Houzz Tours
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My Houzz: Country Cottage Chic in a London Suburb
A new extension and handmade soft furnishings helped transform this terraced house into a cosy family home
After taking lessons in how to make curtains and Roman blinds, and sewing them for friends as a sideline to her full-time job as an estate agent, Gemma Crauford turned her hand to furnishing her own home, a two-storey terraced house on the leafy outskirts of London. She and her husband extended the kitchen last summer to create a large and open family-friendly space, which looks out onto a small, sunny terrace and the allotments beyond.
Gemma was keen to give the space a warm, welcoming feel. Although she’s used cream as a soothing backdrop – ‘My husband jokes that I’m trying to recreate my parents’ house,’ she laughs – she’s used hot-pink accents, vibrant floral patterns and an eclectic mix of furniture to give their home a cosy country retreat atmosphere.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Gemma Crauford, her husband and their baby.
Location Earlsfield, London
Size 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Gemma was keen to give the space a warm, welcoming feel. Although she’s used cream as a soothing backdrop – ‘My husband jokes that I’m trying to recreate my parents’ house,’ she laughs – she’s used hot-pink accents, vibrant floral patterns and an eclectic mix of furniture to give their home a cosy country retreat atmosphere.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here Gemma Crauford, her husband and their baby.
Location Earlsfield, London
Size 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
The kitchen, from the Tewkesbury range by Howdens, features painted solid timber, Shaker-style doors with bar handles and a granite worktop.
‘We used a company called Increase Space for the extension, who took us to a plaster finish,’ says Gemma. ‘We then had to coordinate the various trades, such as plumbers, electricians and kitchen delivery.’
‘We used a company called Increase Space for the extension, who took us to a plaster finish,’ says Gemma. ‘We then had to coordinate the various trades, such as plumbers, electricians and kitchen delivery.’
This is now a great space for Gemma to hang out with baby daughter Phoebe, but it was touch and go… ‘The building work wasn’t finished until I was 9 months pregnant, so I had to set about painting while rather large,’ recalls Gemma. ‘I was still finishing the skirting boards when I was overdue – not my most attractive hour!’
The Brunswick Floral fabric is from John Lewis. ‘I’d been eyeing it up for months,’ admits Gemma.
Double doors onto the small back terrace link the inside and out. Potted plants add to the cottage feel.
Double doors onto the small back terrace link the inside and out. Potted plants add to the cottage feel.
The small back garden looks onto a cluster of flourishing allotments, giving the impression the house is in the countryside and not just 20 minutes from central London. A wooden table and chairs set means the family can eat in the garden whenever the weather allows.
Get ideas for perking up your patio
Get ideas for perking up your patio
Most of Gemma’s furniture has been bought from small shops over the years or donated by family. The mix of chairs clustered in the living room gives the space a homely, cosy feel.
The mix of fabrics in the living room works thanks to the unifying pink. The curtains are made from Natalia material from John Lewis. ‘I made all the curtains and blinds myself, which was a bit of a race against time,’ laughs Gemma, ‘but our sitting room is now much warmer thanks to the shutters and thick curtains.’
The elegant lounge chair in a neutral check is brought to life by one of Gemma’s deep pink cushions.
A small window opens up and connects the living room with the kitchen and dining area, so Gemma can do the washing-up and keep an eye on her daughter in the next room. It also helps bring much-needed light from the kitchen’s skylights into the cosier living space beyond.
Discover reasons why skylights are a great addition to a property
Discover reasons why skylights are a great addition to a property
Personal mementos create decorative displays above both of the original Victorian fireplaces in the living room. Although the couple don’t use the fireplaces for heating, church candles in the hearth give the feeling of warmth and a cosy flicker of light.
Gemma has kept the bedroom neutral, but, as elsewhere, has used bright pink curtains and cushions, here made from Designers Guild fabric, to lift the space. The sash window looks out onto the leafy allotments.
Do you like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
Do you like this home? Tell us why in the Comments below.
Old blends seamlessly with new throughout the house. In the dining area, Victorian balloon-back chairs, bought by Gemma’s aunt from Lots Road Auction, have been reupholstered with luxe contemporary pink fabric from Designers Guild.