DOUBLE VISION

Faced with the challenge of turning two townhouses into one, Miranda Davies decided to enlist expert help

Two became one when this London family combined a pair of Victorian townhouses

Miranda Davies and her husband were living in a Victorian townhouse in southwest London when the house next door came up for sale. The couple debated whether or not to buy the property. ‘We knew that if we didn’t, someone else would develop it so we decided to go for it,’ says Miranda. ‘We rented it out for 10 years while we raised the money to combine the two properties to create a single home for our growing family of four children and numerous pets.’

The couple envisaged a dramatic makeover for both houses and enlisted husband-and-wife architecture and design team Robinson van Noort to help realise their vision. ‘With such a radical overhaul in mind, it was imperative to work with people we really trusted,’ says Miranda. ‘I’d seen Ali and Carolyn’s work in a friend’s property and loved it, and when I met them we got along immediately and felt we could work well together.’

Challenges arose right from the outset of the project. ‘Both houses were originally designed by the same architect, so from the exterior they could always have been one building,’ says Ali. ‘We initially planned to remove the partition wall between them and build a central staircase but were then asked by the local authority to retain the central wall and come up with a new way to link the two houses. We eventually joined them together by puncturing through the sitting room wall, which was a big constraint, but ultimately it challenged us to

create these unusual and charming spaces, and some interesting lateral views.’ Ali’s reworked design connected the living space with the rest of the house, with sight lines stretching through to the dining room at the far end.

Once the structural aspects were under way, the focus turned to planning the interior schemes. ‘I had strong ideas about what I wanted and gave Ali and Carolyn hundreds of cutouts from magazines,’ says Miranda. ‘Our interior had to be livable and welcoming – I didn’t want a show home where family and friends would be afraid to sit down.’

As well as creating a warm, neutral and contemporary feel, Miranda was keen to retain many of the building’s original features, such as the windows, cornicing and wooden staircase. She also favoured using furniture from all periods of design. ‘Ali and Carolyn were great at finding pieces and sent me all over to look at what they had sourced from auction houses,’ reflects Miranda. ‘There was a lot of persuasion involved with some items, but they were always right.’

The project took 18 months to complete and the family are delighted with the result. ‘Everyone who visits the house is struck by the amazing interior spaces,’ says Miranda. ‘We wanted the two houses to feel like a single home and we’re thrilled that we’ve realised our vision.’

INSPIRATION ‘I got ideas from a variety of houses and projects I saw in magazines and online, and collected cuttings to help fine-tune them’

DINING ROOM This elliptical-shaped table maximises space and can seat up to 14 people. Chilworth extendable table and Barnsbury vitrine, price on request, both Ali Robinson at Robinson van Noort. Beetle velvet dining chairs in Navy and Grey, £868 each, Gubi at The Conran Shop

SITTING ROOM The wallpaper was the starting point for this scheme and looks different from every angle, depending on the light. Kamiko Sisal wallpaper, £448 for 6m roll, Schumacher at Turnell & Gigon. Bespoke rug designed by Robinson Van Noort and made by Roger Oates

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1 1,3&4 KITCHEN ‘Ali assured me that the warmth and character of the old exposed brick wall would soften the contemporary feel,’ says Miranda, ‘and it does!’ Bespoke units by Robinson van Noort. Banquette upholstered in Mustang White, price on request, Yarwood Leather. Eames DSW side chair, £370, The Conran Shop

4 2 SNUG ‘I wanted somewhere relaxed to have coffee with friends or read without having to go to the TV room,’ says Miranda. Hay Mags Soft Low sofa modules, from £829, Utility Design. Polished plaster wall, price on request, Armourcoat

1 1&2 CHILD’S BEDROOM ‘My daughter was eight when we completed the project and I opted to keep her room neutral enough that she won’t grow out of it,’ says Miranda. See Shanghai Birds wall stickers, £32, Koko Kids at Notonthehighstreet.com

3 3,4&6 GUEST SUITE Miranda wanted stand-alone pieces rather than anything built-in in here. Aalto clothes rail, £275, Cox & Cox. Bespoke occasional chair, Sheen Upholstery

5 5 MASTER EN SUITE The polished plaster wall was heavily waxed to create a waterproof finish. Papillon small pendant, £312, Forestier at Made In Design. Coniston freestanding bath, £4,447, CP Hart. Try Grohe Essence floor-mounted bath shower mixer, £680, Victorianplumbing.co.uk

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MASTER BEDROOM ‘We had to retain the chimney breast, so we wrapped it in storage units to create a feature,’ says Miranda. Bespoke joinery by Robinson van Noort. Tekla pure new wool blanket in Lavender, £175, The Conran Shop, would also work