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Luckily we were living nearby, so we spotted this property as soon as it hit the market,’ says Gemma. ‘It had the space we wanted and was in the village we’d dreamed of moving to. We loved its façade and knew we could preserve that, while sympathetically improving the interior.’
Gemma didn’t waste any time getting started.
‘I’m not one to live in a house for a year and think about it. I had a vision and I just wanted to crack on,’ she says. Able to stay in their previous home for eight months, the couple employed a project manager for the first few months while the house was gutted. ‘They helped us find an architect and a builder, and once the project was under way and things were going smoothly, we took over managing the renovation ourselves.’
The steel-framed windows installed along the back wall of the kitchen and dining area are the perfect aesthetic solution for the house. ‘They acknowledge the 1930s period, retaining the house’s character, while adding a contemporary twist,’ says Gemma.
The loft had already been converted, but the layout was awkward, so the couple decided to extend above the new dining area, and to change the traditional hip roof to a gable end. They then moved the staircase and dormer window to create more space in the bedroom, as well as to give them a shower room.
‘Navin was calm throughout, but I did get quite anxious at times. At one point there was no back or roof on the house. It did make me question what on earth we had done!’ says Gemma, who shares photos of the renovations on Instagram @my_midcenturymakeover.
“The back of the house is so connected to the garden, meaning what’s outside has become as important to the design as the inside ”
Dining area
‘This Heal’s dining table can be customised in a selection of sizes and finishes. We chose white oiled oak with a chamfered edge.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Wishbone chairs, £120 each, Mobelaris. Madrid dining table, from £1,699, Heal’s. Brass mobile pendant light, £299, West Elm
Kitchen
A breakfast pantry cupboard houses everyday appliances. ‘The cabinetry was from a supply-only company, which helped keep costs down. We chose a hand-painted finish,’ says Gemma.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Cabinetry, around £13,400 for a similar layout excluding appliances, Handmade Kitchens of Christchurch. Nexus SE, £2,175, Rangemaster
“We salvaged the original kitchen, appliances and internal doors, then sold them on ebay ”
Island
The satin brass tap echoes the handles on the steel frame-style windows. ‘I love the contrast of the warm brass against the dark paint. It brings a sense of drama,’ says Gemma. BUY THE KEY PIECES
Quartz worktop, around £200sq m, Nile Stone. Callisto mixer tap & rinse, £761, Perrin & Rowe. Double sink, £619.99, Villeroy & Boch
Kitchen
‘The main roof light was there already, but we enlarged the opening and added two more, running the length of the kitchen, ensuring the sight lines matched those of the window.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Engineered oak chevron flooring, £86sq m, Heywood. Ombre sculptural glass globe ceiling pendants, £79 each, West Elm
Loft bedroom
Currently a guest bedroom, the loft also serves as a quiet retreat away from busy family life.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Penn bed, £199, Made. Bedside tables, £44 each, The Farthing.
Black metal end table, £33,
Maisons du Monde
Arlo’s bedroom
‘I found this mural through searching Pinterest. Arlo loves all things space related. We decorated the room before he moved from the nursery, but kept it a surprise. He walked in and instantly loved it!’ BUY THE KEY PIECES
Space mural wallpaper, £37sq m, Murals Wallpaper. Ballpit, £85.90, Kiddy Moon. Bookcase, £60, Great Little Trading Co
Main bedroom
‘I made the chunky knit throw in a knitting workshop held at Where Inspiration Blooms in Chesham,’ says Gemma. BUY THE KEY PIECES Raffaela bed, £1,397, Sweetpea & Willow. Dar Dynamo wall light, £66.30, Ocean Lighting. Hemnes bedside table, £50, Ikea
“I love the f low of our home now; there are seamless routes from the living spaces out into the garden ”
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
“Find good tradespeople. We were both working full time throughout the project, so we had to employ people we could trust. Our architect recommended the right people, then we were able to communicate directly and successfully with them”
Mabel’s bedroom
‘Originally Arlo’s bedroom, I chose the mint green chevron wallpaper as a good unisex option, and with the addition of a few soft pink touches, it’s now transformed into a beautiful feminine room for Mabel.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Lohko Vector wallpaper in Mist, £48 a roll, Scion. Strandmon chair, £159, Ikea. Rug, £48, La Redoute