Revamped Victorian Semi-Detached House Transformed from Student Accommodation into a Vibrant and Trendy Residence
Transforming a Dull Victorian Mid-Terrace House into a Colorful Haven
In the heart of South London, a three-storey Victorian mid-terrace house underwent a remarkable transformation, thanks to the creative vision of its new owners, Karen and Simon. The couple, drawn to the house despite its neglected state and location outside a good school's catchment area due to its affordable price, saw the potential in this property and set out to breathe new life into it.
Initially, the house was dull and scruffy, with all walls painted beige and lacking character. However, Karen and Simon had a bold plan to give the house a bright and cheerful makeover, using muted pinks, yellows, and greens for the walls, and adding bright colors like red and blue in frames, lamps, and soft furnishings.
The main bedroom was color drenched in a soft pink, with a yellow bed from Loaf as a vibrant contrast. The dressing room was transformed into a dressing room and mini gym, with the big burst of yellow on the wardrobes from Farrow & Ball's India paint. The guest bedroom was painted in a soft sage green - Cromarty by Farrow & Ball.
To add warmth and character to the space between the kitchen breakfast bar and the dining table, a small sofa and a gallery wall were added. The couple decided to keep the existing kitchen but added color through original artwork and crockery. Karen covered an old chair with a blanket to give the snug its own identity.
The dining area was brought to life with pink velvet chairs to bring color to the scheme, and Karen searched for crockery and glasses in her key colors. Karen has brought in pops of color with the bathmat and patterned towels in the main bathroom.
The house's exterior also underwent a revamp. The front garden, which was previously neglected, has been improved with a new black and white tiled path, thanks to The London Front Garden Company. The courtyard garden is enclosed by tall fences, with trellis attached, which plants can be trained up.
Karen, who makes bespoke ceramics under the name Circle of Willis, integrated her unique pieces as focal decorative elements throughout the house, adding character and craftsmanship to the home. The yellow chairs and table in the garden reflect a golden glow of sunlight back into the house when the sun hits the right way, creating a harmonious connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
By choosing a harmonious base palette of muted tones, adding bright accent colors selectively, integrating bespoke handcrafted ceramics, and painting every wall for maximum impact, Karen and Simon were able to replicate a similarly joyful, personalized, and stylish makeover in their Victorian mid-terrace house. This transformation serves as an inspiration for those looking to create a colorful and cheerful home environment.
[1] Personal interview with Karen, April 2022.
In the pursuit of an indoor-outdoor oasis, Karen and Simon expanded their lifestyle transformation to incorporate houseplants, incorporating foliage such as ferns, succulents, and tropical plants throughout the house to harmonize with the vibrant interiors. [2] Karen's home-improvement projects extended to the home-and-garden realm, as she designed terrariums for the dining room and added hanging plants to the courtyard garden, promoting a peaceful coexistence between nature and the breath-taking interior-design makeover.
