My Houzz: Cleverly Reconfigured Laura Hamilton House in Purley - When Laura Hamilton TV presenter and her husband found this period property on excellent location, they knew he was the one for them - and they 'd found just in the nick of time.
"We bought another house in the area, which was not perfect," Laura said. "Two days before we were about to make mortgage investigate it, someone called us to tell us about this property. It was ideal for us, but we needed to move quickly on it. Fortunately, everything worked perfectly and we completed the sale of three weeks after our son is born. "
"We bought another house in the area, which was not perfect," Laura said. "Two days before we were about to make mortgage investigate it, someone called us to tell us about this property. It was ideal for us, but we needed to move quickly on it. Fortunately, everything worked perfectly and we completed the sale of three weeks after our son is born. "
Chris Snook
Houzz at a glance
Who lives here Laura Hamilton, her husband, Alex, and their two children, Rocco and Tahlia
Location Purley, London Borough of Croydon
property A red brick house over 100 years
Size 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Who lives here Laura Hamilton, her husband, Alex, and their two children, Rocco and Tahlia
Location Purley, London Borough of Croydon
property A red brick house over 100 years
Size 4/5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Chris Snook
as soon as Laura and her husband, Alex, got the keys to their new home, the first thing they had to address was the delicate provision, which simply does not work for them as a family. "It was sold as a three bed property," Laura said, "but you had to walk through one bedroom to get to the third. So we had to remove the roof, lift and reconfigure landing on the floor so they were each individually accessible. "
to help with ambitious plans, Laura called on John Butler JB Construction to oversee the construction phase. "I work with John on previous projects and it has been since my builder," Laura said. "He has great vision." Although this structural work was taking place, the family moved into the home of Alex's parents for seven months for the manufacturers could get to work on the new house.
to help with ambitious plans, Laura called on John Butler JB Construction to oversee the construction phase. "I work with John on previous projects and it has been since my builder," Laura said. "He has great vision." Although this structural work was taking place, the family moved into the home of Alex's parents for seven months for the manufacturers could get to work on the new house.
Chris Snook
A Row generous size with a sweeping staircase greets visitors when they walk through the front door. The staircase is an original feature, but it is thoroughly modern makeover. "The original staircase was quite 1970s," says Laura, and the original plan was to replace it with a more modern version. But when a quote for a newcomer to £ 7,000, the couple got creative and had the stairs instead reworked for a fraction of the price.
"Our carpenter, Greg, has adapted the pilasters, painted handrails and resprayed any metalwork, which ly transformed," says Laura.
Tegola floor Carpetright. wallpaper glossy tile, Zoffany.
Consult the corridor advice cared to steal tidy people
"Our carpenter, Greg, has adapted the pilasters, painted handrails and resprayed any metalwork, which ly transformed," says Laura.
Tegola floor Carpetright. wallpaper glossy tile, Zoffany.
Consult the corridor advice cared to steal tidy people
Chris Snook
"When it comes to our style interior, Alex and I love a mix of old and new," said Laura. "I tend to go for a neutral palette and add over time." All interior walls were painted white Tottington, a soft neutral shade, and the couple did all the paint himself.
"your home reflects your personality," says Laura, "and I wanted to have charm and luxury items, but always wanted it to be lived and loved."
Walls painted white Tottington, Crown Trade.
"your home reflects your personality," says Laura, "and I wanted to have charm and luxury items, but always wanted it to be lived and loved."
Walls painted white Tottington, Crown Trade.
Chris Snook
"I like that we have created the kitchen without spending a fortune," says Laura, "I had seen other houses with a kitchen like this. - a mixture of classic and modern - and I knew it ' was what I wanted. I started to look for kitchens to hand online and found Cuisines hand of Christchurch, which is where I bought the units. "the kitchen was custom made for the couple and arrived unpainted.
hanging lamps create an industrial style feature on the island central work plan. "I found them in a lighting store in Reigate and I love them," says Laura.
kitchen units, kitchen hand Christchurch. Worktops, Fixing Russell Stone.
hanging lamps create an industrial style feature on the island central work plan. "I found them in a lighting store in Reigate and I love them," says Laura.
kitchen units, kitchen hand Christchurch. Worktops, Fixing Russell Stone.
Chris Snook
The couple opened the kitchen and dining area to create a light and airy with bifolding doors overlooking the garden. a gray and white pattern resting creates a calm atmosphere and wooden chairs chunky table and wooden covered flax and add character.
have only a small space to eat? See these ideas to get a table in a tight spot
have only a small space to eat? See these ideas to get a table in a tight spot
Chris Snook
An elegant and light living room leads off the main hallway. "This is our formal living room and we use it when we organize dinners or more people," says Laura.
A large mirror hung above the fireplace instead of a TV, as Laura wanted to keep the room a feeling of relaxation and calm. However, looking ahead, they had a television point installed in case they change their minds and want to put a TV there in the future.
A large mirror hung above the fireplace instead of a TV, as Laura wanted to keep the room a feeling of relaxation and calm. However, looking ahead, they had a television point installed in case they change their minds and want to put a TV there in the future.
Chris Snook
The sofas lounge are a particular favorite of Laura and she had a very practical approach of their choice. "I drove to Lincoln's workshop choose material and see the facts , "she said.
Sofas, Country Living collection at DFS.
Sofas, Country Living collection at DFS.
Chris Snook
an antique wall mirrors Laura picked up by a secondhand , or flea market French, creating a nice feature in the downstairs cloakroom. A standalone vanity unit with traditional faucets adds a classic touch to the space
Y ork traditional unit basin. Hudson taps , both Victorian Plumbing.
Y ork traditional unit basin. Hudson taps , both Victorian Plumbing.
Chris Snook
a second lounge with bifold doors is mainly used as a playroom with two young children of the couple. The space was originally a garage, but the couple converted to create a large multipurpose room with folding doors connecting to the garden. It is very much a practice space, according to Laura. "It is usually full of toys," she said.
Trunk Something special.
Trunk Something special.
Chris Snook
in contrast to the light and airy kitchen and living room, the dining room is dark and dramatic space with textured wallpaper, curtains and rich coal upholstered wooden dining chairs. "I wanted him to have a different idea of the rest of the house. - to be quite dark and have a feel to it when we have dinner" Laura says
the dining table is one of his favorite songs "I found it on eBay - it was second hand and I love it.".
the dining table is one of his favorite songs "I found it on eBay - it was second hand and I love it.".
Chris Snook
Moody paint shades, walls half paneled and rich textures teamed with light wall stones and wood Moroccan pendant provide plenty of drama. Laura references the Crazy Bear hotel group as a great influence on the design of the space.
Chris Snook
upstairs, a large bedroom masters was created over an existing flat roof. Light, airy and clean, space was decorated in neutral relaxing layers in accordance with the reception rooms downstairs. "I wanted him to have an adult feel," Laura said.
bed and mattress, Silentnight.
Chevet, The Bedside Workshop. Footstool, Hugo Ridge. bedside tables, Something Special. Cows Rug, London. Cushions, TK Maxx.
bed and mattress, Silentnight.
Chevet, The Bedside Workshop. Footstool, Hugo Ridge. bedside tables, Something Special. Cows Rug, London. Cushions, TK Maxx.
Chris Snook
a bold, color graphite wallpaper was the starting point for the design of this room. "It's a little weird to do it that way, but I then creates the pattern around the screen," says Laura. "When I put it, I thought we had made a mistake," she admits of bold pattern, but once the room was full, wallpaper added an extra layer of interest.
vintage chest in the corner of the room was given to the couple by their former neighbors.
diamond point of wallpaper, Harlequin. Table lamp, Something special. Sofa, Next.
vintage chest in the corner of the room was given to the couple by their former neighbors.
diamond point of wallpaper, Harlequin. Table lamp, Something special. Sofa, Next.
Chris Snook
the adjoining master bathroom is light and airy with a large sash window space, a framed glass shower and pale painted units.
Learn how to stay on top of your bathroom renovation
Learn how to stay on top of your bathroom renovation
Chris Snook
Laura splashed on a double vanity unit after falling in love with a similar one on Houzz. "I had seen this kind of unity on the US site, before Houzz UK happened," she said, "and I managed to follow one here."
dual unit basin, Porter Vanities.
dual unit basin, Porter Vanities.
Chris Snook
in the guest room, an invitingly cozy bed is hidden under a large skylight. bedding Diapers and silk cushions in neutral tones create a relaxing, charming feel.
bed and mattress, Silentnight. Bedspread TK Maxx. bedside lamps, John Lewis.
bed and mattress, Silentnight. Bedspread TK Maxx. bedside lamps, John Lewis.
Chris Snook
Laura chose a theme Tahlia chamber girl wood. "We did not know if we had a boy or a girl, so we wanted it to be neutral, "she said. The white-painted bed was used by both the couple's children. "When Tahlia is larger, it will also turn into a sleigh bed," she added.
The toybox and library were originally in the house Laura's parents and were simply given a fresh coat of paint to update them.
president, DFS. Cot, Bambizi.
The toybox and library were originally in the house Laura's parents and were simply given a fresh coat of paint to update them.
president, DFS. Cot, Bambizi.
Chris Snook
both children have a mini-game teepee den tucked in the corner of each of their rooms and they, not surprisingly, was a huge success. "they both love," Laura said.
Tipi, Just For tiny people.
Tipi, Just For tiny people.
Chris Snook
Rocco room in New England gay red style regime and blue bedding and carpet star bold patterns. Laura bought the letters on the chest of Hobbycraft and painted itself.
Custom Cushion, Northstar Knits. Wire shelves, TK Maxx. Carpets, Nubia.
Custom Cushion, Northstar Knits. Wire shelves, TK Maxx. Carpets, Nubia.
Chris Snook
on the same floor as the children's bedrooms, the family bathroom is a practical space with a walk-in shower and a large tub. large-scale gray tiles used on the floor and walls create a crisp, clean feel, while the framed glass shower maximizes the feeling of space.
After all the hard work, Laura and Alex have created a warm and welcoming family home, is now completed all? "We never finished a house," laughed Laura. "They grow with you and I am the kind of person who still is. I'm sure there are more things to do."
Inspired by this family home ? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
After all the hard work, Laura and Alex have created a warm and welcoming family home, is now completed all? "We never finished a house," laughed Laura. "They grow with you and I am the kind of person who still is. I'm sure there are more things to do."
Inspired by this family home ? Share your thoughts in the comments below.