London Houzz Tour: A Tranquil Period Home Updated for Family Life
A side-return extension, plenty of seating and storage, and a soft, calm palette transformed this Victorian home
The owner of this period property in Barnes, west London, moved in with her two small children after returning to the UK from the US. “The previous owners had raised their family in the house and it had a lovely feeling,” says interior designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors, “so the aim was to keep as many of the original features as possible.”
Originally, a conservatory, attached to the side of the kitchen, was separated from the living room by a tiny courtyard area. “It was replaced by a brick-built extension that fills one of the side returns and gives views from the living room through the dining area and into the garden beyond,” says Dadswell.
“We designed the pitched roof to allow in the maximum amount of light and give height in the dining area, and to frame the view.”
“We designed the pitched roof to allow in the maximum amount of light and give height in the dining area, and to frame the view.”
“To ensure it all looked consistent from the outside, I designed it so the glazing bars in the roof and the rear window tied in with those on the adjacent French windows,” says Dadswell. “Then we painted them black to add some drama.”
The owner and her children spend a lot of time around the dining table, and she likes to entertain friends and family. “She’s also a voracious reader, so I was keen that the dining area could double up as a place to relax with a book and enjoy the garden,” says Dadswell.
She designed the bench seating to fit as many people as possible, and added storage with lift-up lids below and a panelled back for comfort. “The bench seat pads have been upholstered in a wipeable fabric,” says Dadswell. “The cushions can all be thrown in the washing machine, so it’s very family friendly.”
The bespoke dining table is complemented by two Ercol chairs, which give the space an informal feeling, while dimmable wall lights provide ambience in the evenings.
She designed the bench seating to fit as many people as possible, and added storage with lift-up lids below and a panelled back for comfort. “The bench seat pads have been upholstered in a wipeable fabric,” says Dadswell. “The cushions can all be thrown in the washing machine, so it’s very family friendly.”
The bespoke dining table is complemented by two Ercol chairs, which give the space an informal feeling, while dimmable wall lights provide ambience in the evenings.
The soft grey, Shaker-style kitchen is in keeping with the period home, while concrete-look floor tiles give a contemporary feel. A pale composite benchtop reflects light around the room, and smoked-bronze handles provide contrast.
The opening to the living room was made as large as possible in order to allow in plenty of light. “There was no need for a door here, as the owner wanted the rooms to flow into one another,” says Dadswell. “The previously gloomy space has become a light-filled area where the owner can read or play with the children.”
The opening to the living room was made as large as possible in order to allow in plenty of light. “There was no need for a door here, as the owner wanted the rooms to flow into one another,” says Dadswell. “The previously gloomy space has become a light-filled area where the owner can read or play with the children.”
A row of tall cabinetry houses a pantry and an area for stashing glasses and vases, while the kitchen island stores all of the cooking equipment and plates.
“We also installed a downstairs loo and a small laundry room, which are tucked out of sight around the corner,” says Dadswell.
“We also installed a downstairs loo and a small laundry room, which are tucked out of sight around the corner,” says Dadswell.
A storage bench seat is positioned just inside the large opening. “It was designed to be used for storing toys,” says Dadswell.
Cushions on bench: H&M; walls painted in Grey Steel 4: Dulux
Cushions on bench: H&M; walls painted in Grey Steel 4: Dulux
Soft grey walls and pale engineered oak floorboards add to the bright feel of the two (knocked through) living areas.
“The two rooms have separate purposes – one for sitting and the other for music – but I was keen they worked as a whole,” says Dadswell. “So I sourced two very large Nain rugs in similar colours, which tie the two areas together.”
“The two rooms have separate purposes – one for sitting and the other for music – but I was keen they worked as a whole,” says Dadswell. “So I sourced two very large Nain rugs in similar colours, which tie the two areas together.”
“I sourced a marble fireplace for the front living room to match the style of the original one in the rear space, and we added hand-blown glass wall lights, which create a soft glow in the evenings,” says Dadswell.
Shelves were fitted into the alcoves to store books and display plants, art and photos.
Shelves were fitted into the alcoves to store books and display plants, art and photos.
In both living rooms, glass pendants add a touch of Art Deco glamour.
“As we wanted the house to feel contemporary and soft, we chose washed linen for the curtains and blinds throughout in shades of dusky pink, blue and grey to complement the pale walls,” says Dadswell. “I also included elements of dark metal and rustic wood as a contrast.”
Floor lamps: West Elm
“As we wanted the house to feel contemporary and soft, we chose washed linen for the curtains and blinds throughout in shades of dusky pink, blue and grey to complement the pale walls,” says Dadswell. “I also included elements of dark metal and rustic wood as a contrast.”
Floor lamps: West Elm
Dadswell made the most of the wide hallway by ensuring it was both practical and elegant. “The sweeping staircase is original, and the treads and risers were refurbished,” she says.
A hard-wearing sisal runner helps to dampen sound and a large glass-and-brass pendant adds drama. For storage, Dadswell installed a row of brass coat hooks, a bench and a basket.
A hard-wearing sisal runner helps to dampen sound and a large glass-and-brass pendant adds drama. For storage, Dadswell installed a row of brass coat hooks, a bench and a basket.
By moving doors on the landing, the team could create a master bedroom and ensuite bathroom. “It’s meant the owner has a lovely large bedroom overlooking trees, and a private bathroom next door,” says Dadswell.
Linen cushions and throws: H&M; fabric on other cushions: Christopher Farr
Linen cushions and throws: H&M; fabric on other cushions: Christopher Farr
Dadswell installed a run of bespoke wardrobes along one wall and used the same smoked-brass cupboard door handles as in the kitchen.
The bed is made of reclaimed oak and sits on a soft wool carpet, which gives the room a cosy feel.
The bed is made of reclaimed oak and sits on a soft wool carpet, which gives the room a cosy feel.
The ensuite’s floor is covered with luxurious marble tiles. A bespoke tongue-and-groove vanity unit has been fitted with a contemporary composite benchtop, which contrasts with the traditional brass-and-glass wall lights.
The wooden mirror has a hidden heated pad to keep it steam-free.
The owner’s daughter brought her existing bed to the new house. “As she’s still very small, we wanted to include plenty of flexible storage that she wouldn’t outgrow,” says Dadswell. “We had a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a bookshelf made and painted in bright colours, which can all be moved around when she needs a more grown-up bed.”
At the top of the house there’s another bedroom, but this one has a much lower ceiling than the master bedroom. “We decided to make it feel cosy by painting it in a deeper colour,” says Dadswell.
White joinery and an ochre armchair add a bright contrast, and the engineered oak flooring has been softened with jute rugs.
Walls painted in Georgian Grey: Dulux
White joinery and an ochre armchair add a bright contrast, and the engineered oak flooring has been softened with jute rugs.
Walls painted in Georgian Grey: Dulux
The bathroom at the top of the house was narrow, but by carefully designing all the joinery, Dadswell managed to fit in a contemporary slipper bath, a wall-hung toilet, a bespoke vanity unit and a separate shower.
The geometric floor tiles add interest without overpowering the calm feel of the space.
Tell us
What do you like about this elegantly restored period property? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more stylish home design? See inside fashionista Gina Ciancio’s home in last week’s My Houzz: An Interior Stylist’s Fun and Fashionable Canberra Home
The geometric floor tiles add interest without overpowering the calm feel of the space.
Tell us
What do you like about this elegantly restored period property? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Craving more stylish home design? See inside fashionista Gina Ciancio’s home in last week’s My Houzz: An Interior Stylist’s Fun and Fashionable Canberra Home
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman and her two small children
Location: West London, UK
Size: A three-storey Victorian townhouse with five bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer: Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors
Builder: Surrey Hills Construction
The owner of this beautiful period property had already hired a builder when she brought in Beth Dadswell to design the interior, and an architect had drawn up basic floor plans for the kitchen. “So we pretty much had a blank canvas,” says Dadswell. “The owner had a brilliant builder and was very open to ideas, so it was a really great job to work on.”
The designer was keen to emphasise the elegant features of the property, while also making the home suitable for a young family. Period elements were all restored, radiators were replaced with cast-iron column versions, and the whole house was rewired and replumbed.