Step inside this light-filled Edwardian terrace

This Edwardian terrace in south east London could feel dark and gloomy but the owners have opened it up with a neutral colour scheme.

This Edwardian terrace in south east London could feel dark and gloomy but the owners have opened it up with a neutral colour scheme. They also fitted glass sliding doors out to a decked area in the the back garden that brings in tons of light.

1/13 Edwardian terrace

house exterior with white windows and door

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

2/13 Hallway

white hallway with drawer and wall mirror

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

Their original front door glazing was mostly intact, save for the centre
section, so the owners had a glazier make up two new stained glass
panels to match the existing ones, using old and new glass. It cost
about £300 for the pair but really finishes the door off perfectly and
keeps the hall more private, too.

Chandelier
John Lewis
Chest of drawers
Find similar at Laura Ashley
Wall mirror
Find similar at French Mirror Company

3/13 Bedroom

white bedroom with fire place and mirror

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The pine bed and alcove cupboard in the spare room are painted white to keep the scheme calm and neutral.

Cupboard
Painted in Wimborne White, Farrow & Ball
Bed
Find similar at Feather & Black
Armchair
Find similar at Lombok

4/13 Living room

white bedroom with leather sofa and fire place

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The homeowners had alcove cupboards custom-built and added architrave and antique-style hardware to make them look like an original feature of the house.

Leather sofa
Laura Ashley
Mirror
Find similar at Beau Decor

5/13 Dining room

white dining room with dining table and cupboard

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The homeowner runs her own online interiors shop, Ebury Home & Garden so has a good eye for colour and style. The muted
colour scheme has not only transformed the once-dark space, but also
allows the carefully chosen statement pieces to make more of an impact.

Pendant lights
Jim Lawrence
Mirror
Laura Ashley

6/13 Kitchen

white kitchen with cabinets and worktop

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The owners customised their existing kitchen units with new panelled doors for a bespoke look.

Kitchen units
Painted in Pavilion Gray Estate Emulsion, Farrow & Ball

7/13 Kitchen/diner

kitchen area with dining table and sliding doors

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The new sliding doors fill the kitchen with light and provide an effortless step into the garden come summertime.

Kitchen table and chairs
Multiyork

8/13 Garden terrace

garden area with sofa and plant pots

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The back garden
has been landscaped, with a step-out decking area and gravel leading to
the lawn beyond. In summer this area becomes the family's main living
space.

Sofa
Find similar at Argos
Floor cushion
Find similar at Nkuku

9/13 Main bedroom

bedroom with bed and wallpaper

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The wallpaper
matches the neutral shades of the carpet and soft furnishings but the
intricate pattern lifts the space. The bedside tables were a bargain
find on eBay.

Bed
Newtons Furniture Company
Wallpaper
Farrow & Ball

10/13 Bedroom

bedroom with bedside table and lamp

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The bedside tables were transformed with a lick of paint and some reclaimed handles.

Table lamp
Find similar at BHS

11/13 Children's bedroom

children's bedroom with fire place and wall shelf

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

The owners kept to a simple colour scheme in the children's bedroom so it would last for years. The alcove cupboard was custom-made to fit the space perfectly.

White wooden letters
Posh Graffiti
Walls
Painted in French Grey Pale Absolute Matt Emulsion, The Little Green Paint Company

12/13 Bathroom

bathroom with bathtub and cupboard

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

Renovating the bathroom involved removing the old hot water tank and replacing the avocado suite. The bath was the homeowners biggest luxury splurge. The side cupboard was rescued from a skip and painted.

Roll-top bath
Albion Bath Company
Painted in Joa?s White estate emulsion, Farrow & Ball

13/13 Bathroom

bathroom with washbasin and mirror

(Image credit: Heather Hobhouse)

An extended tiled splashback adds interest to the neutral scheme.

Similar wall light
Jim Lawrence

Which of the rooms in this house is your favourite? Let us know in the comments box below...

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.