Explore this semi-detached house in south London with a pared-back palette

The property

A semi-detached house in south London, built in the mid 19^th century. The modern home is a living room, snug, open-plan kitchen and dining room, and a WC on the ground floor. Upstairs, there is a master bedroom, shower room, family bathroom, the children’s shared bedroom, two guest bedrooms and a small office. The basement contains a laundry room.

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Kitchen

With help from architect Jonathan Douglas, the house’s awkward layout, narrow hall and galley kitchen have been rationalised to create a flowing mix of intimate rooms and bright, open-plan space.

Once the owners decided to stay and renovate, gaining planning permission in this conservation area took several years. Finally, the family moved out and the builders moved in, completing a total reconstruction in a speedy nine months. At one point, all that remained was the front wall and the side return wall, the rest was demolished.

Despite the scale of the renovation, the finished design references the house’s original shape and structure. Instead of a grand new statement, there are Georgian-style low windows, exposed rafters, cabin-like wall panelling and a layout which includes a cosy living room at the front and a good mix of family areas.

The house was extended by about four metres at the back, creating additional space for the kitchen. A slim section of glass in the flat roof boosts the room’s light feel. Emma and Dan’s love of timeless, slightly country-ish style is visible in the kitchen. Marble worktops and a butler’s sink are teamed with classic metro tiles and handsome cabinets. Copper pendant lights add a warm, metallic glow to the serene kitchen.

The large butler sink is used for washing up while a second sink, recessed into the marble worktop, is used for filling drinks.Neat, deeply recessed lights boost the light supplied by pendants and wall lights.

SNUG and living room

The couple decided against opening the house out completely in favour of creating some smaller, more intimate spaces. The living room has a wood burner and no TV.

Settling on a palette of soft whites and greys, the owners' idea was to add colour at a later date. But they've ended up loving the calmness. The colours create a softness that suits the house’s cottagey vibe.

Located in the centre of the ground floor, shelving wraps around the ‘man’s snug’ providing space for books. The shelving is painted oak. Sliding doors transform it from an extension of the living area into a cosy, intimate library.

Desk area

A wall-mounted desk creates a neat area for admin in the corner of the large, open-plan kitchen and living area. The wall paint echoes the look of the snug, which lies just beyond the sliding doors.

HALLWAY

The newly expanded hallway is a favourite part of the house. The genius of Jonathan Douglas, the architect, was to reconfigure and extend this space so it feels wide.

MASTER BEDROOM

Formerly a bathroom and the kids’ room, the master bedroom lacked height. The ground floor was lowered to level the kitchen-living area with the garden and gain more ceiling height here. Part of the ceiling has been removed to reveal the soaring roof rafters and bring the cabin-chic look the couple loves.

FAMILY BATHROOM

The modern bathroom is a new space, created by squaring off the dog-legging, single storey ground floor below and building over it. A wet room finish makes the most of the space, and no-nonsense fittings kept costs down.

See Also: Black and white bathroom ideas for a modern, monochrome look

Children's bedROOM

The design of the cabin-style bunks were inspired by some the owner had slept in on holidays in Cornwall as a child. The ceiling has been removed above the bunks, to create a lofty play space, accessed by a ladder.

DINING AREA

The panelling on the walls of the dining area looks slightly cabiny, slightly cottagey.

Contact Jonathan Douglas at jonathandouglasarchitects.com.

Photography / Paul Massey

Styling / Mary Weaver

See Also: Laid-back Luxe Dining Room Ideas