Step inside this Victorian house in northwest London oozing confident holiday style

last updated 13 May 2022

The property

A five-bedroom Victorian house in northwest London. The modern home a double-space living room and an open-plan kitchen-diner, plus a WC on the ground floor. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a family bathroom and a master bedroom suite with a separate WC in the loft. There are also two roof terraces.

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hallway

The prep stages revealed an unexpected gem: a beautifully textured wall in the hallway – the Victorian lime-based primer with a lovely green, mottled effect. The rough texture, like the ruined walls of an Italianate villa, has provided the perfect foil for the owner's collection of glam mirrors from the Forties and Fifties.

The leopard print stair runner is a real Marmite thing – people love it or hate it. Either way, it gets a reaction.

Living room

Two reception rooms were united to make a large living room, while extending into the side return and garden created the kitchen-diner, where the family likes to hang out. A dark walnut flooring was laid throughout this space.

Powdery shades are just the right backdrop for silvered snowflake textures, offset by luxe fabrics and dark stained floorboards.

The pale purple on the walls adds warmth and colour without being overpowering. For Christmas, the owners decorate with sprigs and berries.

KITCHEN-DINER

The owner created the extended space to her own specifications. She wanted an individual kitchen, so sourced items and surfaces herself.

The glass cabinet is from Circus Antiques.

LOFT BATH AREA

The owners also converted the loft and added two roof terraces.

They picked up the retro prints and paintings from markets and second-hand shops

Loft bedroom

The upholstered bed was an eBay find. The couple love its escapist feel, which goes with the room’s atmosphere. Being high up, it feels removed from the everyday.

loft AlCove

This window seat nook has a definite Peter-Pan feel. Decked out in vintage eiderdowns and soft throws, it’s one of the owner's favourite spots.

Photography / James Merrell

See Also: Master Bedroom Ideas - 31 stunning bedroom schemes

Shining a spotlight on the now and the next in home design and decor, Livingetc is the UK's best selling high end and contemporary home design magazine. As a brand, Livingetc showcases the world's very best homes, breaks and makes the trends, and has access to leading international designers for insight and ideas. It was first published in 1998, and is currently edited by Pip Rich.