bright outlook
One couple took on the task of turning two flats into a large, light-filled London home
When Laura and Patrick ButlerMadden stumbled across a leafy enclave of red brick Victorian villas in their favourite part of south London, they didn’t dare imagine that they would one day have a home in this area. ‘ We were riding around on our scooter and came across a cluster of grand period houses with wide frontages, billowing wisteria and beautiful architectural details,’ says Laura, an interior designer and project manager. ‘It’s a very tranquil area and it felt like stepping back in time.’
The couple put the pipe dream of ever living there to the back of their minds, until an estate agent called a few weeks later with details of a property that had been converted into two flats. ‘Financially, it was well out of reach and the council had not yet granted permission to return it to a single dwelling,’ says Laura, ‘so it was a bit of a risk. But we offered what we could afford and managed to reach an agreement with the vendor.’ Their gamble paid off, and permission to restore the building to a family home came through soon after the sale had been completed.
First, the pair removed the first floor kitchen, stud walls and damaged cornicing, and installed new plumbing and electrics. A single-storey rear extension was added to create a large, open-plan kitchen, and period features such as the
cast-iron fireplaces with their ornate mirrored overmantels, were restored. ‘We laid smoked white oak chevron flooring throughout the ground floor, which really adds cohesion to the space,’ says Laura.
With the shell complete, Laura set to work on the interiors, introducing calm chalky tones for a soothing and elegant look. ‘These houses were originally built for wealthy Victorians and I wanted to create a luxurious feel with touches of glamour here and there,’ she explains.
In the bathroom, a roll-top bath and bespoke mirrored cabinetry are paired with arresting Arabascato marble tiling. The drawing room features an impressive bay window, and blue velvet and shimmering metallic furnishings. And a palette of taupes and dusky pinks lends a chic, grown-up feel in the master bedroom. ‘I tend to lean towards neutrals and than add touches of colour with either furniture or works of art,’ says Laura.
It’s the kitchen, however, that has seen the greatest transformation, moving from the first to the ground floor. Light pours through the new skylights, and at the first hint of warmer weather, the French windows are thrown open to let in the sunshine and spring air.
Now the house is finally finished, Laura and Patrick are delighted with their bright, airy slice of London. ‘It was a truly serendipitous find,’ says Laura. ‘ We took a chance, it came off and we couldn’t be happier.’