THE INTERNATIONAL HOUSE One couple have drawn on a wealth of influences to update their 1960s Surrey home

Tucked away in a Surrey cul-de-sac, this super-chic 1960s home could be anywhere in the world

When Natasha bought her house in 2019, not much had been done to it since its construction in the 1960s, and she was under no illusions about how much TLC it would need to bring it up to scratch. Luckily, she had the perfect source of advice and inspiration in the form of her long-term partner Freddie. ‘I saw the potential immediately,’ says Freddie, the creative force behind London interiors shop Do South. ‘I wanted to upgrade it sensitively, keeping the original feel of the house but mixing the old with the new. I felt like a kid in a sweetie shop!’

His vision was to retain the existing A-frame but extend it by adding dormer windows, and to reconfigure the space on the ground floor to give the house a modern feel. ‘It needed some layout changes to improve the flow,’ he explains. The extensive refurbishment that followed transformed the house into a real local talking point.

A firm believer in recycling, Freddie salvaged what he could from the property, including the lights in the hall and a retro sideboard belonging to the previous owner, but otherwise it had to be gutted from top to bottom. His vision was clear: ‘We wanted to create a Scandi vibe, making the house look amazing, but so simple.’

On the ground floor, the original parquet had to be taken up as it had become damp. Replacing it with terrazzo stone throughout created a cohesive flow and complemented the wood details. It also gave the couple the opportunity to install underfloor heating – a welcome touch of luxury. Walls were removed on the ground floor to open up the space and create a fabulous open-plan kitchen-dining room.

Designed by Freddie, the showstopping oak and walnut staircase was a labour of love, and has become his pride and joy. Based on the open-tread style popular in the 1970s, it adds a sense of theatre to the space. Several of the original doors were replaced with pocket doors,

which glide open and slide into the wall’s cavity. For the walls, Freddie used grey paint from Mylands, choosing yellow accents to brighten it up and ‘add happiness’. Freddie was keen to create a connection between the inside and the outside of the house and has managed to plan the rooms to ensure most have uninterrupted views of the garden. Finishing touches come from the varied artworks that give the home a unique warmth, some of which were imported from Africa. ‘They add a certain quirkiness,’ he says. Upstairs, dormer windows were installed to increase the living area and allow light to flood in, and one of the bedrooms has been converted to an office, as Natasha works from home.

Having sourced so many pieces from his shop, Freddie saw this renovation as a fantastic opportunity to showcase his work. More importantly, however, he wanted to create a home that Natasha would be proud of. He says his favourite memory was seeing her reaction when it was all complete. ‘She just loves it!’ he grins.

Find out more at do-south.com

‘I wanted to UPGRADE it sensitively, keeping the ORIGINAL feel of the house’

‘I consider SPACE, LIGHT and COLOUR when renovating’

LIVING AREA A slimline Novamobili wall unit displays a selection of Freddie and Natasha’s pictures, ornaments and books. The modular black Oscar sofa is from Do South, while the sideboard behind it came with the house

CLOAKROOM Intensely patterned wallpaper by Austrian designer Josef Frank gives wow factor to the smallest room in the house. The basin and taps are from Saneux, and a minimalist mirror by Hay completes the look

HALLWAY This airy, clutter-free space sets the tone for the rest of the house, with wood accents complementing the clean white walls. Plants add life and interest

LANDING Freddie is especially proud of the bespoke staircase he designed and made in a mix of walnut and oak with his good friend Ben. It’s a unique piece that always sparks interest from visitors to the house

HOME OFFICE Natasha has worked from home for some time, so the fourth bedroom has become her office. A wall of String shelving – a distinctive Scandi touch – provides flexible storage, and a skylight boosts light levels

BEDROOM Wall art is a vibrant addition to the bedroom scheme, which also features the yellow and grey theme seen elsewhere in the house. The bed and bedside table are by Ethnicraft at Do South. A large rug is a cosy touch ENSUITE This page and left Goldenbrown larch wood brings warmth, contrasting with white-tiled walls, grey terrazzo flooring and modern fittings from Saneux HB FOR STORE DETAILS SEE WHERE TO BUY PAGE