Welcome to my home
Trish and Dan’s property was in a bad way when they bought it. The top two floors had been divided into bedsits in the 1970s, with three defunct kitchenettes still occupying the rooms. ‘There was a barely functioning bathroom and a tiny shower room, with a terrifying vintage electric shower,’ says Trish. The original windows had been replaced with ugly double glazing and the electricity was still connected to a coin meter. However, with its sweeping central staircase, generous proportions and original features, it was a beautiful house. ‘We knew that with some loving restoration, it could be wonderful.’
The ambitious renovation was phased over two years when time, energy and money allowed. ‘Everything had to be stripped back,’ explains Trish. ‘The plumbing and electrics were replaced, every wall was replastered, flooring was restored, space was taken from the master bedroom to create a new bathroom, and on the top floor two old kitchenettes were converted into a bedroom and a second bathroom.’
The biggest challenge was the ground floor. With a raised garden, the rooms at the back opened onto an outdoor loo and a gloomy retaining wall. To maximise space and light, the rooms were knocked into one, with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. Thirty-five cubic metres of earth was removed from the garden to create a terrace level with the kitchen floor. ‘As we were working to a tight budget, we did most of the demolition ourselves,’ says Trish. And the hard work paid off. The bright and spacious kitchen now opens onto a secluded terrace, with a clear view from the front door to the garden.
‘I like a mix of styles, layers and surprises – spaces that feel natural rather than contrived,’ Trish says.
‘This renovation has allowed us to explore our interior style and has boosted our skills and confidence. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved.’
“I love the reclaimed double doors in ground floor lounge and kitchen – both sets are just under eight feet tall, so they make quite a statement”
Living room
The practical plantation shutters provide privacy while letting in light, and their classic style complements the elegant Victorian bay windows.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Plantation shutters in White, £2,200, California Shutters. Round marble and metal coffee table, £285, Tikamoon
“I was sold on the generous hallway space the minute I walked inside”
Kitchen-diner
Knocking through the rooms, restoring the ceiling to its full height and fitting floor-to-ceiling sliding doors made the most of the space and light. ‘I used large Moroccanstyle tiles on the floor and continued them onto the terrace to make it feel like one space,’ Trish says.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Docks fir and metal industrial dining table, from £161.50, Maisons du Monde. Spaces Bruges
Petal Black tiles, £22.30 each, Topps Tiles. Skurup wall lamp, £25, Ikea
Hallway
‘We restored a sense of grandeur by relocating and widening the doorway out to the entrance hall,’ says Trish, who sourced a set of beautiful reclaimed pitch pine doors for the new opening.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar bust sculpture, try The Ancient Home. For reclaimed doors, try ebay
Kitchen
Trish chose matt black cabinets and a large island with white quartz tops to create this modern monochrome scheme. Oversized pendants help to delineate the kitchen from the dining area.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Cabinets in Anthracite, from £750; Kasker White quartz worktop, from £300sq m, both Ikea. Nordlux Belly 38 Black pendants, £115.82 each, UK Electrical. Tolix-style metal bar stool in Gunmetal, £49, Cult Furniture, is similar
Drawing room
This is the grandest room in the house. ‘The previous owners used it as the master bedroom, but it is so lovely we wanted to make use of it during the day,’ says Trish.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Wrought Studio Astra coffee table in White, £399.99, Wayfair, is similar. For mid-century armchairs, try ebay
Drawing room
‘This room is so large, it took me three attempts at arranging the furniture before I got the zoning right. We have a seating area, a work area and extensive shelving for our large record collection,’ says Trish.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Eket shelf/cabinet combinations with legs in White, £100 each, Ikea. For mid-century leather swivel chairs, try ebay
Top landing
The shower was removed and the space on the landing restored, with practical storage and open shelves for a carefully curated display.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Siliguri vase (on cabinets, far right), £20, Design Vintage. Där Sebastian semi flush ceiling light, £106, John Lewis & Partners, is similar. Jouko set of two fibre cement planters on wood legs (on floor, far right), £69, Made, are similar
“The natural light in the spacious drawing room is amazing ”
Guest bedroom
In the largest room at the top of the house, the original fireplace and alcove cupboard with lovely curved edges were retained. This striking yellow-painted piece and framed artwork pop against the grey walls.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Cupboard painted in Muga architects’ eggshell, £29.50 for 750ml, Paint & Paper Library. Kawa lounge chair, £195, An Artful Life
Stairs
Trish’s home acts as a showcase for her extensive collection of artwork. Here, a pair of big, bold painted canvases creates a dynamic focal point.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For abstract artwork like this, try East End Prints.
For a similar ceiling light, try Rosella two-arm contemporary ceiling light, £210, La Redoute
Master bedroom
Trish painted both the ceiling and woodwork in a dark, leadtoned grey for a sophisticated feel. Black bedlinen brings further depth to the scheme.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Ceiling painted in Down Pipe estate emulsion, £49.50 for 2.5ltr; woodwork in Down Pipe estate eggshell, £67 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball. Ogilvy wall light in Matt Black and Antique Brass, £59, Made
Bathroom
Trish has created stylish wet rooms in both the bathrooms, with a glass screen separating the overhead shower and freestanding bath from the rest of the space.
BUY THE KEY PIECES BC Designs double-skinned acrylic 1,700mm boat bath, £1,129.99; Burlington roll-top basin with stainless steel stand, £479, both Drench. Saint Rafael floor tiles, £35sq m, Your Tiles, are similar