Explore this Edwardian house which is perfect for modern living

Alex Legendre, co-founder of I Gigi General Store in Hove, undertook the renovation of an Edwardian house in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, which had been owned by one person for 103 years. The property retained much of its original character, including Edwardian wallpaper, paint, and childhood graffiti, which Alex found appealing for its preserved historical essence. The move from a Brighton flat marked Alex’s first full house renovation, where she envisioned potential despite the house’s dark and gloomy initial state. She intended to utilize a decade's worth of accumulated antique and salvaged items, such as an old bath, original taps, chandeliers, antique fabrics, and decorative finds, reflecting her background with an antiques dealer father. The renovation project was executed within a tight six-week timeframe due to budget constraints. Alex personally contributed to tasks like sanding floors to their original condition, alongside installing new plumbing and electrics. The walls were finished with unpolished plaster, providing a textural backdrop for her eclectic collection of curios and furnishings. The wood throughout the property was stripped and bleached, embracing imperfections and the marks of time as elements of honesty and uniqueness. Notably, a small section of original wallpaper in the hall and childhood drawings upstairs were intentionally preserved, integrating these historical details into the home’s narrative. To enhance light and create a more contemporary flow, the ground floor underwent significant structural changes. A wall between the dining room and sitting room was removed, and the original corridor connecting the dining room to the kitchen was taken down. Furthermore, the cold room, pantry, galley, and larder were combined to form a single, expansive kitchen area. Upstairs, Alex designed a serene master bedroom and dressing room, a bedroom for her daughter Mizzy, and a compact yet stylish bathroom. The bathroom features reclamation finds juxtaposed against dramatic dark plaster walls, maintaining the home's distinctive aesthetic. The interior design scheme emphasizes natural materials and muted tones. Stoneware pots, linens, hemps, antique fabrics, and shearling throws contribute texture and depth. Indian and Turkish rugs and tapestries, with their faded hues, add softness and subtle color. Vintage finds, such as distressed leather chairs, weathered tables, galvanized metal containers, and foxed antique mirrors, serve as focal points in each room. The walls are minimally adorned, featuring occasional aged portraits or carvings, rather than personal photos. Instead, sculptural seed heads, dried flowers, and other natural elements collected locally are displayed, appreciated for the shadows they cast and the ease with which the look can be refreshed seasonally. Alex prioritizes comfort and welcome within her home, despite the presence of many treasured items. The antique fabric-covered sofas, though pale, are described as resilient and easily cleaned due to their natural fibers. The distinctive style evident in Alex’s home resonates with customers of I Gigi General Store, leading Alex and her business partner, Zoe Ellison, to expand into interior design services. Their approach focuses on creating beautiful, practical spaces tailored to individual lifestyles, offering a unique and personal aesthetic in a world increasingly moving towards homogeneity. The article concludes by inviting readers to visit I Gigi General Store and noting that this feature originated from Country Living Magazine. #HomeRenovation #EdwardianHouse #InteriorDesign #AntiqueFinds #RusticDecor #WestSussex #SustainableLiving #UniqueStyle #HistoricPreservation

The Rathnelly House, an Edwardian-era semi-detached dwelling located in midtown Toronto, underwent a comprehensive and formally expressive renovation by Studio VAARO. The project aimed to significantly enhance functionality, spatial fluidity, and overall living space while meticulously respecting the existing footprint of the building. The clients, a professional couple with a young child, sought both practical and aesthetic improvements, including an increase in usable floor area, elevated ceiling heights, and expanded storage solutions. The design objective was to create a welcoming and distinctive environment that balanced open communal areas with private, secluded spaces. Extensive structural modifications were key to achieving the desired transformation. These interventions allowed for a fundamental reordering of the interior spaces, resulting in an expansive plan that added 140 m² (1,500 ft²) to the home, effectively increasing its functional area by almost 60%. This substantial expansion was carefully integrated to maintain the architectural integrity of the original Edwardian structure while introducing contemporary design elements and improved spatial arrangements. The renovation focused on creating a harmonious blend of old and new. While the external appearance maintained deference to its Edwardian heritage, the interior was reimagined to meet modern living standards. This involved careful consideration of material selection, lighting, and custom built-ins to optimize both aesthetics and utility. The design team, led by Shengjie Qiu and Liam Hall, under the office leadership of Aleris Rodgers and Francesco Valente-Gorjup, worked to ensure that every aspect of the renovation contributed to a cohesive and functional living environment. The expanded floor area facilitated the creation of more generous common areas and private zones. The increased ceiling heights contributed to a sense of openness and airiness throughout the house, improving natural light penetration and overall ambiance. Storage solutions were integrated seamlessly into the design, addressing the clients' need for practical organization without compromising the aesthetic appeal of the interior. The project’s success lies in its ability to marry the historical character of the Edwardian house with a modern, adaptable, and significantly enlarged interior that caters to the evolving needs of a contemporary family. #ResidentialArchitecture #HouseRenovation #InteriorDesign #EdwardianHouse #TorontoArchitecture #StudioVAARO #StructuralInterventions #ModernLiving

The "Inside Her Home" series offers a glimpse into the residences of everyday women, detailing their renting or homeownership experiences. This installment features Lauren Li, a 45-year-old interior designer residing in Ivanhoe East, Melbourne. She lives with her husband and three children in a three-bedroom, two-storey home with an additional granny flat, which they rent for $3,910 per month. Lauren describes her home as a mid-century modern dwelling, built in 1961, retaining much of its original architecture. She emphasizes a deep connection to the house, feeling it "chose her" and that she and her family are deeply content living there. Lauren’s home is situated approximately 10km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District. She highlights the fair price for the rental and expresses a strong belief that renters invest significant care and effort into making their houses feel like home. She and her family have occupied the property for three years, and her appreciation for the space has only grown. The house holds historical significance, having been the former residence of Victoria's first female Supreme Court judge, the Honourable Rosemary Balmford, who lived there since 1963. Lauren attributes the home's positive atmosphere and abundant built-in bookshelves to its previous owner, noting Balmford’s pioneering role as the first female lecturer in the University of Melbourne’s law faculty. The layout of the home is particularly appealing to Lauren, featuring a spacious living room with a fireplace, which provides ample room for the family while maintaining a sense of togetherness. The property also offers lovely views of trees, a beneficial feature for Lauren and her husband, who both work from home. The kitchen retains its original 1960s charm, which Lauren appreciates. The house includes an elevated deck that has been the setting for numerous family gatherings and summer dinners, contributing to its cherished feel. Their 12-year-old daughter enjoys a room with an impressive view of the Yarra River, while her 11-year-old sister and three-year-old brother share the other bedroom. Lauren explains that their move to this particular house was almost serendipitous. When their previous apartment was put up for sale, they needed to find new accommodation swiftly. A friend connected them with a real estate agent, and upon seeing the Ivanhoe East property, Lauren immediately felt a strong desire to live there. Her attachment to the house is so profound that she declares she is "never going to leave," underscoring her long-term commitment to the home. The article concludes with an invitation for other individuals to submit their homes for inclusion in the "Inside Her Home" series, encouraging [email protected] to be contacted for submissions. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #MidCenturyModern #RentalProperty #MelbourneHomes #FamilyLiving #RealLifeStories #HomeTour

This article details the transformation of an Edwardian house located two miles outside Bath, situated on a hillside with views of the rolling countryside. The property was purchased by Anna, daughter of designer Susie Watson, and her husband, who recognized its potential despite its original muddled floorplan. The renovation involved a complete reorganization of the house to maximize its inherent beauty and location. A key focus of the redesign was the main bedroom, which now benefits from spectacular rural views through its double-aspect windows. The walls of this room are adorned with Susie Watson's 'Duck Egg Shalini' wallpaper, creating a serene backdrop. The windows are dressed with curtains and blinds crafted from Susie's 'Malathi' fabric, an intricately hand-embroidered linen produced by artisans in southern India, adding a touch of global artistry and texture to the space. The furniture within the bedroom was also custom-designed by Susie Watson and hand-carved in Rajasthan. These pieces are made from acacia wood, which is then bleached to achieve a warm, inviting tone. This bleaching technique allows the newly crafted furniture to integrate seamlessly with existing antique pieces, fostering a cohesive and timeless aesthetic. A notable item is a popular armoire design, which Susie highlights for its functionality and aesthetic appeal. She notes that unlike fitted furniture, which can be unattractive and costly, this armoire offers ample storage space, including both drawers and hanging areas, and has the advantage of being portable. For the flooring, a neutral herringbone carpet from Alternative Flooring was selected, providing a soft and sophisticated foundation for the room. The final touches include carefully chosen artwork displayed on the walls. These pieces are by artists previously represented by Susie Watson during her career as a gallerist in Holland Park, adding a personal and artistic dimension to the interior design. The overall design approach emphasizes a relaxed, Gustavian-inspired feel, blending traditional elements with bespoke craftsmanship to create a comfortable and elegant living space that honors the house's Edwardian heritage while adapting it for modern life. #EdwardianHouse #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #SusieWatsonDesigns #HandCarvedFurniture #BedroomDesign #GustavianStyle #Wallpaper #TextileDesign

Binh and Thomas Allen, a couple with no prior property development experience, embarked on an ambitious three-year renovation of an untouched Victorian terrace in West Dulwich, South London. They discovered a property built in the early 1900s with many original features still intact, a rarity in today's market, and were captivated by its inherent charm. Their vision for the home was to blend its historical Victorian elements with modern mid-century furniture and contemporary furnishings, a reflection of their diverse backgrounds—Binh from Vietnam and Thomas from Switzerland. The renovation was not without significant challenges. The couple chose to live in the house throughout the process, even enduring a period where their roof was removed for a loft conversion. This meant sharing their living space with builders six days a week and contending with constant dust and exposure to the elements, including birds flying into their bedroom through the open roof. Despite these difficulties, their belief in their dream home never wavered. They meticulously managed the project themselves, from sourcing all materials and furnishings to keeping a strict handle on the budget, a task at which Thomas excelled with his detailed spreadsheets. A key motivation for purchasing a "doer-upper" was to maximize their investment. They began with essential upgrades, such as installing a new boiler and removing outdated carpeting. The renovation was phased over three years due to budget constraints. In the second year, they tackled bathroom renovations, and by the third year, they undertook the two most significant projects: the loft conversion and the kitchen remodeling. They gathered ideas by attending local open house sales, which also helped them understand the precedents for loft conversions and extensions in their area, aiding in the planning permission process. For the loft conversion, they hired a builder with the understanding that they would procure all materials themselves. This hands-on approach resulted in a 20 percent saving on the overall cost, and they learned to negotiate prices effectively. Although the work fell under permitted development, they enlisted an architect specializing in period properties to creatively maximize the space and ensure a premium finish. The architect designed a master suite without compromising ceiling height by strengthening existing joists and adding new ones, avoiding the need for steel beams that would have reduced headroom. They also used the opportunity of scaffolding to repaint windows, repoint, install solar panels, and repair exterior damage. The kitchen renovation involved removing a chimney breast to create space for units, taking out the back wall, and installing Crittall doors. They opted for long and wide timber floorboards to enhance the sense of space and a Shaker-style kitchen with brass details for an urban country aesthetic. Cost savings were achieved by selecting a marble-inspired matte worktop made from natural, recyclable materials, with an offcut used to create a feature shelf. Their patio design was inspired by travertine tiles seen on holiday in Israel, chosen for their creamy, warm appearance and minimalist, Mediterranean feel. They also installed a home office/cinema room in the garden, a multifunctional retreat surrounded by greenery. Inside, they maintained a consistent blue and white color palette, restored original Victorian cornices and ceiling roses, and chose a mix of modern and antique furnishings to create a unique character without being overly traditional. The entrance hall's original Victorian tiles were preserved, with broken ones replaced by matching imitation tiles, and the front door's frosted glass was replaced with stained glass inspired by the floor tiles. The bathroom features reclaimed period tiles from Spain, contrasted with white wall tiles and paint, accommodating a large shower and freestanding bath. #VictorianHome #HomeRenovation #LoftConversion #KitchenRemodel #InteriorDesign #DIYProject #PeriodProperty #HomeImprovement #LondonRealEstate

This article details the transformation of an Edwardian apartment in London into a light-filled, functional home for its owners, who sought clever design ideas to maximize a small space. After a four-year search, the owners found an apartment with high ceilings and ample light, but it initially suffered from a 1930s configuration of small, often windowless rooms, which made it feel dark and gloomy. The renovation focused on opening up the living areas to create a vast sitting room and kitchen. Natural finishes, such as bespoke solid oak flooring from Ardeco Interier, were chosen for the walls and floors to impart an earthy, contemporary simplicity. The sitting room, a central feature of the redesigned apartment, is meticulously laid out to accommodate working, entertaining, and relaxing without the need for constant furniture rearrangement. A modular shelving and drawers system from Vitsoe serves both practical storage and decorative purposes, complementing a reclaimed timber dining table from Fiorirà un Giardino. The transformation involved significant structural changes, including enlarging the hall and removing bathroom walls to integrate the kitchen into this new, open expanse, eliminating under-utilized spaces. The kitchen itself features painted, 1940s-inspired cabinets with ventilated doors, paired with contemporary marble worktops, all designed to harmonize with the apartment's original period features. Specifically, a Southwold kitchen from Plain English, painted in Lead III oil eggshell from Paint & Paper Library, was installed. A new bedroom was ingeniously created at the rear of the apartment by enclosing one corner with purpose-built oak walls. This design ensures that the fine, original sash windows and plasterwork provide the desired aesthetic, with windows that can be raised to access a roof garden. The bedroom's oak walls also cleverly integrate a headboard, wall paneling, and a built-in wardrobe, featuring recessed handles to maintain a sleek, uninterrupted look. The doors to the bathroom and kitchen are flush with the wardrobe wall, creating a seamless appearance when closed. Space-saving solutions were critical, particularly in the bathroom, where a pocket door was installed to separate it from the bedroom. Plumbing is concealed within a tiled half-wall, which also functions as a shelf behind the sink. Mirror-fronted, wall-hung cabinets were used to enhance light in the windowless space, with bathroom fittings from Lefroy Brooks' 1930 Mackintosh collection and Architecture White Matt tiles from Fired Earth. Another pocket door within the narrow bathroom separates the shower area, lined with marble, from the sink, providing practicality for guests. Light is introduced into the shower through a strip of glass in the oak wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom. Additionally, a small glass-covered room off the communal staircase was converted into a cozy study, complete with a home office, reading chair, and television, featuring lighting from London Lighting and Vaughan. The apartment also boasts a favored roof terrace, designed by landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, who incorporated New Zealand ferns, wild grasses, jasmine, and ivy, creating an inviting outdoor dining and entertaining space with a vintage French marble table and a Weber Genesis BBQ. #EdwardianApartment #LondonLiving #SmallSpaceDesign #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #KitchenDesign #BedroomDesign #BathroomDesign #RoofTerrace

This article showcases a meticulously renovated 19th-century Melbourne home, “Victoria House” at 24 Northcote Road, Armadale, that seamlessly blends mid-century modern aesthetics with classic English farmhouse influences. Interior designer Tali Roth led the project for a couple in their 30s who appreciated the home's heritage architecture but desired a more contemporary feel without compromising its original integrity and soul. The renovation journey, undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed for a deliberate and thoughtful selection of furnishings, with international lead times aligning fortuitously with the construction timeline. The design philosophy embraced the clients' contrasting tastes: one favoring modernist elements and the other, an English-farmhouse look. This dichotomy is evident throughout the house. For instance, the rose-pink library features a cheerful Giancarlo Valle ‘Smile’ chair alongside an 18th-century French verdure tapestry. In the sitting room, a pale grey modular USM ‘Haller’ unit is paired with an armchair re-covered in a decorative, puzzle-pattern fabric. Significant structural changes were made to optimize space and flow. A former bedroom, walk-in-robe, and ensuite were reconfigured into a sitting room, linen closet, and a redesigned bathroom. Existing corridor shelves were retained and repainted, and a floating desk and study nook were converted into a coat closet. The entryway and powder room feature new tumbled Carrara and Bardiglio marble tiles laid in a checkerboard pattern, extending from the hall to the powder room walls. The kitchen, though retaining its original layout due to the extensive scope a larger renovation would entail, underwent a complete rebuild. It now boasts a sophisticated and traditional look with classic tapware, shaker cabinetry, a reeded glass storage cupboard, and Arabescato Corchia marble countertops, replacing the old timber veneer joinery. The living area is thoughtfully curated with a custom steel coffee table, a plump Arflex ‘Marenco’ sofa upholstered in blue mohair velvet, and a large circa 1940s French oak sideboard, aiming for a purposeful, inviting, and usable space within a small footprint. Upstairs, the principal and second bedrooms share a bathroom. A home office overlooks the backyard, while a grand library, overlooking the street, is enveloped in Porter’s Paints French Wash in ‘Victoriana’ pink. This room serves as a reading space, featuring an antique Palladian bookcase, a six-panel Chinese privacy screen, an Artemide ‘Shogun’ floor lamp, and an oversized 18th-century French verdure tapestry. The master bedroom adopts a mid-century aesthetic with calm, muted tones, including Venetian plaster walls and a custom bed and wardrobes. The master ensuite features integrated Calacatta Viola stone for the bath and a custom travertine curved stone sink. The homeowners expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting how Tali Roth's design successfully merged their personalities and preferences, creating a modern yet soulful home that can evolve with them. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #MelbourneRealEstate #MidCenturyModern #EnglishFarmhouseStyle #HeritageHome #LuxuryInteriors #DesignCollaboration #PeriodArchitecture

Widad and Ara Tachdjian, along with their two young children, relocated from France to North London, bringing with them a cherished collection of furniture and artwork. This collection, consisting of a dozen paintings, two sofas, a dining table and chairs, and other smaller items, became the foundation for their vision of a warm and vibrant home. Widad expressed a desire for a home filled with energy and color, incorporating various styles that reflect their travels and African heritage. Before realizing this vision, several structural changes were necessary. The Edwardian house, despite its high ceilings and solid structure, required a layout redesign to enhance flow and maximize its potential. Additionally, period features such as fireplaces, ceiling mouldings, and skirting boards, which had been removed previously, needed to be reinstated. The unique construction of the semi-detached house, connected at the back to another property, meant the only garden was at the front and there were no windows at the rear. This resulted in abundant light at the front but a dark back portion of the house. Specifically, the kitchen, situated behind a reception room, only received light from a small side window, and the stairwell lacked natural light entirely. To address these challenges, Widad and Ara enlisted the help of Zulufish, a London-based interior design and architectural practice. Caroline Milns from Zulufish spearheaded the creation of a large, light-filled family space on one half of the ground floor. This involved removing the wall between the former kitchen and front reception room to allow light from the front bay window to permeate the entire area. A glazed door was also added to the side window, providing garden access. Within this open-plan family space, distinct zones were created. The kitchen, featuring denim blue cabinetry built by Hux London (Zulufish's sister company), was visually separated by blue graphic floor tiles. Caroline noted the clients' adventurous spirit regarding color and pattern, which influenced the lively interiors. The dining and lounging areas, in contrast, featured honey-colored herringbone oak flooring, chosen for its classic appeal, and were softened with rugs and tactile upholstery. Modern globe lamps were a recurring lighting theme throughout the home, blending contemporary aesthetics with the period setting. A significant innovation was the removal of a corner section of the second reception room, replaced with an L-shaped Crittall-style glass panel and double doors. This transformation dramatically improved natural light in the previously dark hallway and stairs. Widad highlighted this change as having the most significant impact on the home's sense of openness while maintaining room separation and privacy. The Crittall-style panels were echoed in kitchen shelving and an expansive L-shaped ebony veneer bookcase in the second reception room, custom-made by Hux London. The second reception room also housed two velvet Roche Bobois sofas from France, one in midnight blue and the other with a graphic print, alongside colorful artworks by Ara’s uncle. The design process centered on integrating these personal items, ensuring they complemented the layout and that the color schemes, flooring, joinery, and furnishings harmonized with them. The overall palette of the house was directly influenced by the artworks, creating a cohesive and vibrant environment that breathed new life into the home. Widad’s vision for an eclectic, vibrant home filled with beloved family pieces was successfully realized. #EdwardianRenovation #HomeMakeover #InteriorDesign #ColorfulInteriors #OpenPlanLiving #KitchenDesign #LightingDesign #Zulufish #NorthLondonHome

This article offers a comprehensive visual tour of a 'Cool Spaces' home situated at 100 Jillian Way in South Hanover Township, showcasing its various architectural and interior design features. The residence, a product of Roland Builder, emphasizes modern living and thoughtful space utilization across its multiple levels. The tour begins with an exterior shot of the home, providing a general overview of its design. Inside, the mudroom is highlighted as a highly functional area, integrating a desk, cubbies, lockers, a walk-in closet, and a partial bath, demonstrating a focus on practical storage and utility. A significant architectural element noted is the three-story open stairway, which acts as a central artery connecting the finished lower level, the main living areas, and the bedrooms on the upper floor. This design choice not only facilitates movement but also enhances the open feel of the interior. The main living spaces include a kitchen, dining room, and a great room. The kitchen area is presented from multiple angles, emphasizing its layout and connection to other parts of the home. The great room features a cathedral ceiling and a ceiling-height stone fireplace, serving as a prominent focal point and contributing to an expansive ambiance. Views from the great room extend into the dining area and kitchen, illustrating an open-concept design that encourages seamless interaction between these spaces. A breezeway is featured, connecting the garage to the main house, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical shelter. The study, located off the foyer, provides a dedicated space for work or contemplation, while a first-floor guest bedroom, also accessible from the foyer, includes built-in window seating, adding charm and functionality. The covered front porch presents an inviting entry point to the residence. The owner’s suite is detailed, particularly its bath, which includes a soaking tub, suggesting a focus on comfort and luxury. The owner's suite also features walk-in closets with pocket doors on either side of the bath entry, optimizing space and privacy. The finished lower level is noted to include additional living space, a bedroom, and a full bath, indicating versatility for guests or extended family. The upper floor houses the main bedroom areas, accessed via the open stairway, further emphasizing the home's multi-level functionality and design coherence. The photography systematically covers each mentioned area, offering a visual narrative of the home's design and features, without delving into specific design philosophies or construction techniques beyond what is visible. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ModernLiving #ArchitecturalFeatures #Mudroom #GreatRoom #OpenConcept #LuxuryHome #SouthHanoverTownship

The article details the transformation of a 7,100-square-foot Edwardian-style house in Pelham, New York, by Dufner Heighes for Erica Holborn, CEO of Sandow Design Group, and her family. The house, rich in history with previous owners including the island nation of Barbados and a Coca-Cola executive who hosted President Eisenhower, was meticulously preserved before its modern redesign. Holborn, a self-professed real-estate enthusiast drawn to properties with stories, initially found the eight-bedroom house too large. However, a year later, with a growing family and the need for more space than their Sutton Place apartment could provide, coupled with an offer on their upstate getaway, the Holborns revisited the Pelham property when its price dropped and ultimately purchased it. The house was in pristine condition, having been restored by previous owners who meticulously stripped paint from moldings and updated certain areas, making it nearly move-in ready. Dufner Heighes initially anticipated a primarily decorative and cosmetic project, involving reupholstering existing furniture, acquiring new items, replacing antique light fixtures, updating cabinetry, and hanging artwork. However, midway through planning the kitchen, it became evident that its current footprint was too small and featured an inadequate island for cooking and dining. The design team, in collaboration with Bilotta, decided to remove a wall to annex the adjoining butler's pantry, which, though a dream feature for Holborn, proved necessary for a functional kitchen space. This decision led to significant structural changes, including plumbing and electrical rerouting and the installation of new structural steel. The extensive month-long renovation resulted in a brighter and more spacious kitchen, characterized by a long Arabescato Corchia marble island seating four and a window-wrapped breakfast nook. Dufner Heighes strategically used two patterns of Artistic Tile terrazzo flooring, incorporating marble chips, to create area rug-like accents that define different zones. Shaker-style cabinetry was chosen to complement the period architecture while maintaining a modern aesthetic, and this same flooring and cabinetry extended into the adjacent mudroom, a former family room now serving as a storage-packed service hub. Given the house's numerous existing living spaces, including a ground-floor salon, sunroom, a second-floor playroom, a primary suite sitting room, and a daylit basement with family and game rooms, the design challenge was to imbue each area with a unique function and purpose. Seating was carefully selected to align with specific activities and postures, such as the upright Bob sectional in the salon for entertaining, the lounge-y Bouroullec Brothers Ploum sofa in the sunroom for relaxation, and a deep, nap-conducive sofa in the family room for television viewing. Despite the traditional layout with discrete rooms, the spaces open graciously into one another, making sight lines a crucial design consideration. Features were holistically curated to ensure cohesion across rooms, particularly on the first floor where lighting fixtures from various spaces could be seen simultaneously. The designers balanced bold choices with toned-down elements to prevent the interior from feeling too heavy or overly layered. An example of this bolder approach is the dining room's trippy graphic wallpaper, Borderline Chinoiserie by Voutsa, which extends from crisp wainscoting lacquered in a mercurial green-gray, creating a striking contrast between the historic 1914 bones of the house and its modern interventions. This blend of historic charm with contemporary design elements encapsulates the essence of the entire project. #HistoricHomeRenovation #ModernFamilyHome #InteriorDesign #PelhamNewYork #DufnerHeighes #EdwardianArchitecture #KitchenRemodel #LuxuryInteriors #ResidentialDesign

This blog post introduces a new house plan that reimagines midcentury modern design for contemporary living. The featured home incorporates modern amenities and design principles while retaining the classic aesthetic of midcentury architecture. Key updates include extensive storage solutions, a dedicated home office, and multiple private bathrooms, ensuring that each of the three secondary bedrooms has direct access to a bathroom, with one serving as a hall bath. The main suite offers a luxurious experience with a wet room and a generously sized walk-in closet. The exterior design of the house plan emphasizes natural light and a connection to the outdoors, featuring expansive walls of windows that are characteristic of midcentury modern style. A prominent courtyard enhances the home's curb appeal, and options for privacy walls are available to customize the outdoor space. The three-car garage is strategically placed to the side, preventing it from dominating the front facade and maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the main entrance. Internally, the home boasts an open-concept layout that seamlessly connects the main living areas. The great room flows into an island kitchen, which in turn opens up to a spacious dining area. This integrated design facilitates effortless entertaining and daily living. From the dining area, residents can access a large covered patio, extending the living space outdoors and providing an ideal setting for relaxation or social gatherings. The thoughtful layout also includes a media room, providing an additional communal space for entertainment or leisure. This integration of practical and luxurious features distinguishes this updated midcentury modern plan. The article encourages readers to explore this specific plan and other modern and midcentury modern house plans available through the provided links. The design reflects a successful blend of timeless style with functional innovations to meet the demands of today's homeowners. #MidcenturyModern #HousePlans #HomeDesign #ModernArchitecture #OpenLayout #HomeOffice #WetRoom #CurbAppeal #ResidentialDesign

This article details the transformation of a five-bedroom Edwardian property in southwest London, where homeowners sought a larger, more connected kitchen and better access to their garden. The existing kitchen was cramped and detached, lacking direct outdoor access, a significant drawback for a family with young children. To address these issues, the owners engaged architect Alex Bilton of Abhra. The project involved demolishing the original kitchen and an outdated extension to build a new six-meter-deep extension. A key challenge was designing this large open-plan space without unduly affecting neighboring terraced houses, which follow a stepped design. Alex Bilton emphasized the importance of early communication with neighbors to ensure a smoother construction process and prevent potential disputes. The new single-story extension spans the full width of the garden. Its facade features traditional hanging clay tiles in terracotta and grey, arranged in a hexagonal pattern to create a modern yet sympathetic finish that complements the host building’s exterior cladding. This design approach ensures the contemporary addition integrates harmoniously with the period context. The architects carefully managed the extension's footprint, stepping it away from the boundary to create a pantry nook and pitching the roof towards neighbors to minimize visual impact and lower eaves height at the boundary. Inside, the open-plan space is divided into a dining area and a built-in kitchen featuring a large island. Tall kitchen units and a bar are situated under the lowest part of the roof, with the island in the tallest section. Glazing plays a crucial role in defining zones and maximizing natural light; a five-meter-long high-level clerestory window floods the dining area with illumination. The roof structure is exposed above the dining table to add character and height. A poured concrete floor with underfloor heating provides comfort and contributes to an interior scheme that blends industrial, contemporary, and period elements. Maximizing natural light was a primary request from the homeowners. The roof design incorporates clerestory windows and fixed skylights, ensuring passive solar gain during winter and drawing brightness deep into the interior. The decor is predominantly neutral, featuring warm wood materials that soften the white walls and beams, directing focus towards the garden views. Built-in storage, including a bespoke unit and a wine fridge, optimizes space and maintains tidiness. These elements were integrated from the initial design phase, arising from the need to mitigate the extension's impact on adjacent properties. Views into the original part of the house are unobstructed, with timber flooring in the living area demarcating spaces. Two openings connect the original property to the new kitchen-diner: a larger one from the formal living room and a narrower one to the entry hall. Cleverly positioned glazing helps transmit light to the front of the house. The central kitchen island serves as a practical cooking and prep area and a social hub, with bar stools providing an informal dining spot. An oriel window, protruding into the garden, creates a cozy window seat that connects indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting relaxation. The cooking area features versatile cladding that pays homage to the period heritage while complementing the modern shaker style. Before the renovation, the Edwardian property had an existing rear extension that was poorly connected to the garden and had a disjointed internal layout. The goal was to create a distinctly modern extension that respected and celebrated the traditional elements of the original building, located in a conservation area. Architect Alex Bilton's advice for extension projects includes using angled roof designs for better drainage, exposing structural elements for texture, positioning skylights strategically, adjusting roof heights to create higher ceilings, and incorporating insulation or solar panels for energy efficiency. This project exemplifies how a sympathetic yet contemporary approach can successfully update a classic terraced home. #EdwardianProperty #TerracedExtension #KitchenDesign #OpenPlanLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #NaturalLight #HomeRenovation #SustainableDesign #InteriorDecor

In 2014, a house in the Meadow Lea neighborhood briefly served as a fraternity house set for the movie *Pitch Perfect 2*. Despite its temporary transformation into a chaotic film set, complete with beer pong tables and greasy pizza boxes, Whitney and Matt LaNasa saw beyond the props and recognized the potential for their future family home. The couple had already agreed to purchase the property, drawn to the Meadow Lea neighborhood's history and beautiful landscapes, particularly the house's large 1 1/4-acre lot shaded by oak and cypress trees, and its view of a rolling meadow and lake. Whitney, who specializes in restoring historic buildings, was keen on preserving the architecture of the well-built older home. Matt, having experience in home restoration and construction from assisting his parents and serving in the Marine Corps, was confident in his ability to oversee the renovation. After the film crew departed and the house officially became theirs, the LaNasas enlisted Matt's sister, architect Georgia LaNasa, and interior designer Anne McCanless, to re-envision the interior spaces. The renovation involved stripping the house down to its studs and opening up the galley kitchen by removing walls, creating an open-concept space that flows into the dining room and offers views of the backyard and lake. A new iron railing from DiStefano Designs & Fabrication now subtly divides the kitchen from the dining area. The renovation, which included installing new electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, was completed in six months under Matt's diligent oversight. The revamped home successfully blends its midcentury origins with a more timeless and functional aesthetic suitable for a family with two young children. It features two distinct living spaces, allowing both children and parents to have their own areas while remaining connected. McCanless selected contemporary-lined seating, upholstered in spill-proof Sunbrella fabrics, making the furniture durable and child- and pet-friendly, ideal for a home designed for entertaining. Further functional improvements included relocating the upstairs laundry room to create a master closet, and establishing a new downstairs laundry area combined with a mudroom featuring cubbies for the children. The LaNasas envision a second phase of renovation in the future, which will include adding a new master suite. The experience has inspired Matt to continue restoring homes in the Southdowns area during his off-hours, driven by his passion for construction and remodeling. The family expresses deep affection for their Meadow Lea neighborhood, appreciating its country-like atmosphere, abundant wildlife, and the sense of community that values its historical setting. Various design elements and materials were sourced locally. The dining room, once a film set, now features a whitewashed table, silver-leafed geometric dining chairs from Texture, and a hydrangea-filled vessel from Red Onion. Other details came from McMillin Interiors and Dixon Smith Interiors. The kitchen boasts Carrara marble countertops and a beveled subway-tile backsplash, with dirty-top floors installed by Blaine Thibodeaux from Higgins company. The upper-level living area includes a Sunbrella-upholstered Thayer Coggin sofa, small tables, and a rug from Dixon Smith Interiors, alongside an antique breakfront cabinet. The lower-level living room is decorated with soft blue hues and contrasting colors, featuring Lee Industries club chairs, a gold-accented marble coffee table, and floor lamps from Dixon Smith Interiors, with throw pillows from Texture. Custom Paul Yanko multimedia artworks from Ann Connelly Fine Art adorn the walls. The master bedroom, designed as a serene retreat, includes a mirror-framed tufted bed with Ann Gish bedding from Texture and Tritter Feefer nightstands with lamps from Texture. The master bath, too, was updated with elegant touches like Carrara marble floors, a freestanding oval tub, and a Billie S. Bourgeois painting from Ann Connelly Fine Art. The existing pool underwent minor rehabbing by Lucas Firmin Pools, and landscape architect Cynthia Cash redesigned the front yard with Japanese yew and dwarf camellias to complement the existing live oak trees. #HomeRenovation #MidcenturyModern #FamilyHome #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalPreservation #MeadowLea #BatonRougeHomes #OpenConceptLiving

This article provides a detailed tour of a Victorian semi-detached house located in south-east London, showcasing various decorating ideas and design choices implemented throughout its update. The property features a hallway, living room, open-plan kitchen-diner, cloakroom, four bedrooms, a bathroom, and a shower room. The exterior of the house maintains its traditional brick wall and black slate roof. Inside, the living room is designed with a serene ambiance, characterized by a large monochrome rug and vibrant pink accents that add a pop of color against white walls. The furniture selection blends mid-century modern pieces with vintage items, creating a utilitarian feel. Key items in the living room include a rug from Ikea and a floor lamp from Sainsbury's. The living space was expanded by combining two smaller living rooms into one open-plan area, with furniture strategically arranged to define natural zones. Lighting is provided by a lamp from Lights 4 Living, and several pieces of furniture, including a lamp, chairs, and a table, were upcycled by Imperfect Interiors. The kitchen features painted cabinetry, marble counters, and pale-colored metro tiles, contributing to a clean and simple aesthetic. The kitchen units were sanded down and repainted, and customized tongue-and-groove end panels were added. A practical built-in banquette with seat pads and floral fabric is also present. The tiles used in the kitchen are from Fired Earth. Adjoining the kitchen is the dining area, where built-in banquette seating maximizes space efficiency. A rectangular dining table is chosen to accommodate multiple people without encroaching too much on the floor area. The dining space is adorned with pretty bench and scatter cushions, along with a patchwork rug, which introduce patterns in subtle shades. The dining chair is from The Conran Shop, and a box wall light is from Heal's. Moving to the bedrooms, the guest bedroom offers a relaxed, modern-country atmosphere. It features a floral bedspread, a vintage sofa, and an eclectic assortment of accessories. Neutral walls allow unique, design-led pieces and curios to stand out. An Ikea rug is also found in this room. The main bedroom employs a subtle palette of pale greys and off-whites to foster a peaceful environment. A feature fireplace with a stylish overmantel mirror serves as a focal point. The bed is sourced from Sofa.com, and a floor lamp is from Habitat. Finally, the bathroom is designed with tongue-and-groove panelling and geometric tiling, which complement the traditional fittings. Glazed cabinets are incorporated to add a decorative element. The tiles are from Topps Tiles, and the bath is from Victoria Plumb. The article aims to inspire readers with practical and aesthetic home decoration and design choices demonstrated in this updated London home. #PeriodHouse #LondonHome #VictorianRenovation #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #KitchenDesign #LivingRoomIdeas #BedroomDecor #BathroomDesign

This article highlights the design philosophy of Sarah Corbett-Winder, a stylist and founder of the womenswear brand Kipper, as showcased in her maximalist Edwardian home in London. The residence, shared with her husband Ned and their three children, Lyon, Nancy, and Celeste, is characterized by a deliberate use of stripes to maintain a sense of order amidst a rich collection of art and personal artifacts. Sarah views anything meaningful as art, and her home is filled with framed paintings, splatter plates, and unique memorabilia, each contributing to a living gallery wall that captures moments and memories. Sarah's approach to home design stems from a past experience where she quickly grew tired of trendy, Pinterest-influenced blue and geometric patterns. For her current 2,700-square-foot Edwardian home, she aimed for a timeless yet personal aesthetic, opting for a classic backdrop of stripes. Various applications of stripes are evident throughout the house: wide blue stripes, hand-painted by artist Lucy Mahon, adorn a spare bedroom, while the couple's eaves bedroom features variegated wallpaper from Farrow & Ball, creating a cozy and nest-like atmosphere. The children's rooms also incorporate striped themes; Lyon's bedroom features extra-large, tent-like lines, evoking a funhouse or circus vibe, and Nancy's room combines pale pinks with florals, including a matching headboard, pelmets, and curtains that echo Sarah's childhood home. The maximalist design is carefully balanced to prevent it from appearing chaotic or overly busy. Sarah achieves this by using grounding, earthy colors such as mustard yellow and aubergine, which provide a cohesive palette across the different spaces. This consistent color scheme allows for flexibility in rearranging items and incorporating new elements without overwhelming the visual harmony. Practicality and resourcefulness are also key aspects of her design strategy. For example, leftover cabinet moldings from the kitchen were repurposed as handbag shelving in her closet, and a mismeasured marble sink intended for the kitchen was ingeniously transformed into a liquor-filled tray next to the pantry. This demonstrates Sarah's belief in utilizing surplus materials and finding new functions for existing objects. The sitting room exemplifies the couple's desire for a more grown-up feel, featuring new picture molding that adds grandeur to the walls. Botanical prints, acquired by Ned years ago, complement the room's proportions seamlessly. Sarah also shares a cost-effective trick for updating furniture: changing only the fabric on seat cushions of existing settees, rather than reupholstering entire frames, to give them a fresh look without significant expense. Visitors often comment on the immersive quality of the home, which is designed to be a retreat from the outside world. Despite being filled with numerous items like books, china fruits, and porcelain dogs, the house remains meticulously organized. Sarah emphasizes that every trinket has its designated place, avoiding clutter and ensuring a sense of order. Sarah views her home as a dynamic piece of art, constantly evolving through the addition or removal of elements and the creation of new vignettes. This continuous process of curation and rearrangement reflects her personal style and ensures that the space remains vibrant and reflective of her family's journey. The intentional use of stripes and a cohesive color palette, combined with thoughtful organization and a resourceful approach to materials, allows the maximalist aesthetic to thrive without becoming overwhelming, creating a home that is both expressive and inviting. #MaximalistDesign #EdwardianHome #StripedInteriors #LondonHomeTour #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #SarahCorbettWinder #PatternPlay

This blog post offers a virtual tour of a unique five-bedroom Victorian home located in Canonbury, London, distinguished by its quirky octagonal tower. The property, currently on the market for £5.5 million through Savills, combines a detached house built around 1855 with a two-storey 16th-century tower, originally a garden room for Canonbury House. The interior showcases original period features meticulously restored by the current owners. The exterior of the property reveals a harmonious blend of the Victorian structure and the historical octagonal tower, creating an intriguing architectural presence. Upon entering, the galley kitchen, while compact for the house's overall size, is presented as a stylish and functional space. It features an all-white design accented by a vibrant blue paint application on shelves, offering a splash of color without overwhelming the clean aesthetic. The living room is highlighted for its preserved period details, including an elegant marble fireplace and intricate ceiling cornices, which underscore the home's historical charm. The dining room, uniquely situated within the octagonal tower, provides a distinctive dining experience. Its neutral decor allows the architectural uniqueness of the tower to be the focal point. The bedroom presented in the tour features a calming pink color scheme and innovative use of a 'zoning wall' for storage. This design choice helps define distinct areas within the large bedroom, separating sleeping quarters from other living spaces. The property also includes a garden room, a conservatory located off the kitchen at the rear of the house. This space is designed for relaxation, offering views of nature and a tranquil environment. Completing the tour is a glimpse of the garden, which complements the grandeur of the home. The current sale of the property is being managed by the daughter of its late owner, Evan Hercules, a renowned television and film production designer and art director known for his work on productions like 'Midnight Express'. The article concludes by inviting readers to consider the advantages and challenges of owning a home with such unusual architectural dimensions, particularly concerning furniture placement. #VictorianHome #LondonProperty #OctagonalTower #PeriodFeatures #HomeTour #InteriorDesign #RealEstate #Canonbury #ArchitecturalUniqueness

This article highlights an Atlanta home in the Buckhead neighborhood, designed by Lyndsy Woods, that masterfully blends traditional architectural elements with modern touches and antique furnishings. The home, a new construction with Georgian architectural influences, was designed to incorporate classical features on the interior while maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere suitable for a family with two young children. Lyndsy Woods worked with the family from the building stage, allowing her to understand their daily life and tailor the home's design to their specific needs and how they would utilize each space. The design approach focused on creating a soft, neutral shell with muted wall colors like Benjamin Moore York Gray (tinted at 50% strength) and White Dove for trim. This neutral backdrop ensures that the layered fabrics and furnishings, including the family's collection of antique pieces, are highlighted rather than overwhelmed. Built-in elements are kept tone-on-tone to avoid distraction. Even in more formal areas such as the dining room and family room, the aim was to evoke warmth and welcome. A key aspect of Woods's design philosophy, as detailed in the article, is the successful integration of formal and informal items. She avoids the heavy, museum-like feel that can result from too many antiques by pairing them with cleaner, modern elements. This mixing of styles creates a collected and unique aesthetic, preventing the space from feeling overly structured or stuffy. An example cited is the use of modern print fabrics in the dining room alongside gilded antiques, with a light background to tie everything together. The designer prefers cooler wall tones to balance the warmer, often reddish undertones of antique woods, thus toning down golden hues and creating a fresher look. Her personal style leans towards clean lines but with soft, livable palettes and rich textures. Specific rooms are showcased, illustrating this blend: the living room features a custom light fixture by Solaria Lighting and a linen sofa from Lee Industries, chosen for its timeless silhouette and adaptability to new looks with different pillows. The classic white kitchen is equipped with Walker Zanger tiles, Visual Comfort lighting, and Ballard Designs barstools. A butler's pantry is adorned with antiqued-mirror walls and a small sink for convenience. The family room continues the theme with Benjamin Moore's York Gray walls, an Aidan Gray chandelier, and an antique table. The dining room boasts Schumacher fabric on window treatments and upholstered chairs, with a Hickory Chair table, and a touch of pink adds a modern accent to the antique setting. The master bedroom, designed to feel like an upscale hotel suite, is furnished with antiques and features walls painted in a tinted version of Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter. The master bathroom is elevated with luxurious Duralee fabric window treatments, soft green shades, an abstract painting, and custom his-and-her vanities. The powder room is enlivened with Farrow & Ball wallpaper. The article concludes by emphasizing the home's welcoming nature and its beauty as a family residence, crediting designer Lyndsy Woods for her award-winning work and Marc Mauldin for the photography. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #AntiqueModernMix #LuxuryHomes #AtlantaRealEstate #LyndsyWoodsDesign #HomeFeatures #BuckheadHomes