By extending outwards and upwards, and adding lots of cosy colour, Jenny Pitt created a forever home that suits her growing family
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‘We weren’t in a hurry – we had two small children and busy lives, and wanted to get it right’
Jenny and Rhys Pitt first spotted their end-of-terrace property seven years ago. It was in their dream location of Wandsworth, south-west London and even had a large garden. It also had a few flaws, but the couple was confident they could make it their own. ‘The downstairs was all wrong, with a tiny galley kitchen, plus it had an unused side return with a shed at the bottom,’ explains Jenny. ‘But there was a tremendous amount of potential and a large loft space begging to be converted.’
The pair lived in the property for a couple of years and got a feel for how they used it before drawing up renovation plans. ‘We weren’t in a hurry – we had two small children and busy lives, and wanted to get it right,’ Jenny recalls. They decided to knock through the dining room and kitchen, so found a local builder recommended by neighbours – Giles, of Empire Build. Jenny worked closely with Giles on the design, and the seven-month
project was completed in 2017. ‘My must-have was an exposed brick wall, but I also wanted a marble worktop over a unit with a dark and moody colour palette, so my navy-blue island fit the bill perfectly. I like the French bistro look, so I made sure there was glass, metal and wood in the scheme, too.’
LOFTY AMBITIONS
With the downstairs sorted, the couple took a year off from renovating, working on the garden instead before they felt ready to embark on phase two: a loft conversion. ‘We had three bedrooms on the first floor already, but one wasn’t huge, and we wanted to create our own space and to make the third bedroom a study-come-guest space,’ says Jenny. ‘We
‘My must-have was an exposed brick wall, but I also wanted a marble worktop over a unit with a dark and moody colour palette, so my navy-blue island unit fit the bill perfecty’
were future-proofing as well for when the children were older, as it meant they had a whole floor to themselves.’
When it came to the couple’s bedroom, Jenny wanted to make it a calm sanctuary.
She picked pinks and greens, and went with the builder’s suggestion of adding a dividing wall in front of the storage and dressing areas. ‘I’d used panelling in the cloakroom and I wanted it again in the loft, so the dividing wall was the perfect place. All through the house I’ve tried to keep some continuity, echoing finishes and materials.’
The en suite was a reasonable size and, with a bath on the next floor, she only needed to include a shower. ‘I love the black metal 1950s-style shower doors,’ enthuses Jenny. ‘I made sure all the brassware was in matt gold as I didn’t want anything too shiny.’
A SURPRISE REDESIGN
After four months, it was time to focus on the rest of the house. But then Jenny discovered she was pregnant. Luckily, having already added more space to the house, they were
‘I like artwork and accessories to be personal, so I’ve slowly added in new things, and bumped up the colour with paint and cushions’
‘There was a tremendous amount of potential and a large loft space begging to be converted’
ready. ‘I had Lochlan in autumn 2020, which meant a quick redesign of the study into a nursery, but at least we had a spare room.’
The final phase concentrated on the finer details and adding in more colour. ‘I like artwork and accessories to be personal, so
I’ve slowly added in new things, and bumped up the colour with paint and cushions,’ says Jenny. With the house finished, the family can now sit back and enjoy it: ‘It may have taken us seven years to get to this point, but I’m thrilled with what we’ve created.’
A few simple updates gave Jenny and Rhys’s Edwardian end-of-terrace extra kerb appeal, while the inside has been completely transformed into a stunning family home
LIVING ROOM
Splashes of colour add contrast to this scheme – particularly the orange vase filled with dried flowers and the vibrant Pink Aztec footstool by Sofa.com – while family photos and holiday keepsakes add a personal touch
OUR MUST HAVES Antigua shutters, £1,500, Shutter World. Bluebell sofa, from £1,115; Isla sofa, from £1,170, both Sofa.com. For similar dried flowers try Amber Dried Flower Stem Box, £19.99, Bookblock Florists
To create a feeling of space, Jenny chose to paint the built-in shelving and alcove cupboards the same colour as the walls – Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball
KITCHEN
A handmade kitchen by Empire Build didn’t stretch the budget too much, and with some careful accessorising Jenny has achieved the French bistro look she so wanted
OUR MUST HAVES Units painted in estate eggshell in Hague Blue and Light Blue, £52 per 2.5L, Farrow & Ball. French-style lights, £80 each, Homary. For similar tiles try Herringbone White, £47.40 per sq m, Porcelain Superstore. For similar stools try Bumble bar stools, £440 per pair, Loaf
The French doors provide a view into the newly extended snug area, just off the kitchen. Keen to highlight the house’s original features where she could, Jenny added some colour with Farrow & Ball’s Cinder Pink
A built-in larder was created by the kitchen company, cleverly making use of some extra space. It’s the perfect area for Jenny’s counter-top appliances, helping the kitchen to stay clutter free
UTILITY ROOM
A separate utility room was always on Jenny’s wishlist. This handy space occupies part of the old side return, and ties in beautifully with the main kitchen
OUR MUST HAVES For a similar sink try Armitage Shanks Belfast kitchen sink, £369, Victoria Plum. For similar taps try Reginox Elbe traditional dual lever kitchen tap mixer, £101.64, Victorian Plumbing
To really make a feature of her exposed brick wall, Jenny opted for open shelving rather than overhead cupboards. The chunky wooden shelves are from Worktop Express
SNUG By knocking through the dining room and kitchen, Jenny has created a relaxed and cosy living space where the kids can play, while the adults relax with a cuppa
OUR MUST HAVES Rush tall basket, £25; jute natural pouffe, £69, both Dunelm. For a similar print try Olgabert Retro Pool Faye poster, from £10.86, Redbubble. Arbor Leather club chair, from £495, Barker and Stonehouse
The cloakroom has been upgraded with a corner sink and freshly painted panelling, while tiles from the Bilbao range at Fired Earth give it extra character
ROSA’S BEDROOM
Jenny chose a bright yet classic colour combination in Rosa’s room, complementing the stunning green fireplace tiles with walls in a heritage pink
OUR MUST HAVES
Walls painted in Potters Pink matt emulsion, £42 for 2.5L, Dulux. Native natural stool, £86, Iamfy.
For a similar throw try Jenson herringbone throw, £12, Dunelm
MAIN BATHROOM
The inherited suite was in good condition, so Jenny concentrated on adding some much-needed colour and texture to the scheme. It’s now a perfect family bathroom.
OUR MUST HAVES
Discovery textured geometric cotton bath mat, £9; Multi tribal towel, £8, both George at Asda. Loxwood oak stool, £59, Dunelm
The warm blue on the walls is a classic shade that will evolve with Noah as he gets older. Jenny has dressed the retro metal bed with orange bedding for a fun touch, and added a string of lights over the bedhead
OUR MUST HAVES
Toy Soldier claypaint, £50.50 per 2.5L, Earthborn Paints. Oliver single bed, £450, Feather & Black. For similar duvet try Zig zag with orange by ADDUP, £74.53, Redbubble
NOAH’S BEDROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
In the master bedroom, Jenny wanted an elegant scheme with delicate colours and touches of marble and gold. A dividing wall has been used to great effect, and this space is now the sanctuary the couple envisaged
OUR MUST HAVES
Essentials Kano kingsize platform bed, £325, MADE.com. Nouveau Snow oak flooring, £100 per sq m, Kahrs. Panelling painted in estate eggshell in Cinder Rose, £70 for 2.5l, Farrow & Ball. Chunky jute woven rug, from £29, Dunelm
LOCHLAN’S BEDROOM
When baby Lochlan arrived in lockdown, Jenny quickly turned the old study into a charming nursery. She bagged a second-hand cot on Gumtree and has added lots of fun prints and colours for him to enjoy
OUR MUST HAVES
Walls painted in matt emulsion in Tranquil Dawn, £17 for 2.5L, Dulux. Kids Skylar Mustard Mongolian faux fur lounger, £39, Dunelm. Blind in Cockatoos fabric, £60 per m, Osborne & Little
A fabulous dressing area with custom-made wardrobes and handy storage is tucked into the eaves of the master bedroom. The marble top came from Marble City