WORTH THE WAIT
Taking time to have a total rethink paid off for Pippa Jameson and her husband Stuart, who turned a dated house into a stylish home
Taking time to renovate a Hertfordshire home paid off for this patient pair
When Pippa Jameson and her husband Stuart started house-hunting, they were quick to spot the potential of a neat, detached, red-brick house, tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac in the centre of town. ‘This certainly wasn’t our perfect home but we knew we could turn into something really special,’ explains Pippa. ‘The location was brilliant, and there was space to extend at the side, plus a gorgeous back garden. Other buyers clearly thought the same as us, as it went to sealed bids, and amazingly, we got lucky!’ Despite its dated interior, the house had been well maintained, so Pippa, Stuart and their two girls, Elsie-may, now 11 and Amber, now 9, were able to move in straight away. Pippa and Stuart decided to live with the tired decor while they saved up for a renovation. They spent the time wisely, learning about the light and space in the house. ‘We decided an open-plan design would suit us,’ says Pippa. ‘We wanted more living space, masses of natural light and an easy flow downstairs, as well as a fourth bedroom and en-suite bathroom.’ Five years later, the couple were ready to start their project. Along with knocking through walls on the ground floor, the living area would be enlarged and a second extension built above the garage to create the master suite. Once plans were approved, a building firm was chosen and work began. Although the family had arranged to move out for three months, a mix-up with their
temporary accommodation forced them back home earlier than planned. ‘With no heating and a makeshift kitchen, it was a difficult few weeks,’ says Pippa. ‘We just focused on the final result.’
With the building work on track, Pippa set about designing the open-plan interior. ‘The space seemed vast and overwhelming at first, but I “zoned” it to make it feel ordered and calm,’ she says. Colour was an important tool for creating different moods. I chose a dark blue-green for the seating area and once I’d positioned the sofa facing the fire, and the dining area overlooking the garden, the layout came together.’
Pippa felt it was essential to have a home that would go on working for the family over the coming years. ‘Our girls now have a playroom, and later on, it can be a den where they can hang out with their friends. And in our master bedroom suite, we can close the doors and have our own space, too.’
Weatherboard and chic charcoal render have now replaced the red-brick exterior. At the heart of the house is a kitchen, dining and living space, with tall windows and skylights in the vaulted ceiling. Dark greys and greens connect the different zones, and there are paler tones and plenty of glass to maximise natural light. The garage is now the girls’ playroom, with the master suite and its stunning pitched roof above it.
‘The height creates an illusion of space and really adds the wow-factor,’ says Pippa. ‘We’re proud of the home we’ve created – it’s everything we hoped it would be.’
DECORATING TIP ‘Don’t be afraid to use deep colours – they can make a room feel comfortable and inviting’