URBAN RETREAT

This bijou cottage has been extended and rejuvenated with a quirky fusion of antiques and objects from around the world

When Jette Anderson moved from a large house in southwest London, she was looking for a new challenge. After more than 20 years working as an interior designer and project manager, she had a string of successful property conversions under her belt. As her two daughters were soon to leave home, it was the perfect time to apply her talents to a project of her own.

Needing to live near work in central London restricted her choices. ‘One street of terraced houses looked much like any other,’ says Jette. ‘I really wanted something to convert – a schoolhouse or warehouse perhaps. Just at the point when I had almost given up, this unique period cottage crossed my radar.

PERFECT PROJECT

‘It was very run-down but I could see that it had plenty of potential to be a fabulous home,’ says Jette. ‘It was also near a park, crucial for our cocker spaniel Herbie.’

Jette had many years of experience working with a team of talented architects and builders, so she was certain of a spectacular transformation. In the new plans, the staircase was widened to make the house feel less cottagey and relocated to create an extra seating area between the new kitchen and sitting room. The entrance was expanded to allow for a more spacious hallway, and the house was extended, nearly doubling its size.

ADDING SPACE

‘We took advantage of the sloping site and created different levels between the kitchen-diner and the sitting room,’ says Jette. ‘Opening up a gap between the two enabled me to enjoy a view of the garden while sitting at the dining room table. For the summer, I have an extending outdoor

dining table, which seats a lot of people. So this really is a great house for entertaining friends and family, both inside and out.’ Jette incorporated many of the well-proven tricks of the trade she learnt over the years, including installing pocket doors and coming up with clever ideas to maximise space. In the kitchen she had a bench built with storage space below. A wall-to-wall shelving unit painted in a bright blue colour provides a much-needed focal point in the sitting room, while more shelves line the reading area. The attic floor was transformed and the results are impressive. ‘The girls nicknamed this “the penthouse”, as it has its own balcony and en-suite bathroom and feels quite glamorous,’ says Jette. After the builders left, the real fun began and Jette was able to start hanging her pictures and positioning the many treasures she has collected over the years. FINISHING TOUCHES ‘I love colour and juxtaposing patterns, styles and shapes,’ says Jette. ‘The house is a quirky fusion of furniture and artefacts representing different layers of my life; with a Scandinavian influence from my dad, bits from my various travels, from China and Copenhagen, mid-century artwork and some childhood mementos.’ TIMELESS STYLE Among her most treasured possessions are items Jette’s father left to her. ‘I love the pieces I inherited from him, including the glass and concrete coffee table,’ she says. ‘I have blended these with iconic classics like the Carl Hansen Wishbone chairs. The sitting room is one of Jette’s favourite spaces. ‘I enjoy taking in the views of the pretty garden,’ she says. ‘It’s a compact home but everything slotted into the right place eventually.’

DINING AREA A cleverly designed bench incorporates a shelf for Jette to display her favourite records. Carl Hansen Wishbone chairs, £650 each, Dining Chair Company. Super 8 suspension light, £1,750, Le Deun Luminaires

2 SITTING ROOM Accents of blue echo the shelves, creating a sense of continuity. Bookcase in Inchyra Blue estate eggshell, £64 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Try Oka’s Madura silk empire lampshade, £145

3 SITTING ROOM Bright textiles and an antique wooden table add personality to this modern scheme. Langley throw in Russet, £59.50, Ian Mankin. The L-shaped sofa is from Camerich; try its Alison Plus, from £,3,095

1 KITCHEN-DINER A dark elm veneer finish brings warmth to the modern cabinets. Units, price on request, Espresso Design. Blind in Span in Honey, £130m, Christopher Farr Cloth

4&6 MASTER BEDROOM Swirling paisley prints and shapely lamp bases contrast with the room’s straight lines. Dragonfly cushions and throw, both available to order, de Le Cuona. Hulu lamp bases, £195 each, Oka. Lampshades, £230 each, Rosanna Lonsdale. Bedside tables, £650 each, Chelsea Textiles. Try Made’s Orkney ottoman in Tulip Cream, £399

5 HALLWAY A bright orange chair injects a contemporary note. Luigi chair, £977, Dining Chair Company. Oro pendant light, £49, Made. Faux orchid, £56, Home Accent

7 BATHROOM Storage space was neatly fitted into this sleek basin unit. Walls in Slaked Lime intelligent eggshell, £66 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene