.
This small bedroom exudes tranquillity, offering a calm retreat in which to unwind. Earthy green shades and wooden pieces infuse the space with natural warmth, while bold, monochromatic patterns in the decor add a touch of vibrancy.
Look towards the floor and you’ll see Olivia designed in LED lights that are fitted beneath the bed, which is new and wider than the owners’ original.
There’s a feature wall of smoky green, but this rich tone only extends two thirds of the way up the wall. “It creates a sense of lightness and ‘more’ above you, as your eye travels up,” Olivia says.
Feature wall painted in Park Life, Coat Paints. Bed, Sofa.com. Lonela wall lamps, Kave Home.
Look towards the floor and you’ll see Olivia designed in LED lights that are fitted beneath the bed, which is new and wider than the owners’ original.
There’s a feature wall of smoky green, but this rich tone only extends two thirds of the way up the wall. “It creates a sense of lightness and ‘more’ above you, as your eye travels up,” Olivia says.
Feature wall painted in Park Life, Coat Paints. Bed, Sofa.com. Lonela wall lamps, Kave Home.
Olivia revamped the existing built-in wardrobes with fresh paint and new handles.
The owner wanted a little vanity unit, and Olivia fitted one in on the only available wall. A vertical band of green helps to zone it. A full-length mirror is positioned opposite the window to catch the light and boost the sense of space.
The upstairs shower room is built around an existing chimney breast. Olivia suggested exposing the fireplace to create space for a storage basket.
The client had already had an alcove built in for extra storage, but Olivia added even more by placing a unit beneath the basin, helping to reduce clutter.
The client had already had an alcove built in for extra storage, but Olivia added even more by placing a unit beneath the basin, helping to reduce clutter.
The shower room before.
LED lights fitted above the cornicing boost light levels and help this small room to feel taller. Again, Olivia has used monochrome tiles on the floor, creating a visual link between this room and the kitchen and bathroom. The wooden vanity unit has storage on the far side, facing away from the entrance.
The owner’s love of bird-themed artwork has been reflected in here, too.
The owner’s love of bird-themed artwork has been reflected in here, too.
A illuminated mirror adds a touch of luxe. Again, brass elements crop up here, as throughout the house.
The owners absolutely love the transformation, and thanked Olivia for helping them to love their home.
Vos LED illuminated mirror, Drench. Basin and tap, Crosswater.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite part of this transformation? Let us know in the Comments.
The owners absolutely love the transformation, and thanked Olivia for helping them to love their home.
Vos LED illuminated mirror, Drench. Basin and tap, Crosswater.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite part of this transformation? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple
Location East London
Property A Victorian terraced house
Size Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Olivia Boardman of My Bespoke Room
Photos by Leanne Jade
This inviting living/dining room blends contemporary style with midcentury furnishings and striking lighting. Deep green tones paired with dark wood bring the essence of the outdoors inside, while layered textiles add depth and warmth.
“Lighting and storage were the main challenges in this space,” Olivia says. “It was very dark in the living area.”