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Houzz Tour: Rich Color Breathes Life Into a Period Home
Teal, coral, aqua and dark blue run through this family home, giving it cohesion and style
With builders on site and a third child on the way, the owners of this house in a London suburb lost no time in asking interior designer Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors to help them realize their plans for a modern and stylish family home. A first-floor rear addition was already well underway, creating space for a large open-plan kitchen-dining area. But with a young family to look after and endless decisions and schedules to manage, the couple soon felt overwhelmed and knew they needed some professional guidance.
Altarafi decided to use different shades of blue throughout the house to link the rooms together. She also wanted the overall feel to be bold and modern, with fun colorful accents.
“We were keen to bring in some playfulness but retain the classic elements in keeping with the period of the house,” she says.
In the formal living room, a coral pink sofa with sumptuous button detailing exudes luxury and is flanked by furniture with warm brass details. A landscape painting in pastel shades subtly links the room colors together.
Table lamp: Pooky
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“We were keen to bring in some playfulness but retain the classic elements in keeping with the period of the house,” she says.
In the formal living room, a coral pink sofa with sumptuous button detailing exudes luxury and is flanked by furniture with warm brass details. A landscape painting in pastel shades subtly links the room colors together.
Table lamp: Pooky
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The front living room’s marble fire surround and wood-burning stove were added to create a cozy focal point and a subtle sense of grandeur.
Built-in storage in the alcove and louvered shutters on the windows help keep the look neat and clutter-free. The striking, multi-armed pendant light picks up on the warm wood tones and rich gold touches.
Will These Soothing and Rich Paint Colors Define 2021?
Built-in storage in the alcove and louvered shutters on the windows help keep the look neat and clutter-free. The striking, multi-armed pendant light picks up on the warm wood tones and rich gold touches.
Will These Soothing and Rich Paint Colors Define 2021?
The family living area leads off the kitchen-dining area addition and doubles as a playroom. Neat, boxy seating in a mix of fabrics and colors creates a comfortable space for the family to unwind together.
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
A clever mix of open and closed storage runs along one side of the family living area and makes a stunning display space, as well as providing valuable toy storage.
The deep blue-black cabinetry highlights the treasured items on display. Thanks to the simple paneled door fronts and moldings, it also fills the large space with character without being overpowering.
Cabinetry paint: Basalt, Little Greene
The deep blue-black cabinetry highlights the treasured items on display. Thanks to the simple paneled door fronts and moldings, it also fills the large space with character without being overpowering.
Cabinetry paint: Basalt, Little Greene
The light-filled back addition was newly built when Altarafi started working with the family. “There were builders on site and key decisions needed to be made, particularly with the lighting,” she says. “Together we planned out where to place statement pendants and wall lights and created layers of task and ambient lighting for different times of day.”
Wall sconces: Fritz Fryer; wall paint: Loft White, Little Greene
Wall sconces: Fritz Fryer; wall paint: Loft White, Little Greene
Subtly dividing the open-plan addition into distinct areas helps the family make the most of their modernized home. A central kitchen island not only provides casual seating and prep space, it helps safely separate cooking from socializing.
Altarafi sprayed the spindle-back dining chairs the same deep blue-black shade as the built-in storage in the adjacent family living area.
Faucet: Quooker
Altarafi sprayed the spindle-back dining chairs the same deep blue-black shade as the built-in storage in the adjacent family living area.
Faucet: Quooker
Although the kitchen cabinets had already been chosen and the layout decided, Altarafi guided her clients through choosing countertops, the backsplash and other features.
The island’s base cabinets were painted in the same shade as the living area’s built-in storage for continuity and flow, while a row of barstools with a trio of glass globe pendant lights above adds drama and personality.
Kartell Masters bar stools: Barker and Stonehouse; pendant lights: Fritz Fryer
The island’s base cabinets were painted in the same shade as the living area’s built-in storage for continuity and flow, while a row of barstools with a trio of glass globe pendant lights above adds drama and personality.
Kartell Masters bar stools: Barker and Stonehouse; pendant lights: Fritz Fryer
An alcove in the addition makes the perfect home working and studying spot. Natural light floods in from the roof window above, making it a bright and uplifting space that’s also conveniently close to the kitchen and tea kettle.
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The utility room connects the kitchen and hallway and provides valuable extra storage and workspace. The built-in cabinetry was painted in the same deep blue-black shade as the kitchen cabinets and shelving unit for continuity.
Encaustic floor tiles were added for their bold pattern and a nod to period style. “The owners were rather nervous of how practical these encaustic cement floor tiles would be,” Altarafi says. “But with five coats of sealant, they perform perfectly.”
Floor tile: London Encaustic; cabinetry: Amazing Spaces Kitchens & Interiors
Encaustic floor tiles were added for their bold pattern and a nod to period style. “The owners were rather nervous of how practical these encaustic cement floor tiles would be,” Altarafi says. “But with five coats of sealant, they perform perfectly.”
Floor tile: London Encaustic; cabinetry: Amazing Spaces Kitchens & Interiors
An elegant powder room sits neatly under the stairs. A wall-hung sink and a sliding pocket door make the most of the compact space.
Altarafi suggested a warm color combination of blush pink and gray and paired it with smart chrome hardware and the white sink for a fresh look.
Wall tile: Topps Tiles; wall paint: Calamine, Farrow & Ball; sink: Burlington
Altarafi suggested a warm color combination of blush pink and gray and paired it with smart chrome hardware and the white sink for a fresh look.
Wall tile: Topps Tiles; wall paint: Calamine, Farrow & Ball; sink: Burlington
In the hallway, Altarafi picked out the wood paneling in blue to visually link the rooms and levels together. “We wanted a restrained use of color in the hallway but felt the blue added a fine thread that runs throughout the house,” she says.
Engineered wood flooring: Havwoods; wall paint: Long Acre, Mylands; stair runner: Alternative Flooring
Designer Tips for Creating a Coordinated Color Palette
Engineered wood flooring: Havwoods; wall paint: Long Acre, Mylands; stair runner: Alternative Flooring
Designer Tips for Creating a Coordinated Color Palette
The mood in the couple’s bedroom is peaceful. Period details, including the original fireplace, picture rails and baseboards, have been subtly highlighted with a pale neutral color palette.
Built-in storage makes good use of an alcove, while a narrow console table sits beneath the window to provide an extra surface without being bulky.
Cabinetry: Build Up City Construction; walls paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
Built-in storage makes good use of an alcove, while a narrow console table sits beneath the window to provide an extra surface without being bulky.
Cabinetry: Build Up City Construction; walls paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
Blush, teal and aqua bed linens continue the blue palette but with a sophisticated and slightly softer twist. The tall buttoned headboard adds to the plush feel without appearing fussy.
Table lamps: Pooky
Table lamps: Pooky
“The bathroom layout was largely dictated by the existing waste pipework,” Altarafi says. The space is large enough to fit a bath and a walk-in shower enclosure, but the aim was to streamline the finish while retaining a slight period feel.
A back-to-wall toilet and a sink with washstand help keep a light, spacious feel, while deep blue walls add definition.
Floor tile: London Encaustic
A back-to-wall toilet and a sink with washstand help keep a light, spacious feel, while deep blue walls add definition.
Floor tile: London Encaustic
A herringbone tile pattern adds texture and interest to the classic bathroom. The traditional basin complete with stepped moulding and crosshead taps accentuates the period feel.
Wall paint: Juniper Ash, Little Greene; wall lights: Fritz Fryer
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Wall paint: Juniper Ash, Little Greene; wall lights: Fritz Fryer
More on Houzz
Read more stories about homes around the world
Find design and remodeling professionals near you
Shop for home products
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A young professional couple with three children
Location: Beckenham, Kent, England
Size: Five bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer: Clare Altarafi of Clare Elise Interiors
The couple fell in love with the Victorian property’s well-proportioned rooms and period details and wanted to include these in their extensive update. “The plan was to totally refurb the ground and first floors, as they were rather battered and bruised,” Altarafi says. “Also, they wanted to make best use of the new extension and integrate it into the adjacent living areas.”
The front living room was designated as a grown-up space. The owners love blue and teal shades so Altarafi took the opportunity to add a deep, restful blue to the walls.
Wall paint: Inchyra Blue, Farrow & Ball
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