Step inside this French-inspired Victorian terraced house

Take a room-by-room tour around beautiful Homes & Gardens readers' homes. Be inspired by this beautiful Victorian property that has been lovingly restored to its former glory.

With careful and considerate planning and decorating, this Victorian terraced house was restored to its former glory by the current owners, who have achieved a touch of French country life in the heart of the city.

A large distressed wooden dining table seats up to 10 people in this spacious kitchen-diner.

1/10 Dining room

dining room with white door and white wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Upton)

The large chesnut table is from Harley Antiques.

2/10 Kitchen-diner

kitchen dinner room with open shelve and gas stove

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Upton)

These contemporary custom-made kitchen units contrast with the country-style dining area. The open shelving is used to display a collection of French kitchenware, as well as modern gadgets.

The central cooking island doubles up as a breakfast bar with Lyra stools by Magis, similar downlighters can be found at IKEA.

3/10 Sitting room

room with white sofa door and open book shelve

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Upton)

A vintage oil painting hangs above a white sofa in the living room. The antique chaise longue, once originally belonged to John Fowler of Colefax & Fowler and has been re-covered in upholsterer's lining fabric.

4/10 Living room

living room with mirror and cream coloured sofa and cushions

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Upton)

Large mirrors placed around the house give views of other rooms and create a spacious impression.

The mirror is from Atelier, and the oversized sofa is from Sofa Workshop.

5/10 Home office

home office with chair and computer

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Upton)

Floating shelves house books and box files in the small study, where chairs from The Conran Shop are covered in faux-suede covers from IKEA.

6/10 Master bedroom

attic bedroom with white wall and console table

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Upton)

The attic bedroom is given a romantic look with a Louis XIV bed, iron corona, and antique-inspired console table.

7/10 Bath

bathroom with white bathtub and floorboard

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Upton)

The bathroom is fully neutral for a light and airy feel. Shutters and scented candles keep in tune with the French romantic theme. A similar roll-top bath can be found at Drummonds Architectural Antiques.

8/10 Bathroom

bathroom with marble basin and mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Upton)

A French garden bust on the marble-topped basin unit adds drama and the unusual horizontal panelling on the walls gives a fresh, country feel.

9/10 Bedroom

bedroom with white lamp and bedlinen

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Upton)

The antique nursing chair is covered in Percheron toile salvaged from a pair of old curtains to introduce colour to the pale scheme. Crisp white bedlinen covers the bed. Natural light creeps in through wide-slatted shutters.

10/10 Garden

garden dining area with slate table and wire chair

(Image credit: Future PLC /Simon Upton)

This alfresco garden dining area is perfect for lazy summer days. The slate table from Marston & Langinger is teamed with pretty wire chairs.

Looking for more decorating inspiration? Check out our House Tours section for everything from a retro 1960's home to a former Georgian vicarage.

Heather Young
Editor

Heather Young has been Ideal Home’s Editor since late 2020, and Editor-In-Chief since 2023. She is an interiors journalist and editor who’s been working for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines for over 20 years, both in-house and as a freelancer.