When Lorna and Phil saw the location of this house, they fell in love with it. Called 'Woodlands', it is surrounded by trees – in fact, you can see them from every window.

'We love wood; it’s natural beauty, versatility, and the warmth that it brings to a home,' says Lorna. However, it came with one eye-watering challenge, the space where the kitchen was due to go...

'The kitchen was originally a large vaulted room that contained a swimming pool and a hot tub! We knew from our first viewing of the house that this was not something that we wanted to retain. We saw beyond the blue swimming pool and could see how it could become a kitchen, albeit with a lot of work!' explains Lorna of her kitchen renovation ideas.

The couple had chosen deVOL Kitchens, which was a 'non-negotiable' according to Lorna. With the size of this space, it was important to get the design right from the start and the couple, together with deVOL, came up with some genius ideas for making the spacious open-plan kitchen feel cohesive and practical.

These are the tricks to borrow from this striking kitchen renovation if you're negotiating an intimidating space in your home.

1. Get inspiration from places you love

The homeowners had quite a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve in this large open space, but they did their homework before work started.

'We like to visit National Trust properties, and that had also informed the look and feel that we wanted, which was to create a kitchen as though it had always been there, while combining some more contemporary elements as well.

Blending both old and new together was important to us, and taking even a small item such as a jug or a painting and using the colours within were inspirations.'

2. Have a focal point

'We absolutely didn’t want a ‘fitted kitchen look‘ instead, we wanted something that looked as though it had aged gracefully with the house and that it had history,' explained Lorna.

The couple had acquired a four-door dark grey AGA that they had bought from friends. 'It was essential to us that the AGA was a focal point of the room, for the warmth that it brings, particularly when creating such a large space.

Lorna has also sourced some lovely pieces of very old reclaimed wood panelling and reclaimed oak parquet ready for the floor.

3. Create zones

The biggest challenge was the size of the space – a huge 13 x 7 metres no less!

Lorna explains, 'Not only was it a huge space, it has came with a very high vaulted ceiling which at some point had had another floor put across, reducing the height of the room. We were both actually quite terrified about creating a big room that just felt like a warehouse!'

We had several large pieces of furniture that we knew would work within the space. These included a lovely old haberdashery cabinet – which now contains all of our table linens but was originally from a school uniform shop!' Lorna shares.'

The solution was to create smaller areas or zones within the kitchen when planning the open-plan kitchen ideas. 'The plan was for it to feel like a series of little rooms or room sets within one larger space,' says Lorna.

'We achieved this by using strategically placed furniture and the use of different tables and chairs to create a different feeling in each area.

So for example, there is a small round metal table and two chairs where people quite naturally sit and have a coffee in the morning and look out of the doors to the garden, there are two vintage green leather Norwegian chairs with a small table between them piled with books and a little round rug, we like to sit and read there,' says Lorna.

These cleverly placed pieces created cosy areas for relaxing in, whilst still feeling part of whatever was going on in the kitchen space.

4. Incorporate storage into your island

You may think, 'well a large kitchen would have loads of storage space', but when you're creating a kitchen space from scratch, you have to factor in kitchen storage ideas at every opportunity.

'We chose to have a very large island in the kitchen, which has glazed doors all along one side so that you can see our crockery and glassware within it, and we placed this off centre so it felt less predictable.'

Other clever storage solutions include hanging rails across the beams and the ends of the kitchen island and built-in wooden rails for linens and tea towels.

5. Create a pantry

'The existing changing room for the swimming pool became the walk-in pantry – something I love to mention to guests when they visit,' says Lorna.

The door was removed so that it felt as though it became part of the kitchen, and reclaimed scaffold boards were used for shelving. Sheets of tongue-and-groove boarding on the walls.

Next to the pantry sits the tea and coffee station, complete with its own sink; it's part of another zoned area that works really well and includes the fridge too.

6. Colour drench

The couple wanted to create cohesion at every point of the design.

'The biggest compliment anybody ever pays us when they come to visit is not remarking on how large the kitchen is at all, it’s by saying how cosy it feels, and most people almost surprise themselves that they are saying that, knowing that it is clearly a very big room. This is exactly what we wanted,' says Lorna.

This, in part, is down to the colour scheme: 'We colour-drenched the room and that transformed the space.'

The colour chosen for the colour drenching is Stone Dark Warm. The island and units were a custom dark green, for a similar colour try Obsidian Green, both Little Greene. The tea and coffee station area is Mushroom by deVOL Kitchens.

Recreate the look

'We love everything about it this space now, it is everything we could have imagined. It has certainly changed the space from swimming pool to a kitchen! We use the spaces very effectively every day and there are no dead areas, even though it’s a very large room,' says Lorna.

For Athina Bluff and her partner Theo McInnes, an upside to not going out during lockdown was that they were able to make the final push to save for a deposit and buy their first home - a one-bedroom ground-floor flat in a converted Victorian terrace in Brixton, South London.

Living room

‘This my favourite room, I love the high ceilings and the period details we were able to bring back into play,’ says Athina.

‘Knocking down the wall between here and the kitchen was the best decision as it’s given us a lovely open-plan space and added value to the flat without spending a huge amount of money.’

Kitchen

‘I doubled the storage by knocking into the chimney breast and adding a sink run. The cabinet carcasses are Howden and our builder made the doors.'

‘I wanted walnut shelves and the alcove was the perfect place as the rustic finish breaks up the fitted kitchen look,’ says Athina. ‘They recess snugly and don’t block access through to the home office.’

‘The newly open kitchen and living room needed to blend together, so I used the same wall paint colour, ceiling lights and flooring.'

‘I'm at my happiest in here because the colour is calming, everything has its place and isn't crowded with wall cupboards. I fitted a cold-water tap on this side of the room to make it easier to fill pans on the hob.'

Home office

‘We renovated the lean-to by replacing the plastic roof with an amazing glass one and putting in insulation. Slatted wall cladding adds interest. The space leads onto our courtyard garden.'

Bedroom

'I start every room with a statement piece and build the scheme up from there.'

'I invested in a gorgeous bed from Loaf. I love the shape and the minty blue velvet headboard, which ties in with the green panelling and contrasts with the rust velvet cushions.’

‘I really love the Hoxton Hotel, and this became the style inspiration for the boutique look with vintage furniture and designed lighting.'

Bathroom

'I’d been coveting the glossy green tiles for a while; they were on my list of must-haves. They look glam with the black fixtures and hung vertically add height to the room.’

Shop the look

FOCUS ON Neutral decor

Follow Athina's tips on how to make the neutral look work for instant relaxation when you walk through the door

• FIND YOUR PALETTE Layer paint with a tonal family of darks and lights – taupe, beige, stone, creams. Or use graduating shades of the same colour, like those in Little Greene's paint range – Athina's go-to for walls is Portland Stone Pale. Pick the right undertone for light and mood – yellow adds warmth, lilac and blues are cool. Lick highlights this in its colour charts.
• KEEP IT SIMPLE To hold onto that calm, pared-back feeling in a room, pick one statement piece with colour. Stick to soft tones and small patterns to keep the mood cohesive. Athina chose a pale green velvet sofa, a minty green bed, and Lick's Beige 04 for its sophisticated warmth on the kitchen units.
• MATERIALS AND TEXTURES Layer in small furniture and furnishings in a mix of rustic wood, smooth metal, cool marble, reeded glass, rough jute, relaxed linen, soft velvet, to give neutral schemes a dynamic look.
• PLANTS A weave of leafy tonal greens brings a neutral backdrop to life. Go for a mix of large pot plants for a big burst of colour with table-top plants for height and depth. Choose real or faux, but make sure they look authentic.

Visit @topologyinteriors to see more of Athina's work.

Small spaces can be tricky to design especially when they're open plan and have several key areas to accommodate. But this charming cottage on the Burrow Farm Estate in the Chiltern Hills is a masterclass in how to zone a tiny ground floor.

The estate has 6 properties, including Barley Cottage, each individually designed by interior designer Fleur Liversidge to create modern spaces that feel comfortable, stylish and most importantly authentic. In Barley Cottage, the challenge was always going to be the size and layout, but to zone the tiny ground floor in a way that felt comfortable and luxurious.

'The inspiration for Barley Cottage was to create a refined yet deeply comfortable countryside escape – something that feels instantly familiar, but elevated. We wanted it to embody that “home from home” feeling, while still offering a sense of quiet luxury.

So how do you begin to create this harmonious feel?

1. Create a cohesive colour scheme

'The cottage’s character and heritage were key starting points, allowing us to build a narrative that feels authentic to the rest of the estate while layering in warmth, personality, and a subtle connection to the surrounding landscape.'

It's important to create a colour palette that enhances each space yet creates cohesion. Fleur chose paint colours from Farrow & Ball. The idea was to create impact, but subtly.

The kitchen, dining and living room wall colour is Setting Plaster, small bedroom Sulking Room Pink, the large bedroom Treron and the rest is Mouse's Back.

2. Use a mixture of pattern and plain fabrics

'The design process was highly considered and evolved organically over time. We began with the architecture of the cottage itself, allowing its history to guide the direction, before layering in materials and furnishings.

'Commissioning bespoke elements meant the process was naturally slower and more curated. It wasn’t about rushing to a finished look, but about creating something that feels cohesive and thoughtfully put together,' explains Fleur.

3. Zone with different flooring types

Because the cottage was small and all one level, it was important that each area was zoned. Stone tiles were used throughout, apart from in the bedrooms, which have coir carpet.

To differentiate the living areas, rugs were used – a monochromatic design in the living room – for a similar style try Dunelm's Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Dolce Vita rug, currently £63.20, and a more traditional cottage style in the living room, try the Gabriella washable rug, from £23.20, also from Dunelm.

4. Choose a two tone kitchen

Fleur chose the Shaker-style kitchen from Harvey Jones, to copy the cabinet colour, paint the units in this vibrant Sap Green from Farrow & Ball.

Pink and green are a winning combination and really do add a modern feel to this space, whilst managing to retain the cottage's authenticity.

5. Layer design details

'One of the most transformative elements was the introduction of layered materials and carefully considered design details. These choices completely shifted the atmosphere, bringing depth, warmth, and a strong sense of identity to each room,' says Fleur.

'Combined with bespoke finishes, this approach turned the cottage into a space that feels both curated and deeply personal.'

'Each room has its own distinct identity, bringing a sense of playfulness and memorability across the cottage.'

The bathroom has a characterful feel with plenty of textures. A traditional shower sits over the bath and the tongue and groove gives a nod to cottage style as do the stone flags.

For a similar basin try B&Q's Plum & Clay Violet traditional basin and pedestal Victorian ceramic two-hole bathroom sink, it's got a classic design that will suit this style.

Shop the look

'It’s the overall feeling you get when you walk in - the balance between comfort and refinement. There’s a softness to the space, created through textiles, tones, and materials, that makes it feel immediately welcoming – and this is exactly the feel we wanted to achieve,' says Fleur.

Turn to these great style and design tips to transform your small open plan space into one that's zoned yet cohesive.

If you've fallen for this gorgeous space, you can stay at Barley Cottage at the Burrow Farm Estate it's one of six properties in the beautiful Hambleden Valley, Henley-on-Thames.

Located in the iconic Battersea Power Station, this chic apartment showcases a considered, calm and timeless scheme that nods to the building’s industrial heritage, crafted by interior designer Alice Leigh.

Comprising an open-plan living and kitchen space plus two bedrooms and two bathrooms, this enchanting contemporary apartment is proof that you can turn a small space into something seriously impressive. We're talking a brick backdrop, bold pops of colour and the best part: crittall-style doors for extra light flow through each room.

Arguably, the most important area of this apartment for this working couple was the open-plan room, which oozes comfort without compromising on style and modernity. A truly comfortable yet practical apartment that we'd move into tomorrow.

'The homeowners were returning clients.,' explains Alice of how she became involved in the project. 'We had previously worked together on their country cottage project, and this brought an ease and shared understanding to the design process. This project was for their London pied à terre, which had been built by a developer.'

'The brief was to create a contemporary, layered home that felt genuinely comfortable and practical for a busy working couple and their dog,' she explains. 'While the Battersea Power Station development has a distinctive, urban character, we wanted to honour that strong architectural identity while introducing warmth, texture and softness, creating a space that feels inviting, relaxed and effortlessly liveable.'

'The priority was to create a light-filled, contemporary home that still felt warm, comfortable and lived-in - avoiding anything too stark or austere,' says Alice. 'The open-plan living space was definitely the most important room.'

'One of the main challenges was to define different zones within the open-plan living space, giving each area its own identity without disrupting the overall flow,' she adds.

'The homeowners’ style is comfortably modern, mixing antiques with contemporary pieces, and featuring calm colour palettes with accent colours and patterns.'

Main bedroom

'The scheme was heavily inspired by the building’s location and the striking architecture of the old power station itself,' Alice explains of the design.

'The main room was intentionally kept neutral, with subtle pattern introduced through cushions and a palette of earthy tones to add depth without dominating the space. Stronger colour comes through in the artwork.

'Layering a variety of textures and furniture finishes for me is key to bringing depth and warmth to a space. In this project, by thoughtfully mixing old and new pieces, we were able to create a scheme that feels collected and characterful rather than overly uniform. This approach added richness and interest, while helping the interior feel comfortable, lived-in and timeless.'

Alice worked with Kate Anniss from art and design consultancy Mylo, who created an inventory of fantastic artworks to complement the schemes and inject personality.

Bathroom

A spa-like feel is created in the light-filled space with a contemporary bathtub and a soft colour palette. Bold artwork brings personality to the wall.

Dining room

The rounded silhouettes of the generous pedestal dining table and mid-century-style chairs form a contrast to the blocky form of the sideboard. Colourful artwork makes for an eyecatching focal point, while chevron wooden flooring grounds the scheme.

Guest bedroom

The melange of soft and bold greens, teased out of the landscape artwork, evokes a soothing aesthetic.

Kitchen

The property’s industrial roots are played to with the kitchen’s metro tiles, streamlined cabinetry and metal-framed screen. Velvet chairs bring a pop of rich colour, as well as opulent texture. A generous sofa provides stylish and inviting seating.

Sitting area

The earthy hues of the cushion fabric nod to the warm tones of the brick wall. Sofa, Minotti.

A generous sofa provides stylish and inviting seating. Alice has introduced earthy-hued cushion fabrics that nod to the warm tones of the brick backdrop.

Get the look

This article originally appeared in 25 Beautiful Homes.

Kim and her husband Stewart weren't looking to move to this quiet north London suburb, but during a serendipitous route diversion, they felt so impressed by the area that they began their search there.

And when they spotted their dream house - a four-bedroom Edwardian semi - for sale soon afterwards, they knew it had the potential to be their forever home.

‘Having our hearts set on Walthamstow, we put offers in on many properties and were outbid by up to £100,000 over the asking price. We'd widened our search to Leyton and Highams Park, also in east London, but to no avail. One weekend, while driving to the Midlands, we were redirected off the North Circular through leafy Enfield.

'Having never been there before, we spent the remainder of the journey researching what the transport links into central London were like, and what properties were available in our budget. Much to our delight, we immediately found a house that caught our eye.'

‘The previous owners had lived here for 36 years and lovingly restored the house to its Edwardian roots. When we moved in, they had painted every room a neutral off-white so it was a blank canvas for us. We set about transforming our living room, the middle room and guest bedroom first.'

'I spent time on Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration, knowing that I wanted to be more daring with colour and texture this time round - I'd always played it safe in previous homes. After ordering countless wallpaper and paint samples, I created moodboards and a spreadsheet of products and prices before making a final decision.'

‘I'd describe it as playful, but traditional. We're not afraid to experiment with colour and texture, but it's about striking the right balance to complement the age and elegance of the house. While I love a good trend, we've also been keen to invest in pieces that will last through many years.'

‘Plans are underway to redo our en-suite bathroom and to redecorate the middle room.

'The previous owners used it as a snug, but for us, having three small children means it works best as a playroom. I'd love to try colour drenching in here, as we did in the living room, in a deep terracotta colour with splashes of colour from the kids' framed artwork.

'Long-term, we'd love to save up to rework the kitchen-diner, and move the utility elsewhere to make the most of the garden views and natural light.'

Take the tour of Kim and Stewart's colourful home

Living room

‘This is my favourite room – it's our sanctuary after the kids have gone to bed. The previous owners had it as a formal dining room, but we decided to convert it back to a space for relaxing.'

Kitchen diner

‘From busy breakfasts to lingering suppers, we spend most of our time here. Our plan is to open it up to the garden with an kitchen extension one day.'

'The cabinets were sage green when we moved in, with the island in this attractive dark charcoal. So we decided to colour match the shade to use on all of the units, creating a more cohesive feel.’

Main bedroom

‘It would've been fun to go for a darker tone on the ceiling, but, because it is slightly lower with no coving, we kept it light.'

‘I've always wanted a dressing table, but struggled to find one in mango wood to match the bedside tables. In the end I opted for this console table with a large mirror to complete the look.'

Nursery

‘This scheme took a while to come together but it's probably my favourite. I picked the wallpaper first, which inspired the paint colours; these work well with the original fireplace tiles.'

Caleb & Rae's bedroom

‘Taking our cue from the wallpaper, we settled on plaster-pink walls and dark green for the woodwork.'

Guest bedroom

‘This room in the loft conversion is one of the few spaces that I haven't painted pink! It gets a lot of sunlight, so we went a little cooler here with the scheme.'

Get Kim's colourful look

Focus on... Colour drenching

If you’re looking to add a punch of colour to your space, then this advice will help you get started

• PICK A TONE Painting walls, ceiling and woodwork the same colour creates a polished look, blurring the lines where walls and ceiling meet. A light shade across your whole space can make a room feel larger and brighter, while darker tones create cosy, cocooning spaces.
• THE FIFTH WALL No longer ignored and destined to be painted white, the ceiling is now a design element in its own right. Paint it, along with any cornicing, the same colour as the walls for a cohesive design-led look.
• COLOUR CAPPING Create a gradient effect using two to three paints in increasingly darker shades of the same colour, starting at the floor and ‘capping' at the ceiling.
• SELECT A FINISH Some brands have created multi-surface paints, for example, Farrow & Ball's Dead Flat range, for a seamless flow.

Follow Kim's progress @our_london_edwardian

Having reluctantly agreed to view a dated dormer bungalow, Kelly Bailey was astonished when, minutes after stepping inside, she came face to face with the breathtaking view that would clinch the deal.

‘When my husband Richard and I drove up to the property, I didn’t really want to go inside, but I’m now so glad that I did,’ says Kelly. ‘The rear view overlooking fields and towards hills was incredible, and the property offered vast potential. ‘While I was at the bottom of the garden looking at the river, Richard was so impressed that he made an offer and, all of a sudden, this time-warp property was destined to become our next home.’

It was Kelly’s mother who had shared a tip-off about the bungalow in a charming Cotswolds town that hadn’t yet come to the market. ‘I never thought I’d end up living in a dormer bungalow, but the reality was that we just had to buy it,’ says Kelly.

After moving in during 2021, the couple drew up plans to completely remodel and extend the property, ensuring the view that had captivated them could be seen right through from the front door. Initially agreeing that both rear extensions should sit flush with each other, while living in the bungalow before starting their renovation, they realised this would make the kitchen very dark.

‘We updated the plans so that the cedar-clad section would be less prominent, allowing more light to flood into the ground-floor living spaces at the back,’ Kelly adds.

In August 2023, the couple moved into rented accommodation nearby, along with their teenage son, while the six-month build began. As project manager, Kelly visited every day to ensure their vision came to fruition.

‘We took off the roof and gutted the entire bungalow,’ Kelly adds. ‘At one stage, only two external and one internal wall from the original property remained. ‘Our aim was to create a very comfortable and practical light-filled home that maximised the beautiful rural views. We felt bifold doors and glazed balconies would work well.’

Priorities on chef Kelly’s wish list included creating a large, sociable kitchen and a pantry, plus an outside kitchen and dining space. ‘I had my heart set on running food, lifestyle and wellbeing workshops from home and knew that these spaces would need to work hard,’ explains Kelly. ‘Since launching The Buttery Dish, my company has really taken off, and the time and effort invested in researching every detail has paid dividends.’

The starting point for the majority of the schemes was inspired by a green Lacanche range cooker. ‘It’s a lovely shade,’ Kelly says. ‘I wanted to bring the green tones from the outside into our home to create a calm environment.’

To inject character and depth, reclaimed timbers were sourced for the double-sided fireplace and the hallway. Treasured antiques have been juxtaposed with newer finds to add interest and personality. ‘I’ve loved designing our home,’ says Kelly. ‘I can’t quite believe that I so very nearly missed out on such a wonderful opportunity.’

Kitchen /Diner

Kelly commissioned her carpenter to make a dining table that would comfortably seat eight guests in this light-drenched space.

Sitting room

Keen that this space wouldn’t compete with the outdoors, Kelly chose a relaxing, neutral palette with hints of green.

Garden room

This rustic space is ideal for both entertaining and Kelly’s workshops.

Garden kitchen

Chef Kelly’s outdoor kitchen is well equipped and stylish.

Main bedroom

An oversized pendant injects a bohemian feel.

En-suite

Determined to introduce a vibrant feel in this space, Kelly sourced pink floor and wall tiles.

Shop the look

For more information about The Buttery Dish, browse @the.butterydish on Instagram.

This feature originally appeared in 25 Beautiful Homes.

Located in one of London's most sought-after neighbourhoods, Primrose Hill, this townhouse underwent a complete renovation. The kitchen, which was once a pain point for the homeowners, was moved to the first floor and transformed into an effortlessly elegant cooking space.

There's something eye-catching about a white kitchen with marble worktops, it's elegant, sophisticated and timeless. With deVOL Kitchens chosen to undertake this transformation, we spoke to their senior kitchen designer, Kristina McIntyre, who worked closely with the homeowners on this ultra-stylish project.

They shared the key clever design details that were implemented to make this kitchen look so striking, and the tricks you can apply to your kitchen, too.

1. Team a high splash back with open shelving

'The tall splash back behind the sink and the simple stone shelf with deVOL brass brackets add an element of grandeur and luxury,' says Kristina.

The detailing that make a scheme work is often the smaller things – like taking the splash back higher up and having the shelf made in marble. Equally you could use a marble effect instead to save the budget. Another style tip to copy this look is to use the same metal across the space – the brass shelf brackets match the taps and create a cohesive look.

For a contemporary look opt for white floating shelf like the GoodHome Cusko white rectangular design from B&Q, 60 x 23.5cm, £14.

2. Consider a two colour scheme

Two tone kitchens have become really popular over the last year or so, and it's easy to see why. They allow you to be more creative, even if your scheme is subtle, and by choosing two shades, you're ensuring your space is unique.

The right colours will enhance your kitchen. 'The contrast between the light and dark cabinet colours and the bold veining in the Abrascato marble makes this space feel sophisticated and elegant,' says Kristina.

For similar paint colours, we like Skimming Stone for the pale units and Smelt Black for the island, both Farrow & Ball.

3. Invest in stylish lighting

Lighting ideas are key in any kitchen, and it's important to have different layers that cover various areas. In this kitchen, there's a combination of wall lights and a pendant above the island.

The wall lights highlight the shelf and the pieces on display; they illuminate the worktop and sink area too. For a similar design, check out John Lewis's Cartmel wall light in clear, £60; it has a heritage design and a twisted fabric cord.

4. Opt for a marble effect work top

'The Arabescato marble worktops in the kitchen are the real star of the show,' says Kristina. Marble is the ultimate in luxury when it comes to worktops. Yes, it is pricey and budget-dependent, but there are cheaper alternatives to check out – and it's a worktop style that looks great with white kitchens.

We're big fans of the GoodHome Kala white quartz effect laminate square edge worktop, £140 for 620mm x 38mm, from B&Q. It looks like marble and is resistant to scratches and stains.

Kitchen splashbacks needn't cost a fortune – if you want to invest, then think about how you can team it with something else, for example, you could use marble on the unit worktops but have a different surface on your island, or vice versa.

5. Rejig your layout

One of the reasons why the homeowner wanted to move the kitchen to a new floor was to make full use of the natural light, tall ceilings and original period features in this room. However, if did mean they had to get creative with the kitchen layout.

Issues did arise in terms of positioning and layout, Kristina explains, 'The room has two large windows with low sills and radiators that sit in front of each window, so we had to come up with a clever way of including all the essentials needed for a kitchen. We placed the sink, dishwasher and bins along the back wall to allow for a tall splashback, and we included an induction hob and integrated oven in the island furniture.'

6. Use your island as a seating area

With the kitchen being the hub of a home, kitchen island as much as possible is always worthwhile.

Kristina agrees, 'The island in the middle of the space creates an elegant centrepiece that is both functional and beautiful. This provides the perfect area for preparing meals and socialising. I would like to think that the island would be their favourite part of the kitchen, as it provides a warm and welcoming place to perch and chat while someone is preparing a meal in the kitchen.'

Add warmth to your marble kitchen island by choosing bar stools in a warm wood. Try these Loxwood counter height bar stools in solid oak, £69 each, Dunelm.

7. Use freestanding storage

'The positioning of furniture was limited to the side wall and alcoves on either side of the chimney breast, and the integrated fridge/freezer and larder cupboard both fitted beautifully on either side,' explains Kristina.

If space is tight then consider a freestanding larder cupboard that can be utilised. These are excellent for freeing up kitchen units and keeping worktops clutter free.

We like Dunelm's Salcome larder unit, £999, it's still an investment piece but comes with so much storage you'll wonder how you managed without it!

Recreate the look

Be inspired by this fabulous townhouse kitchen and if budget's are tight, there are still ways to elevate your kitchen scheme from ordinary to eye-catching by switching up your style details.

From the moment you step into Gem and Thom's three-bedroom Grade II-listed 16th-century former farm building on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, it feels instantly welcoming. This is, in part, thanks to their chosen colour palette of soothing yellows, greens, and neutrals that flow effortlessly throughout their home.

Here, Gem takes us on a guided tour, explaining their style, how they modernised their farmhouse, and which elements they love most.

'We've created a welcoming living space'

'I find much of my inspiration on Instagram, but also like to soak up visual notes everywhere I go.'

‘Our sofa in two warm, neutral complementary fabrics creates a modern twist on a traditional look, while tactile woven coir rugs add texture.'

'We wanted to respect the history of the old farm building, but also inject our own personalities.'

'A soft-green paint colour sets the utility corner apart'

‘We chose this apple-green shade for the small utility area to create a visual nod to the rustic origins of the Grade-II listed 16th-century building, which had once been a cider factory.'

'The colour also provides a visual contrast to the yellow and terracotta tones of the open-plan space, giving the practical zone its own personality. A Shaker-style cupboard, panelling and peg rail bring a traditional feel, while the rustic storage baskets add warmth and texture.'

'Source vintage pottery with a rustic vibe'

‘We are huge fans of open shelving and love to display our collection of vintage chopping boards and ceramics.'

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'Make the kitchen a central hub'

‘Thom loves to spend hours in the kitchen, so we needed a sociable living-cooking space. We opted for Shaker kitchen units and a warm earthy cream-yellow scheme to complement the vintage natural-wood furniture.'

'The natural terracotta brick flooring was an important part of our vision, and we have used it throughout the project. We wanted the cook space to be a continuation of the living area, so we used the same flooring and colour palette.'

'Choose subtle and restful co-ordinating colours'

‘Layering different shades of the same colour brings depth and warmth to a scheme without over-complicating things – perfect for a tranquil bedroom.'

'I like to source bedroom lighting that is quietly functional but visually strong; here, in the third bedroom, we opted for neatly shaped wall lights in a warm metallic finish.'

'Go for a luxurious roll-top bath'

‘Each bedroom has its own en suite, and this bathroom, with its large roll-top bath, was designed with me in mind. Whenever I get the chance, I am in the bath here with a glass of wine and a book. The lighting in this room is divine – it evokes candlelight, even without the candles.'

'Mix classic design with mellow tones'

‘We opted for a striking chequerboard tile pattern to link with the theme in other rooms and create continuity throughout the property.'

'Aim to create cohesion with defined style'

‘The palette continues into this bedroom, where I have used warm neutral shades of caramel and sand to create a soft and gentle aesthetic. A statement headboard is a welcoming gesture that gives luxury-hotel vibes in an instant.'

'Deep khaki is earthy and sophisticated'

‘For this en suite, square tiles in an unusual dark-khaki shade finished with white grouting nicely echo the chequerboard theme in the adjoining bedroom, and beautifully complement the natural terracotta stone floor tiles. The rattan mirror is a vintage find.’

To stay at the property, visit @restaries

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This article first appeared in Ideal Home, June 2026 issue. Subscribe and save here.

Laura and Bill had lived in this property for 20 years and although it's a large house many of the rooms just didn't work. Laura explains, 'They were the wrong size and shape and mostly far too cold. The back of the house was also very ugly from outside, making the slightly scraggy garden even less enjoyable.'

The couple had also acquired a big backlog of maintenance jobs, 'There were bits falling off, a 40 year old boiler and so on, so it made sense to redesign the whole thing,' says Laura.

Laura and Bill had met three architects previously, though none of whom seemed to quite understand how they wanted to live.

'We turned the process around, and found a highly recommended builder, Cramond Renovationswho had worked with TAP Architects before and thought that they would be a good match. We knew pretty soon when we met them that they would be right for us and could guide us through the kitchen extension process. It was particularly helpful that they combined architecture with interior design.'

'The starting point was actually a de-clutter – after 20 years, we needed help with that and found it locally at LifeEdit, who were brilliant at helping us focus on what we wanted to keep and what could be let go.

'That got us into the change process, as well as cutting down on the need for things to go into storage. The renovation needed a huge number of decisions, and the declutter certainly got us some practice with those.'

'We knew that this was going to be an all-in project, and it took 14 months in the build. We had decided to move out which was quite liberating in a way because it let us (and the team at TAP) think about every room in the house – and every room has been upgraded.'

Laura explains that this also reduced the need for compromise. 'For example, if all the floors are being replaced anyway, that's the time to install modern heating. Emma at TAP was fantastic at understanding what we wanted, even when we found it hard to describe beyond saying "we want some wow factor here!", and showing us ideas and suppliers that we would never have found by ourselves.'

What the family was missing was a social area for everyone to hang out. 'We wanted the kind of place where everyone congregates at the end of a working day, to decompress and relax. We had a small, cold kitchen, a dank utility room, a rather dark and enclosed family room, and a tumbledown conservatory. Everything was the wrong shape, in the wrong place, the wrong temperature and worn out. But in a way that's a good thing, because it gave TAP more scope for radical change at the back of the house.'

Take the tour of Laura & Bill's family home

Kitchen

'This space is a great place to cook without having to disappear into a separate kitchen – Archispek (another recommendation from Cramond Renovations) produced a very elegant kitchen that works really well.'

Kitchen diner

'TAP transformed and extended the back of the ground floor into a wonderful open plan snug / dining / kitchen area, which is stylish, spacious, warm and light and with a gorgeous view and link to the garden – designed and installed by the wonderful Water Gems.'

The beautiful extension ceiling was formed with Douglas fir beams.

'We can sit in the house and enjoy the garden, or sit in the garden and enjoy the house. One end of this space has Victorian cornicing, the other is ultra modern, and it all works together.'

Snug

'The snug / dining / kitchen extension is our favourite place in the whole house. It's such a great heart for the house and a wonderful place to be at any time of the day or night.'

'The concept is perfect, and there are lots of beautiful details, we're really glad we went with the Douglas fir beams as they are so eye-catching and really give a modern look to the space.

Our family life is much more social – our children, now young adults, have far more elegant and comfortable bedrooms to hang out in, but many evenings are shared, full of conversation and warmth.'

Bedroom

This bedroom has the lovely bay window as a main feature with built in wardrobe storage. The chocolate brown walls are accented with navy damask curtains. A white wall radiator keeps the room cosy during the colder months.

Bathroom

The family bathroom is light and airy and painted in a dusky pink. To create a more relaxing feel there are plenty of wall lights for ambience. The stone flooring adds warmth and texture.

Shower room

The shower room is dark and dramatic with colour drenching in a dark green that's striking against the white sanitaryware.

To the left is the shower which is decorated with textured green metro tiles and finished with antique brass style fixtures and fittings.

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'We still have to pinch ourselves to prove that it's real – we have light and shade, drama and calm. Rooms that were too cold to use for most of the year are now warm and stylish, and used frequently.

'Having good underfloor heating, an air source heat pump and solar panels means that the whole house can be comfortable all the time. We can have friends round without having to warn them to bring extra jumpers!'

When John Cooper and his family moved into their Victorian semi-detached home in Stockport six years ago, it was clear they had a big project ahead of them. ‘It was very much a doer-upper,' says John.

‘I think back in the 1970s it had been carved up into apartments, so we've been undoing a lot of that work.' Restoring the house's period character was a delicate task. ‘It's awful, because it would have had such gorgeous features,' he explains.

Everything changed when John got the call to appear on BBC's Interior Design Masters last year. ‘I was like, crikey, how am I actually going to make this work?' he recalls. ‘It's been such an amazing rollercoaster.'

The living room became his creative playground. ‘It's been through about four iterations,' he laughs. When they moved in, the room was theatrical with flocked gold wallpaper and deep-red velvet curtains.

‘My wife was like, “Can you just paint it all white, please?”' So he did - for a while.

Then came a bold decision: ‘I painted the whole room in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. It was very textural, very maximalist. There was nothing subtle about it at all.'

It was that version that led to his first application to Interior Design Masters. When told to ‘try again next time', he redesigned the space again, choosing neutral tones, black-and-white artwork, and a textured feature on the chimney breast.

Get John's signature monochrome look

The experience opened new opportunities, including a collaboration with John Lewis. ‘I wanted the new living room to showcase all the pieces in a way that represents me and everything I learned from the show,' he says.

Calm neutrals are layered with architectural details, including wall panelling and a striking chimney breast. John created a grid of picture frames from wood and mouldings, each cut at precise 45º angles.

The final palette balances warmth and light. ‘It had to be this amazing colour called Reduced Green by Farrow & Ball (£79 for 2.5ltrs) I found,' he explains, chosen to complement the black, white and toffee tones of his product range.

‘We have green running throughout the house – the dining room next door is panelled in green, too. This means that even though the rooms feel different, there's a visual language linking them,' he says.

The result is a space that reflects John's signature style: ‘The show called my style “graphic bohemian,” and it is quite graphic, but it's also relaxed and natural.'

If he could change one thing? ‘I'd probably take up the carpet and put in a wooden floor, and perhaps add some more plants.'

Before & After – what it looked like vs how it is now

When Giles and Suzi moved from central London to rural North Wales, they found themselves with a home of two halves.

‘The front of the property dates back to the 1870s, while the back of the house was built in the 1700s,’ explains Giles. ‘The kitchen was unfortunately tucked away from the living spaces, and we wanted to connect it.’

An extension soon solved this problem, and the spacious new kitchen-diner now sits as the vibrant heart of the family’s home.

Working closely with kitchen company Pluck to bring their vision to life, the couple landed on a striking kitchen colour combination with wooden detailing. ‘Our kitchen isn’t for everyone, but we wanted to be bold,’ says Suzi. ‘And Pluck’s palette helped us to be braver than we thought we ever could be.’

Amid the strident pink and green scheme, the kitchen is home to an abundance of hidden storage, statement seating and mixed materials to add balance.

‘As the kitchen faces west, we didn’t want to be blinded by the sun reflecting off shiny surfaces, so we chose Silestone quartz in Ethereal Glow for the island worktop, which creates a soft, warm glow,’ says Suzi. ‘We also used distinctive London Plane wood throughout the space. It has an incredible grain and it’s a nod to our time in the city.’

‘Giles wanted a space where he could make coffee, so we created this dedicated nook with a fridge in the cabinet underneath it.’

‘Banquette seating was on our wish list, so Pluck created this curved corner design in London Plane with concealed storage.'

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Homeowners Lara and Darren wanted a hardworking family kitchen that invoked a sense of calm, was practical as well as stylish and within a realistic budget. With the couple both being professionals with young children, it was really important that this space worked on all levels.

The property is a former gamekeeper's cottage in the heart of a Somerset village with plenty of original features, with the existing kitchen being far from ideal. 'It was a peach-toned, colour-blocked space that felt dated and anything but calming. We set out to transform it into a place we’d truly enjoy coming home to – a light, airy, welcoming environment that feels safe, uplifting, and quietly restorative,' says Lara.

After plenty of research, Lara felt drawn to Tom Howley kitchens and chose the Hartford cabinetry.

These are the 7 design tricks that Lara and her Tom Howley designer, Lucy Nash, used to give this kitchen a high-end look on a realistic budget – with stunning results.

1. Multi-tasking central island

It's said that an island is literally the heart of the kitchen today, and for Lara and Darren it really is.

'The island plays a central role, acting as both a preparation space and a social hub for the family,' says Lucy. 'Zoning was crucial to ensuring the kitchen could handle multiple activities at once, whether that’s cooking, helping with homework or hosting. The space now feels intuitive to use and everything is exactly where you expect it to be.'

Lara loves the island and how it's really helped with family life, 'The island has completely changed how we use the space – the kids sit there to eat, do homework, or watch something on their iPads while we cook, and we didn’t have that sense of connection before.'

2. Marble style worktops

Marble worktops are a game-changer when it comes to adding style to your kitchen, but a kitchen worktop idea that looks like marble can be just as effective and save you money that you can put towards other parts of the kitchen.

'We were really focused on resolving a few key challenges from the outset – balancing Lara’s high-end aesthetic with a realistic budget was one,' explains Lucy. Lara chose a quartz worktop called Rapture by Brachot, it's got the look of refined marble with delicate veining.

There are plenty of 'similar-to-marble' worktop options to choose from for lower budgets, like the GoodHome Nepeta satin white onyx marble effect laminate by B&Q, from £334 for 300 x 62cm.

3. A hidden walk-in pantry

'Storage was a major consideration, so we looked at how to integrate everything seamlessly without compromising the sense of openness,' says Lucy. One of these solutions was to repurpose the existing cloakroom into a walk-in pantry.

'This was a pivotal move, as it allowed us to conceal clutter and free up the main kitchen,' Lucy explains.

'The pantry is my pride and joy,' says Lara. 'It looks like a cupboard from the outside, and when guests discover it, they’re always amazed. It’s so useful too, with plenty of worktop space for baking and prepping, and I can keep everything in one place when we’re hosting.'

Flipping the downstairs cloakroom into the pantry gave the family loads of hidden storage and allowed the rest of the kitchen to feel more spacious.

4. Integrated laundry space

Originally Lara and Darren had approached an architect to make the space larger for extra storage and to incorporate a utility room.

Lucy explains, 'I could see that the existing space was adequate for everything they wanted and they did not need the additional cost of the extension, so I prioritised storage solutions, aesthetics, and zoned areas to define the space.'

Instead the idea was to have a part of the kitchen as a zoned space, 'We didn’t have the budget for a separate utility, so everything was cleverly placed and a tall cupboard was created for the washer and dryer.'

5. An intuitive layout

'This kitchen design was about creating a kitchen layout that felt intuitive, maximised every inch, and respected the character of the cottage while supporting modern family life,' says Lucy.

With a triple aspect space to deal with, it was imperative to rework the original kitchen into one that could function efficiently for this busy family.

Lucy explains, 'Every element has been designed and positioned with purpose to support a natural workflow, from food prep through to cooking and laundry tasks. For example, placing the dishwasher near the plate storage and positioning the bins opposite the fridge helps streamline everyday tasks and reduces unnecessary movement.'

'We’ve got a lot of appliances, so fitting everything in was quite tricky,' says Lara. Everything in the kitchen just works – the layout is so intuitive that cooking feels easy, and the cleanup is quick. But more than that, it’s a place to reset.'

6. Two tone colour scheme

The couple really wanted a kitchen that felt calming and light. Lara had a clear sense of the aesthetic she was drawn to and wanted the result to feel high-end.

'A cohesive scheme within a defined budget was key, ensuring the final result felt considered, timeless and right for the long term,' says Lucy.

A contemporary two colour scheme using bespoke Tom Howley shades was chosen – Green Meadow and Hazy Sky. And with views out of the windows of the garden, these colours were perfect for linking the two spaces.

For similar shades have a look at Dix Blue for Green Meadow and Borrowed Light for Hazy Sky, both Farrow & Ball.

7. Attention to detail

High end finishes, beautifully crafted cabinetry and considered storage are all essential ingredients when creating a kitchen. Attention to detail is key, 'Everyday items needed to be accommodated without the space feeling cluttered,' says Lucy.

With that in mind bespoke elements came into play, for example, the coffee/tea area with shelving about the coffee maker, and a place for tea towels and trays. Door pulls and knobs were considered and matched the rest of the scheme perfectly.

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'We still have a long way to go with the house, but the kitchen is a huge milestone – it’s beautiful, practical, and built for the life we want to live,' says Lara. 'When I step into it, I just feel gratitude: that we can create memories here with our children and build something meaningful for our future. From our very first enquiry, the Tom Howley team was warm, open, and completely free of judgement. Everyone involved was so passionate and proud of their work, and you can feel that care in every detail.'

A Victorian end of terrace in Frome, Somerset. It has a kitchen diner, living room, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sewing room and an office.

A change of pace was what Alex and Adam were after when they moved to the historic and vibrant market town of Frome in Somerset. After having their first child, everything had shifted for them, and they wanted to find a new home in the countryside.

They liked Frome’s community feel, great schools and good transport links. ‘We actually moved on day two of lockdown and had only visited twice before, so it was a big gamble and a strange time to relocate,’ says Alex.

They were enticed by the original period features of a Victorian end-of-terrace townhouse that was in a prime location. The couple snapped it up despite the fact that it had been untouched for around 30 years.

‘We were quite naive; anyone with more experience would have probably told us there was a lot more work to do than we thought,’ says Adam.

They enlisted the expertise of Emil Eve Architects to help reconfigure the space. Despite it being a sizeable house, it wasn’t conducive to modern-day family living.

The main priority was combining the former utility and kitchen to create a large, L-shaped, open-plan kitchen diner, and snug with glazed sliding doors that opened onto the courtyard.

Alex and Adam also wanted to sleep on the same floor as their two sons, so the large loft space was to be zoned to allow for a main bedroom with an en suite and dressing area, alongside the boys’ rooms.

Despite best laid plans, the project itself was far from plain sailing. The groundworks began in November 2021, but after knocking down the internal walls and reconfiguring the ground floor, progress slowed.

‘The builders dropped the bombshell that they weren’t going to be able to finish the job as the company was entering administration, but luckily we managed to cobble together a willing band of subcontractors and project managed the rest of the build ourselves,’ says Adam.

However, the couple had a hard deadline, with a new baby on the way, and there were setbacks. ‘We moved back into the house in June 2022, with a newborn and a three-year-old. I was left living upstairs with a makeshift kitchen, and the back of the house was wide open, plus Adam was in Japan for work – it was a challenging time!’ says Alex.

‘But, in July the glazing was installed and that was a key moment – it meant that other internal works could then be started, such as the underfloor heating, boarding and plastering,’ says Adam. However, even the glazing installation wasn’t without its difficulties.

'The supporting beam was set 20cm lower than it should have been, but Emil Eve came up with the solution of removing the supporting column (so that the beam could bear the weight at a lower height), which allowed for uninterrupted corner opening sliding doors.

‘It was a happy accident really, as we love how open it makes the space feel and it has created an even better connection with the courtyard,’ says Adam. Work started to wrap up just in time for the family to enjoy Christmas in their finished home. ‘The more time we spend here, the more we appreciate it.’

The lowdown

Take the tour of Alex and Adam's family home

Kitchen

‘We love the way the tiles run from inside outwards so that the courtyard feels like it’s part of the interior, creating one big communal living space.’

‘This little window seat tucked into the pantry wall is one of our kids’ favourite spots to perch and chat while we’re cooking – it’s great for guests, too.’

‘We wanted the kitchen to be one big communal space that we could enjoy with the kids, so we incorporated seating nooks and a kitchen island.

'We also wanted a Japandi vibe – plenty of natural materials, terracotta and warmth.’

Living room

‘We love the traditional fireplace and large windows in this space; even with the high ceilings, it feels really cosy, especially when the fire’s on.

'Despite it seeming like a formal living room, it actually serves as a playroom for our boys the majority of the time.’

Family bathroom

‘Getting the bath in here was a massive job – it was supposed to go up the stairs, but we couldn’t grip it properly to get it up, so the plan was to get it through the window before the new glazing went in below.

'However, we didn’t manage to do it on time so we had a very stressful balancing act with scaffolding over the new glazing instead!’

Main bedroom

‘We wanted our bedroom to feel like a sanctuary away from the chaos of the house, so we kept the room light with plenty of natural materials.

'The walk-in wardrobe space was a key feature and something we’ve always wanted to include.’

Guest bedroom

‘We wanted this room to be spacious so guests could be comfortable for longer stays. We continued the calm, neutral palette we chose for our room.’

Get the look with these top buys

FOCUS ON... Indoor/outdoor tiles

The Raimes family used the same flooring internally and externally to create a seamless flow between the open-plan kitchen-diner and the outside courtyard – here’s how to get it right

• CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL Porcelain tiles are ideal for a kitchen due to their durability, heat-and stain-resistance, while outside they also provide a low-maintenance and slip-resistant surface, perfect for entertaining. Natural stones – such as sandstone, limestone and slate – are also very durable and beautiful, but often require more maintenance, such as sealing to prevent scratches and staining. It’s worth noting that ceramic tiles aren’t suitable for outdoor use as they’re porous and can crack.
• CHECK THE RATINGS Your outdoor tiles will need to have a high slip-resistance rating (typically R11 or R12) as they’re exposed to moisture, or a PTV rating of 36+ for safe outdoor use. Many brands will actually offer ‘all-in-one’ or coordinating ranges with the same design, but with different slip resistances and thicknesses for indoor/outdoor transition.
• MAKE IT VISUALLY APPEALING Large-format tiles with fewer grout lines can make the space appear larger and more seamless, plus there’s less maintenance involved. Ensure the tiles are laid in the same direction, with minimal, flush thresholds, especially when it comes to the glazing installation for uninterrupted visual flow.

After buying and transforming several homes over the years, Ian and Lana finally settled on their 'final move' – an Arts and Crafts-style country house with rendered walls and a red tiled roof. They've always made each home theirs, and with this new one, they knew straight away it would need some work.

When they bought the house, it had a small bedroom with a tiny ensuite and just not large enough for what the couple wanted.

The aim was to upgrade and make it their own with a more refined flow for everyday use.

With sloping ceilings, the space had a lot of potential but was definitely going to be challenge to add an ensuite to.

'Our previous bedroom had the smallest ensuite and shower room – so tiny that I could only just squeeze into the shower but could hardly move. I do not have that problem now,' says Lana.

Ian and Lana wanted to create an ensuite that was eye-catching yet practical, and ideally with a large modern bath and walk-in shower. They love the colour teal so wanted that to be their main shade.

'I felt that it would give a more relaxed feel to bring the colours of the outside inside, so hence more greens, browns and golden colours,' explains Ian.

Logistical challenges

Due to the nature of the space Ian and Lana did have some challenges. 'We had to raising part of the first floor extension 28inches higher than the original flooring, and consequently raised the roof too. This allowed for the elevated gym ceiling below, which now makes it split level from the dressing room into the bedroom and ensuite,' explains Ian.

Clever details

'We incorporated plenty of clever features, perhaps the top one was creating the lowered wall divider between the bedroom and ensuite and placing wrought iron spindles atop for support.'

The iron supports really pack a punch and work so well with the rest of the design – a true design feature that enhances the space whilst being practical at the same time.

The Kurv matt white freestanding bath from BC Designs is a real statement piece too, and can be bespoke-painted to match a scheme.

Ian adds, 'Another feature is at the side of the bath with the tinted glass, achieving a glimpse of the ensuite from beyond, allowing more light into the bedroom and providing a bolder look and feel.'

The tinted glass in the shower and bath end was by Glass & Glazing Solutions Ltd.

Whatever the size of your bathroom, storage is key, and for Ian and Lana, it was important to have his and hers style with a bathroom cabinet and tall unit each. They chose wall-hung vanities from Hudson Reed to create a more spacious feel and completed the look with brushed gold fixtures and fittings.

Walk this way

The couple used the same tinted glass for the shower as the piece at the end of the bath. Again, the twin option was chosen, and the shower heads match.

A bench was incorporated at the side of the walk-in shower – if you have the space, then this design feature is always useful for getting dressed and for storing lotions on.

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'The main bedroom has now finally been transformed into a 30 foot long bespoke dressing room, bedroom and ensuite. It all works as a complete unit, but there's nothing like a long soak in our huge BC Designs Kurv bath whilst looking at either the stars at night or the blue sky and trees through our large gable window.'

Elle and Jonathan's home is classic detached Victorian but needed modernising when they moved in – it had a small kitchen that didn't work or fit properly with the proportions of the rest of the house.

Another issue was the light. Elle explains, 'There was no natural light at all because it only had a few small windows, so it was dark and not ideal for busy family life.'

What the couple really wanted was an open-plan layout with a design that was warm, inviting and felt 'lived-in', with clear zones where they could enjoy views of the garden. 'Our inspiration was to create a kitchen with optimum function and flow that could accommodate our needs; from cooking and entertaining to socialising and working.'

The design brief

'For the design, we saw that influencer Reena Simon had collaborated with The Main Company on a kitchen collection so when we saw her aesthetic we knew we wanted to use elements like fluted cabinets and soft woods in our design.'

Elle and Jonathan decided that a kitchen extension idea would be the answer as it would give them a spacious, multifunctional and bright kitchen as well as more living space.

'Alex at Main really understood our challenge and helped to create a kitchen that is as light and functional as it is stunning. Considering the flow of the kitchen to the garden was important given the step change in visibility, we spent a few months carefully mapping through the right colours, tones and textures as well as layout and use of space.'

A work in progress

'As we decided to have the builders and the landscapers for the garden in at the same time, the house being a construction site with so many people wasn’t easy,' says Elle.

The plan was to start remodelling the garden with significant structural work to create several flowing tiers. 'This allowed the landscapers to finish with the exception of finishing touches around the perimeter of the house, whilst the kitchen building got underway. The extension shot up surprisingly quickly, and whilst it was tricky living in a makeshift space at the front of the house, our new kitchen was soon being fitted in time for Christmas. To be honest, I think we were lucky with this project as we worked with a good team, and it largely went to plan.'

Innovative lighting solutions

One of the main issues with the original kitchen was the lack of light which made the space feel both small and dark. Creative solutions were needed to totally upgrade the former kitchen into one that Elle and Jonathan desired.

'Adding more light was a key part of our design brief, so the new floor to ceiling windows and large skylight over the roof of the extension have completely transformed it.'

Other design aspects that were implemented to cultivate more light were the white work tops across the units and island, light floor tiles and the back wall and ceiling were painted white.

Three fluted glass pendants were placed above the island for ambience and task lighting as well as clever additions, 'The lighting is really well designed. It’s as zoned as the room itself, layered across ceilings, inside and outside of cabinets, on shelves and even around the edge of the large skylight in the ceiling. People spontaneously comment on the range of options and dimming functionalities,' explains Elle.

Bringing the outside in

'When designing the kitchen with Main, we wanted to bring the outdoors indoors, so we introduced lots of wood cladding and a nature-inspired colour palette with green and rust painted cabinets along with the use of other woods throughout,' says Elle.

The colours the couple chose are Slaked Lime on the walls, Invisible Green on the kitchen cabinetry and Heat on the kitchen island, all by Little Greene.

'For me, the cladding from Main is my favourite design element in the room. It makes me feel like I’m in a ski chalet in the mountains as it’s so warm, welcoming and rustic, and it adds so much character and texture to the kitchen,' says Elle.

Storage solutions

Kitchen storage ideas were an important aspect – from fluted glass wall units that allow the light to pass through, to floor-to-ceiling cabinetry. 'Every space in the new kitchen has been utilised to its best ability with plenty of storage throughout, different seating options and touches of our personal style at every point. We also opened up the doorways into the back lounges so you can see and walk right through.'

Elle and Jonathan chose a combination of 'on view' storage and hidden which really adds an eclectic mix to the kitchen design.

'I really like our bespoke brass panel on the wall that ‘dresses up’ a gold pan hanging rail next to the range cooker. Not only is it a very functional way to store pots and pans, but it also looks good! It was handmade by a local artisan and has a marble effect reflecting the rustic orange tones in the room. It almost feels like a piece of artwork!'

Recreate Elle and Jonathan's kitchen style

'The kitchen is a totally different space now as it has doubled in size and allowed us to live in a new way. Previously, it was so hard to cook, entertain or work in there due to the lack of light, limited space and bad layout. It was designed for Victorian times, not 2026! The choice to add an extension was the best thing we could have done – and we have never looked back. It totally transforms the flow of the house and spending time in here is a joy. We can’t wait to get home at the end of the day to relax and spend time together.'

With four successful house renovations already to her name, tackling a fifth felt almost instinctive to Rebecca Jones, who embarked on a fresh start in the Cotswolds.

Swapping the comfort of being close to family and friends in Hertfordshire for new horizons might have daunted some, but not Rebecca.

The house, set against a rural backdrop, proved to be the perfect choice, and when the demands of renovation quickly took over, there was little time to dwell on the move.

‘Refurbishing the house kept me so busy that I didn’t have time to think about adjusting to living in a new area – it just happened,’ Rebecca says.

Its tired interiors, dated finishes and overgrown garden – blocking views of fields and rolling hills – didn’t deter her. It felt right and full of potential.

Not wanting to extend, she set about turning it into her ideal home.

‘It was about working with what was already here, making every space reach its full potential, and each room feel special.’

Colourful snug

The house had been smothered in lining paper, a blank but uninspiring canvas. Rebecca stripped it away before re-plastering each room.

‘It gave me the chance to start afresh,’ she says.

‘My taste has evolved with the age and character of the homes that I’ve renovated, but I’ve always been drawn to pattern, colour and texture, and to using antique and vintage finds to make a home unique to my family and me.’

This is perfectly demonstrated in the snug, off the kitchen, where Rebecca created a rich and inviting scheme by decorating with jewel tones of green, purple and pink.

Rebecca, who, alongside renovating houses, runs online vintage business Tabby Violet Interiors, knows how to hunt out the perfect vintage treasures for a space.

Living room

In the green living room, period elegance was reintroduced with coving, while new skirting boards, radiators and lighting brought cohesion and polish.

‘It was about respecting the character but making it feel lived in again,’ says Rebecca.

Originally two rooms, the living room is now one large space with a sitting area at one end and a study area at the other.

Two plush sofas are made even more comfortable with mixed-patterned cushions from Tabby Violet Interiors.

At the other end of the large living room sits a handsome Regency pine sideboard, still with its original paint.

Rebecca has styled the sideboard with vintage and antique treasures, such as the metal tea pots, which are mementoes from visits to Marrakesh, decanters and an intriguing witch’s ball.

Kitchen

The country kitchen was always destined to be the heart of the home. The old scheme was ripped out and replaced with a bespoke design that feels both timeless and personal.

‘I wanted a kitchen that reflected the period of the house and my taste,’ Rebecca explains. Rejecting wall cupboards, she opted for decorative open shelving.

‘Most people can’t reach wall cupboards anyway, and they often make a room feel smaller. I wanted the kitchen to feel open, airy and welcoming.’

Anchoring the space is a pale-pink electric Aga, a statement piece that marries tradition with modern charm. ‘It makes me smile every time I walk in,’ she says. ‘It feels classic, but also a little unexpected.’

Above it, the original butler’s bell has been fully rewired and linked to the front door – an evocative detail that pays homage to the house’s history.

To complete the transformation, Rebecca replaced dated flooring with reclaimed oak wooden flooring.

‘The boards are full of character and perfectly suit the age and style of the property,’ she says.

The original beams were one of the things that charmed Rebecca into buying the house.

While the kitchen and dining room are two separate rooms, the openness created by the half wall and beam framework makes them feel like one sociable space.

A large butler’s sink is set into a run of cabinetry that conceals the dishwasher and bin.

Pantry

The original cloakroom was oversized and awkwardly positioned. ‘It was such a waste of valuable space,’ says Rebecca.

In its place now stands a generous walk-in pantry, crafted by her trusted kitchen company, Heartwood Designs.

‘I love how practical it feels – it’s a proper working pantry.’

To conceal the shelving below the worktop, Rebecca used the clever hack of a cupboard curtain in a striped fabric.

Dining room

The country dining room adjoins the kitchen and has been given a fresh, rustic look with time-worn and painted wood.

Tongue-and-groove wall panelling was fitted into the alcoves for visual interest, and Rebecca painted it to match the kitchen cabinetry.

Weathered oak flooring was laid to complement the existing wooden fire surround and original beams.

In the alcove is an antique cupboard with a chicken wire front. Rebecca updated the piece with a Liberty haberdashery fabric.

As someone who prefers preloved pieces over high street buys, Rebecca was delighted to see this small sofa being given away locally.

To give it a refresh, she recovered it in a floral fabric. A mustard gingham cushion perfectly picks out the yellows of the sofa fabric.

Bathroom

Pink and green come together in perfect harmony once again, this time in Rebecca’s en-suite bathroom.

A small roll-top bath is painted in a soft pink, contrasting with grey/green walls. A vintage wall cabinet with an aged patina adds character.

Bedroom

Rebecca’s pink bedroom sits at the front of the house and has a lovely light aspect. She created a bright and feminine look with walls painted in a soft pink.

The pretty wooden bed, the bedside tables, and the crystal drop wall light add to the feminine feel.

Rebecca loves floral fabrics and added a pretty cushion to otherwise neutral bedding.

The result of Rebecca's renovations and decoration is a home that feels layered with history yet utterly personal – a sensitive renovation where every detail has been considered.

‘Considering that I’m a serial renovator and usually looking ahead to the next project, I can safely say I’ve created my dream home – and I’m staying put, for now!'

This feature first appeared in Period Living Magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Fashion and textile designer Pearl Lowe, and her husband Supergrass drummer Danny Goffey, have recently returned to city life in London. The couple's pied-a-terre is a two bedroomed flat in the heart of Notting Hill and it encompasses Pearl's unique style perfectly.

Author of the Faded Glamour series of interior books, Pearl is well placed to design this charming flat that's full of original features. After designing her vintage kitchen which is full of treasures and understated elegance, next on the list was the bathroom and Pearl teamed up with iconic bathroom company BC Designs to help transform this key space into one that's oozing vintage glamour.

Art deco influences

Previously, the bathroom had been 'a functional shower room' that was rather dark.

'I’ve always been obsessed with 1920s Paris – the glamour and the sense of romance. I wanted the bathroom to feel like a forgotten corner of the Left Bank: decadent, slightly cinematic, and full of atmosphere rather than perfection,' says Pearl.

Pearl chose Bert & May's metro skinny tiles in Little Greene Rolling Fog and Iris that were used vertically.

There were some issues initially due to unmovable pipes, Pearl explains, 'The pipework ran straight across the floor, which completely dictated the layout. Instead of hiding the problem, we turned it into a design feature, creating subtle steps to conceal it and Bert & May's Hampton large hexagonal white marble tiles which gave the solution real beauty.'

The statement piece

The most transformative aspect of the makeover was the bath, 'Without question,' says Pearl.

However, there was some discussion as to whether the bath Pearl had chosen would work in the space. 'The BC Designs freestanding Senator bath with feet was deemed too big, too heavy, and too impractical by our builders, but I was determined. Now it’s a statement piece in the room, completely grounding the space. It has changed everything.'

Let in the light

'The bathroom was dark, so we added a piece of star-etched glass. It catches the light in the most unexpected way, subtle and almost dreamlike,' says Pearl. Recreate this look without investing in new glass by checking out Purlfrost's Sunburst patterned window film.

To enhance this faded glamour Art Deco feel Pearl used the windowsill for extra decoration, 'I’ve placed all my vintage perfume bottles along the bottom, and it looks so beautiful.'

Vintage detailing

Pearl wanted to create a vintage look teamed with contemporary elements like the 'striped' tiled walls. The classic looking towel radiator, basin taps and shower in brass add warmth to the scheme and soften the overall look which gives it a more glamorous feel.

The Victorian washstand by deVOL has a marble topped sink and offers storage for towels underneath and on the side.

Antique finds

'My favourite part of the bathroom is the small vintage shelf I rescued from our beach house. It’s full of trinkets, objects, and little fragments I’ve collected over the years, which I keep adding to. I often lie in the bath staring at it.'

For a similar pink shade to the wall behind the shelf try Crimson Red by Farrow & Ball.

Pearl loves to spend time scouring vintage fairs and antique markets for unique finds to create her iconic romantic style in her home.

'The makeover has completely changed how I use the bathroom now, it went from being a purely functional shower room to a space you want to stay in. The deVOL marble-topped sink and Senator bath brought in a sense of elegance and indulgence. Now it feels like a room for lingering, not rushing.'

Shop Pearl's vintage bathroom look

Vintage glamour is a lovely theme for a bathroom, it's relaxing yet elegant and you can make it your own by teaming it with antique buys.

When Samantha and her family bought their house in March 2024, it was a blank canvas with plenty of challenges. ‘In October, we started refurbishing it. We did a two-storey extension, first floor and loft – and we lived in the house during the eight-month build!' she says.

A major focus was on creating a layout that worked for their family. The previous owners had three children's bedrooms on the first floor and the main in the loft. ‘We have two children and wanted to be on the same floor as them, so we flipped the layout. We knocked two rooms together on the first floor to create a main suite and the loft is for visitors.'

The loft bathroom, however, has become one of Samantha's favourite rooms. ‘It was created as a guest bathroom but it's so beautiful that I like going up there. It's calm and quiet. It feels quite feminine, and I live in a house with three boys, so it's a real treat.'

‘As a beauty editor, I always have lots of products in our en suite bathroom downstairs. It’s much more calm up here, with nothing out on show – my mum can even leave her toiletry bag and toothbrush in the drawer for when she visits,' says Samantha.

A large Velux window fills the space with light, making it feel airy and inviting. ‘Lighting was really important to us,' says Samantha. ‘It was something we considered carefully in every room.'

‘Daylight floods in through the Velux window and we added a carefully thought-out layered lighting scheme of spots, strips, under-cabinet and wall lights.'

Materials add warmth and texture to the space. ‘We wanted to mix natural materials to give an interior-designed feel without actually using an interior designer. The fluted marble and the reeded wood-effect tiles feel very Scandi and the floor brings it all together.'

The loft bathroom was the trickiest space to plan. ‘There were missed measurements in the initial designs and once insulation was factored in, we lost head height, especially where the shower is,' Samantha recalls.

‘The room is long and thin; it meant the shower could only go in one place, which didn't leave much head height as it was under the slope. My husband spent ages finding a shower head that would fit in the tiny gap – it was either that or having to crouch under the shower.'

‘The shower head looks really architectural because it’s not on an arm. In reality, it was the only one that worked here,' she explains.

In summer, the refurbishment was complete. ‘We finished around July and now we're happily enjoying the house, although we're still having some of the snagging done,' Samantha says. To see more of Samantha's renovation, follow @samantha_silver_

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Nicky Keen realised it was high time to move when, at six foot seven inches tall, her eldest son began struggling to stand up properly in their much-loved cottage.

‘My husband and I are both tall and, as our two other boys were following in George’s footsteps and shooting up quickly, it dawned on me that, at six foot, I was soon going to be the shortest member of the family,’ Nicky says. ‘We were, quite literally, outgrowing our home and needed to find a more practical property.’

At the time, the Keens were living in a 400-year-old cottage in Appleby Magna, Derbyshire, that they had renovated and extended.

‘When we started house hunting in 2020, it was Covid times and the property market was crazy,’ Nicky explains. With a buyer for their cottage on board, but unable to find anything suitable for themselves, the Keens decided to rent while they carried on looking. After a frustrating nine months, Nicky received an email from an estate agent.

‘She told me that a Georgian farmhouse in a village reasonably nearby was just about to go on Rightmove. I actually got goosebumps as it sounded absolutely perfect,’ Nicky says. Within hours, she and her husband were stepping inside the property. ‘The house was ideal,’ Nicky says. ‘It had high ceilings, a super layout, lots of character and was in a good location.’

When she called the estate agent to make an offer, Nicky was astonished to hear that a cash buyer had already made a higher bid that had been accepted. However, the disappointing situation took an unexpected twist when a few days later, Nicky returned from a walk with a friend. ‘I’d deliberately left my phone behind to switch off from the stress of house hunting. When I got home, I had five missed calls from the estate agent,’ she explains. It transpired that the previous offer had fallen through, leaving an opportunity for the couple to buy.

In March 2022, the family moved into their new home. ‘The house was in great condition and the garden was very well-maintained,’ Nicky says.

As well as a new roof, boiler and woodburner, all of the windows had recently been replaced. ‘Delighted that a family would be breathing new life into the home he’d loved, the owner had kindly left us items, including beautiful chandeliers, which I wanted to keep as I put my own stamp on the farmhouse.’

That summer, Nicky, who frequently collaborates with Tim Wilson Bespoke Kitchens to design and create kitchens for her Joy Interiors clients, liaised with Tim to bring her vision for her own timeless kitchen to fruition.

‘Other changes in the house included painting throughout, and adding wall panelling to the two living rooms,’ she says. ‘I wanted to introduce restful tones, combining off-whites with blush pinks, pale blues, greys and greens, as well as some black accents that I pulled through from the colour of the front door.’

Her trusted team of artisan tradespeople upholstered furniture and made curtains and blinds for several rooms. Later, in 2024, the family bathroom was updated and, last year, the couple’s en-suite shower room was modernised. ‘Our home is full of furniture and treasures that we’ve collected over the years,’ says Nicky.

'We love this house, which I often describe as a more “grown-up” version of our cottage.’ And the couple are delighted that, despite the setbacks, they eventually found a beautiful – and more practical – place to live.

‘It’s ideal for us and a very special home where we have plenty of space to make memories. We all feel incredibly proud and grateful to be the current custodians of this historic farmhouse.’

Living room

By adding Georgian-style panelling, Nicky has provided a hint to her home’s origins.

A soft-teal sofa adds another dimension to the calming neutral backdrop.

Kitchen

The family’s cherished antique table fits well in this vaulted space, while the chandelier was left by the previous owner.

While remodelling this space, Nicky decided that a false chimney breast with a mirror behind the cooker would create depth and a symmetrical feel for this run of units.

Sitting room

Soft-green tiles in a herringbone pattern form an attractive feature at the back of the fireplace in this more formal room.

Kids' bedroom

Muted greys and shades of taupe create a restful look in this bedroom, while vintage trunks add character.

Family Bathroom

Floor tiles inject subtle pattern in this newly revamped scheme.

Main bedroom

The storage is designed to be practical and streamlined, and the muted William Morris wallpaper works well above the panelling.

Nicky used the colour of the upholstered headboard as inspiration for this scheme.

‘The farmhouse was ideal for us,’ says Nicky. ‘It’s a very special home where we have plenty of space to make memories.’

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After years of hard graft maintaining a picture-perfect Georgian farmhouse near Tenterden in Kent, Jonny and husband Julian had become disenchanted. ‘We were tired of the constant cycle of looking after an old property and were hankering after a Grand Designs-style house with open spaces,’ says Jonny.

There was also the issue of schooling for their son, now 13. ‘He was moving to secondary, and we needed to find somewhere closer,’ adds Jonny.

The couple saw dozens of homes before viewing a converted Atcost barn just outside a Kent village. The house was close to their son's school and had lots of potential. It also had an annexe, which would be perfect for Jonny’s mum to move into. ‘The space was so exciting,’ says Jonny. ‘One of the first things that strikes you is the double-height window that overlooks the view, and one of the attractions is that the house is down a track and at the head of a valley.’

Meanwhile, the laundry room, en-suites and room to put a desk in the downstairs bedroom were all major selling points.

It had been on the market for a year, and so Jonny and Julian’s offer was snapped up. ‘I think the reason it hadn’t sold was that the first floor remained largely unconverted. It was a bland white box and it was hard for people to see how it could become a family home.’

In August 2023, the property was theirs and they moved in with Jonny’s mum and Luca the dog. Aside from redecorating, the open-plan living space, annexe and ground-floor en suite didn’t need much work.

Upstairs, however, was a different matter. When the couple bought the property, the first floor was an uninspiring space, used as an office/gym. ‘We used an architect to draw up plans and then employed builders to create two en suites, a store room and a library/snug.

We also added a mezzanine landing from which to create two new doors into the bedrooms,’ says Jonny. The couple wanted to maximise the views from the main bedroom. ‘My goal was to be able to sit in bed and see down the valley through the metal-framed glass doors and the picture window,’ says Jonny.

Both Jonny and Julian work in creative industries. Jonny is a fine-art consultant and interior designer (Interiors Curated By Jo, at interiorscuratedbyjo@gmail.com) and Julian is a TV director. Having been together for 34 years, they have collected an eclectic mix of furniture and art. ‘I had to coalesce all those bits together – from shabby Georgian country-house style to mid-century modern,’ says Jonny. ‘The interior style is usually led by me and, luckily, Julian trusts me.’ Art-wise, the property features pieces ranging from 17th-century Dutch oil paintings to modern pieces by local artists.

The family are happy with the end result and love spending time in the open-plan downstairs. ‘I enjoy how the white walls take on interesting colours during the day and how, in the evening, the lights cast by lamps create abstract shapes,’ says Jonny. ‘Although it’s modern it does have a feel of a medieval great hall.’

Kitchen

The cabinetry was installed by the previous owners and features a dramatic dark-blue island. Exposed brickwork adds warmth and character.

Bedroom

This triple aspect room has views out across the valley. Persian rug, Selfridges. Headboard, re-covered in a green muslin fabric by Jonny.

Bathroom

A striking free-standing tub is the standout feature here.

Kid's Bedroom

Bold colours and graphic patterns add a touch of fun.

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This article originally appeared in 25 Beautiful Homes magazine.

Ben and Gaby Hillman had always planned to convert their home's existing loft space into their en-suite bedroom, but with a whole house to renovate and extend, the project was pushed down to the bottom of the list. Once savings were in place, they were ready to start.

‘The loft room was a multi-room, but with no real purpose – the girls would play up here, I had my office and we stored stuff,' says Ben, a presenter on Channel 4's A Place in the Sun and an interior designer from ITV's 60 Minute Makeover (@benhillmantv). ‘It had been built with the original house and didn't have a door or dormer and felt hemmed in without a visual connection to the outside. Our goal was to create a lovely light bedroom with a feeling of space.'

Without question, Ben and Gaby needed a dormer, which, as well as adding 6sq m floor space, created volume, head height, light and views.

Before

‘Fortuitously, the start date tied in with a break from filming, so I had time to take over the building work from second fix – making fitted furniture, fitting lights, skirting boards and so on – alongside a plumber and electrician,' says Ben.

With the staircase already in place, Ben designed the en suite within the dormer above the family bathroom to make plumbing easier. He toyed with the bed facing the window with a partition wall behind for a walk-in wardrobe.

The finished look

‘On the plans, there wasn't quite enough room and the layout felt less open and more clunky,' he says. ‘Whereas coming into the room and seeing the bed in front creates a pleasing visual.'

For a light and calm space, Ben took a muted approach to interiors with plans for oak tones, linens and Farrow & Ball's Setting Plaster on the walls. But, impressed with the plasterers' work, he changed his mind. ‘I loved the silky pink sheen finish that had texture and tone, so I left the walls bare,' he explains. ‘I then painted the wardrobes a soft white-grey so they fade back with contrasting deep-blue wall panelling to put the focus on the bed.'

The room infuses hints of mid-century modern in the bedside tables, linen lights and bouclé bed; lightweight curtains and pale oak flooring nod to Scandi design.

‘The new window is made with toughened glass and set as low as possible while still meeting Building Regulations. A favourite detail is the oak reveal I made that’s given the window a picture frame quality.’

‘The bold abstract art came last and draws the colour scheme together,' says Ben. ‘We're really pleased with the dormer and big window, we love all the light and feeling of space – it's a real treat to have our own hideaway.'

‘We feature a “hot property” in A Place in the Sun and I saw a similar look in a high-end house in Oléron, France,' Ben explains. ‘Interior lighting and oversized handles add to my design.'

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No strangers to property development, Miranda and David had two renovations under their belts when they spotted a 1980s chalet-style home on the market and decided they were ready for a new challenge.

The three-bedroom house was nestled in beautiful East Sussex countryside near Wadhurst and the couple immediately saw the potential to create something modern that maximised the views.

‘The property was really dated, with a massive brick fireplace and green Artex ceilings. Plus, it didn’t make the most of the beautiful views from the back,’ says Miranda. ‘We searched online and found local architects RX and just loved their designs.’

During lockdown, the couple applied for planning permission to convert the outside studio and the main house and, six months later, it was granted.

The couple and their youngest child, Poppy, lived in the existing house while they converted the studio into an annexe and, once it was complete, moved in there before starting on the main house. The property has been extended, with a snug added downstairs and a family bathroom upstairs.

Plus, the layout was reconfigured by moving the main living space to the back of the house and installing vast sliding doors to take in the views.

Originally, the property had an indoor swimming pool, which has been replaced with the ground-floor main bedroom suite; there is extra storage space accessed by a hatch in the dressing room.

Outside, a natural-water swimming pool was built, pitched roofs replaced with flat designs and, for a smart contemporary finish, Miranda and David clad the property in burnt larch.

The couple managed the project themselves and got hands-on alongside contractors and tradespeople. While this saved money, it proved tricky.

‘When you’re in the middle of a build and every tradesperson is asking questions, it becomes overwhelming. It was exciting, but challenging at times,’ says Miranda.

What’s more, as the build took place during Covid, everything went up in price by 20% and it was tricky getting supplies. ‘Another major issue was the vast windows turning up without any glass in them!’ says Miranda.

After two years of hard graft, the work was completed in December 2022, and it was worth it. The property has gone on to be recognised in industry awards – highly commended at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2025 and shortlisted for the British Homes Awards 2025.

The family are delighted. ‘There’s something special about lying in bed and being able to look up at the stars,’ says Miranda. ‘We are also really happy with our kitchen by Ben Argent – it has the best finish because he was really meticulous.’

The house is living up to its eco promise, too, with a ground-source heat pump and solar panels. ‘We didn’t really need the fireplaces but they add an extra warmth,’ says Miranda. ‘I love modern interiors but you also need a bit of cosiness.’

Take the tour of Miranda and David's remodeled home

Open-plan area

The couple reconfigured the whole of the ground floor, creating the main all-in-one living space – incorporating sitting and dining areas plus the kitchen – which has a wonderful sense of flow.

Living area

‘You can be cooking in the kitchen and still feel part of everything, with the family chatting, relaxing and watching TV here,’ says Miranda.

The large squishy sofa offers the perfect spot to admire the views.

The polished-concrete floor, complete with underfloor heating, works well whatever the season. ‘It is like a huge radiator in the winter.’

Hallway

The couple decided to move the staircase from its original position and upgraded it to this beautiful natural oak structure, which complements the grey concrete floor perfectly.

Dining area

‘The pink chairs came from our previous house and shaped the palette here. I chose a deep aubergine for the kitchen, with a dark blue for the wall cupboards, which links to the grey sofa.’

Kitchen area

‘We chose a Ben Argent kitchen because it struck the perfect balance between modern design and real warmth. I’ve never been drawn to the shiny white units you see everywhere.’

Family bathroom

Miranda wanted something practical but with a bit of fun.

‘The black-and-white scheme might have felt stark, but the patterns soften it and bring real character. It’s functional, family-friendly and stylish all at once, which is exactly what we hoped for.’

Guest room

The ground-floor space features dramatic full-height windows.

‘We created the room with our family at the heart of it. It’s important to David and me that our children can always come home and have a space of their own. The full-height windows were a must to make the most of the view.’

Main bedroom

A sense of luxury is key to this fabulous new space. ‘I wanted it to be like waking in a five-star hotel room every morning, but still feel calm and inviting.’

• INSTALLATION PROCESS Polished-concrete flooring is installed by pouring the concrete mixture onto a steel-and fibre reinforced mesh, which helps to prevent cracking. It can also be used with underfloor heating. After pouring, it is levelled and compacted, smoothed using a power-float machine and then hardened. At least a month after pouring, the floors will need to be polished and sealed.
• PRACTICAL CHOICE Concrete floors are incredibly durable. They are perfect for high-traffic areas, often outlasting other types of flooring, making the average cost of £135 psqm more affordable. Mopping once a week with a concrete-safe floor cleaner is recommended, while burnishing can be done periodically to maintain the shine.
• PALETTE OPTIONS Colours can be added in different ways: pigments can be mixed into the concrete before pouring, while surface stains or dyes may be added during the polishing phase. There is a wide range of colours and effects to choose from.

It’s durable, low-maintenance and easy to clean, which is why the Eyres chose this option for both the ground floor and the terrace

Focus on... Polished-concrete flooring

Get the look - recreate a similar vibe in your home with these Scandi-style buys

London will always have a magnetism about it, particularly for those from rural areas keen to experience the opportunities and vibrancy of living and working in a capital city. But sometimes the resurgent allure of green fields, fresh air and a real sense of space is too much to ignore.

Jess Daines and her husband Ted both grew up in the oh-so-rural Norfolk countryside, surrounded by farmland, sweeping rural vistas and, importantly, houses of a decent size. ‘Norfolk has a funny way of calling you home,’ smiles Jess as she describes their former life in London, remembering quite how compact their flat there was. ‘We lived in a very small studio apartment, which was cosy, to say the least!’

With plans to start a family, the pair packed up their belongings and ventured back to East Anglia. ‘We were searching on Rightmove for around a year until we found the right house for us,’ she says of the characterful property, situated in a picturesque village just north of Norwich and surrounded by acres of open fields. ‘It really did tick all the right boxes for us as a family.

Now we have a lovely-sized garden and we’re able to walk our dog, Cooper, by the neighbouring fields where we love to watch the harvest in the summer. It feels like a very special place to raise a family, and our village pub has also reopened, which is wonderful!’

The property had previously been rented out but the couple could see how it could be re-energised and enhanced to create a welcoming family home. ‘We particularly loved the oak windows, deep skirting boards and oak floorboards downstairs. It just had a lovely warmth about it,’ Jess says. The exterior, too, exuded all the rustic charm they were after, with its tiny gabled windows, red brick façade and terracotta tiles on the roof.

Once inside, they set to making some changes. ‘Initially, it was all cosmetic work. Then, more recently, we decided to add a small extension, creating a dining space off the kitchen, which joined on to the living room,’ she says, adding that while the work was reasonably minimal, the arrival of baby Theo made it more of a juggle. ‘It was a relatively small project, but it was definitely enough for me to manage with a small baby!’

Bifold doors now lead out onto the garden, with countryside vistas beyond. ‘The amount of natural light we now get has been a game-changer for these north-facing rooms,’ Jess says. ‘And the open-plan layout feels nice and cosy due to the warm colour palette and natural materials.’ Pine furniture, stone floors and textural sisal all complement each other perfectly.

It’s clear that Jess has a keen eye for detail and love of interior design, something her 190,000 Instagram followers confirm. Snapshots of her home @mrsjessdaines eloquently depict her favourite colours and textures, as well as the romance of slow-living. Images of the cosy kitchen, for example, might include a basket of fallen apples in the autumn or a bunch of freshly cut summer flowers to communicate the ebb and flow of seasonal country life.

But it is also apparent that Jess loves the vibrancy of richer shades to add energy and interest to a space. The kitchen island in a spicy red tone is a good example, as are the gingery hues of the velvet sofa in the living room, enlivened further with cushions and throws in elaborate patterns. It is all effortlessly brought together, something Jess attributes to the organic process of homemaking.

‘I would say it’s taken me a little while to develop my style, but I love discovering new colour combinations, and I’ve started to become more confident with styling different patterns together,’ she adds. ‘I do think the best homes take time and it’s about adding the different layers, personal touches and collecting pieces along the way that mean something.’

Kitchen

The kitchen oozes country style with Shaker panelled cupboards, peg rail shelving and a pine dresser.

Jess loves to visit vintage shops and displays some of her favourite finds on the antique pine kitchen dresser.

Dining area

Natural wood furniture creates a relaxed atmosphere. A sideboard with carved bobble detail provides valuable storage.

En-suite

A floor of clay tiles in a herringbone configuration is both beautiful and practical. Brass fixtures and green metro tiles add to the charm.

Main bedroom

Jess has opted for a combination of floral wallpaper and tongue-and-groove panelling in a solid red shade.

Tucked under the eaves, this space is full of character with a sloping ceiling and tiny gabled window. A striped cushion adds a dash of formality to the décor.

Guest room

This welcoming room has a layered, textural feel with rattan headboard, frilly cushions and vintage shutters.

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This feature first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine

As soon as you step through the door of this cosy Cornish cottage, it's evident that the pretty fabrics and cosy interiors inspire its owner.

'I spent my whole working life at Laura Ashley, setting up displays and shop windows. I really miss working there,’ says Beth Tarling.

There are reminders of Beth’s Laura Ashley years all over the house. Not just cushions, but the brand’s country-classic sofas, lamps and curtains.

Stone built with clotted-cream coloured lime render, the seaside cottage stops you in your tracks. Built in 1760, in the village of Gunwalloe on the Lizard Peninsula, the property has been altered and added to over the years, and has served as a farmhouse, village shop, family home and more recently, a holiday home.

The property had been in husband Dan’s family for years and had been well looked after so when he and Beth took it on there was no structural work to attend to. Instead, the couple set about updating the interiors and decided to split one of the bedrooms into two bathrooms, one en suite and one family bathroom.

The old bathroom was then converted into a small bedroom. ‘It sounds simple, but there’s such a lot of work in changing bathrooms and bedrooms around, moving walls and pipes. Dan is a builder and did most of the work himself,’ says Beth.

Kitchen refresh

Dan fitted new wooden painted kitchen doors to the cupboards and removed wall cabinets, upcycling some of them into a dresser-style unit in one corner for a more traditional look.

Beth completed the scene with a small kitchen table, a midcentury stool and a pretty curtain to hide the dishwasher.

A carefully chosen coastal colour scheme subtly weaves through the house. Beth drew inspiration from the coastal setting and has used many shades of blue to reflect the ever-changing seascape, along with the salt-washed greens of the fields and mustardy yellows to evoke the sand.

‘I wanted the house to blend in with the landscape,’ she says.

Open kitchen shelving is used to store and display some of Beth’s vintage crockery, including a fine collection of 1940s Beryl Ware from Woods, which she adds to whenever she sees it in charity shops.

The blue-grey painted open shelves are a good contrast with the green cupboards and crockery.

Dan and Beth added the Rayburn range cooker, which makes the kitchen extra cosy.

Garden room

Open to the kitchen is a bright and airy garden room, one of Beth’s favourite places.

The table was put together by Beth’s father, who added a new top to a Victorian base. The drawers were missing, but the empty gaps provide handy storage for board games. Repurposing is a recurring theme in the home.

There’s an easy-going mix of vintage furniture, charity shop finds and family pieces.

‘I never throw anything away, and I don’t like buying anything new,’ says Beth. ‘Modern furniture always seems to be on a bigger scale. I find older pieces are a better fit for the cottage and they add character.’

Hints of soft greens in the checked curtains, an old Laura Ashley fabric, and wall shelves link up with the kitchen cabinetry and with the garden outside.

The prints on the shelves and to the left of the doorway are by Vernon Ward, whose paintings inspired Beth’s colour choices for the cottage.

Porch

Even the rustic lean-to porch at the back of the house has been given a chintzy makeover, with a tented ceiling in Laura Ashley’s old Hydrangea design and curtains to match.

Antique glass bottles catch the light on a shelf fixed across the window. The back door is painted in green gloss, specially mixed to match a 1940s enamel dish.

Cosy living room

Raspberry pinks and soft reds bring extra warmth to the low-ceilinged country living room, a comfortable retreat on cooler evenings.

The warm colours of old clothbound books, neatly displayed on the bookcase, inspired Beth's choices for fabrics and accessories.

The sofas, armchair and curtains are old Laura Ashley designs. Beth's mother has reupholstered many of the home’s armchairs.

Beth is always on the lookout for old boat paintings and local landscapes to hang on the walls.

What matters more to Beth than any colour schemes or furnishings is the effect a home has on those who spend time in it.

‘It’s the feel of a place that’s important to me,’ she explains.

‘When we started renovating here, I had in mind how it felt in Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, Hilltop, and that’s what I was hoping to achieve by layering colours and textures, and old family heirlooms – all those layers are what make a house feel right.

‘For every room in the house I sew two curtains together to keep the heat in, and the Cornish sea breezes out,’ says Beth.

‘And with patterned fabric on both sides, the curtains look just as pretty from the outside.’

Snug

Beth kept the walls and furnishings light coloured in the snug at the front of the house and decided to leave the beams unpainted to make the most of the natural shades blending in from outdoors.

Main bedroom

Layers of pattern and colour create a homely cottagecore bedroom feel in the main bedroom.

Beth’s mum bought the old oak wardrobe from her local recycling centre shop together with a matching dressing table. The framed Redouté rose prints were from a local antiques shop. The eiderdown belonged to Beth’s aunt.

Guest bedroom

The downstairs guest bedroom is a real flower bower, layered with chintzy prints.

Dan stripped paint from the original fireplace, leaving a chippy paint finish to the mantelpiece to match the antique furnishings.

In pride of place on the bed is a vintage eiderdown that belonged to Beth’s Aunty Freda. The mahogany chest of drawers cost just £50 from an antiques shop.

Hallway

As a creative small hallway idea, the stairway walls are covered in Melrose, an old Laura Ashley fabric.

'The old plaster was too fragile to take wallpaper, but the pinned fabric works a treat, says Beth.

Bathroom

Dan reconfigured the upstairs layout to squeeze in this cottage bathroom and an en suite.

He repurposed the existing bath and fittings, and made a vanity out of an old bedside cabinet.

The curtains were made from a remnant of 1930s fabric, and Beth placed vintage glass vases where they catch the light from the window.

This feature first appeared in Period Living Magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Most homeowners might approach a renovation with a little trepidation, but for Alice and Richard Horton, the prospect was tinged with excitement as Richard’s sister-in-law, Laura Horner, runs her own interior design practice. ‘It meant she was absolutely in our corner when it came to dealing with architects, quantity surveyors and builders,’ says Richard. ‘Plus, she and Alice share a similar sensibility, which resulted in many fruitful hours visiting antiques stores and artisans.’

The couple, who have a house in London, began searching for another property to be closer to their parents and spend more time in the countryside. The Cotswold stone house they found in a village close to Burford was built more than a century ago, initially with a modest footprint. Over the years, it had been added to, in the form of a double-height extension, plus a garage outbuilding.

‘The extension had resulted in two staircases, which in some respects helps with circulation, but we always felt you could see the join between old and new,’ says Richard. ‘Plus, the outbuilding was ripe for renewal.’

With Laura, the couple drew up plans for an orangery to be added to the side of the house, plus compact living quarters above the garage. The snug, once a dining-TV-room hybrid, would be turned into a more cosy space for family movie nights. Smaller tweaks included moving the entrance door and hallway for a more ergonomic approach and removing the doors from the former dining room.

‘We wanted to move a wall, but found that we couldn’t, says Richard. ‘So we turned the space over to a boot room. It was an off-the-cuff decision, but as it’s in the centre of the house, it works better than we could have imagined.’

The couple were also keen on making one of the bedrooms a playful bunk-bed space. ‘I remember sharing a room with my brother and really enjoying it,’ Richard says. ‘We wanted to create that sense of childhood nostalgia for our own children, too – it’s a place for them to make memories.’

Laura created an elegant design for the beds, which sleep five, finding a local joiner to make them. ‘He was so passionate about detailing,’ says Laura, ‘right down to the small diamond carvings in the panels.’

Much of the joy of the project came from working with local artisans and sourcing British fabrics. ‘There are so many incredible craftspeople right on the doorstep,’ Laura reflects. ‘We found handpainted tiles at Tiles of Stow, commissioned painted lampshades from Sarah Blomfield to complement the tones of the family room, and sourced antiques from Tetbury.’

Inspired by the colours of the landscape and the mellow tones of Cotswold stone, Laura devised schemes that pay homage to classic English country style, underpinned by a fresh, light touch in reference to the couple’s travels in Morocco and southern France. ‘Alice’s brief was for it to feel like a lived-in country home, so we knew colour and pattern were key,’ says Laura. ‘It helped that she has a huge appreciation for fabric brands including Soane, Rose Uniacke and Nina Campbell.’

The sisters-in-law also had some unexpected finds, including vintage rush matting from France unearthed at Sunbury Antiques Market. ‘Numerous people tried to buy it from us as we carried it back to the car,’ smiles Laura. ‘It was so large that we were able to use it in the kitchen and dining room, trimming it down ourselves, with some spare left for the entrance hall. Pieces like these always make a home more interesting.’

With its textural finish, pretty fabrics and soft terracotta, ochre and olive tones, the house finally feels ‘cosy, cohesive and pulled together,’ concludes Richard. ‘There’s room for us all, and we love that someone so dear to us had a hand in the interiors.’ The result, perhaps, is a family home in the very truest sense.

Family room

‘This green tone is warm in the winter and cooling in summer,’ says designer Laura Horner.

Dining area

The orangery was commissioned so the family could eat overlooking the garden.

Kitchen

The existing kitchen cabinetry was painted, complemented by new stone tops and handles.

Walls and cabinetry finished in a brown-toned pink lend both warmth and a gentle modernity.

Living room

‘We wanted this to be an adult zone, with a cosy, autumnal feel,’ says Laura.

Twin bedroom

‘This room is softly neutral, but plenty of texture retains interest,’ says Laura.

Exterior

The family often dines under the shade of the olive tree.

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This feature first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine

Anyone who has ever renovated a period home will be very familiar with the challenges facing Julia and Jenks McColl as they set out to breathe new life into their characterful 17th-century maisonette.

‘Not a single wall or floorboard was straight,’ says Julia. ‘The entire house is beautifully wonky. I dropped a tomato in the kitchen earlier, and it rolled all the way to the other side of the room.’

The previous owners had lived there for more than 20 years, and while the maisonette had been loved, it needed some serious attention – especially the kitchen ideas.

Starting the renovation work

‘The survey basically said “Don’t buy me, I’m going to fall down”, and I think that put a lot of people off,’ says Julia. As well as significant roof repairs, pinning cracks on the front of the house and refurbishing the original draughty sash windows, the entire house also needed new electrics and plumbing. ‘It was quite a big project, but because we didn’t knock down any walls, it doesn’t feel like a huge transformation. Lots of the work was behind the scenes, bringing the property up to date.’

To minimise disruption, Julia and Jenks sought to complete as much of the renovation as possible while they were still living in their rental property. ‘It made sense to upgrade the kitchen at the same time as we were doing the wiring and plumbing, rather than do half now and the rest a few years down the line.’

Designing their dream kitchen

Working with deVol, the couple brought their pencil-sketch kitchen to life – complete with Julia’s dream cocktail corner. ‘We love to entertain, and I enjoy making cocktails, so it’s lovely to have a dedicated place for that,’ says Julia.

The cabinet, nestled beside the chimney, needed to be built bespoke to accommodate the wonky floor and unconventional dimensions.

‘You can really see the wonkiness when you look at the baseboards: on one side of the room they are three inches deep, and on the other they are triple the height,’ says Julia. No strangers to the quirks of period properties, the experts at deVol took it in their stride, and each worktop is perfectly level.

Overcoming challenges

As is often the case, the project took longer than planned as they waited for Jenks’s dream Lacanche range cooker to be delivered. ‘We moved in with the kitchen part finished,’ says Julia. The cabinets were fitted with temporary worktops, and a small 1970s oven saw the couple through Christmas.

‘We bought the range from a father-son business in North London as we would have never had the confidence to measure everything accurately enough – especially with the narrow front door and the awkward corners on the stairs,’ adds Julia.

‘Lots of our furniture had to come in through the window because the front door is so narrow.’ Even with the expert measuring, delivery was not smooth sailing. ‘There was a point where they got stuck halfway up the stairs and had to call in reinforcements. We were holding our breath and thinking, “what are we going to do if it doesn’t fit?”’ Thankfully, the range slotted into place, shored up with the help of a wooden block – ‘even the oven’s adjustable legs couldn’t manage the sloping floors,’ jokes Julia.

Selecting a colour scheme

DeVol then returned to fit the copper worktops. ‘I knew I didn’t want the classic marble or marble-look worktops – so it was either going to be metal or wood. Then, when we were at our local pub, I spotted the copper bar, and I loved how it looked like it had been there forever,’ says Julia. ‘It just seemed like the perfect fit for our kitchen. I love how it reflects the sunlight and the way that the living finish ages with you; there is a real beauty in its imperfections.’

The warm undertones were a natural partner to the cabinetry painted in Little Greene’s Hopper. ‘I’ve got a bit of a thing about green, but was nervous about committing to colours, so I booked in for a colour consultation with Little Greene,’ says Julia.

Kate Humphreys from its Islington Showroom came to the flat, looked at the space, the light and the colours Julia had shortlisted, and then helped the couple come up with a colour palette that really shone.

‘Lots of the colours now in the house were ones that I’d originally picked, but where and how Kate used them really brought everything together.’ It was Kate who suggested using a lighter pistachio shade of green (Little Greene's Pea Green) on the original sash window frames, a detail Julia really loves. ‘It’s such a great service if you can’t afford an interior designer, but still want that expert input.’

Adding charm and character with vintage finds

Vintage finds complete the space – a natural choice for Julia, who runs an Instagram antiques business @sistersundaysantiques with her sister, Lydia. ‘For me, it was adding all those vintage and antique pieces that I’ve collected over the years that instantly made the house feel really homely. The pineapple chandelier, for example, has been in the attic of the last two places we’ve rented. I brought it back from Paris on the Eurostar, and I knew that when we bought somewhere, I would find the perfect spot for it.’ And she did. It now hangs in pride of place over the antique dining table.

The pendant isn’t the only thing that has found a forever home. ‘When we are sat here of an evening, enjoying our dinner, with the candles flickering and a fire roaring, it feels as though this has always been our home.’

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This feature first appeared in Period Living Magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Two weeks before Alice and Charlie Huntingford were to be married at their country home, the farmhouse where Alice grew up, a fire caused by an electrical fault devastated the property. Luckily, the family were safe, but they lost almost everything.

With impressive resilience, the couple reframed this misfortune as an opportunity to achieve their dream home.

‘We’d always planned to remodel the old-fashioned interior of the house, especially the kitchen,’ explains Alice. Now, they were able to start from scratch.

While they wanted the outside of the house to remain traditional, inside, they dreamed of timeless yet characterful kitchen ideas.

‘We worked with Hush Kitchens, and founder Chris Spink was willing to try new ideas,’ says Alice. The kitchen consists of an L-shaped run of units and a large kitchen island with quartz worktops and cabinetry painted a striking green.

‘At first we panicked because it felt brighter than expected,’ says Charlie. ‘But we soon realised that it’s an uplifting kitchen colour.’

The pristine white Aga fits in with the traditional look of the kitchen, but with a smart, fresh feel.

As a foil to the solid wood cabinetry, a copper worktop and sink on the island create richness and warmth. And, precious items salvaged from the fire, such as pottery belonging to Alice’s mother and grandmother and original butler’s bell buttons, add a personal touch.

Metallic finishes, from the island surface to the taps, add warmth to the crisp white and green scheme.

‘We couldn’t be happier with how it’s all turned out,’ says Alice.

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The inspiration for Saoirse and Richard’s new kitchen was sparked by accident, after deciding to remove an Aga cooker from the existing space. ‘I wasn’t particularly confident cooking on it, and once we looked at removing it, we realised how much extra kitchen space we would be able to gain without it,’ explains Saoirse.

The pair then went on to extend the space further, turning what was once a narrow kitchen and dining room into a striking, sociable hub. ‘It’s a very modern-looking kitchen, but we’ve kept a lot of the period features,’ says Saoirse.

The couple worked closely with Kasia Piorko, lead designer at boutique kitchen company Kate Feather, who encouraged them to make bold choices, particularly when it came to the dark mineral worktop.

‘Kasia had beautiful Caesarstone quartz at the showroom, and we loved it,’ says Saoirse. ‘We wanted to create texture against the black cabinets and white walls, and we thought this option really anchored it all.’

Despite some dark choices, the space rarely feels flat. ‘We wanted to soften the black and white colour scheme – the touches of wood and brass do this beautifully.’

The kitchen also integrates some clever design solutions. ‘I wanted the lighting to be almost invisible, but still provide plenty of light. These aged brass wall fittings were the perfect choice,' adds about the elegant pendant and wall lights.

'Kasia also designed us a bespoke pocket sliding door for our utility room. It feels really seamless.’

‘We’ve got a light well in the roof and big French doors to bring light in, which then reflects back off the mineral worktop,’ says Saoirse. ‘The kitchen is ageing beautifully, and we’re so happy with it.’

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Having spent years treading the boards, Louise and Peter decided they wanted to make a home together and settled on the town of Banbury in Oxfordshire to call home.

Here, Louise takes us through the story of their home, from finding their dream home and moving in to how they have furnished it and make it truly theirs over the years using salvaged finds, upcycling existing pieces and doing pretty much all of the renovation work themselves.

‘We met while touring the world as musical theatre performers on a cruise ship. After a year of living out of suitcases, we wanted somewhere to put down roots.'

'Peter is from Wales and I am from Suffolk, so we chose Banbury as it is right in the middle. We did not know anyone here, but quickly fell in love with village life and the countryside setting.'

'This late-Victorian terrace had previously been rented out for years, but it had since been left empty for a long time. So when we first viewed it, it felt cold inside with its dark purple walls and layers of peeling wallpaper – and we even found a dead mouse! Despite all of this, we could see its hidden potential straight away and knew we could turn it into a wonderful family home.’

‘We changed almost everything. Structurally, the house was sound, but it needed a total renovation. We replastered every wall, had it rewired, fitted a new boiler and restored some original features – such as the fireplaces, doors and stained glass. We started upstairs, working our way down.'

'The first job was reconfiguring the layout by moving the bathroom. Peter and I did all of the work ourselves, with help from our parents. Later, we opened up the ground floor to make a bright, open-plan living and dining space.'

'Then in 2022, while Peter was still furloughed from work, he decided to extend the kitchen area, doubling the footprint, and we began work on our dream kitchen. We found a hardwood kitchen secondhand for £50 and upcycled it with paint, brass hardware and salvaged pieces. We even reused barn doors for the pantry.'

‘Our home is practical, relaxed and full of personality. My style has evolved since moving in and I have swapped white walls for moodier tones that feel more in tune with the house’s history and help hide sticky fingermarks.'

'Everything here has been chosen with care. It may be thrifty, but I love every piece. This home reflects our family’s journey, our creativity and the memories we are making together.’

The kitchen

‘We found our hardwood kitchen secondhand for just £50, and reworked it to fit the extension. Our kitchen used to be a dark, galley shape, but now it is a bright, sociable space.'

'Our island started life as a reclaimed farmhouse table. We increased the height using chair legs, added the marble top, and the brass tea towel holder. It brings character to the kitchen, and it is perfect for meal prep or chatting while we cook.'

‘Instead of having a row of units, we designed a floor-to-ceiling pantry cupboard with sliding barn doors to hide away all our clutter, while keeping the kitchen feeling calm and open.’

‘Our Butler sink was rescued from our neighbour’s house who was throwing it out. It is one of my much-loved features now, and it suits the age of the house perfectly while adding a bit of traditional styling to the kitchen.’

The dining area

Before, our dining area used to feel closed off, but by knocking down the dividing wall open up the room completely, changing how we use the space. We built shelves between the two rooms using oak Peter salvaged from building project on Westminster Abbey.'

'When we needed to drop the ceiling to fit our new bathroom above, we decided to make this a feature in the room adding pendant lighting above the dining table. I found the old Ikea table secondhand and painted the chairs to give them a new lease of life.'

The living room

‘Almost everything in this room was bought second hand – I love mixing old finds with new touches to make every space in our home feel layered and lived in. The warm tones and soft textures make this the perfect spot for lazy weekends.’

'I didn’t want harsh overhead lights, so I used floor and wall lamps instead to create a soft, relaxed glow in the evenings. It makes the room feel instantly inviting.’

The office nook

‘This spot used to be wasted space, so I turned it into an office area where I can work or write shopping lists. It works really well, proving that you don’t need a big home office to carve out a calm, inspiring spot to work from.’

The main bedroom

‘Our bedroom was the first room we renovated, as we wanted to have somewhere to escape to in the midst of the renovation.'

'We replastered the walls, restored the fireplace and built fitted wardrobes made from salvaged 1930s doors. I’ve since restyled it with darker greens, warm woods and gold accents to make it feel richer and more grown up.'

The family bathroom

‘The original bathroom was too big for our needs and took up valuable space, so we turned it into a bedroom, stealing some space from another bedroom to make a smaller bathroom.’

The guest room

‘My ethos is to use as many secondhand and vintage items in my home as I can. Not only is this more sustainable, but it also gives our home more personality.'

'For example, I found this metal Ikea bed frame on a secondhand website, and the Laura Ashley bedside table was a £35 charity shop bargain. To finish the room, I made a fabric light pendant from a Dunelm cushion cover.’

The boys' bedroom

'The boys’ room used to feel small and cramped. So, Peter decided to build a loft bed himself from reclaimed wood left over from other projects, and we designed storage built along one side for toys and books. This way, we were able to squeeze two beds in without covering over the lovely original fireplace. And with the bed up above, there’s still plenty of space to play in.’

FOCUS ON… AUCTION HOUSES

If you love the character of Louise’s home, follow her lead and shop at auction houses to find unique pieces in your style at every price point.

• DO YOUR RESEARCH Before you start placing any bids, browse various sites – such as The Saleroom, Easy Live Auction and Cheffins – to get a feel for prices. Many regional auction houses also hold regular viewings where you can inspect pieces up close beforehand, which will help avoid any surprises.
• KNOW THE COSTS Factor in buyer’s premiums, VAT and delivery fees before raising your paddle. Set a maximum bid and stick to it, as it is all too easy to get carried away.
• BID YOUR WAY Online auctions are great for speed and convenience, while in person sales give you the buzz of live bidding and a better sense of scale and condition. Try Fellows for jewellery, Ewbank’s for antiques and Sworders for furniture and art.
• BE PATIENT The best finds come to those who wait. Have a list of items you’re in the market for and keep checking catalogues, setting alerts for favourite items. Try not to rush into buying the first thing you see.

Discover more about Louise and Peter's home on Instagram @thestylepad_uk

Taking on the renovation of a 300-year-old, three bedroom terraced cottage in north Cornwall is no mean feat. But Phil Smith, a celebrity hairstylist, and his wife Louise were determined to make this space their own and make the changes required to safeguard their new home for a further several hundred years.

Living here with their dogs Ralph and Smudge, they don't need oodles of space so the compact nature of the cottage instantly appealed. Add to that the fact that it boasts three perfectly proportioned bedrooms for visiting guests, and it has everything the couple needs.

Here, Phil talks us through the renovations that undertook as well as the decor they eventually decided on, to truly make this house their own.

'The theme is natural, not seaside cliché'

‘I realised early on that I didn’t want the usual seaside clichés; no blue and white stripes or shells everywhere! Instead, it feels natural and inviting, somewhere cosy to switch off and unwind.’

‘I restored the original stonework around the chimney, kept the beautiful slate floors, and installed a wood burner. For me, it was about bringing the building alive again. I kept things natural. Even the sisal carpet on the steep cottage stairs stops Ralph and Smudge from slipping.'

'Wood, stone and leather are hardwearing'

‘The stone flooring and leather sofa echo the cottage’s character and can stand up to the dogs’ claws. I added a new front door for a pop of colour, and stripped away the old pebble dash outside and reapplied lime render that follows the contours of the old stone underneath, so the house could breathe again. It’s made such a difference.’

'Plus, I love that it is eight steps from the sofa to the kitchen.'

'Café shutters grant light and privacy'

‘I spend time working at this table tucked into the bay window in the kitchen. The half-height shutters offer privacy without blocking light or views of the sky.’

'Reinstating the floor keeps the soul of the cottage intact'

'I reinstated the floor after we found the original Delabole slates had been simply laid into mud. It was making the whole cottage damp, so I lifted them, installed damp-proofing, insulation and underfloor heating, and re-laid them. This cottage is now ready for the next 200 years!’

'Wonky walls and beamed ceilings add character'

‘We raised the ceilings upstairs by exposing the beams – the extra height creates an airiness, which is emphasised with a white paint finish. Everywhere I could, I kept period features and allowed raw materials to shine. I stripped back the original wooden floorboards, which adds warmth and character. Wall-mounted coat hooks are practical but keep the rooms feeling open.’

'Antique brass finishes create drama'

‘The en suite has the same dramatic colour palette as our bedroom, with rich chocolate tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. Textured natural stone wall tiles and brass fittings combine to create a luxurious sanctuary.’

'Heritage colours make a space cosy'

‘I used soft, muted tones throughout: lighter in the guest rooms, deeper and cosier where I spend more time. For our bedroom, we chose the softest velvet, linen and wool; it’s like a cosy cocoon.’

'Decluttering helps a room feel brighter'

‘I’m not a fan of clutter, so I don’t tend to need masses of storage. There are a few clever bedroom storage solutions, though, such as hidden cupboards tucked into the eaves upstairs and chests of drawers rather than bulky wardrobes in the bedrooms.’

'Our bedroom has a dormer window that gives the most amazing views in every direction. The view is like a painting, framed by the deep-toned colour palette inside.'

Quick buys to help you get the country-cottage look

When Lorna and her husband Harvey took on their 1960s barn conversion, it needed a complete overhaul, and one of the last spaces to be tackled was the bathroom — now one of the most striking rooms in the house. ‘My mother -in-law says it’s like stepping into one of the bathrooms on the Titanic, which I love the thought of,’ says Lorna. ‘Timeless, but with a fresh, modern twist.’

The main inspiration for the bathroom colour scheme came from an Alice Palmer wallpaper that Lorna loved. ‘I wanted something fun, and the colours worked so beautifully together,’ she says. ‘I had also long admired the stripy Ca’Pietra tiles and now had a chance to use them.’

‘Wall cladding adds a traditional, country-cottage feel, and makes the space feel warmer and cosier. Having all the wallpaper might have felt too much, and it would have probably dated a lot quicker,' she adds.

Having a decent bath was also high on Lorna’s wish list, as was a space that made a statement. ‘I wanted a wow moment the second you walked in,’ says Lorna. The vanity and bath take centre stage, while the loo is discreetly tucked away around the corner.

Throughout the process, Lorna worked closely with Jaye from JJ Bathrooms, with whom she had previously collaborated on other projects. ‘Jaye knows bathrooms inside out. We could move through decisions very quickly,’ says Lorna.

Today, the finished space feels both timeless and bold — a balance Lorna credits to trusting her instincts. ‘You have to go with what you love,’ she says.

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When Louise and Graham Foxton moved into their new home, a detached Edwardian house, the kitchen was cramped and disjointed, and they decided it would have to be renovated to meet the needs of a modern family. ‘Our previous home had an open plan kitchen/living area that worked well for us, so we wanted to recreate that feeling,’ says Louise.

Working closely with the designers at Tom Howley, Louise made tweaks to her original plan in order to achieve her dream space. ‘Kitchens are a big investment, so we visited lots of different showrooms,’ she says. ‘But Tom Howley understood our vision and made useful suggestions. We were going to put the sink on the island, but they suggested we move it. I’m so glad we did; it would’ve looked cluttered otherwise.’

The final result is a practical yet pretty family kitchen that incorporates many of Louise’s original design ideas. ‘This isn’t a rustic kitchen, but I did want to add natural elements. Our colour palette is neutral so that we could easily layer different textures. The wooden butcher’s block and pantry help the kitchen feel more grounded,’ says Louise.

‘It’s a kitchen and living space, so we wanted both areas to flow and feel cohesive, instead of battling with each other,’ she adds. ‘Now, it’s the heart of the home and we’re so happy with it.’

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Nadia and Shaun fell in love with their 1930s terrace in southeast London because it was full of light, had been extended and offered a blank canvas. But it wasn't until COVID hit that they noticed their home needed some real changes.

‘During lockdown, we spent a lot more time at home and began to see its deficiencies: tiles were cracked; the hallway was an odd shape,' explains Nadia, 'there was laminate flooring and unsightly room dividers.'

'We wanted to restore its bones and make our own mark on it,' she continues. 'Above all, the aim was to add texture rather than a flat finish, to make the schemes feel seamless and to combine warmth with practicality.’

‘The main issue was poor use of space,' she recalls. 'For instance, the middle room downstairs was essentially a walkthrough with no real use. That meant correcting sight lines, levelling floors and moving walls.'

With the help of K Space Interiors’ Krystyna Martin-Dominguez, it was turned from a white box to an ergonomic space layered with treasured finds.

‘We opted for wide, natural floorboards, simple limewashed brickwork, monochrome accents and fluid silhouettes for a neutral but uplifting look. Soft brass elements in the bathroom echo that feel. For us, it’s all about maximising and enhancing natural light.’

‘We found the process of looking for art and furniture a lot of fun: meeting antiques dealers and artists, learning the stories behind their finds and creations, talking to them about how these items would fit in our home. In that respect, Krystyna’s local know-how went a long way.'

'She introduced us to specialists we wouldn’t otherwise have known and steered us towards suitable pieces. We’ve also opted for artwork with a personal touch, such as those pieces over the sofa and fireplace by Shaun’s friend Gaz Oopsy Jones.’

'We now have a fully-functioning office space where I can work (Shaun works in the study upstairs) as well as a place to cosy up by the fire with a glass of wine in the evening. We also merged a loo and a bathroom on the first floor to create a more generous family space.’

‘It has naturally evolved into a great space for a family. We’ve found that limewashed walls are very forgiving; natural textures such as cork work brilliantly in the nursery and the streamlined spaces are easy for little feet to navigate. At the same time, we can also both work comfortably from home and on different floors. Our home finally ticks all the boxes.’

Take a room-by-room tour of Nadia and Shaun's beautiful home

The living room

‘Exposing and limewashing the brick walls made all the difference. We replaced the laminate flooring with wide oak planks and used simple linen curtains as window treatments.’

‘Krystyna suggested removing the built-in alcove joinery in this space, making room for a desk on one side and a freestanding cabinet, housing wine, on the other. We also opened up the fireplace and removed plaster from the chimney breasts.’

The kitchen-diner

‘Zoning the dining area with a rug and oversized pendant helps the open-plan space feel welcoming. Sheer curtains soften the hard outlines of the bi-fold doors without blocking out the light.’

‘We didn’t change the kitchen, but we did swap out copious spotlights for layered lighting and we introduced sisal and rattan elements for a more mellow feel.’

The guest bedroom

‘We opened up the fireplace and removed the chimney breast’s plaster finish, painting the exposed brick to add textural dimension to the room. Linen curtains and upcycled pieces introduce a sense of serenity.’

‘We hung a propeller blade bought from an independent shop in the Lake District above the bed because it adds a characterful point of interest. Walls here, as in the rest of the house, are finished in Bauwerk Colour’s Flannel Flower.’

The nursery

‘We chose cork flooring throughout the first floor and bamboo or linen window treatments for texture.’

The family bathroom

‘We removed the wall between a separate loo and bathroom to create a larger family space. A small window was bricked up to create room for a wall unit and a reeded glass window fitted. We used microcement on the walls, which avoids having grout lines.’

The main bedroom

‘Although the loft conversion had already been completed when we moved in, K Space Interiors helped us update it with reworked wardrobe fronts, lighting and sisal flooring.'

The en suite

‘K Space Interiors moved the door opening and created a bespoke bobble-framed mirror, which is actually a sliding door, leading into the bathroom, which we reworked to accommodate a larger walk-in shower and wall-mounted toilet.’

Get the look - 3 key pieces to help you recreate a vintage-led scheme in your home

FOCUS ON… Natural materials

Sisal, cork, wide-plank oak flooring, breathable paint and vintage finds lend this family home an air of warmth

• LAYER TEXTURES Multiple textures add depth to a space. The key is to stick to a tonal colour palette to keep the look cohesive, so consider warm woods, natural materials such as sisal, rattan and cork, and a limewash finish on walls.
• GO VINTAGE Upcycled finds, vintage treasures and one-off antiques all add character to schemes. Seeing items before purchasing will help you get an idea of proportion and scale, so aim to source items from local suppliers.
• STREAMLINE Give natural materials plenty of breathing space. A neutral backdrop, such as oak flooring and whitewashed walls, is a perfect way to frame furniture. Removing superfluous details such as ornamentation and squaring off non-original architectural aspects like arches will result in a visually pleasing scheme.

When Katie and her family moved from East Dulwich to Streatham Hill two years ago, they knew their new home had potential - but just not quite for family life as it was.

‘The couple who lived here before had been here for a long time,’ says Katie. ‘It was set up to suit a couple, rather than a family – the kitchen was tucked away in the darkest corner at the back of the house.’ Meanwhile, the garden was breathtaking. ‘They were amazing gardeners. We’ve inherited this beautiful space, and I think that was the focus.’

Their first Christmas here was the catalyst for change. ‘We hosted 12 guests, which felt cramped,’ says Katie. ‘The kitchen didn’t work for us, despite the large room size.’

Katie envisioned a kitchen that was part of the home’s flow rather than hidden away. ‘I wanted a kitchen that works for entertaining and family life, but closer to the light and nearer to the garden,’ she says. ‘So we brought it right into the main room. It actually takes up more space now, but somehow it makes the room feel bigger.’

That’s when she turned to kitchen, cabinet and furniture makers, Herringbone House. ‘I’d heard amazing things from friends who thoroughly recommended them,’ she says.

‘And because everything is solid wood, I knew it would be durable – something the children could bash around without breaking. Plus, everything is fully bespoke, which was really important to me, as I had quite specific ideas.’

One of those ideas was shaped by her work. ‘I’m an upholsterer,’ says Katie, ‘so I wanted the island to be the perfect width for a roll of fabric. It means it can double as a cutting table, which is brilliant.’

Plus, there are hidden sockets installed under the island, which are ideal for using a vacuum cleaner or laptops.

‘Open shelves were essential – I needed a place to display my flea market and eBay finds without it feeling cluttered.'

Designer Lucy from Herringbone House helped transform those ideas into a cohesive plan. ‘She completely understood what we wanted and added a few great design suggestions I’d never have thought of, including clever hinges and tea towel hooks,’ says Katie.

‘In fact, the first design was almost perfect – it’s all the small, considered details which make it amazing.’

‘Lucy suggested an appliance garage – our coffee machine, toaster and air fryer are stored there, with plugs built in and a bifold door to hide clutter while keeping everything ready to use. It’s a great addition to the kitchen.’

The pantry cupboard is full of innovative storage options, from door-mounted spice racks, deep drawers and adjustable shelves to sockets so the microwave can be hidden inside. An internal worktop creates space for breakfast prep, keeping mess to a minimum.

‘The worktops are quartz but have a vein running through them, so make a good alternative to marble but are much more hardwearing. The island is perfect for entertaining – we can lay out all the food on it.’

Even the installation was seamless. ‘Nothing went wrong – literally nothing,’ she says. ‘They finished the installation a week early, which was lucky because I’d booked a surprise 70th birthday party for my mum. They really pushed to complete it on the day.’

Now the kitchen feels like a calm, characterful space and is completely theirs. ‘I love the colour – it’s not quite sage, not quite blue, just this soft shade that goes with everything,’ says Katie. ‘And the brushed brass gives it a lovely lived-in quality. I wanted a durable, solid wood kitchen because I knew it would last a lifetime.’

Get the look - invest in key pieces inspired by Katie and Nick's kitchen

A run-down 17th-century country manor house with an intriguing interior full of nooks and crannies not only appealed to interior designer Sarah Southwell, but to her three young sons, too.

Keen to move to the country to give the boys what she describes as a ‘free-range’ childhood, with space and fresh air, Sarah and her husband Nick also wanted a home with an interior that delivered on intrigue; a magical space that would provide the perfect environment for nurturing young imaginations.

Sarah Southwell's designs are known for blending antiques with bold colour and playful fabrics, creating spaces with a distinctive, characterful twist.

Using the same design philosophy for her own home, she has conjured up a spellbinding mix of charm and colour, transforming it into a special place for all the family.

Renovation project

Having sold their previous property in London, the family rented for almost a year until this Grade II-listed manor house in the picturesque Somerset countryside came on the market.

‘We decided we wanted it before we had even gone inside,’ Sarah explains. ‘We instantly loved the stone and mullion windows, the beautiful front facade and huge oak 17th-century front door.

‘I wanted a big project to get my teeth into. I wanted to create a cosy and magical family home, a space which looked as if it had always been here but had just been updated,’ she explains.

Despite a warning from the estate agent that the house needed a lot of work, Sarah couldn’t wait to get started, and she and Nick proceeded with the sale.

Dating back to the 1650s, the manor house had, in more recent times, been used as a working farm but had received very little maintenance and upkeep. It needed a full renovation: new electrics, plumbing, a new heating system, a new kitchen, bathrooms and decoration throughout.

Kitchen

For the country kitchen, Sarah chose classic Shaker-style cabinets and a butler’s sink, which add heritage style to the large kitchen.

An elaborate Italian Arabescato marble kitchen worktop and splashback provide grown-up grandeur to the large kitchen. Three simple pendant lights above the kitchen island add task and atmospheric light

A blend of old and new, a scrubbed-top dining table has been transformed with a bold shade of blue and teamed with classic Eames Eiffel chairs. The walls are painted in a warm neutral limewash.

Cosy snug

The cosy snug is a jewel box of colourful furniture and folk-style accessories.

Sarah painted the panelling in a refreshing blue and, as this area leads through from the kitchen, she used the same shade of limewash for the walls.

As each part of the process got underway, something else would be revealed that needed their attention. Sarah likens it to peeling back the layers of an onion, so when the old woodchip wallpaper that featured in every room was pulled off, for example, it meant that the walls all needed to be replastered.

Sarah’s use of colour and pattern throughout is joyful and yet remains fully sympathetic to the house's provenance.

The window seat in the snug creates the perfect spot to relax and take in views of the garden.

Sarah chose a pretty floral fabric for the blind to pick out the colour of the woodwork and accessories.

An eclectic mix of vintage, antique and contemporary furniture and personal mementoes enhances the room’s inherent character – something Sarah refers to as ‘generational layering’.

Conservatory

Sarah repainted the white frame of the existing conservatory black to create a smart contemporary backdrop for her colourful furniture and accessories.

The conservatory interior is decorated with a mix of colourful accessories and antique furniture, giving it a relaxed bohemian feel.

Living room

Bold stripes and vibrant colours add cheer to the living room, where a natural linen sofa is paired with an ornate gilt-framed antique settee that Sarah found online and had reupholstered.

She has used limewash on the walls throughout the house to allow the plaster to breathe; it also complements the age of the house.

Magical children's rooms

A striking circus Big Top design brings fun and colour to the boys’ bedroom and gives them all the magic they could wish for.

They can also enjoy all of the nooks and hiding places in this intriguing historical home.

In the fun and inspiring playroom, a red Transylvanian hand-painted antique dresser with whimsical folk art designs sits against a strong contrasting backdrop of bright green walls.

Statement bathrooms

Reclaimed doors and graphic herringbone bathroom tiles from Bert & May add drama to the guest bathroom.

A luxurious copper freestanding tub and wallpapered panels on the cupboard doors give Sarah's dressing room/bathroom a truly individual look.

An antique sliding barn door leads to the shower area, and a blind adds softness to the mullioned window.

Guest bedroom

This pink bedroom has a relaxed modern-country feel, with walls in a delicate shade of plaster pink and a painted wooden bed frame.

Sarah has mixed striped bed linen with Suzani cushions and dashes of red for a cheery vibe.

‘I feel incredibly lucky to be the custodian of this magical house with all its quirks and history despite there being an overwhelming amount to do when we first got here,’ says Sarah.

Seeing the house at it is now, this is hard to imagine.

This article first appeared in Period Living magazine. Click here to subscribe.

It's hard to believe this incredible home was once a barn, originally built in 1850, with a triple garage tacked on. Today, it's a characterful home with views over the surrounding Hampshire countryside, not to mention an open-plan kitchen-sitting room, breakfast room, utility room, main bedroom with ensuite, five other bedrooms, two bathrooms, a vaulted living-dining room, study and dressing room.

‘It was a little bit like a first date,' says owner Nicky Boothright, about her first viewing of the property. 'I just had a really good feeling about this property and could instantly visualise myself living here.'

A striking renovation project

The former agricultural building had been converted in the 1990s, but Nicky realised the triple garage presented another opportunity to transform the property. ‘While strolling around the barn, I realised there was scope to integrate the garage and link the two buildings,’ she reveals.

Nicky applied for planning permission to convert the garage into a yoga studio, utility room, two bedrooms, bathroom and a linking breakfast room with floor-to-ceiling Crittall-style windows.

While waiting, she forged ahead with other alterations in the main barn. The first phase of the renovation included modernising the existing bathrooms and building a wall to partition an area in the main bedroom to create a dressing room. She also asked interior designer Charlotte Stuart to help create beautiful schemes for her new home.

‘From the outset, I wanted the barn to be somewhere you could walk in, drop your bags and slump on a comfy sofa,’ Nicky explains. ‘I am so grateful that the mission has been accomplished. I’m now living in a home I adore in a lovely village that’s made me feel incredibly welcome.’

Exterior

The barn, down a rural lane in Hampshire, was originally converted in the 1990s, but owner Nicky integrated the property's triple garage into the building. Reclaimed roof tiles and Crittall-style windows and doors were chosen to create a seamless link between the existing barn and garage.

Dining room

This dining area is found at one end of the large, open-plan living space, and was decorated with the help of interior designer Charlotte Stuart.

‘Charlotte was brilliant at coming up with beautiful schemes to introduce a playful, contemporary twist into every room and inject plenty of wow factor,’ says Nicky. ‘She suggested so many ideas that I would never have thought of, such as lovely trims for cushions, gorgeous paint colours.'

Living area

This incredible vaulted space is a showstopping feature of the converted barn. The original beams enclose the living area, creating a comfortable seating zone in the heart of the open-plan space, centred around the fireplace. The brickwork of the chimney was rendered to give a less agricultural look.

‘I was very mindful of Nicky’s taste and knew that the existing barn and converted garage needed to flow into one another and have a cohesive feel,' says interior designer Charlotte Stuart. 'As Nicky has travelled extensively and collected many treasures and artworks over the years, it was important that the barn reflected her adventures and upbeat, positive personality. She never shied away from my bolder suggestions for fabrics, soft furnishings or paints.’

Kitchen

After deciding to remove a wall and reconfigure the old kitchen and snug to create an open-plan kitchen-seating area, Nicky commissioned Dave Roberts from Ardent Kitchens to fit a new bespoke kitchen. The bespoke Shaker-style kitchen cabinets were painted in an off-white shade as a contrast to the blue chosen for the island.

‘Charlotte’s idea of painting the kitchen island in a punchy blue, and the other cabinets in a more muted tone, works extremely well, anchoring this scheme,’ says Nicky.

Breakfast room

The breakfast room is a bright, sunny space to start the day. Nicky and interior designer Charlotte Stuart sourced new floor tiles to link the kitchen with this airy space.

Staircase

A wooden circular mirror adds interest beside the staircase which is a combination of oak and toughened glass panels.

Main bedroom

Gentle tones of blue and taupe run throughout this space, creating a soothing retreat.

Guest bedroom

A throw that matches the upholstered headboard injects extra impact.

Twin bedroom

Striped headboards are a striking feature in this space with its muted pink tones.

This feature first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine

Get the look

Having recently updated their former home and with plans to start a family, Kathryn and Dima started looking for a new project and found a listed converted barn full of character.

‘We had almost finished renovating our previous cottage in Derbyshire,' recalls Kathryn, 'and were on holiday when we had a serious chat about starting a family, which turned into me scrolling Rightmove from the sun lounger straight away!'

'A listing for a Grade II-listed barn conversion caught my eye: we had no idea we wanted to move, but as soon as I saw the barn with its fireplace and beams, I knew it was the one for us.’

‘Once we were home, we went to view the property. From the second we walked in, I thought “Wow! This is going to be our next home”. We placed our existing home on the market and contacted the estate agent to put an offer in on the barn, but to my disappointment, it had sold.'

'However, our estate agent told us not to give up and they would do everything they could to help us get the house. I’m so glad I listened, because we sold our cottage super-fast and offered above the asking price to secure our dream home.’

The couple's barn conversion in Yorkshire, originally dates back to 1161. It comprises a living room, kitchen/dining area, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

‘It's part of the outbuildings belonging to a farmhouse that were erected in 1161 by Cistercian monks of Kirkstead Abbey in Lincolnshire. It had been restored in 1900 and further renovated in 1985. We naively didn’t think the barn needed much work, just a new kitchen, a lick of paint and new carpets.'

'Like most older properties, it isn’t until you start work that you uncover the cracks! A broken boiler, leaky radiators and damp needed attention and we also removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to allow light through.'

'More recently, we created a vaulted ceiling in the main bedroom that required an architect, planning permission and a structural engineer.’

‘I wanted a home that is cosy and comfortable, where nothing is too precious. The furniture is worn and loved and everyday life just adds to its charm. Comfy sofas, a country-style kitchen and creamy neutrals create a relaxed vibe which works well for family life.'

'I’ve incorporated natural materials for a timeless feel and to add texture. I’ve also mixed old and new to give our home some personality. In essence, I’ve tried to create a family home that we can all enjoy living in.’

Take the tour of Kathryn and Dima's cosy barn conversion

The kitchen

‘We removed the rear door and wall to create a larger open-plan kitchen dining space and now our cabinets run all the way around the room. The kitchen has become the heart of our home, rather than a dark corner at the back of the house.’

Natural wood and cream finishes create a relaxed look throughout the home. A splashback of tiles laid in a herringbone pattern adds a contemporary touch.

The compact kitchen area leads into the large open-plan dining space, whose focal point is a large fireplace topped with an original oak beam that spans the entire length of the room. ‘I use the oak beam to hang foliage and bunting for special occasions, such as birthdays and Christmas.'

The dining area

‘The table was from Facebook Marketplace. The previous owner said it had been in their family for 20 years, and it still has paint on it from their children, who would do their homework at the table.'

'The log burner was in place when we moved in, and it’s the heart of the home. As a family, we love to eat at the table by the fire during the colder months.’

The use of natural wood continues here with a beautiful sideboard and lamp base, which add texture and warmth. ‘We opted for a traditional-style sliding barn door as a charming nod to the history and origins of the building.’

The living room

‘We added wood panelling to bring in a welcome change of texture to the stone wall.’

The guest bedroom

This room has a quiet and restful feel thanks to a calm neutral palette, an upholstered headboard and layers of texture on the bed.

The bathroom

‘This was already in place when we bought the house and we love the period feel with its roll-top bath and Victorian-style tiles.’

The main bedroom

‘We exposed the rafters here and now the vaulted ceiling creates a stunning focal point.’

FOCUS ON… Loose sofa covers

Loose covers that can easily be removed for laundering strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and practicality.

• START FROM SCRATCH Source sofas and chairs where a loose cover is part of the design. Check whether the manufacturer recommends dry cleaning or whether the fabric can be put in the washing machine.
• UPDATE AN EXISTING SEAT Commission an upholsterer, seamstress or specialist company to make a loose cover to add life to a tired-looking sofa. Allow up to 5% for shrinkage on the fabric and consider adding an opening on the back with fabric ties, buttons or a zip to make fitting the cover back on easier.
• BE PRACTICAL Why not opt for two loose covers to allow for when one is being laundered and also for a bit of a seasonal refresh? A classic warm neutral tone would be wonderful for the autumn and winter months and then a change for spring and summer could be a pretty pastel stripe, floral or check design.
• MAKE IT BESPOKE Be creative too and consider adding intricate detailing such as piping, exposed raw edges or even a frill around the bottom of a sofa or chair to create a lovely personalised look.

This house is an extended modern country cottage, with a hallway, kitchen/dining room, sitting room, downstairs cloakroom, laundry room, four bedrooms and family bathroom. And despite there being a trio of energetic youngsters, it's surprisingly calm, too. ‘Children's toys can get totally out of control,’ says homeowner Tori, ‘but we do try to keep on top of it.’

Known for her fabrics and curtains, textile designer Tori Murphy has woven her interior design magic throughout her Nottinghamshire home, where she lives with her husband and three children.

It's no surprise Toris designs feature heavily in the room schemes – and help with creating a home that both grown-ups and kids enjoy. ‘If we can literally pull the curtain at the end of the day and turn it into our space again, then it's a practical and easy solution for a daily challenge.’

Remodelling the property

The house was very different when Tori and partner Joby first saw it, as the previous owners had lived there for best part of 50 years.

‘We totally remodelled, raised the ceilings, extended, added new staircases and new bathrooms,’ Tori says. Much of the renovation can be credited to teamwork – Tori’s eye for colour and pattern works well with Joby’s practical skills and design ingenuity.

Making the house into a home has been an evolutionary and enjoyable process. ‘There's a lot to be said for growing into a house,' Tori says. 'We painted rooms certain colours at the beginning but over time, we changed them.’

Currently, mood-enhancing warm tones have become favourites, such as Bath Stone by Little Greene and Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball. ‘When the sun is up, it's almost like a white, but then as the day goes on and evening comes, it takes on an enveloping, deep, earthy hue.’

Exterior

The exterior of the house has a charming modern country feel, with a timber-framed porch. The coupled property extended the property, adding extra rooms, staircases and bathrooms, to bring it up to date for modern family life.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and Tori’s favourite room. The warm palette of colours makes it an inviting space to be in during the day and evening.

Rich pink and ochre shades are grounded with a grey-black for the kitchen units, Corian worktops and striped fabric. Shaker units, open shelving and rustic ceramics create a relaxed country vibe.

The kitchen units are handmade by Joby, who also created the dresser by taking someone else's unwanted kitchen island, cutting it in half and repurposing it. Tori then added a pretty curtain.

Hallway

A hallway bench cushion features Tori’s pretty monochromatic rose design. The built-in bench with drawers and a peg rail provide storage space for the family’s coats, boots and shoes.

Living room

The living room is a cosy space with a wood-burning stove added for warmth. An ochre linen curtain puddles onto the living room floor while screening the cupboard’s contents – a design trick Tori has used throughout the house to hide clutter.

Tori had a career in fashion before studying for an MA in textiles at the Royal College of Art. It's a background she brings into her business and the design of her home.

‘I like to think that as a designer I have come in from a different direction and that through the business we offer the idea of it being more like dressing your home or dressing your windows,’ she says, referring to a window or door as a silhouette or mannequin.

‘So, you're looking at it and you're pulling it in at the waist with your tie back, or you're accessorising it at the top with trims and ruffles.’

Landing

White-painted floorboards create a light, bright and fresh feel upstairs. Tori likes to mix old and new furniture for a lived-in, welcoming look.

On the upstairs landing, an antique chest of drawers provides storage and a place to display family memorabilia.

Main bedroom

The couple's bedroom is a joyful, grown-up and hugely personal space that showcases several of Tori’s designs as well as her favourite colour combination of blush and black.

Anupholstered headboard in a statement stripe has huge visual appeal and is complemented with a decorative curtain behind and coordinating scatter cushion.

An alcove has been transformed into an elegant dressing area and fashioned with a sweeping style curtain with ruffled top. The vintage doll’s house was Tori’s when she was young.

Guest bedroom

A rich and buttery neutral shade on the walls creates a warm, welcoming feel. Tori has accessorised with pretty vintage textiles and floral artwork in a range of complementary pink tones, perfectly balanced with one of her cushions in a black and white stripe.

Daughter's bedroom

Their daughter’s bedroom is full of personality and showcases her love of horses with her gymkhana rosettes horses on display.

A small vintage table and Ercol chair, repainted in a candy pink shade, combine to create a charming desk area for craft and homework.

Bathroom

White walls and a marble bath surround combine to create a clean, peaceful vibe in the bathroom.

A vintage wood chair and one of Tori’s fabric bows on the wall above the bath add charm.

This article first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine. To subscribe, click here.

There wasn’t a removal van in sight when Emily and her family moved into their new home. Instead, their furniture and possessions were carried on foot from one house to another, across a leafy north London street.

The family had been renting in Highgate while looking for a suitable property to buy.

‘I was enjoying the area and the children were settled at the local school, so I was delighted when one of the big Edwardian houses on the same road came up for sale,’ says Emily.

‘I’ve always been drawn to older properties, although this one was a bit of a mix of styles, having been altered in the 1970s or 1980s. The décor clearly hadn’t been touched since the 1990s.’

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom Edwardian home offered everything they were looking for, and so they set about renovating throughout, reinstating period features and updating the décor.

Kitchen extension

From agreeing the purchase to that unconventional moving day was a long process. Planning applications and the subsequent renovation and structural work were delayed by the Covid pandemic, and the house stood empty for two years before any work began.

Emily used the time to fine-tune her ideas for the new home’s layout and décor. ‘I wanted to bring this house closer to its Edwardian state,’ she says.

Emily enlisted the help of an interior and garden designer friend, Stine Jensen, who Emily says is responsible for the finesse of the project’s finished look.

A new open-plan kitchen was fitted, with the steel supports clad in reclaimed pine for a warmer finish.

An orangery-style dining space and family room was built, which replaced a dated conservatory that had blocked rather than increased the amount of light into the back of the house.

The improvements were dramatic, and the living-dining space is now Emily’s favourite part of the home.

Filled with houseplants, the green kitchen cabinetry painted in various shades, it is a place where indoor and outdoor worlds merge, and she can enjoy garden views in all weathers.

‘I chose the biggest possible rooflight for the dining space with a smaller one positioned above the kitchen island,’ says Emily.

‘When the conservatory company offered me blinds to keep the room cool in summer, I just laughed. Coming from Texas, I was going to make the most of every second of British sunshine!’

Neatly concealed behind barn-style sliding doors is a walk-in pantry, the well-organised shelves and cupboards making catering for a large family much easier.

Hallway

Both Emily and Stine agreed that the ground floor felt dark and closed up.

Stine advised widening the hallway and removing some walls, along with a badly placed utility room.

‘That created a view right through to the back garden from the front door,’ says Emily.

‘The builder’s suggestion to raise the height of the doorways dramatically changed the feel of the rooms and added to the sense of space.’

The staircase was deemed unsafe, so new spindles were added to match the original dark oak.

The arched window features a yellow rose of Texas design, a reminder of Emily’s childhood home. The old tiles of the hallway flooring were damaged and couldn’t be salvaged, so the architect sourced replacements with a traditional Victorian pattern and colours.

Living room

The yellow rose motif stained glass design is replicated in the unusual windows on either side of the fireplace in the neutral living room.

‘The original Art Deco design seemed very garish to me, and I felt it wasn’t in keeping with the style of the house,’ says Emily.

Together, she and Stine came up with the new rose design in a palette of softer colours.

'It’s more of an Arts and Crafts style, which I really like,’ says Emily.

Calm, neutral shades showcase the living room’s striking period features, including the original fireplace alcove.

Stine advised adding wall panelling, as well as a new ceiling rose and cornicing to break up the flat expanse of walls

Emily was delighted to discover that the new parquet wood flooring from The British Wood Flooring Company is made from oak salvaged from the underside of carriages in France

Music room

Emily grew up surrounded by music, and all three of her own children play instruments, so creating a music room and home office space was important.

Bespoke shelving and richer colours were introduced for the smaller space, and Emily’s choice of a wallcovering, inspired by an 1887 William Morris tapestry, creates a cosy backdrop in this busy room.

‘None of us plays the piano, but my mother was a piano accompanist and came with me to choose the antique piano from a specialist shop in Regent’s Park,’ says Emily. ‘She loves to accompany the children on it when she visits.’

Pocket doors connect the music room/study to the living room.

Main bedroom

The first-floor bedrooms were reconfigured to create a main bedroom suite and two smaller bedrooms for the children.

The original fire surround was still in place in the main bedroom, but the chimney had been blocked off and a safe fitted in the opening.

The chimney has since been opened up and lined for the woodburner, which Emily says makes the room extra luxurious.

The bedroom colour scheme is warm neutrals, with a beautiful Jaipuri block-printed bedspread found on Etsy.

En suite bathroom

Reconfiguring the first floor created room for a spacious en suite bathroom.

The arts and crafts design wallpaper, and embossed tile border elevate the simple ivory subway tiles.

A decorative round basin sourced in Turkey is paired with a repurposed 18th-century cabinet.

A freestanding slipper tub at the other side of the bathroom completes the luxury bathroom scheme.

Children's bedroom

Since discovering gardening in lockdown, Emily’s green-fingered 11-year-old requested a garden-themed bedroom.

Stine was only too happy to oblige. She designed a neat cabin bed and desk that was bespoke-built, with woodwork painted in a leafy green. A botanical wall mural enhances the garden feel.

Attic bedroom

No room was untouched in this huge renovation project.

The eldest son’s attic room at the top of the house now has a more authentic period look since an ugly flat-roofed dormer was replaced with two more traditional pitched-roof attic windows.

‘We moved into this house when the kitchen and one bathroom were the only finished rooms. It was hard living through the build as we reconfigured the upstairs layout to create a main bedroom suite and rooms for each of the children,’ says Emily.

‘I wouldn’t do it all again, but now it’s finished, I love my house and appreciate it every day.’

This feature first appeared in Period Living Magazine. Click here to subscribe.

Ben and Gaby Hillman bought their house nine years ago with plans to gut the rooms and extend. One of the projects was to tackle the family bathroom, but the job went on the back burner when building work costs overran. Six months ago, the bathroom update came back on the agenda.

‘We’d somehow hobbled through with the old bathroom for years,’ says Ben, a presenter on Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun and an interior designer from ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover (@benhillmantv). ‘The main issue was lack of space and light. But what bothered me most was opening the door and being faced with a blank wall – the dream was to see right through to the garden.’

The update got going when Ben and Gaby began converting the loft above. As part of the project, Ben designed 3D drawings for the new 2.4x3m family bathroom layout, made bigger by extending into the adjacent shower room. The doorway was moved back onto the landing, an up-and-over window added above a bath, and a walk-in shower placed on the old shower room footprint.

‘We briefly considered an open wet room by tucking the WC into the old shower void,’ says Ben. ‘But it wasn’t really practical in a kids’ bathroom.’

‘The shower is in almost the same place as when it was a separate room,’ says Ben. ‘I brought the tiled wall out to conceal the pipework.’

Builders gutted the spaces, knocked through, blocked up the side windows, built new internal walls and fitted new windows. A plumber and electrician came on board, and Ben used his DIY skills to level the floor, lay underfloor heating and do the tiling. Although terrazzo has experienced a revival in recent years, Ben says the pretty stone had made an impact on him long before.

‘I remember being fascinated by a seamless terrazzo staircase in a shop when I was a kid,’ he says. ‘As my aim was to create a lasting bathroom scheme in a palette with a relationship to the garden, terrazzo with honey brown flecks was perfect as it’s timeless and natural.’

'I didn’t want a print, but real stone flecks running through the whole tile,’ says Ben. ‘I was able to cut and create a smooth polished edge that doesn’t need a trim.’

‘A plain white rectangular tile doesn’t compete with the terrazzo, and the structured vertical arrangement makes a pleasing contrast with the random stone flecks,' he adds.

A fluted oak vanity and a tactile oak window reveal followed, bringing warmth and texture while leafy plants thrive in the light and warmth.

‘I was looking for an interesting wood vanity and thought the fluted style was perfect for the girls,’ says Ben. ‘Curves nod to Art Deco and hint at the age of the house and steered my decision to curve the edges of the terrazzo splashback.’

‘I made the oak reveal as it was an opportunity to add another natural material to the room and I’m really pleased with the detail,’ he adds.

‘The design of the house means the bathroom projects out a little at the back, prompting the idea of a conservatory feel. I designed the up-and-over window.’

‘The whole window wall and the view out is my favourite feature. The reality is even better than my ideas.’

Get the look

Taking on their third complete renovation in Hertfordshire within 10 years was an easy decision to make for Charlie Galsworthy and husband Paul once they’d taken a look inside their current home - a three-bedroom 1930s semi near Watford, Hertfordshire, which they moved into in June 2018.

Charlie says they were instantly sold on the period features of the house. 'Every room had a fireplace,' she recalls, 'the banisters were original and the picture rails intact.'

The couple's renovation journey began a decade earlier: 'We had started off in a one-bed 1950s flat which needed ripping apart, and once our son was born, we needed more space,' says Charlie.

'We then took on a truly horrific 1930s house in a rural location where a woman had lived with 10 cats and let them do their business everywhere. The house was covered in ivy and had a broken conservatory, but we persevered, having our daughter along the way, and made a reasonable sum on it, which enabled us to buy this property.’

‘It wasn’t in a terrible state like our last home, it was more that it was in a time warp and unsuited to modern living. It’s in a lovely area with all the amenities of a town, yet still has easy access to the countryside.'

'There was a tiny galley kitchen, shut off from everything else, and a separate dining room, and we knew we’d have to extend to get what we wanted and renovate every room, but it had huge potential.’

‘We ripped up the carpets, decorated all the bedrooms and put in a new bathroom first. The big project to extend, knock down walls and create an open-plan kitchen-diner took about two years to come together.'

'Since then, it’s all been about carefully curating the look. Apart from the building work and plastering, we’ve done everything ourselves, including all the panelling. I’ve got the eye and my husband luckily has the skills.’

‘I call it rustic modern, and the words I use a lot are earthy, grounded, natural, organic and cosy. I like neutral colours with accents of orange, green and brown, and I’m not a big fan of patterned wallpaper.'

'I tend to add interest with natural materials, such as jute, wood and linen, and I like subtle geometrics and stripes. I trained as a hair and make-up artist but realised in lockdown that interiors were my passion and changed careers.’

‘My husband just wants the chance to enjoy all we’ve achieved, but I think we’ve got at least one more big renovation in us. Because of planning restrictions, we can’t extend any more here. I’d be really sad to leave, as I love this house, but the next one’s out there!’

Take the tour of Charlie & Paul's family home

The kitchen

‘The new kitchen extension needed a kitchen that wouldn’t look out of place in our 1930s home, so we went for a plain option, with units and a kitchen island in two colours.’

The kitchen diner

‘I’ll always choose a matt finish over one with a sheen and it took a while to find just the right colour for the new kitchen extension, but we got there.'

The living area

‘This used to be the old sitting room and was the first wall we panelled. Combining geometric shapes and stripes has made the space feel special and it’s where we spend most time now.’

The living room

‘This room is so cosy now we’ve put in a woodburner. All the fabrics are tactile and we’ve used a mix of old and new pieces.’

The main bedroom

‘The modern four-poster bed makes a great base for layers of linen. The pendant is an old one from Next, which I sprayed black.’

The family bathroom

‘We ran out of money to replace the window I’m not keen on, but I found these no-drill-fit shutters for a reasonable price, which makes all the difference. They literally took 20 minutes to fit.’

Ben’s bedroom

‘I deliberately chose an ottoman bed in here, so there’s plenty of storage underneath. I’ve chosen similar linen bedding to our bedroom, and I’ve gone for a burst of deep blue on the walls, which contrasts well with the yellow cover.’

FOCUS ON... Wireless lighting

Rechargeable or battery-operated lamps allow you to brighten the gloomiest of corners – no plug socket required

• Many period homes don’t have sockets where you’d like them to be, so instead of going to the expense and mess of chasing channels in the walls, think about buying a variety of no-cable lights.
• Table lamps without wires are great for styling coffee tables or ottomans, as there’s unlikely to be a socket around anyway. Placing one or two along a table runner also casts a cosy glow on a dining arrangement.
• Wall light versions will need to be fixed securely to a surface, so take the usual precautions to check you’re not drilling into electrical cables.
• These lights mainly have rechargeable bulbs but check carefully on the lifespan before you buy. Some have up to 14 hours of use, but other lights just take batteries, which may only run for seven hours at a time and prove a pricier option in the longer term.

For more, follow Charlie's home updates on Instagram

The peaceful village of Tetbury and its surrounding rolling hills has always been a huge draw for Sylvie and Mark, not least because family and friends are based nearby. ‘It’s the perfect escape from our busy lives, somewhere we can slow down and really switch off,’ says Sylvie. After years of visiting, the couple yearned for a place of their own.

They spotted the 18th-century cottage for sale and it instantly caught their attention, with its classic Cotswold stone exterior and prime position on the iconic Chipping Steps, which date back to the medieval period. The garden was also a real find, with incredible views across Gloucestershire.

The Grade-II Listed is small, with just a sitting room, utility, kitchen, bathroom, snug/guest bedroom and main bedroom, but it had great bones and bags of charm.

Making the most of a small space

The first task was to maximise the internal space, and for that task, the couple turned to interior designer Sean Symington, who had renovated a neighbouring property and whose studio is conveniently located in Tetbury. ‘We loved his playful use of colour and pattern and the way he blends English heritage with a modern edge,’ says Sylvie.

Given that the property is Grade II listed, Sean had to be creative with the layout, with the primary focus on the bathroom. It was super compact, with a bath hogging the space. ‘For modern living, especially when hosting guests, a shower was essential, so we reworked the space to make it more practical,’ he says.

The living room was also a priority. By opting for a smaller sofa and three armchairs, it created more seating than the couple expected and has made the space feel ‘more social, open and generous’, says Sylvie.

Pattern-maxxing the decor

When it came to decorating, Sean started each room scheme with a hero print, choosing ‘that one fabric or wallpaper that really sets the tone’.

‘It’s a great way to create flow throughout the house while keeping each space unique,’ adds Sean.

‘We weren’t afraid to be adventurous with colour and pattern; the use of deeper tones and layered prints make the rooms feel more expansive rather than closed in,' Sylvie says. ‘Overall, we found that going darker and bolder with design choices made the rooms feel larger and more interesting.’

The interiors feel cohesive yet characterful, balancing modern sensibility with country charm. ‘The bold colours and joyful patterns have completely transformed the cottage; it feels warm, inviting and full of life,’ says Sylvie.

Exterior

Being on Chipping Steps meant tricky logistics with no direct access – everything had to be carried down the cobbled street.

‘The stairs inside were so narrow that some of the furniture didn’t fit; we even had to saw the feet off some chairs,’ says Sylvie.

Sitting room

Sean used the large stone fireplace as the focal point, while a central ottoman brings the room together.

‘Creating zones within a room helps it feel purposeful and layered, rather than cramped,’ adds Sean. ‘I love using bold colour and pattern in compact interiors; it sounds counterintuitive, but it actually creates an illusion of space.'

'The eye moves across the room more fluidly as the colours and patterns blend with the architecture, making everything feel cohesive and inviting.’

Kitchen

The bijou kitchen has a nostalgic cottage feel with its Shaker units, range cooker and hanging rail for pots and pans.

A fabric skirt hides the dishwasher from view while adding another decorative element to the space.

A bright and uplifting Molly Mahon fabric draws on the yellow and blue scheme, inspired by Sylvie’s favourite colours.

Carnival cushions from Christopher Farr pick up on the coral, blue, and yellow tones that run through the house for the finishing touch.

Bedroom

The top-floor bedroom features a playful dragon-themed print – a playful nod to Mark, who was born in the Year of the Dragon.

‘There’s something wonderfully mystical and playful about the design; it’s full of movement and colour,’ says Sylvie.

Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes utilise the space available, while an armchair thoughtfully tucked under the eaves provides a quiet spot for reading.

Snug

Custom joinery was installed in the snug to house the couple’s books and provide a spot to work or watch TV, while the daybed doubles as extra sleeping space when needed.

Sean designed it to come apart in sections, so it was easy to get up the narrow staircase. The rich chocolate-coloured boxing around the walls helps blur the edges, giving a sense of space and depth.

Bathroom

A luxurious shower replaced the bulky tub and Sean paired half-height panelling with wallpaper and soft furnishings to make the scheme feel more considered, and to tie in with the rest of the house.

A sink skirt softens the space in the bathroom while also cleverly concealing everyday toiletries and essentials. Gold fixtures add warmth and a classic feel to the bathroom.

Garden

The garden was definitely a big undertaking, with a covered outdoor bath taking centre stage. It is one of Sylvie’s favourite spots to relax.

‘The outdoor bath is a real treat – it overlooks the valley surrounding Tetbury, offering the most peaceful spot to unwind and take in the view.’

This feature first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine. To buy a print or digital subscription, click here.

When Mel and her husband Slev bought their Victorian terrace in 2016, the ground floor had been revamped by a developer just six months before – but they could already see the work had been shoddy.

‘Cracks ran across walls, and when you got a bit closer, tiles were literally falling off,’ says Mel. ‘There were no drawers, not even one for cutlery. The kitchen wasn’t functional, and it didn’t feel like home.’

The couple wanted a kitchen that felt light and spacious, where friends and family could gather, especially at Christmas. Their north-facing ground floor felt dark, while the existing side-return layout and old shower room blocked the garden view.

‘We had to have the lights on as soon as we woke up in the morning and on all day. We realised that by adding a wraparound extension we’d gain lots of space, as well as a kitchen that felt bright and welcoming.’

As an architect, Mel was careful to preserve the home’s character during the design stage while also creating a contemporary space. She chose steel doors and windows for a sleek finish, inspired by a nearby Victorian stable block.

‘Steel felt more modern than timber, and we could choose any colour we liked,’ she explains. ‘We both love colour, so picked a bold red hue for the frames.’

The green and white chequerboard kitchen floor was also selected to warm up the north-facing space. ‘Plus, we always knew we’d have some kind of exposed timber, otherwise it would be too hard everywhere – oak cabinets were the obvious choice,’ says Mel.

‘Picking the floor and window frames first made everything else fall into place. We knew that the other colours and details would all work together.’

Despite the extensive work, the couple enjoyed the process. They had previously worked with local builders Neal and Harriet from Lorne Lofts, who ensured the process ran smoothly.

Mel’s only regret is not putting a plug socket in the island; ‘We had so much going on at the time – and we just couldn’t face bringing the electrician back again, but it annoys me every time I need to use a hand whisk or blender there!’

Today, the kitchen is bright, functional and full of character — a space that reflects the couple’s style and daily life. ‘It feels warm, cheerful and completely us,’ says Mel. ‘Even little details, like the orientation of the island or the colour of the windows, make a huge difference.’

Get the look

If you're looking for the perfect Cotswold cottage, this could be it. The home of Paula Costa and her fiancé David, the property used to be the village post office. The couple adored the cottage’s idiosyncrasies from the start.

‘It's built in honey-coloured Cotswolds stone in the middle of a tiny village, and it’s old, wonky, crooked and tiny, with beams and doors that were hand-sawn before the invention of steam power,’ says David.

A rustic renovation

The cottage was in good structural condition but ‘needed some care and a warm hug,’ according to Paula. So the couple enlisted the help of local interior designer Chloe Wills, founder of Interiors by Chloe, who had worked for Sims Hilditch, to reconfigure the layout and create a sympathetic modern country interior.

Chloe project-managed the entire renovation, designing and submitting the planning applications, working alongside a heritage consultant and selecting the builders. The cottage’s electrics and plumbing were upgraded, various floors replaced, a new bathroom created, and a Shaker-style kitchen in a soft sage green installed, complete with an Aga as David loves to cook.

The original beams were left untouched, but newer beams were sanded back, limewashed and distressed to match the colour of the original ones. ‘It was a case of marrying the older parts and the newer ones and bringing out as much of the original characterful areas as possible,’ explains Chloe.

Country code decorating

The brief was for an English country interior that was sympathetic to the age and history of the house.

Chloe’s design philosophy centres on layering handmade pieces and antiques to create homes that feel effortlessly luxurious yet lived in. A warm white paint reminiscent of the colour of lime plaster was used as a backdrop throughout to create a calm ambience and complement the wooden beams, while muted shades and pared-back patterns allow the original features to shine through.

Exterior

This 18th-century Grade II-listed cottage (formerly the village post office) has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an entry hallway, kitchen, dining room, living room, study and powder room. A soft sage green was chosen for the front door to complement the honey-coloured Cotswolds stone.

Hallway

Because of the cottage’s compact size, wine storage was built under the stairs. The mellow tones of the antique Welsh dresser base complement the ancient beams. Warm white walls throughout the cottage create flow, while a pretty floral door curtain injects softness.

The hall isn't the only room where Chloe introduced ingenious storage solutions. A cabinet with a hidden fridge was specially constructed to go in the hearth of the dining room, and hidden storage was also created behind the tongue and groove in the hall to conceal the boiler and vacuum cleaner.

Sitting room

An airy aura is created with warm white furniture and walls, keeping the look calm. Chloe created a window seat for handy extra seating.

The careful blend of old and new furniture creates a timeless interior, and Paula and David have now developed an interest in antique furniture. ‘It’s constantly finding that right balance between antique pieces, more modern pieces that go together and make it look intentional, but not forced,' says David.

Kitchen

Soft green Shaker cabinetry injects muted colour into the room, while a patterned rug breaks up the appearance of the limestone floor, bringing additional warmth to this space.

Dining room

The pared-back scheme allows the bones of the property to shine through. Dark wood furniture grounds the scheme.

Study area

This space doubles as Paula's study and a guest bedroom. A colony of 20,000 bees was discovered behind the lime plaster walls. The bees were removed and relocated, and 100kg of honey was extracted. The stone was then put back into the wall, repointed, and the area left un-plastered to highlight where the bees once lived. The room is now called the bee room, with curtains showcasing a bug motif to reference them.

Main bedroom

A tongue-and-groove wall provides a rustic backdrop in the couple's bedroom. The classic wrought-iron bed adds to the timeless feel.

Bedroom

A wavy-edged headboard injects a feminine touch. Gustavian-style bedside chests add to the elegant feel.

This feature first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine; click for subscription offers.

There is something very liberating about making a fresh start, but you have to be brave to take on a faded old French tower and priory with a roof that is about to collapse.

Paula Dormer rolled up her sleeves and accepted the challenge. She relished the change of scene, even though the tiny village deep in the countryside of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, southwest France, isn’t where she originally intended to make her home.

‘I planned to buy a house near my cousin in the Dordogne, but the sale fell through,’ says Paula. ‘Then I spotted this priory up for sale. However, it was miles away and far beyond my budget, so I put it to the back of my mind.’

Months later, she discovered that the price had been reduced, and she immediately arranged a viewing and went on to buy it.

‘It’s such a special place,’ she says. ‘I’d only just got through the big iron gates when I decided I wanted to live here. There’s such a sense of calm about the property and its land.’

Renovation plans

The 14th-century priory – the main part of the property – and its adjoining medieval round tower, set in a walled garden, had stood empty for seven years before Paula bought them.

She began by renovating the priory, fixing the roof and turning it into a holiday home to bring in a small income.

‘I’ve decorated several large English country homes in my time and have plenty of experience in transforming old properties,’ says Paula, who previously ran her own interior design business.

‘I knew I could freshen it up without losing any of its period charm.’

Natural decor

Once the priory was up and running as a gite, Paula turned her attention to the tower.

As the unusual building hadn’t been lived in for a long while, the decor was tired and a little gloomy.

‘I wanted to play to the property’s origins and chose simple, natural furnishings and neutral textiles,’ she says.

‘There are candles everywhere, rush matting on the wooden floors, and I’ve tried to create a sense of how it might have felt centuries ago.’

The original timeworn floors, ceiling beams, window shutters and characterful stone window openings all remain, with Paula adding her own signature updates.

She brought the cotton damask-covered sofa bed in the living room with her when she moved from the UK.

Creating a feature fireplace

To make it feel more cosy, one of Paula’s first tasks was to open up the living room’s original inglenook fireplace, which had been blocked up many years ago.

The fireplace has made a world of difference to the living space – the cosy glow and warmth from the fire bring the room to life once more.

Unfitted kitchen

The separate kitchen and dining area is charming, with deep-set windows, chalky lime-plastered walls and linen curtains over freestanding kitchen cabinets.

The tower’s curved walls made it almost impossible to fit standard kitchen cabinets, so for extra work surface, Paula added a pine unit found at a brocante, fixing kitchen curtains across the shelves.

As a kitchen storage idea, an old orchard ladder, discovered in the priory’s garden, makes a rustic rack for a treasured collection of copper pans.

French country style

As the kitchen includes the dining area, Paula kept the furnishings simple.

She has channelled French country style with antique monogrammed linen, a chandelier, which was a gift from a friend, and rush-seated chairs that she picked up from a brocante.

This glass-fronted armoire was in a sorry state, so Paula’s son rubbed it down and painted it, resulting in a lovely piece of upcycled furniture.

Paula has filled the shelves with fabric remnants from her interiors business

Dreamy bedrooms

There are two bedrooms in the tower, each accessed by its own spiral staircase.

‘When I first looked round, I felt the main bedroom was lacking something,’ says Paula. ‘Using a length of pink fabric that I’d brought with me from the UK, I designed the romantic drapes and coronet for the bed.’

She chose a warm neutral bedroom colour scheme, creating a feminine and romantic space.

Secret garden

The tower has its own private entrance and walled garden within the grounds of the medieval priory, adding further to the fairytale feel.

As Paula’s gite business approaches its eighth year, she welcomes frequent visitors of all ages; they are soon won over by the sense of calm and tranquillity in the tower and its surroundings.

‘I really enjoy having visitors, and I love it when people fall in love with the area,’ says Paula. ‘It’s not hard to share my space; in fact, with somewhere as special as this, it just seems to be the right thing to do. I’m certainly honoured to take my place as the latest custodian of this sublimely beautiful place.’

When the priory and tower are both occupied by holidaymakers, Paula moves into her converted artist’s studio in the grounds. Then, once her last summer visitors have left, she reclaims her own space again and spends cosy winter days by the huge inglenook fireplace in the living room.

Get the look

This feature first appeared in Period Living Magazine. Click here to subscribe.

'Love at first sight,’ is how Julia described her and husband Ray’s first viewing of the spacious Victorian-Edwardian house that they now call home.

With its large rooms, plentiful windows and tall ceilings, the property had good bones, plus the previous owners had extensively remodelled to create a layout that worked for 21st-century living. In spite of this, the rear of the house – specifically the kitchen – needed attention.

‘The kitchen was about 30 years old and feeling its age,’ explains Julia. ‘It also led onto a small and draughty conservatory, which provided space for a dining table but also zapped warmth from the entire downstairs.’

Knocking down the conservatory

There was no question that the conservatory had to go, but Julia and Ray didn’t want a straight replacement.

‘We were looking for something that still brought the outside in, without feeling like it had just been stuck on the back of the house.’

After chatting through ideas with architect Jonathon Williams from Sketch Proposal, the couple opted to extend the kitchen, adding bifold doors and a ceiling lantern to bring the bright and open feeling of the conservatory, without the previous compromises.

This was easier said than done. ‘We spoke to lots of builders, and always had an issue, whether it was radio silence, massive estimates, or just not fully trusting them. Trust is so important when hiring a builder, because you are giving them your home,’ says Julia.

Finding Phil Ovenden at Dovecote Homes was a godsend: ‘We had got to the point where we were considering not doing the build because we couldn’t find anyone to do it.’

Creating an open-plan layout

Extending the space also meant a new open-plan layout. ‘We’ve ended up with three kitchens in one,’ explains Julia. ‘You’ve got the green area, which is the main cooking and social space; then you’ve got the cream cabinetry, which houses the coffee station and the pantry storage, and then the dining area with the red run of cabinetry that doubles as a server.’

While the extension and open floor plan sought to modernise the kitchen, Julia and Ray also wanted to keep the feel of the space firmly planted in traditional kitchen design. ‘We started by looking at original Victorian and Edwardian kitchens to see what elements we could incorporate into our space,’ says Julia.

Lanhydrock House, visited many years ago on a family holiday, provided a particular spark of inspiration. ‘We loved the large prep table and how it created a central point in the large room,’ says Julia.

Historically-inspired design

Originally, the pair considered a traditional dairy table-style island, but that would have compromised kitchen storage. ‘We loved the characterful look the tables had, but they just didn’t feel functional for our busy family,’ says Julia. However, they still wanted to find that perfect piece that felt historically inspired and brought a sense of uniqueness and personality to the space. A French-style oak bar, custom-built by The White Kitchen Company and inspired by the piece in Lanhydrock, with its curved edges and marble-look quartz top, proved the perfect solution.

‘It looks as though it has always been there,’ says Julia. ‘We love how the curved island feels like a piece of free-standing furniture but still has plenty of storage. It’s the perfect centrepiece and people naturally gravitate towards it when they enter the room.’

The kitchen’s colour palette also nodded to history. The red of the server is drawn from the classic Victorian tiles in the hallway, and the sage-toned green honours the link with the outside that Julia longed for, also taken from a heritage palette.

For similar colours, try Lick's Green 02, available at B&Q paired with Dulux's Heritage Pugin Red Velvet, also from B&Q.

Sourcing the splashback

The tiled splashback, another love at first sight choice, was more of a challenge than first anticipated. ‘We ordered the tiles months before we needed them, but were told that Mandarin Stone had discontinued them,’ says Julia. All was not lost, though, as Sue Bell at Mandarin Stone called up every shop requesting their samples and leftover stock, managing to gather enough tiles for Julia and Ray to create their dream splashback.

Perfect finish

The finished kitchen is truly timeless, perfectly bridging the traditional feel of the property with modern life.

‘I remember sitting in the old kitchen with Ray and deliberating whether to do the renovation or not, and my parents turned around and said, “Do it! It will change your life”, and it really has,’ says Julia. ‘We wanted to create a kitchen that was in keeping with the house and that hopefully, in 20 years, it’ll just be a case of repainting the cabinetry and maybe replacing the worktops. We’re so privileged to have been able to do the renovation and to have such a lovely space to work with.’

Get the look

Keen to have more space for their growing family, Natalie Benes and her husband, Anthony, made the move from north London to a market town in Hertfordshire and soon found the perfect three-bed doer-upper home with plenty of potential.

‘We were searching for a town that was within easy commute of the capital,' recalls Natalie, 'and close to my family in north-west London, where we could get more house and garden for our money.'

'After driving around a few locations, we arrived in Berkhamsted and loved the bustling high street with its independent shops, even in the pouring rain! We set our sights on an Edwardian home on one of the town’s pretty streets. We finally found the perfect renovation project, with potential for a spacious side return extension and loft conversion.’

‘The goal was to transform a period house with great bones into a thoughtfully planned, modern family home that retained its heritage charm,' she recalls. 'Reconfiguring the ground floor allowed for a spacious open-plan kitchen-diner with improved connection to both the garden and the traditional reception rooms at the front of the house.'

'Converting the loft added another bedroom and bathroom. I'm an architect at North Road Studio, so we focused on creating long views through the house and into the garden to enhance the sense of space. Large frameless windows, including a sleek oriel window seat, were instrumental in achieving this vision.’

‘We submitted the planning application before we completed the purchase of the house so we could start on site as soon as we got the keys,' says Natalie. 'We rented nearby while the work was being done and moved in when most of it had been completed 10 months later.'

'It took that long because we did everything in one go, which meant we could move into an almost completed home. Extending the side return all the way to the boundary gave us valuable extra space between the island and the dining table.’

‘The open-plan kitchen and dining space has been designed with flexibility in mind, and it works beautifully for our family’s evolving needs. When our children were younger, the open area beside the kitchen island served as a play zone where we could keep an eye on them while cooking.'

'These days, it’s the hub for Lego masterpieces and craft projects. Looking ahead, the plan is to transform it into a relaxed seating nook with a coffee table and plenty of indoor plants - a space that grows with us over time.’

Take a room by room tour of Natalie and Anthony's colourful home

Kitchen

‘We layered the kitchen with rich materials, textures and colours to bring depth and character to the modern, light-filled extension, and tie it in with the rest of the period rooms.’

‘The huge window seat maximises views into the garden and creates a cosy spot to sit, read or chat with the chef. Not only do the children love it, but guests often perch here, too.’

Dining area

‘The long dining bench spans the entire length of the new extension, while the nifty storage drawers underneath hide clutter out of sight.’

Snug

‘Painting the original floorboards white creates a bold contrast with the darker walls, while the deep tones and cosy textures make the space perfect for snuggling up with a good movie.’

Main bedroom

‘The natural tones and organic textures make this space super cosy and inviting,’ says Natalie.

Leo's bedroom

‘The rich colour palette was inspired by the playful rug. The walls are in different shades of greeny-blues with pops of rusty reds, including the vintage bookcase that I painted myself.’

Bathroom

‘I continued the layers of interesting textures and tones into the family bathroom with a mix of patterned tiles, pale timber accents and lush houseplants,’ says Natalie.

Mia’s bedroom

‘The wall between this bedroom and the adjacent bathroom was rebuilt to accommodate storage niches on both sides. It’s perfect for books and night lights.’

GET THE LOOK

FOCUS ON… Oriel windows

Frame a garden view with this striking window option

• Originating from Gothic and Tudor architecture that featured projecting windows, modern oriel windows are designed to increase natural light and enhance contemporary architecture with their minimal, glass-box aesthetic that floats above the ground, distinguishing them from a bay window.
• Working in both modern and traditional settings, oriel windows are designed with multiple frameless panels that provide a lovely panoramic view, while the deep window seat is ideal for cosying up with cushions and providing extra seating for guests.
• As they extend from the building, oriel windows typically need structural support to keep them secure. A solid frame or bracket is the most common solution.
• An oriel window will add a unique architectural focal point to your home and as a result, increase the appeal and saleability of your property. Expect to pay anything between £5,000 and £10,000 depending on the glazing spec, frame materials and cost of any bespoke joinery.

This petite but beautiful home has a unique history. It was previously part of a farm shop complex, so at one point it was a butchery and then it became a flower shop. Its owner, Iona Blackshaw, was renting in London and struggling to see a way onto the property ladder in the city. Then she found this little building for sale in the Cotswolds.

Fortunately for Iona, her brother-in-law, Pip Phillips, is an architect with his own practice in nearby Stroud.

‘I thought it might make a perfect first step on the property ladder,’ Iona explains, adding that it was Pip's architectural vision that convinced her it could be done. ‘It was quite a labour of love as it was semi-derelict. There were no inside facilities at all, not even a tap. It was just the barn.’

A small but mighty reno

When they were granted planning consent to change the use from commercial to residential, the team set to work. The original stonework and characterful beams were restored, and a mezzanine floor was added partway across the space for the bedroom.

‘We took out a third of the floor, so there is double-height space where the wood burner is, then we left just enough room for the bedroom to be upstairs,’ Iona says.

It cleverly increases the sense of space and further adds to the charm. The team also put in new glazing to the front with a full bank of glass doors, as well as a side door that leads out on the garden.

Adding character with vintage finds

It was about six months before Iona could move in and begin making the tiny house into a home with a mix of vintage, repurposed and upcycled pieces.

‘My taste is quite eclectic; it's a mixture of family bits and found items,’ she says. 'I find it more satisfying to find something in a charity shop, or on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, than buying something that's been pre-curated.'

She also admits to being a collector of kitchen accessories and props; something that comes with her career as a food, prop and still-life stylist. A vintage school cupboard provides the perfect storage, with decorative tableware viewed through the glass panels and less attractive items hidden behind closed doors underneath.

Exterior

What was once an old florist’s unit has been transformed into a characterful home and workspace for Iona. Vintage planters and olive trees in terracotta pots adds to to the aesthetic of the exterior.

Living area

Iona has strategically zoned an area for relaxing, with a sofa and a couple of armchairs positioned around the wood-burning stove. Classic plaid blankets and slubby linen cushions add texture and warmth and a dash of relaxed country style, further complemented by the wood flooring that runs throughout the open-plan space.

Living room storage

Small, yet perfectly formed, Iona’s home feels generous in size despite its neat proportions of around 600 square feet of living space. The abundance of daylight also means she can use it as a photography space. ‘It's wonderful that I can use it for work, so I'm very lucky that it functions both as home and shoot space.

The vintage cupboard was painted a warm butter yellow shade by Iona and is used to store and display favourite ceramics and props for food shoots.

Kitchen

The galley kitchen is perfectly complemented by a freestanding island unit, a pantry storage cupboard and a utility cupboard where the washing machine is hidden behind a fabric curtain.

The kitchen island is painted green and lends a sharp pop of colour to the interior. Iona’s numerous recipe books are neatly tucked underneath alongside a handy storage basket.

Kitchen details

Compact in size, the kitchen boasts some lovely small-space storage solutions, including slender shelving that fit neatly on the side of the cupboard. A handy hanging rail and assortment of vintage wooden boards, utensils and decorative ceramics add charm to the small space.

Dining area

An antique drop-leaf table provides the perfect small-space dining solution and has been stripped back to reveal the warm tones of the wood grain. A couple of elegant dining chairs and a country style three-legged oak milking stool that can be tucked underneath when not in use complete the look. The paintings of Iona's whippets, Marnie and Olive, are by her sister, who is an artist.

Bedroom

The bedroom mezzanine area is accessed by a spiral staircase. The architects have cleverly used one of the original structural beams as the boundary to the space, adding tongue-and-groove panelling as textural detail. It creates a superbly characterful headboard.

Iona has kept the colours and materials simple with soft linens in warm neutral tones for a calm, cocooning effect.

Bedroom storage

Custom-built open shelves and a hanging cubicle maximise the amount of storage space available. Iona loves baskets and has used a selection in different shapes and sizes to great effect to create a flexible storage solution for clothes, shoes and accessories, while also creating a lovely display of natural texture and reassuring sense of order in the small space.

Shower room

The shower room/cloakroom is neatly tucked at the back of the open-plan space. Iona has opted for a luxurious feel with marble tiles and an earthy pink shade on the walls. A wall-mounted basin adds a sense of airiness.

This article first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors. Follow the link for subscription offers.

From furnishing her homes with flea-market finds to transforming her Regency-style house from a white box into a colour-enveloping haven, creating joyful interiors is second nature to Amy Eld.

‘We saw a lot of properties before this house came up, and I just knew it was the one!’ laughs Amy, who runs vintage and antiques homeware business Rock the Heirloom. With its high Georgian ceilings and sense of calm, the house offered both character and breathing space. ‘It’s sometimes hard to believe we’re in the heart of London, although the chime of Big Ben is a good reminder.’

The four-bedroom house was pristine and already fully renovated – the perfect canvas for what Amy calls The Pimlico Project, her mission to furnish and decorate sustainably, using vintage and antique pieces. ‘The house was completely liveable, so ripping anything out would have been criminal – it would’ve gone entirely against my core values,’ she explains.

Stylish and sustainable

Amy collaborated with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, using their colour consultancy, and worked with Sarah Davenport of That Rebel House on textiles and rugs.

‘I wanted the home to fully embrace and celebrate colour while complementing the art and antiques I selected,’ says Amy. With Sarah’s guidance, she introduced statement textiles – handmade suzanis, vintage rugs and UK-made gathered lampshades. ‘The aim was a layered, mismatched maximalist style that’s both versatile and eco-friendly. Sarah inspired me to use rugs on the walls as well as the floors, which works beautifully.’

Entrance hall

Amy wanted to make an impactful entrance, so she enlisted the advice of a painter and seller of original artworks to create a gallery wall before adding a rich yolk yellow stair runner.

Kitchen

Two brightly coloured kilim rugs bring vibrancy to the floors of the small kitchen and dining/sitting room, which are divided by bifold doors, tying them together neatly. Keeping the modern kitchen fitted by the previous owners, Amy has added character with an antique butcher’s block, a bright kilim rug and colourful crockery.

Sitting room

Furnishings pay homage to the building’s history while creating warmth and texture through natural materials like cane, wood and bamboo.

‘I love Victorian furniture, especially bobbin and tiger bamboo pieces, and I collect along these themes,’ says Amy. She restores many of her finds, including a Regency-style faux bamboo chair reupholstered in patterned House of Hackney velvet – ‘It’s now as much a piece of art as furniture.’

Another favourite, a Victorian sofa reupholstered in deep blue velvet with pink fringing, ‘was a real triumph – I love it even more than before.’

Dining area

White walls are long gone, as seen in this dining area in the sitting room. The new palette flows naturally from yellows and mid-browns to soft pinks, warm neutrals, peach and sunshine yellow.

‘I was encouraged to use colours I love and shown how to make them work,' says Amy. 'I’ve grown in confidence throughout the process, and the end result is beyond my expectations.’

Office/balcony

With no space wasted, a small study area has been created on a landing between the ground and first floors.

Raised in a creative, antiques-loving family, Amy’s passion for old things feels instinctive. ‘I believe my love of vintage and antiques is in my genes,’ she says. Her inventive eye extends to repurposing – a 19th-century oak wine press now serves as a plinth for plants in the home office.

‘This home has taught me that antiques offer endless opportunities – from adding comfort to creating unique talking points.’

Bedroom

Playing to the strengths of natural materials, this welcoming second-floor bedroom combines bamboo, cane, wood, wool, and cotton to beautiful effect.

Bedroom

Painted in Tawny by Edward Bulmer Paint and layered with boho textiles, this bedroom channels a relaxed 1970s look and feel.

Bedroom

Warmed by shades of rusty red and pink, this top-floor bedroom feels inviting and characterful, with rugs used creatively on both the floor and wall.

Exterior

The house sits in a Regency-style terrace in Pimlico. The four-storey terraced house was built in the 1830s by notable British master builder Thomas Cubitt. Amy and her family occupy four floors, from the first floor up.

Get the look

Rosie Madison could be described as a serial renovator. Just as she finishes one home, she can’t help herself looking around for the next project.

‘I get itchy feet and wonder what else I can make beautiful,’ admits Rosie, who co-presents a show on BBC Radio 1, ‘and I always end up falling for another house.’

When she and her husband Matthew went to view their third renovation – a four-bedroom townhouse in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire – 'it looked tiny from the front,’ says Rosie. ‘However, once inside, we realised the house had some gorgeous bones. At every turn, there was another staircase, another period door, another beautiful marble fireplace.’

Dating back to 1737, Trevor House, or ‘Trev’ as the couple call it, is right in the middle of town and used to be a beer and wine merchants.

Outside, there were even more surprises for Rosie and Matthew, including a studio converted from the old stables, a courtyard with a massive palm tree and a rickety old gate leading to the walled garden.

By the end of the viewing, the decision was made, and the house was theirs.

Since moving in, in 2022, the couple have decorated from top to bottom, ripping out the badly designed kitchen, dated bathrooms and pink carpets.

Kitchen

‘We focused on creating a kitchen with wow factor,’ says Rosie. ‘The old white units took up a third of the room with a little breakfast bar sticking out – a bit like apartment living but not in a good way.’

Keeping the same layout and squeezing in a dining table would only have made the room look smaller. The solution, they decided, was to arrange the kitchen units around the whole room.

As this room was quite dark, the couple chose Shaker-style kitchen units in a warm neutral shade, and herringbone flooring in a light tone to create a modern and airy feel in the small kitchen.

The second-hand range cooker was a bargain buy that elevates the scheme and brings contrast to the pale cabinetry.

Arranging the kitchen units around the room freed up space for a sizeable draper’s table in the centre that can be used as a worktop or a breakfast bar.

‘You can even have a dinner party around it,’ says Rosie. ‘Although I wanted an antique table, nothing would fit in the house, so we had one specially made in pieces that could be reassembled. I love how it adds a different texture in contrast to the worktops.’

On the walls are some of Rosie's own artworks, which she sells via Harrogate House Interiors.

Living room

It was clear that the house needed more sympathetic décor to complement the original features.

As a keen collector and creator of art, Rosie prefers decorating with neutrals and plain walls rather than patterned wallpaper as a backdrop for prints and paintings.

The warm dusty-pink shade works well in this north-facing living room. Rosie added a vibrant red trim to standard drapes as a curtain idea to give them an eye-catching uplift, while the couple’s greyhound, Dorothy, features in many of Rosie's artworks

The living room was a difficult space to style, because the fireplace is off-centre. Also, the room seemed small when Rosie first looked around the house.

‘Strangely, the more things we put in this small living room, the larger and more liveable it felt,’ she says.

Home office

The house is filled with antiques and artwork picked up on the couple’s travels, particularly around Asia and South America. Matthew and Rosie share the same quirky style and like pieces with meaning.

‘Home offices can be such boring spaces, but this room has a fun mood,’ says Rosie. ‘It’s where we put our crazier pieces – such as the masks we bought in Brazil – that might not work in the living room.’

‘When I was little, I loved going round Halifax Antiques Centre with my dad, and I’ve always collected art, so I wanted a gallery feel in the house,’ says Rosie,

The walls are painted a warm and deep earthy yellow hue – a perfect colour for a home office – which contrasts beautifully with the black gloss-painted door.

Guest bedroom

Rosie always has her eye out for vintage and antique bargains; the beautifully curved wooden headboard in this guest bedroom was one of her best ever Facebook Marketplace finds at just £12.

A mix of scatter and bolster cushions complements the wall colour – Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball.

Green bedroom

Foliage prints fill the wall behind the headboard in this second guest bedroom.

As an artwork framing idea, Rosie bought £2 gold-coloured frames from Yorkshire Trading Company and scraped bits off to show the black underneath and create a vintage look.

A patterned lampshade and striped cushion add splashes of red to the green bedroom scheme.

‘I love little pops of colour. They can be introduced very easily and changed just as easily,’ says Rosie

Bathroom

Rosie and Matthew updated the bathroom, removing the black tiles that Rosie says made it look like the inside of a 1996 sports centre changing room!

Starting with a battered old marble-topped dresser she found on ebay, Rosie upcycled a vanity unit, painting it and fitting a new basin to give it a new lease of life. She then opted for wall-mounted taps sourced in Morocco, adding a vintage foxed mirror to complete the look.

Deciding the bathroom needed a little more grandeur, Rosie chose luxury vinyl bathroom flooring, brass shower fittings sourced from Morocco and marble bathroom tiles for the shower enclosure.

'There are certain things you can't scrimp on,' Rosie says.

Although Rosie says she and Matthew are really happy with their home, she admits they made plenty of mistakes along the way. ‘Like the time we painted the hallway a classy beige, which looked wonderful in the evening but felt like a Spanish taverna in the daytime,’ she laughs.

'No matter how much we love Trev, this is not a forever home. Matthew will kill me for saying that as he'd like a rest, but I've already got itchy feet to start our next project ...'

This feature first appeared in Period Living Magazine. Click here to subscribe.