Houzz Tour: a Victorian townhouse Redesigned for family life - This terraced house was completely abandoned when the current owners bought. "I think that the previous occupants had started stripping it back, but had given up halfway through. It was a construction site from the beginning," says interior designer Gretchen confidence Shake the Sky.
"Working from these bare bones, the memory that the architect Michaelis Boyd and I had was to preserve the characteristics of the period of ownership, while creating a quiet and inviting home that would be able to withstand the shocks of busy family life. "
"Working from these bare bones, the memory that the architect Michaelis Boyd and I had was to preserve the characteristics of the period of ownership, while creating a quiet and inviting home that would be able to withstand the shocks of busy family life. "
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Houzz a glance eye
Who lives here A couple with three young children
Location Chelsea, London
property A terraced house end Victorian
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Architect Michaelis Boyd Associates
designer Gretchen Trusted shake the Sky
photographer Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
"It is rare to find a terraced house as large as this one," says Gretchen Trusted designer. "therefore, it is much lighter and brighter than most and it was a great space to work."
Have some internal walls means the entire ground floor is flooded with sunlight from the tall windows with double aspect, while the engineered oak flooring has been fitted with a floor heating, ensuring that the walls are not interrupted by radiators.
occasional chairs; coffee table, all of Andrew Martin. Carpet Stark Carpet.
Who lives here A couple with three young children
Location Chelsea, London
property A terraced house end Victorian
Size 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Architect Michaelis Boyd Associates
designer Gretchen Trusted shake the Sky
photographer Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
"It is rare to find a terraced house as large as this one," says Gretchen Trusted designer. "therefore, it is much lighter and brighter than most and it was a great space to work."
Have some internal walls means the entire ground floor is flooded with sunlight from the tall windows with double aspect, while the engineered oak flooring has been fitted with a floor heating, ensuring that the walls are not interrupted by radiators.
occasional chairs; coffee table, all of Andrew Martin. Carpet Stark Carpet.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
with the front opening directly in this space door, which was the formal drawing room and dining room has a much more relaxed. "The owner was really keen for the whole house to be convenient and feel warm and welcoming for the family," says trust.
before Photo
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
in this image before, primarily furniture goes, you can see how the confidence of space had to work with.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
to add the informality, the stairwell was left open and exposed brickwork along its length to help each floor sinking naturally into the next. "the emphasis on natural finishes is also allowing the house to feel so gracious and easygoing," adds confidence.
Sofas, Ben Whistler Bespoke Furniture. cushions custom-made by Shake the Sky. Rug Stark Carpet .
Learn how to make your special staircase
Sofas, Ben Whistler Bespoke Furniture. cushions custom-made by Shake the Sky. Rug Stark Carpet .
Learn how to make your special staircase
Before photo
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
the working practicalities of adding brand new stairs.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
one of the memory requirements was to create a home office that feel of the rest of the house, but that could be cut if necessary. This was achieved by creating a kind of internal veranda at the front of the ground floor.
The room is soundproofed to allow conference calls to play, but the folding doors can be completely folded, so that library / study can be open to the rest of the ground floor, if necessary .
office Desiron. Suspensions, Urban Archaeology. Rug Stark Carpet .
The room is soundproofed to allow conference calls to play, but the folding doors can be completely folded, so that library / study can be open to the rest of the ground floor, if necessary .
office Desiron. Suspensions, Urban Archaeology. Rug Stark Carpet .
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Like many large, terraced Victorian houses, the property already features a basement, but the ceiling was low. The construction team raised and extended to later in the back garden.
kitchen units bulthaup. Refectory table, I & JL Brown. light The Limehouse Lamp Company.
kitchen units bulthaup. Refectory table, I & JL Brown. light The Limehouse Lamp Company.
Before Photo
Marco Joe Fazio , LBIPP
to make the space brighter and more airy, the ground was lowered to increase the height of the head. "Again, the focus here was on the creation of a practical kitchen, dining and living space," says trust.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
"the owner is an avid cook, so ensure not only that the kitchen looks great but all units are easy to wipe and keep clean, too. "
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
"I wanted to give the impression there are windows on both sides of this room, so I added these mirrors shaped window," said trust. "They also maximize the light entering the basement and reflect the views of the beautiful garden."
the exposed brick helps connect this area to the living room plus formal above and adds an industrial feel of the trend to the room. A mute boy was installed to take food from the kitchen to the dining room.
Coffee Table I & JL Brown . Sofas, Poliform. Mirrors, Aldgate Home.
the exposed brick helps connect this area to the living room plus formal above and adds an industrial feel of the trend to the room. A mute boy was installed to take food from the kitchen to the dining room.
Coffee Table I & JL Brown . Sofas, Poliform. Mirrors, Aldgate Home.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
A stroke of genius sees the back wall opened to separate the gaming room from the rest of the kitchen and living space. This huge door, covered with paint blackboard is attached to industrial hinges, so that even small children can easily swing open.
"Children love having their own private space here," said trust. "It is incredibly light for opening and beyond there is an organized storage wall for all their toys."
Browse these child-friendly spaces that do not skimp on style
"Children love having their own private space here," said trust. "It is incredibly light for opening and beyond there is an organized storage wall for all their toys."
Browse these child-friendly spaces that do not skimp on style
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
The wall closes as such .
Before Photo
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Before this picture shows what a massive undertaking renovation of this house was abandoned.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
an entire floor comes in the wake of the master bedroom. "The idea was to make the whole room feel like an inner sanctuary," said trust. "It is filled with beautiful materials to give it a sense of luxury, but at the same time, almost retained in its elegance. It is a very soothing quiet space as a result."
Rug Stark Carpet . bed, Oly Studio.
Rug Stark Carpet . bed, Oly Studio.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Two spacious his and hers dressing rooms leading off the master bedroom.
"The woman owner wanted her dressing room to feel very feminine, a beautiful place she can retreat to and feel pampered in the reach of children," said trust. The cabinets single -foot in have been built around the owner's clothing needs, so there is a place for everything.
Explorer 9 ways to make space for a chic dressing
"The woman owner wanted her dressing room to feel very feminine, a beautiful place she can retreat to and feel pampered in the reach of children," said trust. The cabinets single -foot in have been built around the owner's clothing needs, so there is a place for everything.
Explorer 9 ways to make space for a chic dressing
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
masonry exposed has again in the master suite, where it helps to give the room a relaxed look. the fireplace adds an extra warm and casts a warm glow in the room when lit twin basins avoid the queues at the beginning of a busy day.
Sanitaryware, monopoly water. Mirror custom made by Shake the Sky.
Sanitaryware, monopoly water. Mirror custom made by Shake the Sky.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Light is abundant on the staircase and hallway upstairs, due to the spectacular glass roof.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
the nursery has been designed to grow with the child. "I focused on not doing too corny here," trust. "The walls were kept neutral and blinds and bed linen to provide splashes of color. It's elegant, but usable"
Commodus. cot, both The White Company.
Commodus. cot, both The White Company.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
children have a corner lounge unusual in their bathroom. After the bath, they can jump in a window decked area right next to the hall, seen here on the far left .
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Even the smallest details have been carefully considered in this house. The cushions lining the window space are made of terry cloth, so that children can curl up in them for a story after washing.
cushions custom-made by Shake the Sky.
cushions custom-made by Shake the Sky.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
"It is unusual for a family bathroom to be so great and we managed to get a huge double shower here I also added more color in areas of children -. that is fun for them, "says Trusted
Sanitaryware, CP Hart .. Tiles, European heritage.
Sanitaryware, CP Hart .. Tiles, European heritage.
Before Photo
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
here you can see the installed windows during construction.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
The guest bedroom has been designed to be as comfortable as possible. "It is an elegant clean space filled with beautiful materials," says trust ", a place where guests can feel right at home."
bed, Robert Langford. Rug Stark Carpet . Commodus, Chelsea Textiles.
bed, Robert Langford. Rug Stark Carpet . Commodus, Chelsea Textiles.
Marco Joe Fazio, LBIPP
Tell us ...
has this renovation inspired you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
has this renovation inspired you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.