All is bright

Jewellery designer Jessica Walker’s light-filled home is a shining example of how a lacklustre interior can be transformed

Achange in circumstances found Jessica Walker and her son Zak, now 17, looking for a new home. ‘I loved the southeast London area we lived in and wanted to stay near Zak’s school, but we needed to downsize,’ explains Jessica.

With a somewhat limited market, Jessica’s choice was a pretty townhouse or a 1930s semi. ‘The townhouse felt more “me” but my architect brother thought differently, pointing out a few potential problems,’ she says. ‘Although this place, was a bit dark and gloomy, it had no structural issues and well-proportioned rooms.’

Once she had bought the place, Jessica asked her brother and a structural engineer to reconfigure the ground floor. ‘I wanted a glamorous, light-filled interior, so doorways were moved and raised to allow light in from the front and back of the house,’ says the jewellery designer. ‘I call this trick “the Alice in Wonderland effect” as it makes the house feel magically bigger.’

An extension was added to the rear of the property to house Jessica’s dream kitchen, and another one was built two years later to create a show-stopping dining room. The downstairs hall area was enlarged, too. ‘I wanted to keep the original staircase, so to create more space I simply removed the bottom banisters,’ says Jessica who also couldn’t wait to rip out the dated bathroom. ‘But the new suite was so delayed, we had to wash in the kitchen for three months!’

Jessica has stuck to an understated palette throughout the house. ‘The aim was to achieve continuity,’ she explains. ‘I’m not a great fan of giving each room a different look, so I worked with neutral tones that blend harmoniously.’

Against this serene and contemporary backdrop, Jessica’s unique mix of vintage and glamour works well. The house is brimming with beautiful pieces, including light-reflecting Hungarian crystal, and her cherished book collection. ‘I inherited these from my parents,’ says Jessica. ‘They are real treasures.’

With the project complete, Jessica is pleased with what she has achieved. ‘Zak and I love living here,’ she says. ‘It’s been an ideal move for us.’