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.

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.'

GET THE LOOK

'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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How do you make a big house feel homely? For Samantha and her partner Edel, the answer came in the slow layering of colour, pattern and interest to create rooms that are stylish and striking, but still feel welcoming whenever they step inside.

The Edwardian villa in Northants sits behind wrought-iron gates on a tree-lined road. ‘The stunning façade and huge bay windows had me at first glance,' says Sam. 'It felt incredibly grand, but when we stepped inside, it was homely too, with beautiful proportions and a fireplace in nearly every room.’

A beautiful transformation

The house was in good condition when the couple moved in. Most of the renovation had been completed 10 years before, so there was no major structural work to be done – but the interiors felt too neutral for Samantha’s taste.

‘It wasn’t a blank canvas, but it wasn’t very ‘us’ either. The layout worked beautifully, and things like the kitchen and bathroom were in great condition, which really appealed to us. It was about softening the spaces and adding in the things we love – wallpaper, fabrics, antiques and art.’

Sam called on the expertise of interior designer Claire Botha from Geek Vintique to help refine her ideas in a few of the rooms. ‘She really understood what we were trying to achieve, which was something relaxed and refined, with just the right amount of drama,' says Sam.

Exterior

The red-brick Edwardian villa was built in 1902 and has five bedrooms. It was the property's proportions, and period details including high ceilings, large bay windows, stained glass windows and original floor tiles, that the couple fell for on first viewing.

Hallway

In the hallway, rich brown woodwork paired with a bold red gloss door has given the entrance a whole new identity.

‘That red door was a game changer,’ says Sam. ‘It completely transformed the feel of the space – and once we painted the surround to match, it looked so much grander.’

Sitting room

The living room, originally painted in a dark navy, has recently been refreshed in a deep blue-grey, and the once-disliked pewter fireplace is now painted to match the walls, transforming it from dominant to discreet.

‘Every room has its own personality, but there’s a thread that runs through the house – I like everything to feel considered, but not overly polished,’ Sam says. Her style blends time-worn finds with carefully chosen modern pieces, while patterned fabrics and vibrant wallpapers sit happily alongside natural textures and soothing wall colours – a combination that gives the house its timeless and collected feel.

‘Balancing old and new pieces makes a space more interesting; I just have to be careful not to tip too far into old-fashioned.’

Dining room

The north-facing aspect in the dining room made the space naturally dark, but instead of fighting it, Sam embraced it.

A trio of foxed mirrors bounces around what little light there is, while rich brown tones, low lighting and a bold Persian rug create a cocooning feel. There's also a piano and a luxe velvet armchair to relax in.

‘It’s mostly used in the evenings for entertaining, so going darker felt right,’ Sam explains.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, once-orange wooden cabinets have been given a fresh lease of life with a soft blush hue, while the island was painted a grounding black.

Smart black worksurfaces and florring bring a modern-classic look to the prep and cooking area, while hardware in brushed brass adds a subtle chic finish.

Breakfast room

The breakfast room adjacent to the kitchen, right in the heart of the house, is the family’s most-used space.

Panelling and soft pink walls keep the room feeling cosy, while statement lighting and antique touches, like a gilt mirror gifted by Sam’s mum and a framed set of old prints from the Bolshoi Ballet, add character.

Main bedroom

The main bedroom feels calm and sophisticated, with a clever use of colour that makes the most of the available natural light.

The oversized headboard was made locally to suit the generous proportions of the space, while an antique chaise, reupholstered in velvet, inspired the room’s colour palette.

Guest bedroom

The bold botanical wallpaper creates a striking backdrop for the deep red upholstered headboard in the guest bedroom.

‘We wanted our guest’s room to feel luxurious,’ says Sam, ‘so we added an armchair and an antique chest of drawers, dressed the bay window with a pelmet and floor-length curtains, and hung a chandelier, we bought from Laura Ashley over 20 years ago, to add in a touch of elegance.’

This Victorian property was once a shop, with a house attached. Today, the two parts have been integrated to form a family home, complete with kitchen, utility, dining room, ground floor and top-floor sitting rooms, studio, six bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Julia, who works in fashion education and interiors, her partner, Dan, and their two children moving here in 2018, after swapping London for a slower pace of life in the Malvern Hills.

‘We’d planned to move to Stroud,’ Julia says, ‘but then we viewed this former shop, and everything changed. We loved the shop front, the original tongue-and-groove panelling, the chunky old shelving and simple wooden floors. The house’s unfussy honesty really won us over, and the views were just incredible.’

From shop to living space

A decade before, the main house had served as a clothes shop and café, leaving behind odd additions such as fitting rooms and partitions. Julia and Dan set about restoring flow. ‘We knocked out a jumble of loft rooms to create a lighter, more open space,’ she explains.

Their approach to renovation has been careful and considered. ‘We don’t rip things out for the sake of it,’ Julia explains. ‘We’ve revealed floorboards, kept original details, and tried to make the most of what was already here.’

They've also repurposed the former shop into a creative space, where they hold screen-printing workshops, wreath-making sessions, pop-ups and parties. 'Our vision was always a family home, with plenty of room for making, playing, and hosting friends,' Julia says.

Exterior

With a striking double shop-front façade, Julia and Dan’s home may appear modest from the roadside, but inside it reveals three full floors of spacious living and has a self-contained garden flat, currently used as a holiday let.

Sitting room

The interiors are an eclectic but harmonious blend of rustic woods, mid-century shapes, Victorian charm, pops of colour, woven textures and flea-market treasures.

‘We only buy things that speak to us,’ Julia explains. ‘Second-hand finds stop us being too precious and encourage more creative choices.’

In the sitting room, modern rustic style is blended with subtle Scandi-vintage touches. Panelling the walls keeps the room distinct from the adjacent diner.

Dining room

Simple but eclectic, the dining room features a contemporary wooden table and clear Perspex chairs, alongside rustic wooden doors and a textural rush rug.

The large artwork pulls the eye to the end of the room and creates a dramatic focal point in the space.

Kitchen

The couple inherited the built-in cupboards and generous island in the kitchen – but the space awaits their dream transformation.

‘One day we’ll knock through to the shopfront and create a larger kitchen using vintage fittings and apothecary cupboards,’ Julia says.

Studio

Julia, who works in fashion education and interiors, uses the old shop front as her studio when working on design projects, whether for clients or her own home.

The cabinet is an ex-shop haberdashery display unit bought from a local department store refit sale. The large wooden drawers are filled with fabric swatches, tile samples and paint colour cards.

Top sitting room

By stripping back old carpets to reveal the original floorboards and opening up a maze of small loft rooms, the space has been transformed into a bright, airy retreat.

Main bedroom

Julia has layered her favourite elements – natural materials, soft tones, and vintage treasures – into a bedroom that feels both pretty and full of character.

Guest bedroom

Tucked away at the top of the house, the guest bedroom combines old and new pieces to create a timeless vintage look.

Daughter's bedroom

Julia and Dan made the children’s bedrooms their first renovation priority, wanting them to feel comfortable and at home from the very start.

Bathroom

A top floor bathroom has been given a makeover with classic tongue-and-groove panelling and Metro-style tiles.

With dreams of a family home full of character (and room for two young boys and a pair of rabbits), Jess and Mat took on a tired four-bed 1930s semi near York in 2016 and transformed it with plenty of DIY and lots of clever touches.

‘When we were looking to buy our first home, we wanted an older property with lots of character and space to start a family. I loved the character of this 1930s house from the start, especially the porch archway, high ceilings, coving, picture rails and fireplaces.’

‘The house hadn’t been decorated in decades. We stripped it back to the bare bones, peeling off layers of wallpaper, and under the old carpets, we discovered the original floorboards were unfortunately damaged in places. The house needed rewiring, which we hadn’t anticipated, but this meant we could use the opportunity to create everything to meet our needs.’

‘We got the keys in spring 2016 and I was steaming off wallpaper that same day! We did most of it ourselves and decorated rooms when we could afford to – a bulk of our savings went into joining the separate bathroom and toilet, and renovating the old kitchen.'

'It was at times tough living in the dust and mess. I started sharing my hacks and DIY ideas on Instagram at @thehoppyhome and I loved finding like-minded people who also had a passion for interiors and DIY.'

'In November 2023, we knocked down the conservatory and extended across the back of the house to create a new kitchen and living space with a separate utility. We turned our old kitchen space into a dining room.’

‘I’m drawn to traditional English country interior design with modern touches, mixing new and old, and I love earthy natural tones and materials. At the start of every decorating project, I make a moodboard of every detail and meticulously plan to avoid any expensive mistakes.'

'I love adding character with beams and features such as fireplaces, which we have included in nearly every room. Practicality is important, and having two active boys, I’ve gone for wipeable paints and removable furniture covers.’

‘Honestly, our home makes us so happy, it is my peaceful happy place. It feels calm and relaxing here, even amongst the daily chaos of family life. When I walk through the front door, I still can’t believe we live here. Our boys love our home and their favourite thing to do is cycle their bikes around the kitchen island!’

Focus On… Creating a pet-proof home

Jess and Mat’s immaculate home is both stylish and practical, despite having children and rabbits. Here are our top tips for getting the balance right…

• DURABLE MATERIALS Choose washable or scrubbable paint so that sticky fingerprints and muddy paw prints can be wiped away. Try Zinsser Allclean interior matt emulsion, £62 at B&Q or Scotch-Brite Magic Pad, £11.99 for 12, Amazon which removes stains from walls.
• WASHABLE FABRICS Opt for removable covers on sofas and dining chairs that can be popped in the washing machine to remove pet hair and food smears. Bemz create covers that fit Ikea furniture, while Plumbs make bespoke sofa covers in a wide range of fabrics.
• DURABLE FLOORING Avoid carpet and go for hardwearing flooring like laminate, poured concrete or tiles which can resist spills and mud. And keep a bottle of Dr Beckmann Pet Stain & Odour Remover, £6.60 for two, Amazon handy to clean up pet mess.

The kitchen

‘We invested a lot of time planning a room that looks beautiful but is also practical,’ says Jess. The island, with its durable quartz worktop, is a social hub for entertaining.

The central kitchen island has quickly become the heart of this home. Its quartz worktop with an ogee edge elevates the design, adding interest, and its soft colours tie in with the classic-meets-modern style. The oak beams are a new addition to add character.

The dining area

Located where the old kitchen once was, the dining area is now part of the open-plan layout. Bespoke storage cabinets blend into the scheme and marry up the two spaces.

The snug

This comfy armchair is a quiet spot for Jess to escape from the hustle of family life. ‘I love sitting here with a cup of tea when the kids are at pre-school, it’s my little moment of peace,’ she says.

The living room

‘This room is a grown-up space where we relax in the winter months with a book or glass of wine,’ says Jess. ‘The all-white palette and layered textures create a cocooning feel.’

Built-in shelving keeps clutter at bay, with room for books, baskets and decorative touches to elevate the space.

The utility room

Built-in seating turns the utility into a boot room. ‘It’s brilliant for the boys to sit and take off their wellies after playing in the garden,’ she says. Beneath the bench, drawers keep hats and gloves in order and there are handy coat hooks above.

The hallway

Jess renovated the staircase, adding the spindles and painting the banisters. ‘This was a tricky space to decorate with the angled ceiling, but the soft green-grey tone makes it cosy.’

Alfie’s bedroom

To draw attention to the high ceilings, Jess used a neutral striped wallpaper which leads the eye upwards to the picture rail and the ceiling above.

‘Our boys love having somewhere to hide, and this wooden tent gets used every single day,’ says Jess. Cosy cushions and soft textures make it a relaxing spot to play.

The main bedroom

'We had a skylight installed above the bed so that lots of light pours in; at night-time we can look at the stars. After years of renovating, I wanted our bedroom to feel restful and finished,’ says Jess.

Carefully chosen furniture and soft textures give this bedroom a calm and relaxing atmosphere, designed to help the couple unwind and recharge at the end of the day.

The bathroom

Formerly a separate loo and bathroom, the couple knocked down the dividing wall to create a large family bathroom.

Arranging an off-market deal can be a great way to get the home you want in a heated market, as first-time buyers Amelia and Damon Barrett discovered.

‘Period homes always sell super quickly round here, so after we were outbid on another house, our mortgage advisor suggested putting notes through doors on the same street,’ says Amelia.

‘It was a bit of a waiting game, but four months later, the owner of this four-bedroom Victorian semi got in touch. They’d already done a loft conversion, lowering the first floor ceiling to gain more head height, but there was ample scope to knock through the middle lounge, toilet and small kitchen and extend at the rear to create a large kitchen-diner/living area.’

The couple funded the kitchen extension with a £20,000 loan, but ended up borrowing £15,000 more to get everything fully finished. Luckily, Amelia’s parents kindly paid for their kitchen, and Damon’s plasterer, joiner and electrician friends helped out on evenings and weekends.

Damon also built wardrobes, put up panelling and created the media wall in the family living room, as well as fitting tiles and laying flooring in the bathroom. ‘We spent more on sash windows, the big rooflight and a more expensive floor,’ says Amelia. ‘There were also costs we hadn’t factored into our renovation budget, such as building control and structural engineer’s fees. Doing up the house in stages really helped, so we could save up in between.'

The open plan kitchen

‘Planning permission was already in place, but we tweaked it by moving the kitchen to the middle rather than at the rear,’ says Amelia. ‘It works better as you’re not walking through a second lounge to get to the kitchen. We also added a bigger rooflight and changed a window into double doors.’

Amelia’s must-have was a large island in the open-plan space. ‘It made sense to put the sink on the island as I wanted a range cooker within the old fireplace,’ she says. ‘You can get a lot of people in here, so it’s great for entertaining, and it’s sociable if one of us is cooking and the other is watching TV.’

‘We were going to have open shelves either side of the range cooker, until an interior designer on Instagram suggested putting tall cupboards there to make it look more high-end. We also had a shelf made by our joiner to enhance the period charm,' says Amelia.

‘I kept the wall units light as there’s no window in this part of the room, but with the white Omega stone worktop, the island could take a darker colour,' adds Amelia.

‘Our second-hand extending table is paired with upcycled chairs from family and a vintage bench from an old pub near my parents’ home. It’s a relatively big piece of furniture so it doesn’t look lost in the space.’

The living area

‘Damon adapted the media unit, which also hides the boiler, using larder cabinets from the same company as the kitchen. I was worried it would feel too big, but we chose a sofa with a lower back to keep the space feeling open,' explains Amelia.

The living room

A dedicated living room provides a more formal entertaining space.

‘The previous dark teal was too overpowering for me – I wanted a more neutral shade with a cosy carpet,' says Amelia. ‘The alcove cupboards were painted white, but after adding a light carpet, we felt a darker shade would work better.’

The green velvet footstool is the perfect centrepoint to the room – Dunelm's Max design is similar and has the added benefit of providing storage too.

Guest bedroom

‘This was our bedroom for the first 18 months, but it was quite warm in summer and a bit noisier, so we moved to the first floor at the rear. The panelling creates more of a focal point, as the bed felt a bit lost against the back wall,' says Amelia.

‘I swapped the strong blue walls for this paint colour that I was desperate to try, with elements of green, beige and grey,' says Amelia.

Bathroom

The bathroom was also transformed.

The couple lived with the faded textured wallpaper and peeling linoleum for two years before starting the bathroom refit.

‘I wanted a freestanding bath and separate shower, but they wouldn’t fit,’ says Amelia. ‘I wasn’t keen on Damon’s suggestion of a short deep bath, while extending into the nursery would have made that room small, so we compromised with a shower over the bath and chose a stunning brass panel to elevate the design.’

A wooden bath rack, like this from Amazon, completes the look

Nursery

Their two-year-old son's small nursery is located at the rear of the house.

‘We reinstated the picture rail and coving from when the previous owners lowered the ceiling for the loft conversion, then added panelling,' says Amelia. 'I’d seen Cole & Son's Florencecourt wallpaper available from John Lewis on Instagram and loved it, so everything was based around that.'

FOCUS ON... media walls

Take inspiration from the Barretts’ combination of form and function and create a stylish focal point for the living room, which neatly houses the television while offering plenty of storage

• MAKE A PLAN Whether you’re aiming for a luxury built-in look or something more budget-friendly, a media wall adds visual impact and maximises your space. Think about what you want to include: TV size, sound system, storage cabinets and lighting. A central position with good viewing angles and minimal glare works best. Measure everything meticulously and sketch out a design, or use free online planning tools such as SketchUp, MagicPlan or Ikea’s Kreativ app.
• CHOOSE MATERIALS Paintable MDF is a popular and affordable choice for the frame, while high-gloss finishes or wood veneers can elevate the look. Add LED strip lighting – like this from Amazon – for ambience and consider fluted panels or cladding for texture. Built-in electric fires are also a popular addition beneath the TV.
• WHAT WILL IT COST? A basic DIY set-up costs from £800 to over £5,000 for custom-built versions. To save money, try building the framework yourself using MDF sheets and battens, then finish with paint or panelling. Ikea’s Besta, Eket or Havsta cabinets are a budget-friendly base for bespoke-style results.

Follow Amelia's progress @amelia.home

Warm tones, weathered wood and a sense of calm permeate every room in the house that Jade Mclean shares with husband John and their three sons.

A late Victorian/early Edwardian terraced house in Worthing, West Sussex, it has a double-aspect sitting room, kitchen/dining room, utility room, principal bedroom, four further bedrooms and a family bathroom. But it was the beachfront location that really blew the family away when they first viewed the property.

'We didn’t really want a project, just somewhere we could put our stamp on,' Jade explains. 'And this house instantly felt warm, with a calm vibe. It was bright and just beautiful with lots of character and good bones.’

Decorating with character

Jade is the owner of antiques and clothing emporium Three Angels in Hove, and is an avid collector of antique glass chandeliers, ornately carved wooden armoires and furniture reupholstered in slubby antique linens.

Her style is natural to the core, with a gentle palette of neutrals that includes pink, grey, gold, caramel, cream and taupe tones. Wooden and stone floors are bare, walls have a plaster finish, and dried flowers, rush rugs and rustic wooden furniture add warmth and texture.

‘I like a space to feel calm,’ she says. ‘I need peace, and to me that comes in nature, woods, textures and a hint of greenery. I find colours overwhelming.’

Kitchen

The kitchen had an awkward layout, so the room was opened up to offer more space and versatility. Organic textures and natural tones create atmosphere, including the limewash treatment on the walls that adds to the sense of calm.

A utility room leads off the kitchen where the same colours and materials are used to create a unifying effect.

In the kitchen, a combination of closed cupboard storage and open shelving delivers practicality, while an antique chandelier above the dining table – all sparkling glass droplets – adds lightness to the room scheme.

Sitting room

Reconditioned cast iron radiators add the perfect period finishing touch in this room, offset with the natural textures abound of the woven rush floor mat and the slubby linen lampshade. An antique bureau and chair transform an alcove into a handy desk area.

Organic-shaped sofas in soft velvety textures add luxe and comfort. Curvaceous mirrors, twinkly chandeliers and an enviable array of antique collectibles, too precious to sell in her shop, accessorise the room.

Entrance hall

This sets the tone for the house. The front door has been stripped and decorated with a panel of vintage lace, but the doormat fitted in the lobby area is practical and robust.

Bedroom

The main bedroom benefits from a lovely amount of space and light, as well as views out over the seafront. Stripped pine doors have been used to create a bank of wardrobe storage, which is complemented with a stunning antique carved armoire.

The couple stripped all the floorboards throughout the house on moving in, to reveal the warmth and beauty of the natural wood.

Child's bedroom

A vintage wooden bed and collection of old wooden toys create a charming space for the couple's son.

Bathroom

An antique slipper bath takes pride of place in the bathroom. ‘It was meant to be,’ says Jade, as she explains how they had left it in their former home, but the new owner had it taken out and put it up for sale on Facebook Marketplace and it was only by chance that she spotted it. ‘I ended up having to buy it back, but it was definitely worth it!’ she laughs.

When Susie and her husband moved into this four-bedroom Georgian former millhouse in the Scottish Borders, she was inspired to embrace the cottagecore look.

She became a magpie for finding second-hand treasures, and the result is a gorgeously cosy home. Curating a home with second-hand buys is not always easy, but she's let us in on the best tips and tricks she used to transform the space.

These are the 9 style lessons to take away from this beautiful cottagecore-inspired home, from houseplant ideas to smart tips for planning your bedroom decor ideas.

1. 'Plants bring a room to life'

‘I wanted to create a rustic French farmhouse feel in the open-plan family room, so the key pieces here are second-hand. The antique cabinet belonged to my parents, while houseplants brighten the space, particularly in the winter,' says Susie.

Ferns are the perfect low-maintenance house plant for dotting on and around vintage furniture with their frothy fronts. Alternatively, add something taller, like a money tree or a ficus, to make more of a statement.

2. 'A quick fix isn't always best'

‘We planned to replace the cabinet doors, paint them and add new worktops. However, we realised it was false economy to install quartz in a 30-year-old kitchen. So a local company built a new one to fit the footprint,' says Susie.

The kitchen did go over budget, but Susie adds, 'The kitchen going over budget was the start of my love of affordable decorative vintage style.'

3. 'Make the switch to antique pine'

‘When I found this lovely armoire, I got rid of most of our oak furniture, apart from the dining table and chairs! I feel that antique pine pieces work so much better overall with the period of the house, and here with the original floorboards in our dining area,' explains Susie.

'I have filled the armoire with china, some inherited and some bought with wedding money. We plan to change the oak table and chairs eventually.’

4. 'Try a mix of freestanding and fitted furniture'

‘I didn’t want the kitchen to feel too fitted or modern, so I was excited to find this wee table on Vinterior. It creates extra space for display under the window. Part of an old pine ladder on the wall is perfect for tea towels,' says Susie.

In fact, freestanding kitchen ideas are becoming an increasingly popular kitchen trend for 2026 as a way of creating a kitchen packed with personality.

5. 'Wallpaper was my starting point'

‘I originally wanted to colour-drench our bedroom in a bright, bold shade. However, when I saw this delicate leaf design wallpaper, I was inspired to go for a gentle country theme.’

The wallpaper is Whispering Leaves wallpaper in Vintage Cream, £75 a roll from Lucie Annabel.

6. 'Pick multifunctional furniture'

‘I moved the antique Hungarian bench from the hallway into the main bedroom to disguise the new radiator; I hadn’t quite got my head around whether to paint the radiator or not. The bench brings warmth and character, and is handy for extra storage for my shoes,' says Susie.

In the bedroom, a cafe curtain above the storage bench ensures privacy, adds cottagecore charm and allows natural light to flood the space.

7. 'Give new buys a more vintage look'

‘My wall lights were originally the plug-in variety, but for a neater look I removed the wires and fitted rechargeable light bulbs. I finished the fittings off with Rub N Buff (available on Amazon) to make them look more vintage.’

8. 'Adapt your found pieces'

‘The bedside cabinet was bright blue, so I painted it a more neutral shade, and found a pair of brass lamp bases on Facebook Marketplace. Along with the mirrors, the warm metallic finishes go beautifully with the soft-green walls.’

The mirror display makes a gorgeous feature wall. To replicate, choose frames in different shapes and sizes but keep the same finish.

9. 'A simple look works here'

‘The old shower screen fell off a couple of months after we moved in, which was the impetus behind our bathroom makeover. We kept the bath and loo, but changed the wall tiles and shower,' says Susie.

'Sourcing a grid-style screen to fit the long bath was difficult, but we found one eventually. The vintage cupboard is handy for toiletries, and I am thinking about revamping the floor tiles with stencils.’

Longing for more space and a quieter life by the coast, Vicky and Gareth Payne bought a run-down four-bedroom Edwardian seaside villa in Leigh-on-Sea and transformed it into their dream family home.

‘Gareth and I had been living in a small three-bed with our two-year-old son, Leo, and we all felt squashed in. We dreamed of a larger home, with a big garden in a quieter area close to the beach, and as we knew we wanted to extend our family, it felt like the right time. The first thing I noticed about this house was the balcony and could picture the doors wide open on sunny summer days.’

‘The house was in good structural condition, but it hadn’t been modernised for years. It felt exciting and meant we could completely redesign the space and start afresh – we were buzzing with ideas!'

'The room sat the back had been reconfigured into two narrow rooms, divided by a long wall to make space for an annex. We planned to add a single-storey extension and combine these rooms, to give us one big family space with a kitchen, built-in dining area and everyday living space, along with a utility room.’

‘We started gently at first by redecorating the easier spaces, like the living room, then we moved on to the bathrooms, replacing the tiles and sanitaryware with pieces that suited our style.'

'Once plans had been approved for the extension and the build began, we were thrown into the chaos of living on-site with a lively toddler. It was challenging, but I also really enjoyed being part of the journey every day – I could make quick decisions and pay attention to all the details. I loved watching the house transform.’

‘Our build came to a complete standstill for four months because of an unexpected planning issue, which was very frustrating. We initially thought the project would take four months, but in the end, it took almost a year. It was a roller coaster of emotions, but we stayed positive, knowing we’d get there in the end!’

‘I’ve always been drawn to New England interiors, and there are classic coastal-style details throughout the house - from the timber-clad ceiling and pops of blue, to shell lighting and ornaments.'

'The result is a beautiful, relaxed family home. With just a short stroll to the beach, it’s where our children will create memories and I still pinch myself when I walk through the front door!’

The living area

The arched doorway with classic French doors is a striking architectural feature that adds a sophisticated feel and brings lots of light into the space.

Each area in the open-plan space has its own unique character, but they all feel connected and cohesive. Vicky has blended indoor and outdoor living and created a lovely flow that extends right into the garden.

‘I love the doors thrown open to the garden in the warmer months and the freedom the children have to play and roam.’

'Since our travels around America, I’ve been a big fan of New England and coastal style, so we kept the ceiling beams in the pitched roof exposed and added lots of wood cladding to create a warm and relaxed, beachy look.’

The open plan kitchen

The overhanging countertop on the kitchen island offers plenty of room for bar stools, and it’s the ideal spot for the children to relax and chat while Vicky is cooking.

‘It definitely makes mealtimes a more fun experience,’ she says.

‘The island was brought to life from a sketch I drew for our joiner, and it’s the centrepiece of the large open-plan space.'

'We painted the island in Chocolate by Little Greene to contrast againt the kitchen cabinets which are painted in School House White by Farrow & Ball.

The area in front of the kitchen island is where the children play, and the blue painted joinery has been designed with space for large baskets to tidy away their toys and easy-to-reach shelves for their books.

The dining nook

‘The built-in banquette seating has lots of storage space underneath and the table fits perfectly. I love how this area has turned out – it’s brilliant for hosting family gatherings.’

The open plan space

Bespoke shelving has been built to incorporate double sliding pocket doors that lead into the hallway.

‘I painted the joinery in fresh sky blue to add a splash of calming colour that fits perfectly with our New England, coastal scheme.’

The bathroom

'An old pine cabinet that I found at a local antiques shop has been fashioned into a vanity unit, with a marble countertop and sink, and we used handmade ceramic tiles for the splashback.’

'We managed to squeeze a small bath in here and also built a closed-in shower. The previous bathroom felt really cold, so we added underfloor heating so it feels toasty underfoot.'

The main bedroom

‘We chose this room despite it not being the largest bedroom in the house. I love having the balcony doors open on a summer’s morning and listening to the birds singing in the trees and the distant sound of waves.’

Olive's bedroom

‘This space is the only room in the house where I have used wallpaper, as I fell in love with the illustrations of Fee Greening while I was pregnant.'

'We added a picture height peg rail around the room, which is great for displaying pieces of art, clothing and items we’ve collected from our holidays.'

The guest bedroom

‘Despite an interesting ceiling shape, the loft room lacked personality. We resolved that by building a wall of shelving, which houses my knick-knacks and shells. It has a wonderful, serene feel and our guests love it.’

FOCUS ON... dining nooks

Turn an unused alcove into an area you’ll want to use every day

• MAXIMISE SPACE A dining nook is a cosy, built-in seating area that is usually located in a corner or alcove of a kitchen or dining room, or even beneath a window, and is designed to make the most of space that would otherwise be redundant.
• PLAN THE DESIGN The layout typically features a built-in bench and cushioned seating around a table, often with additional standalone chairs. Because it’s right against a wall, it typically takes up less floor space than a standalone dining table and chairs.
• ADD STORAGE Consider adding bespoke, builtin benches – a carpenter will be able to help bring your plans to life. The seating could also double up as additional storage, when designed with practical hidden compartments beneath to store away household items, and create a clutter-free space.
• COLOURFUL TOUCHES Finish the look off with scatter cushions or made-to-measure box cushions in your favourite fabric. Choose a washable or hardwearing material that’s suitable for family life and any spillages that may occur.

Follow Vicky’s progress @a.stroll.from.the.beach

Downsizing can be a challenge, but for Linda Park, the move to the cottage she shares with husband Richard and their sons was an opportunity.

‘I loved our previous house, but there were rooms and parts of the garden that we never used or enjoyed,’ she says of the detached Victorian villa that she had painstakingly restored. 'We were lucky enough to experience such a spacious house, but deep down, my dream was always to live in a proper English cottage with all its charm.’

The couple kept their search local, to avoid the boys having to change schools. Their gamble paid off when they found a centuries-old property they have now updated into a cosy family home with a curated mix of vintage pieces and a gentle colour palette.

A decor update

The property came with a large history file that documented that parts of the house were built around 1590. There are black gothic letters written on the beams in the living room, which is the oldest part of the house, and some of the doors are allegedly made of ship’s timber that may have come from Spanish galleons shipwrecked during battles.

While its history was part of its appeal, the cottage needed updating. ‘The previous colour scheme was too dark and didn't work for us, and the flooring wasn’t in keeping with the period property,’ Linda says. ’I wanted a cosy, minimalistic look, and at the same time to keep the original features.’

As one half of interior design company Heritage Park, Linda's signature style features creamy neutrals, natural materials and rustic textures, combined with antique and vintage pieces. And it was this look she turned to in the cottage, to create a comfortably classic interior that's a joy to live in.

Living area

While the cottage is smaller in size than their previous home, its generous quota of rooms meant the family didn’t have to forsake any much-loved furniture items. ‘

I knew where everything was going to go before we moved in, as I had visited the cottage three times on my own prior to buying,' Linda says.

In the open-plan living/kitchen/dining room, vintage furniture pieces in reclaimed wood are complemented by framed botanical prints. Soft shades of cream and natural elements create a warm, cosy feel in the living area.

Kitchen

The kitchen is generous in size and boasts a classic country-style aesthetic, with cream-painted Shaker units, wooden worktops, a wall-mounted plate rack and an Aga.

As part of the renovation of the cottage, Linda replaced the flooring on the ground floor as it wasn't in keeping with the property.

The stained floorboards in the main living spaces were sanded back to natural wood, and sourced antique French floor boards from an old cheese factory for one of the downstairs rooms.

Dining area

The open-plan dining area is ideal for entertaining. A set of beautifully carved Swedish dining chairs are teamed with a vintage wood table, the colours of which echo the rest of the room’s neutral palette. A vintage cupboard is used by Linda as storage for her collection of ceramic pieces.

Utility room

In the utility and boot room, classic design ideas such as tongue-and-groove panelling, Shaker cabinetry and peg rails have been used to create a practical aesthetic with reassuring appeal.

A bank of cupboards provides ample storage, and a tiny oil painting and some vintage pegs make a charming shelf display.

Sitting room

The sitting room is situated in the oldest part of the house, which dates back to 1590. Gothic lettering on the ancient original beams is a stunning period detail. The exposed brick around the fireplace adds textural warmth to the room, while furniture upholstered in white and natural linens brings a luxurious touch.

‘I know what I want, what works, and how to achieve the look I am after to create a house that is a functional and enjoyable space for the whole family,’ Linda says.

Home office

Custom-built shelving makes best use of space in the small home office. The desk is perfectly positioned to enjoy a relaxing view over the walled garden.

Bedroom

The cottage's original structure is on show in the main bedroom. An antique-style upholstered French bed suits the space beautifully and is accessorised with linen bedding and cushions in calm neutral tones.

Ensuite bathroom

Compact but beautifully formed, the ensuite boasts an exposed brick wall that showcases the cottage’s historic credentials. A sheer linen curtain provides privacy without blocking out too much light.

This feature first appeared in Country Homes & Interiors magazine. Click here for subscription offers.

A dusting of snow over the old stone farmhouse, frost glistening on the trees, and a roaring log fire in the living room all set the scene for a cosy Christmas at this home in the Yorkshire Dales.

‘But it’s beautiful here all year round,’ says its owner, Hannah. ‘We’re about as remote as you can get, and the views across the moors are phenomenal. The seasons really grab you, and the weather can change in an instant. Snow comes out of nowhere.’

The farmhouse, built in 1846 by a stonemason, is set in a remote setting in the ‘forgotten Dale’ of Nidderdale, offering some beautiful views.

For Hannah and her husband, Ashley, both born and bred in Yorkshire, moving here felt like coming home.

‘We were working in London, living in Hertfordshire, and with a toddler and another baby on the way, we were starting to explore a different lifestyle,’ says Hannah.

‘Our property search was about finding a place that would also give us a business opportunity tied to the local economy. We weren’t certain what that would be or how it would look.’

A new life in the country

All became clear when they found the farmhouse. The potential to create a holiday let in a shepherd's hut was a good reason to start a new life in the country, but for Hannah, the deciding factors were its setting and those ever-changing views.

The sale went through without a hitch, and Ashley worked hard to get the dusty work finished, sanding back the original wooden floors and doors, and painting the walls before they moved in.

Just 10 days later, in the grips of the pandemic, the nation went into lockdown.

‘Moving back up to the Dales at that time felt as though we were having a quiet holiday in the country,’ says Hannah.

Restoring original features

The solidly built house had been well looked after, but Hannah and Ashley were keen to restore wood-framed traditional windows more in keeping with the age of the property than the uPVC ones that they’d inherited.

Wood-framed sash windows were reinstated throughout the house to bring in more light and make the most of the magnificent views, double-glazed to keep out the Yorkshire chill.

Kitchen makeover

Hannah enlisted the help of a local kitchen company in Skipton to create a bright and simple farmhouse kitchen to fit around some awkward nooks and crannies.

The solid wood Shaker-style units are painted in a warm cream shade. Hannah was delighted when the Everhot range cooker slotted straight into the chimney alcove, with original stone work revealed to add to the rustic look.

Stone flooring gives classic farmhouse kitchen vibes, while in the adjacent dining space, a woodburning stove that is alight all day long in winter adds to the cosy feel.

A new boot room

Life in the Dales certainly comes with more than its fair share of wet weather, and as the family’s collection of wellies grew by the year, a boot room was essential.

‘Ashley and I designed and fitted it ourselves. It really is my favourite room in the house, because of the practicality and efficiency of it,’ Hannah says.

‘I love the fact that it’s colourful. I’d like to gradually bring in more colour to the rest of the house, too.’

They kept the original stone shelves and fitted shelving and tongue-and-groove wall panelling.

Feature fireplace

In the country living room, the couple fitted a period-style fire surround as a focal point, complete with a crackling fire.

This is a wonderfully cosy scene in winter, especially with a real Christmas tree that fills the room. Cushions in a mix of fabrics create a colourful, cosy feel.

Neutral decor

Light floods into the stairwell through this arched chapel-style window, which gives a lovely view over the surrounding hills.

The couple decided to decorate with neutrals throughout the home, which does not detract attention from the beautiful views outside and the ever-changing colours of the landscape.

Cottage bedroom schemes

Upstairs, the simple cottage bedroom schemes include a mix of vintage and new furnishings, combined with sisal flooring.

'There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t just stand and marvel at our surroundings,' says Hannah. 'It’s a privilege to be here.’

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

Fans of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters will recognise Briony Ace from the most recent series, where she made it to the quarter finals with her love of neutrals and vintage finds. This Christmas, we were lucky enough to look around the interior designer's home, all dressed up for the festive season and discover the inspiration behind her Christmas decorating ideas and a few styling tips along the way.

The interior designer lives in the three-bedroom semi-detached barn conversion on the Kent/Surrey border with her partner Joe Chandler and their sons. Briony is not only an interior designer (@brionyaceinteriors), but she also designs and imports homeware, working alongside Joe. So her home is a treasure trove of vintage and new finds.

Below, Briony reveals how she transformed her stunning home for Christmas, from her hack for creating oversized bows to adding bountiful greenery in every room.

'Rich red reinvents my colour palette'

‘For my tree, which stands in our open-plan living-dining space, I’ve layered up my go-to neutrals of green, nude and cream, nestling in some beautiful claret red glass baubles to echo the fabric bows I’ve used everywhere! Oversized cream satin bows provide more glam,' says Briony.

Style tip: Supersize your tree with large bows and baubles. Hang all over, rather than just on the lower branches, to make the most of the impact their larger size provides.

'My Christmas table is always really special'

‘When it comes to Christmas, I’m all about the layering, especially for my dining table. To me, Christmas is about the gathering of friends and family – the chaos, the mess, and the joy. Our table came from an antiques fair,' she adds.

'I think everything looks better when it’s lived a little, and this table felt like it had a wealth of history about it. Not wanting to cover up that beautiful wood, I use a gathered linen tablecloth as a runner.’

‘When I spotted six green vintage bowls at a charity shop, I knew they would be the “jumping off point” (as I call it) for my Christmas table. Paired with off-white plates, textured mats and vintage cutlery, they are simply gorgeous,' she adds.

'I can definitely get on board with bows'

'While I’m not one to follow a home decor trend, the beauty of a bow at Christmas is something I love. This year, I found old shirts and bed sheets in the same rich red as my baubles and napkins in my local charity shop, which I cut into bow-ready strips. I’ve popped these everywhere – from my vintage wall lights to a wooden board on my coffee table (made from an old pallet).’

Style tip: Bows can be added all around your Christmas home for instant impact, but take extra care when tying them around candles – you’ll need to make sure the candles don’t burn too low

'I collect vintage all year round'

‘I have a cabinet of “vintage wonder”, which sits next to the dining table, where I stash pieces I’ve collected – either to add to a project I’m working on or to save for the right moment at home,' she explains. 'Inside, you will find an insane amount of brass candlesticks, in addition to the ones on show. They are a great way of adding height and warmth to any corner of your home. Candlelight is a must for me at Christmastime.’

'I love to prep the kitchen'

‘The kitchen is the hub of Christmas – and it doesn’t escape without its own decorations, with bows added to vintage chopping boards,' Briony adds.

'I use an old chest as my workstation – it holds all of my most needed items. The beautiful captain’s chair is where friends or family can sit and chat while the prep work happens.’

'Our hallway gets a warm welcome'

‘We added panelling to our hallway, which makes the space feel more inviting. We also replaced door handles and hinges with black ones – small touches that matter to me. The striped stair carpet looks super smart, with the pre-lit garland dressed with more red “bed-sheet bows” and vintage brass bells,' she explains.

Style tip: Follow Briony’s lead and use plenty of greenery – from fresh pine to faux garlands and foliage. Try a few oversized stems of fake eucalyptus, which can be bent to shape, in rustic vases.

'Kids’ bedrooms are where you can definitely have festive fun'

'My boys’ bedroom is like a wonderland,' says Briony.

'Chace and Colby’s desk area becomes a little grotto with garlands, candy canes and stockings. I drew the house directly on the wall with charcoal – and, of course, we ate more popcorn than made the actual garland.’

'Add warmth with bold pops of colour'

‘Framing a mirror with a few garlands makes an easy and beautiful addition to our bedroom at this time of year. The green of the pine foliage picks up on our olive-green bed and ottoman.’

Style tip: Even a small piece of vintage artwork gets its own bow for Christmas, with a flouncy length of cream linen ribbon tied in to a casual bow and stuck to the top of the frame

'I love having a tree in our bedroom'

‘Our converted barn bedrooms have incredibly high ceilings, so can easily take an 8ft tree, bedecked in warm lights. I dress it simply with an oversized bow made from a length of remnant fabric,' says Briony.

Style tip: Make a tree bow from a long length of fabric, like Briony has, nestling it in among the tree’s branches to hold it in shape. Use fabric in a contrasting texture as a tree skirt.

'Styling up the spare bedroom for guests is a must for me'

‘Aside from layering the bed with throws and cushions, I also like to layer up the side table and vintage washstand in our spare room with mini clay trees, foliage, vintage frames and – of course – table lamps. Another one of my favourite things to collect!’

Which is your favourite room?

Designer and quilter Kate Owen has a talent for breathing new life into old things. Just as she patiently stitches together treasured fabric remnants, she and her husband, Luke, have lovingly pieced back the history of a Victorian London terrace, creating a cosy home in the city.

‘Bit by bit we transformed it from a white box into a house with colour and character, adding features, such as panelling and plasterwork, and plenty of pattern,’ says Kate.

Brimming with nostalgic charm reminiscent of a prairie farmhouse, it’s surprising to learn that the home is within five miles of central London.

Home for Christmas

Decorating the tree is a Christmas highlight for Kate; she always goes for the largest possible, and there is plenty of space for it here in the playroom.

Ribbons, handmade decorations and ornaments that she has collected over the years create a magical scene, along with paper chains and star garlands, for a vintage, homespun feel.

In the dining area, the table is laid with a gingham tablecloth, topped with a 1950s runner for a touch of Christmas kitsch.

Most furnishings are second-hand, and Kate has a penchant for handcrafted wooden pieces.

Kitchen extension

When Kate and Luke first viewed this house, located on a quiet street, it was far from the character property they dreamed of, as most Victorian features had been removed.

‘All that remained were two fireplaces and the old wooden shutters,’ remembers Kate.

‘The house had been done up to sell to a developer. Everything was grey, and even the doorknobs felt like something from an office block.’

Despite this, the property had a good-sized garden and potential to extend, so they made an offer.

With the help of an architect, Kate and Luke submitted plans for a bright open-plan kitchen extension, accommodating the kitchen, with a dining area and snug.

The design was completed with roof lanterns and traditional French doors onto the garden.

‘The back of the house is north-facing, so we needed to maximise the light,’ says Kate.

The house is not listed, but is in a conservation area, which impacted on the final plans. ‘It pretty much designed itself; we knew what we wanted and the heights and boundaries we had to work with.'

Kate had always wanted a chequerboard floor and chose eco-friendly Marmoleum floor tiles.

Luke named the snug area in the extension ‘The Nana Nook’ in homage to Kate’s grandma. ‘It’s a lovely space for wine, old movies, reading, chatting and doing crosswords, or some hand sewing,’ says Kate.

They chose simple wooden kitchen cabinets with plenty of storage and open shelves to enhance the country aesthetic. The kitchen was created using handmade modular pine cabinets, which Kate painted in Farrow & Ball’s Old White, a soft grey-green.

The units were configured according to Kate and Luke’s design and fitted by a local builder. The result is a vintage country kitchen look.

Essential repairs

Surveys revealed that the property needed some essential repairs, but luckily Kate and Luke were able to have the work done before moving in.

‘It needed a new roof, damp-proofing work and repointing on the back wall,’ she says.

Inside, there were also problems with the downstairs floor. ‘It had a big dip due to lack of support, so we had all the joists replaced and had reclaimed pine floorboards laid.’

Reinstating decorative plasterwork

When they finally moved in, the couple set about reinstating period features, starting with skirting boards and decorative ceiling plasterwork in the ground-floor rooms.

‘The plasterwork was one of the best things we did; it’s definitely worth the money. Each room has a different design,’ says Kate.

‘The elaborate cornicing and the ceiling rose in the living room look like they’ve always been there.’

Wall panelling

Tongue-and-groove wall panelling was fitted to dado height throughout the hallway, landing and main bedroom to bring more texture and character to the space.

‘I just love panelling and the period effect it gives,’ says Kate. ‘It also allowed me to paint the hallway a rich red without it feeling too dark.’

Layers of pattern

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the interiors is the layers of colour and pattern. Kate has had a love for textiles since childhood and learnt to quilt at the age of four.

After a career as a fabric buyer, she now runs a runs a business specialising in patchwork homewares and kits.

Her creations adorn every room and look perfectly at home alongside William Morris prints, chintzy florals and vintage kilims.

In the main bedroom, Kate made the bed canopy using an old patchwork quilt, which had been handmade by Luke’s grandmother, and she made the bedspread using a mix of new fabrics and remnants of treasured old clothes.

‘I like a traditional, cosy look which is full, colourful and textured,’ says Kate. She describes it as ‘almost prairie farmhouse with a bit of Shaker style’, which is a nod to her American upbringing.

As a maker, the run-up to Christmas is the busiest time of year for Kate.

Once posting dates have passed, though, she looks forward to hosting festivities but still likes to find time for peaceful stitching in the warm glow of Christmas lights.

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

With a growing family and dreams of having more space, Rebecca and Simon swapped their charming 1940s house for a new build with potential and transformed it into a warm, character-filled forever home.

‘Our previous home was a 1940s ex-local authority house. It had big rooms, a great plot and even a pantry and outhouse, but as our family grew, we needed more space. We wanted a detached house, in a more rural location, with lots of storage, a garage, and the potential to create a sociable kitchen, dining and snug area that worked better for our young family.’

‘The house ticked most of our boxes. Although it was a pretty bland new build, it had a charming double front and was tucked away with no passing traffic. I could see the potential, and Simon was won over by the generous garage space!’

‘I could see that reworking the layout would suit us better, creating a large, open-plan kitchen, dining and snug area. I also wanted to improve the flow between rooms and ensure every space had a clear purpose.'

'The existing kitchen felt boxed in, so we planned to knock through, add a large rear extension and relocate the utility. The house had magnolia walls throughout, so I was keen to add warmth, texture and personality, and shape it around family life.’

‘We took on the renovation completely ourselves – no main contractor, just a clear vision and a lot of determination. Simon, who used to be a joiner, handled the entire build, digging the foundations and laying every brick.'

'I project managed, overseeing the budget, sourcing materials and coordinating trades. It meant learning about things like building regs and insulation as we went along, and I spent hours researching finishes that would impact the final look.’

‘Managing the project ourselves meant we didn’t have the right contacts, so trying to track down specialists was stressful. The trickiest issue by far was figuring out how to lift a 167kg skylight into place – too heavy for people and too delicate for trial and error. It sat beside the house for months while we searched for a solution.'

'Eventually, we found a contractor with specialist lifting equipment who did an excellent job. Seeing the skylight finally go in was a favourite moment.’

‘I feel incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved – it’s not easy to add character to a new build, but we’ve worked hard to give it personality. I like to think of my style as elevating the ordinary!

'The house really comes into its own at Christmas. Whether it’s making wreaths with friends or baking mince pies with the children, it all feels like magic.’

Take the room-by-room tour of Rebecca and Simon's home below and follow her home journey @homeonthetrees

The living room

‘Opening the interior doors creates a lovely, free-flowing layout – especially at Christmas when all the family is here. When they’re shut, it feels like a cosy, quiet grown-up space and the ideal spot to relax.’

‘We bought the navy sofas during lockdown without seeing them in person – a gamble that thankfully paid off!’

The kitchen

‘The kitchen was originally a cramped, functional space with no island, a noisy utility, and a layout that felt disconnected. Extending into the rear has created a light-filled space.’

'Simple changes like swapping the stainless steel handles on the cabinets and the tap for brass have made a huge difference to the warmth and character of this space.'

'I’ve always wanted a kitchen island. I love how social and practical they are. I sit here to have a quiet morning coffee before the children wake up, then it’s a hive of activity with breakfast and packed lunches.'

Dining area/snug

‘The space has been cleverly zoned – we enjoy views of the garden from the green sofa, while the dining table is positioned beneath the skylight, a bright and inviting spot.’

The playroom

The original dining room was reimagined to help keep toys out of the living areas. Rebecca used an off-the-shelf storage system, adding trims and playful handles to give it a completely bespoke look.

The bathroom

‘We haven’t changed much in here, just replaced the vinyl flooring with classic Devonshire print tiles. We also swapped the busy frosted glass for satin glass, which lets more light into the small space.’

The main bedroom

‘I wanted this space to feel like a boutique hotel room, so we added classic touches, such as matching mirrors above the bedside drawers, and striking artwork above the headboard.’

Daughter's bedroom

‘I chose dusty pink for the walls and paired it with a forest green bed, then added fun details.’

Son's room

'I loved Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue, but it was too heavy for all the walls, so we used it in wide horizontal stripes, balanced with white to keep it looking fresh. The result is a fun, cheerful space our son absolutely loves.'

FOCUS ON… Lighting

Your choice of lighting can completely change how you use the kitchen. Get the balance right, like Rebecca has done, for a multi-layered look

• AMBIENT LIGHTING This is your main source of light that sets the overall brightness and tone of the room. It can come from ceiling pendants, track lighting or flush-mounted fixtures. Choose dimmable lights to provide flexible yet effective even coverage.
• TASK LIGHTING Essential for food prep and daily chores, it ensures work areas are safe and functional. LED strips under wall units, spotlights over the hob, or adjustable wall lights all provide focused light in key places.
• ACCENT LIGHTING Adds atmosphere by highlighting features like shelving, splashbacks or alcoves, instantly elevating the mood. Wall lights, LED strip lighting, table lamps and toe-kick lighting at the base of cabinets are all great ways to introduce this layer.
• DECORATIVE LIGHTING Pendants over an island or dining table help add character, define zones and create a strong visual focal point. Whether your style is classic, vintage, industrial or sculptural, the right fitting will introduce a soft focused layer of light.
• NATURAL LIGHT Completely lifts the mood of a space. Skylights, floor-toceiling doors and picture windows all help make a kitchen feel brighter and airier – even on gloomy days.

Ivy resonates heavily with Jack Kinsey and partner Alex, and not just at Christmas. ‘The roof literally had ivy growing through it,’ explains Jack of the derelict state of this Victorian chapel when they bought it.

Now ivy adorns the staircase all the way to the top, creating a sweeping evergreen statement not just for Christmas but as a permanent fixture all year round.

That won’t be a surprise to anyone who followed Jack’s journey as a contestant on the 2023 series of BBC’s Interior Design Masters, or indeed many followers on Instagram, who know and love his flamboyant style.

Renovating the chapel

Today, the chapel has an open-plan kitchen, dining and living, a snug, three bedrooms and a bathroom. But it took a lot of renovation work to get it looking as it does today.

‘The actual building was well constructed but had fallen into disrepair, so we fixed the roof, rewired and replumbed it, added a kitchen and new radiators, put a first floor in for bedrooms and built an extension on the back which mirrors the chapel in a more contemporary way,’ Jack says.

But the pair held back from over-renovating to allow the period features to shine. ‘An architect suggested we could squeeze in another bedroom upstairs but it would have compromised the lofty sense of space and historic charm, so we decided not to,’ he explains.

'What I love about the chapel is that it has lots of light that floods through because of all the beautiful old windows, which we retained. And as it is also quite open plan too, it makes it feel quite uplifting and airy.’

Dressed up for Christmas

The chapel comes into its own at Christmas, when traditional ginger jars and ceramic house decorations add a festive touch to the mantlepiece and shelves.

The cast iron spiral staircase was originally from a railway station in Liverpool and discovered in a reclamation yard. It is strewn with pots of ivy all year round, with bright red baubles and fresh flowers added for the festive season, creating a magnificent sight on entering the chapel. A Christmas tree made from circles of plywood and decorated with baubles is suspended from the rails.

'I don't normally have a Christmas tree, just because we never really had the space to store one. But then I made this one, and it concertinas down so can be stored within a round footstool,’ he says.

Elsewhere, surfaces are decorated with foraged foliage from the field and lanes surrounding the chapel. 'Christmas in the chapel wouldn’t be the same without foliage,' Jack says. 'It feels as natural as it would have done in back in the days when people would come in here on Christmas Day and sing festive songs and carols.’

Living area

The living area is cosy and has a traditional feel with period-style plaster moulded shelving around the fireplace, designed by Jack and made by Alex.

The coffee table was also designed and made by Jack, with reeded panels attached to an MDF frame and a faux marble paint finish. Pretty ceramic Christmas houses with tealights inside add a warm glow.

A secret door leads from the open-plan living space to a second living room/snug in the extended part of the chapel.

Snug

In the snug, Jack’s signature style plays out in the form of handmade mouldings framing classic trompe l’oeil-style murals pasted inside to introduce a dash of tongue in cheek historic humour to the modern extension.

Kitchen

Jack’s love of blue and white prevails in the kitchen, with tiles, appliances and accessories showcasing his signature style.

Appliances are kept in cupboards to which the pair have attached louvred doors so they can be closed when not in use. The result is a sense of calm and orderliness in the open-plan space.

Cast iron radiators introduce industrial charm and are great conductors of heat in the large room.

Dining area

Jack likes to dress the festive table with crockery and glasses with traditional Christmas motifs, as well as some gold accessories for a little sparkle. The ‘gingerbread’ abbey decoration in front of the splashack was handmade by Jack out of cardboard and decorator’s chalk.

Bedroom

Cosy for Christmas, the bedroom oozes charm with armchairs and a footstool in a pretty sprig design. Jack created the canopy out of a pole suspended from the ceiling and a length of fabric. A board behind allows for framed pictures to be displayed.

Guest bedroom

The guest room is rich and opulent with a deep green colour on the walls and James John Audubon framed prints of birds. Jack made the headboard from a reclaimed door.

Exterior

Jack and Alex's home is a Victorian chapel that was previously converted, and has been beautifully restored by the pair.

Unremarkable from the outside and sandwiched between two neighbouring properties, this small three-bedroom cottage may have at first appeared humble, but it was full of possibilities.

In a quiet village in the South Hams area of Devon, 20 minutes’ walk from two of the most beautiful beaches on the south Devonshire coast, the property was to be a weekend escape for Colin and his wife, Nicky.

‘We were looking for a house by the sea, where we could build another kind of experience,’ says Colin. ‘As I walked into this cottage, I felt an attachment; my mind filled with what we could turn it into.’

The front of the property is Victorian, while the rear section has been adapted from a much earlier farm building dating back to the 1500s.

‘It wasn’t a particularly cherished home. Slight modifications had taken place in a mishmash over the years. But it’s not really my style to buy someone else’s vision,' says Colin, who is a creative consultant for fashion and interiors brands.

'I wanted to do my own thing, strip out all the nastiness and see what I had at the end of it.’

So began his renovation and transformation of the cottage

Stripping it back to its shell

The plasterboard was first to go, leaving the beams and roof joists exposed. Since the walls were damp and bulging, Colin took the property right back to its shell and discovered that the old farm building had been built straight onto the earth, with no foundations.

As a qualified mechanical engineer, Colin drew up his own architect’s plans, and the next phase began to take shape.

‘I moved walls and added more lateral space with a mezzanine above one of the first-floor bedrooms,’ he says.

'I wanted an open-plan layout. It was a huge job, but once you know where the bathrooms are going and you get the heart of the kitchen in, it becomes fun.’

Kitchen relocation

‘There was a galley kitchen at the back of the house, but I was determined to move it to the front,' says Colin.

The fun really started when the second-hand La Cornue Chateau range cooker arrived. ‘It cost me £10,000, but I love it,’ says Colin. ‘From then on, there was no turning back on ensuring top quality details for the rest of the project. It all had to be built to the same level.’

A small joinery firm, E. Brook, from Coventry, made the reclaimed solid-oak traditional kitchen cabinets to Colin’s drawings. The extra thick worktops are also solid oak.

‘I was after a look that would also be very utilitarian and feel authentic,’ he says. ‘I wanted to celebrate and admire the craft of the people who were making all the different components for the cottage.’

This included that of a plumber friend who created the network of copper pipes that criss-cross the space, lending it an industrial kitchen aesthetic.

You’ll see copper finishes and accessories all over the cottage as Colin loves the patina the metal develops as it ages.

Meanwhile, black steel conduits for the wiring rise up from the wall lights and switches. ‘I love to see the inner workings of a house and the suggestion of industrial style it throws into the mix,’ adds Colin.

Open-plan living

Colin removed the dividing wall between the Victorian part of the house at the front and the older building to create one living space.

He chose a polished-concrete floor for durability and to create an industrial edge. Before the floor was poured, underfloor heating was installed and connected to a new ground source heat pump.

It was a bit of an experiment, admits Colin, to see if modern technology could be embraced in a small period terrace.

Darker colour palette

When it came to the decor, Colin wanted to reference that the cottage was by the sea, but you won't find wall-to-wall coastal blues and whites.

‘The space is never going to be big, but I chose to celebrate it being cosy and small with a darker palette,’ says Colin.

‘The colours here are the perfect complements to the rich wood and copper tones. I like the clash of pattern and style. There’s a thread of craftsmanship and creativity running through the whole space.’

He scours online auctions for well-crafted pieces he feels would belong here, from a Transylvanian folk art dresser, to mirrors from the Newlyn school, creations by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, or antique Black Forest carved figures that sit atop the bannister posts.

‘I like the fact that these things have had another life. Every knock they take adds to the character over the years,’ Colin says.

Nautical touches

Conventions were challenged with the decorative details, too, as Colin explains: ‘I wanted to reference that the cottage was by the sea, but on a deeper level. So you won’t find any anchors on the walls, but antique paintings of ships – all auction buys for around £150 each.'

Wall panelling

Throughout the cottage, tongue-and-groove panelling wraps around rooms, adding to the rustic look. Here in the main bedroom, the half-height panelling is painted in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball.

Mezzanine bedroom

By stripping the cottage right back to the rafters, Colin made it possible to squeeze in this mezzanine bedroom.

Rooflights ensure the room feels spacious, and they give any would-be seafarers a good view of the stars.

Colin found the king-size Bobbin bed in Off Black at Lock, Stock and Barrel Furniture, while the traditional Welsh blanket and cushions are from Melin Tregwynt.

Industrial style bathroom

Finding black fittings for the industrial style main bathroom was a challenge, says Colin.

He used gloss paint in Beverly on the ceiling and Studio Green on the panelling behind the basin, both by Farrow & Ball.

A prized Arts and Crafts-era Newlyn copper-framed mirror hangs over the basin.

The cottage wears its age with pride, and Colin says he’s reaching the point now where he’s happy with it.

‘It’s a space that instantly soaks into you. You relax, you just feel this tiny, cosy cottage is doing its job,’ he says.

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

For Clare and Gary Waghorn, Christmas will feel very different this year at their family home – a five-bedroom detached house in Surrey. ‘We moved in at the beginning of November last year,’ says Clare, ‘and it felt like Christmas arrived very quickly. I’m definitely looking forward to making the most of the season this year.’ And they certainly have with this year's Christmas decorations.

Clare and Gary’s home, which they share with their two children, is a very unique place: the couple designed and built it themselves, using a closed-panel timber system from the Czech Republic. Of course, it helped that Gary co-owns a construction company and knew the MD of the UK division of the build company, while Clare has a great eye for design, having studied for a diploma in interior design.

‘This was the first opportunity for me to do everything from the ground up, though,’ says Clare, ‘deciding on every single detail, from skirting boards to window latches, lighting to cabinetry.’ But before Clare could work on the details, she needed to put her trust in Gary’s vision.

The couple had long dreamed of designing a new-build home where they could use their skills to create something really special, but the plot – a former commercial site tucked between houses and at the rear of a car park – was far from special.

‘I’ll be honest, my first impression wasn’t great,’ says Clare, ‘but I believed in Gary’s vision for this completely dilapidated site. And the location was just too good to pass up.’

So in 2022, the couple bought the land, which had planning for a four-bedroom contemporary home. ‘We felt the design could be improved,’ says Clare, ‘so we spent time refining the plans before resubmitting, and ultimately gaining approval. It was also essential to us that our future home would be fully powered by renewable energy, so we incorporated solar panels and an air-source heat pump.’

The build started in January 2024, and thanks to the system they were using, there was a house with a roof standing within five days! ‘It was amazing to see it go up,’ remembers Clare, ‘and to be able to walk around its shell with the children on day two of the build was so exciting.’

The family could see their must-haves – a playroom, a study, a utility room and a luxury main bedroom with en suite – start to take shape. ‘And due to the nature of the build, we were able to make changes once the structure was up,’ says Clare.

The couple stole space from the bathroom to increase the main bedroom and decided to convert the loft into a guest bedroom and upstairs playroom for Ophelia and Hugo, turning the planned one downstairs into a snug.

When it came to the interior, Clare took the lead, designing the bespoke kitchen, drenching the study walls in green and incorporating hidden storage.

‘Our home has been a springboard for my interior design career,’ says Clare. ‘I absolutely loved every moment of the design process and am very proud of the home we have created. It was important for the space to be warm and inviting, while enduring and functional, too. The final result gave me the confidence to launch my own company – Amanda John Design.’

Living area

‘We have an open-plan kitchen-diner/living area, which gets its own tree at Christmas,’ says Clare. She’s echoed the room’s calm colour palette and metallic accents in the cream, gold and silver baubles.

Style tip: Go large with an organza bow on top of your Christmas tree to soften its branches, while visually framing its shape. Drape the tails down over the wrapped presents.

Kitchen

‘It was important that the spaces flowed naturally and for each detail to feel intentional,’ says Clare.

Style tip: Clare chose practical LVT flooring throughout the downstairs, picking a lovely herringbone design with just the right amount of distressed timber effect to balance her calm style.

Dining area

‘The dining table looks out onto the garden, which needed lots of hard landscaping due to the nature of the plot. We mixed fencing with cream rendered walls to hold back the dirt,’ says Clare.

‘This space is made for entertaining – and not just at Christmas,’ says Clare, who’s used colours from the artwork to inspire her Christmas tablescape.

Style tip: Echo metallic highlights used throughout a room – such as wall lights, furniture and any picture frames – in your table decorations, bouncing the shimmer around your table, too.

Snug

'This is my favourite room in the house,’ says Clare, ‘thanks to the colour, the panelled TV wall and the indulgent upholstery.’

'The snug is a lovely place to sit and relax in at the end of the day.'

Style tip: Go for a slimline tree in a second living room, which can tuck neatly into the corner. Clare’s is flocked and pre-lit, which make it appear fuller than it is.

Study

‘I drenched the study – which Gary and I share – in green, including the ceiling,’ says Clare.

Hallway

‘We designed the staircase ourselves using StairBox,’ says Clare.

Main bedroom

‘A luxurious bedroom with en suite was on my list of non-negotiables,’ says Clare.

'Looking out of our bedroom windows, it’s hard to remember how bad the plot was when we first viewed it.'

Style tip: Dress your headboard with a simple faux fir garland and use smaller arrangements of foliage, bows and baubles to bring a touch of Christmas magic to bedside tables.

Guest room

'We converted the loft into a spare bedroom and playroom for Ophelia and Hugo,’ says Clare, ‘giving us two extra rooms.’

Bathroom

‘The family bathroom combines elegance with practicality, with marble-effect tiles across the walls and floor and a free-standing bath,’ says Clare.

Now that the family are fully settled in their home, they are looking forward to enjoying a more relaxed Christmas together this year. ‘It’s amazing to see the house sparkle with Christmas magic,’ says Clare, as she brings in fresh foliage, baubles, bows and two Christmas trees – ‘Well, why not,’ she laughs!

When Rachel bought her Victorian cottage in rural Leicestershire, despite the run-down state it was in, she could see its potential. Previously belonging to the Crown Estate, she shares her three-bed semi-detached home with her partner Peter and their two Dachshunds, Mabel and Matilda.

Rachel was drawn to the property’s original features and its sense of imperfection and with a top-to-bottom renovation on her hands, she set out to transform the space into the cosy cottage it is now, and the perfect backdrop for a country-style Christmas.

Here, Rachel talks us through her renovation story, as well as her design choices...

'Make the fireplace the focal point'

‘I discovered the cottage's story as I peeled back the layers. We opened this fireplace, adding reclaimed terracotta tiles and a new fire surround.'

'Embrace the quirks and character'

'The low doorway and step down from the second living room into the kitchen is just one of the many features that we have learned to live with; they are part of the cottage’s unique charm.’

'Ensure your kitchen still works well for everyday life'

‘The trickiest part of fitting our new kitchen cabinets was dealing with the cottage’s wonderfully wonky walls. I spent ages trying to get things perfectly level before realising the best approach was to settle somewhere between what looked right and what actually was.'

'To make the space work harder, we converted the old outhouse into a utility room and loo. That extra space has been invaluable, meaning the small kitchen doesn’t need to accommodate things like the washing machine, dog food bowls and all our food storage.’

'Natural wood runs throughout the cottage's interiors'

‘The original beams made me fall in love with our home, leading me to some of my favourite vintage buys such as the pine cupboard and farmhouse table in the kitchen. This space has seen many happy Christmas gatherings.'

'Make the most of all the tight corners and spaces'

'The landing has a surprisingly high ceiling, giving me the perfect opportunity to add a statement pendant, while the shelf is a simple way to bring interest to a tricky space. There’s even enough room here for a miniature Christmas tree.'

''Choose classic pieces instead of following passing trends'

'I like to work with the style and character of the cottage, selecting vintage furniture for a warm and textural look with an uncluttered feel. And for Christmas, I decorate each room, including the guest bedroom, with locally foraged greenery.'

'Layer tactile finds for a warm feel'

'For the guest bedroom, I kept the decor simple with plenty of throws and cushions to add a cosy, welcoming vibe. The stripped original pine door gives the space natural texture and character.'

'Use natural texture in every room'

'I found a rattan bed frame from Feather & Black for our main bedroom, and continued the theme with a woven pendant light and storage baskets.’

'Add charm to a practical bathroom'

'One of the best decisions we made was having a sliding barn door for the bathroom. It is perfect for saving space, such a simple idea and brings a lovely rustic feel. While I like to use salvage pieces wherever possible, we went for new traditional-style fittings for the bathroom.'

Follow Rachel’s cottage renovation @the_old_cottage

This cosy, uplifting home is a far cry from the Dutch barn and ramshackle byre, roofed with rusty corrugated iron, that textile designer Vanessa Arbuthnott first set eyes on in 1993.

She was viewing it with her architect husband, Nicholas, who was the one to recognise the potential of several dilapidated farm buildings, dating from 1890, on the outskirts of a quaint village in Gloucestershire.

Nicholas was positive he could create a wonderful family home. Vanessa, however, was less convinced. ‘At that time, we had four children under the age of six, and the thought of tackling a major project on a shoestring budget wasn’t overly appealing,’ she confides.

Transforming the barn

With the layout rejigged over the years to suit the family’s needs, these days the Arbuthnotts’ welcoming home comprises a large hallway, spacious kitchen-dining-sitting room, another living room that looks out over the mature garden, seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a cloakroom, boot room and a laundry room.

‘It’s actually hard to believe that when we first moved here, there were no internal walls, doors or carpets, and our children had to sleep on mattresses on the floor. It was tough going for a long time, but we got there in the end,’ says Vanessa

The house has seen many decorative iterations through the years, with schemes inspired by Vanessa’s striking fabrics and wallpapers. ‘Apart from being a lovely home, it has actually turned out to be the perfect backdrop for photoshoots for my catalogues and website,’ she says.

Kitchen

Having originally started her textile design business at the kitchen table, it’s fitting that Vanessa should recently have turned her attention to this space. ‘The kitchen is the heart of our home and, particularly during the festive season,’ she says.

By sanding the floor, painting the units in Farrow & Ball’s Red Earth and choosing a selection of her own fabrics in shades of terracotta, smoky blues and grey tones, the Arbuthnotts’ kitchen has been transformed. The slate worktops are salvaged from an old billiard table.

‘It now has much more of a Scandinavian feel with an earthy palette harking back to the days when I first launched the business,’ she adds. ‘There is a sense of coming full circle, and that’s even more apparent when the grandchildren are here.’

Dining area

Mismatched chairs upholstered in a mix of Vanessa's fabrics brings a cosy, casual look to the dining table in the kitchen.

A tablecloth in Vanessa’s Berries and Leaves fabric pulls this jaunty scheme together. The floor has been sanded and given a coat of Osmo oil. The walls are painted in Lime White, Farrow & Ball.

Sitting area

An armchair, footstool and roller blind in Vanessa’s Fruit Garden in Peach, Smoke & Charcoal, co-ordinate with the fabric chosen for the sofa in this cosy corner.

Hallway

The inspiration for the striking pale blue and off-white hallway was an article that Vanessa read in a magazine about a rambling French farmhouse. The staircase and all the woodwork is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Powder Blue. On the floor, Vanessa used an Osmo oil mixed with her own artist oils to create the powder blue colour.

The Arbuthnotts sourced the circular mahogany table from a reclamation store while on holiday in Pembrokeshire. The bronze of Nicholas’s father was made by the couple’s daughter, Rose.

Bedroom

To add a vibrant splash of colour, Vanessa painted the wall of this pretty eaves bedroom in a bright yellow.

The tall upholstered headboard makes the most of the room's height, while white-painted rafters keep the room looking bright and light.

Blue bedroom

Vanessa redecorated this attic bedroom in blue and pink tones to create a cosy room in her mother’s favourite colours for her stays with the family. An antique chest of drawers provides handy storage for guests visiting during the festive season.

Bathroom

Vanessa’s Fruit Garden wallpaper in Buttercup, Clay and Winter, is a colourful backdrop for her father’s paintings.

Exterior

The property is a detached seven-bedroom barn conversion, which the couple bought in 1993. The original properties, built in the 1890s, have been converted and extended. Today, doors from the ground floor rooms open out to the couple’s garden, complete with box hedges and mature shrubs.

With its peg-tiled facade and gingham bow adorning the front door, this Edwardian cottage in an East Sussex village wouldn't look out of place on a Christmas card. Olivia Ruckley, an interior designer, bought it with her husband Cameron in 2021.

Back then, it was the perfect fit for their life stage, and they steadily decorated most of the rooms. But when their daughter arrived, they knew they needed more space.

They set about obtaining planning permission to add another bedroom and bathroom, and to open up the ground floor at the rear to create a large kitchen-diner that was more conducive to family living.

Transforming the layout

The main challenge of the project was the staircase running through the middle of the property, which would have limited design options if it remained in place. Interior designer Olivia worked with a local architect to reconfigure the layout, relocating the stairs to the rear of the property in the new extension.

‘This allowed us to add on an extra bedroom and bathroom and greatly extend the kitchen living space,’ she says. ‘It also meant the old dining room could be made into a utility room, a new downstairs loo and hallway.’

Groundworks began in March 2024 and, amazingly, Olivia and Cameron were back in their property just six months later, when Olivia could begin decorating the new spaces from scratch.

Today, it’s a haven for modern family life that lends itself to cosy get-togethers and entertaining. ‘The extension provides us with the space to host Christmas as we’ve always wanted,’ says Olivia. ‘We love having family to stay and we can all gather, eat, drink and play in the one large room.’

Exterior

Olivia and Cameron fell in love with the cottage’s Edwardian charm and the idyllic rural surroundings of Ripe village, not far from Lewes in East Sussex.

It's hard to believe that behind this modest facade, the cottage opens up to reveal a light and spacious ground-floor living area, with the kitchen-diner as the hub of family life.

Kitchen

The kitchen in the extension is flooded with natural light thanks to one of Olivia’s favourite features, the roof lantern above, which keeps it bright even in the depths of winter.

The couple removed an unused and awkward door during the extension works and were careful to patch up the old bricks to keep it looking authentic. They used real bricks and added lots of layers of plaster and paint to match the existing texture.

'Now myy favourite room is the kitchen, especially at Christmas,' Olivia says. 'It’s great to be able to have the children playing with their stocking toys in the same room as the adults, who are either cooking or sitting around the island sipping on festive drinks.

Living area

As an avid fan of Birdie Fortescue’s homewares, Olivia used a few of her floral cushions as the linchpin of the cottage’s colour scheme, sourcing items to complement these shades of rusty reds, blush pinks and greeny-blues.

Key artworks also played a part in influencing the palette. ‘We regularly holiday in north Norfolk and on our last visit we bought a painting of our favourite beach by local artist Karen Adams,’ says Olivia.

‘I chose a vibrant green sofa for the living space to complement the artwork above and really draw the eye to the piece.’

Dining area

Olivia describes her Christmas style as ‘traditional with a modern twist’. One of her highlights is dressing the table prior to Christmas Day, opting for coordinating blue, green and red accents to match the rest of her decor.

'My festive decorating tip is to make time to dress the dining table – it makes the space feel welcoming and sets the scene for a delicious and special Christmas meal,' Olivia says.

The farmhouse-style table has become the hub of the space, which sits in front of patio doors with impressive views out towards the South Downs.

Snug

Olivia kept all of the original doors from the property and rehung them in the new spaces to maintain the cottage’s character.

The antique pine coffee table was Olivia’s mum’s trunk that she had at boarding school. ‘It inspired my love for antique pine pieces, which I’ve slowly been sourcing and adding to other rooms throughout the house,’ says Olivia.

Main bedroom

Panelling adds an extra layer of depth and interest in Olivia and Cameron’s bedroom. Olivia wanted it to feel extra-cosy and inviting, enabling them to escape the chaos of the day.

Ensuite bathroom

A sliding barn-style door adds further rustic charm to the couple's bedroom suite, while also maximising floor space.

Daughter's bedroom

‘My daughter’s room is one of my most loved,’ says Olivia. ‘The delicate floral wallpaper is nostalgic and provides a real cottagey feel to this space – it’s what I dreamed of having as a child myself.’

Bathroom

The soft grey-pink bathroom has a light and feminine feel, with patterned tiles adding interest and a pop of colour.

Spare bedroom

A pop of inky blue highlights the fireplace as a focal point and adds a cosiness to the guest bedroom.

Upsizing from a small flat to a five-bed townhouse, Rachel and Chris were excited about starting their married life in a new part of the city.

Their property search had covered a wide radius. They viewed and rejected 20 homes before finding this classic double-fronted Victorian terraced house in south London, with a small enclosed courtyard garden at the rear.

Built in 1895 and previously owned by an antiques dealer, it still had many of its original features.

‘Besides wanting more space and a garden, one of our key requirements had been to find somewhere with character and a sense of history, and this was perfect in that respect,’ says Rachel.

‘Chris immediately loved it, but on our first viewing, I struggled to imagine us living there.'

‘After another look round the following day, however, I was completely won over, and we put in an offer there and then.’

Not only was it to become their dream home, but it would also ignite their new passion for antiques.

Starting with essential repairs

Parts of the house were in desperate need of renovation.

Before considering decorative details, the original Victorian sash windows had to be replaced and – careful to choose traditional windows that would complement the property – the couple opted for heritage wooden double-glazed ones.

They also had the lean-to conservatory roof fixed. ‘It had sprung several leaks just days after we got the keys,’ says Rachel. ‘We had buckets everywhere.’

The pine cupboard was already here, and Rachel added antique garden furniture for this indoor/outdoor space.

Kitchen refit

The kitchen cabinets were warped, so fitting new bespoke cabinetry became their next concern.

‘We found a local carpenter to fit the units around the existing 30-year-old range cooker. It's a bit temperamental, but I've become quite attached to it,' says Rachel.

Open plan to the kitchen, the airy dining space houses a traditional-style dining table and chairs.

On their first viewing of the house, Chris and Rachel were taken with the long antique workbench, a lighter alternative to a sideboard and the wall cupboard above, so they bought them from the previous owner.

The space now has a timeless, unfitted freestanding kitchen look.

Elegant living room

'We felt lucky to have so many rooms, but it was overwhelming, too, and we weren’t sure where to start or how to go about making it our own,' admits Rachel.

Expert help wasn’t far away as Chris’s sister-in-law Olivia Clasper runs an interior design studio .

‘She came up with some invaluable suggestions to get us started,’ says Rachel.

One of the biggest drawbacks of moving to a larger house is having enough furniture to fit the space.

‘We did wonder how on earth we’d furnish the new house.’ Keeping some of the previous owner’s furniture helped, and Olivia sourced additional pieces and introduced the couple, who share a love of antique and vintage furniture, to the delights of Lots Road Auctions.

‘Whereas I’m not very creative and couldn’t really see how any of our old furniture from the flat would work here, Olivia showed us how to use it in different ways.' Such as in the elegant neutral living room, furnished with a mix of antiques and new, where an antique marching drum makes a quirky coffee table.

'Having the expertise of an interior designer is a luxury, but it provided us with invaluable advice and saved us money on making bad choices and expensive mistakes,’ says Rachel.

Dressing room

The couple were keen to make sure the house reflected their own personalities.

‘We decided to lose two of the bedrooms and create a study and dressing room instead,’ says Rachel.

Pretty pink walls, fitted wardrobes and two chests of drawers provide ample storage in the dressing room, and a large wall mirror and an ottoman add a luxury element.

Serene bedroom

Rachel wanted the second guest bedroom to be a wash of soft whites and creams, creating a truly restful space that guests love.

In this white bedroom, even the original fireplace has been given the white treatment, and the painted floorboards complete the look.

Use of reclaimed and salvage

In another guest bedroom, the previous owner customised a fitted wardrobe with rustic doors, a unique way to incorporate reclaimed finds in an interior scheme, and which brings a lovely patina to the bedroom.

In the main bedroom, a carved wooden frieze takes pride of place above the bedhead.

Luxury bathroom

Deciding to transform one of the bedrooms into a luxury hotel-style bathroom was one of the biggest changes Rachel and Chris made to the house. 'But despite the upheaval, we’re so glad we did it.’

There is plenty of space for a separate shower and custom-made double vanity basins.

The couple both prefer baths to showers, so the beautifully designed copper bath takes pride of place in this large green bathroom and contrasts wonderfully with the dark green walls and tiles.

'It was all designed and chosen by Olivia’s expert eye.'

Outdoor oasis

The couple also enjoy their petite courtyard garden come spring and summer.

The French window from the living room leads to this sheltered spot, which includes a pretty summerhouse. The barrel sauna shed is the most recent addition; find similar at Finnmark Sauna

‘Now it’s all come together I can’t believe we live here. I pinch myself that we live in this beautiful home,' says Rachel.

'It brings me joy, every day.’

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