‘i don’t like to follow rules’

Kate gave a period house a modern twist using a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces, clever lighting, upbeat colours and distinctive artwork

Her interior design expertise meant Kate was not afraid to take a radical approach to a period house

When my husband andrew and i first viewed this house back in 2012, it was dated, rundown and needed pretty much everything doing to it,’ says Kate, ‘but i fell in love with its period features, high ceilings and good light. and as renovation is my line of business, i wasn’t too worried about having to do all that work.

We were keen to get cracking as soon as we moved in, so we drew up plans, chose a builder from a shortlist of three local companies and started work just before Christmas.

Big plans

The kitchen was at the back of the house in an extension that was like a shed. It had no foundations and a narrow scullery leading off from it. Our plan was to create a large, light-filled kitchen-diner, so our first job was to demolish the shed and extend properly to the rear. We knocked down a wall to open up the scullery and part of the staircase and hallway to create one really large room.

We chose bifold doors to maximise the light and in the summer, we open them out onto the back courtyard garden. The garden walls were painted white to create a Mediterranean feel and the result is a bright space that is practical and full of character, with a dining area that has a sunny, holiday vibe.

I love that I can cook and keep an eye on the twins, Archie and Stanley, as they sit and eat, do their homework at the table or play outside. I also turned one of the walls in the kitchen into a big blackboard. The boys love it and

‘i love putting a twist on period style. there are no rules when it comes to decor because it’s all about your personal taste. it’s your home and it should make you happy. i buy what i like and then put it all together’

Trad DETAILS ‘the original fanlight by the front door is a nice nod to the house’s Victorian roots’