My Houzz: A Family Home Designed for Living and Working
A house-hunting creative couple find that a locked basement holds the key to their layout needs
Victoria Harrison
August 1, 2017
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
It wasn’t just the high ceilings and period features that sealed the deal for Michelle Kreussel and Wojtek Godzisz when they first saw this four-level Victorian-era home in East Sussex, England. It was also the dark, unconverted basement in the circa 1850 house. The couple knew that space would allow them to create a family home designed for work, rest and play.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Michelle Kreussel, owner of The Fox in the Attic; her musician husband, Wojtek Godzisz; and their daughter, Penelope
Location: St. Leonards, East Sussex, England
Size: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Kreussel and Godzisz got the keys to their new home in December 2013, and from the start, the plan was to turn the run-down basement into two studios — one for each of them, as both work as freelancers in creative fields. But before they tackled that project, the couple needed to address the rest of the house, which had been awkwardly divided up.
There was a kitchen and dining room on the first floor, a living room and bedroom on the second floor, then two more bedrooms at the top of the house. Having the living room upstairs wasn’t ideal, so the couple decided to move it down to the ground floor, which then freed up space for a large master bedroom on the second floor.
Who lives here: Michelle Kreussel, owner of The Fox in the Attic; her musician husband, Wojtek Godzisz; and their daughter, Penelope
Location: St. Leonards, East Sussex, England
Size: Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Kreussel and Godzisz got the keys to their new home in December 2013, and from the start, the plan was to turn the run-down basement into two studios — one for each of them, as both work as freelancers in creative fields. But before they tackled that project, the couple needed to address the rest of the house, which had been awkwardly divided up.
There was a kitchen and dining room on the first floor, a living room and bedroom on the second floor, then two more bedrooms at the top of the house. Having the living room upstairs wasn’t ideal, so the couple decided to move it down to the ground floor, which then freed up space for a large master bedroom on the second floor.
Before: As this photo shows, the soon-to-be living room had been used as a dining room. The kitchen is beyond.
After: By moving the dining table into the kitchen, the couple could convert the dining room into a living room and make the most of the beautifully proportioned space.
The new living room is now bright and welcoming. It’s flooded with light thanks to the large bay window, which is neatly framed in gray shutters. The couple wanted to install shutters rather than curtains throughout the house, but the budget meant they had to tackle that in stages. “We knew exactly what we wanted,” Kreussel says. “We just had to be patient!”
Shutters: Shutterly Fabulous; chandelier: Cox & Cox
Shutters: Shutterly Fabulous; chandelier: Cox & Cox
The couple kept the large wooden doors that divide the living room and kitchen. They can be folded back to connect the two spaces or closed for a cozier atmosphere in the living room.
Wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
Wall paint: Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball
Before: The kitchen felt dated when the family moved in, but renovation would have to wait. One thing the couple were eager to do right away, however, was lighten up the dark-stained wood floors on the first level.
“We contacted a company called Victorian Wood Flooring and they were amazing,” Kreussel says. “They managed to complete the floors before Christmas.”
Floor refinishing: Victorian Wood Flooring
“We contacted a company called Victorian Wood Flooring and they were amazing,” Kreussel says. “They managed to complete the floors before Christmas.”
Floor refinishing: Victorian Wood Flooring
After: Eighteen months after moving in, the couple started the kitchen revamp. The layout remained the same, but the bulky cabinet to the left of range was removed and slimmer cabinets were added, along with cheerful blue subway tile. There’s only one wall cabinet — a vintage piece that adds some character to the space.
A rustic pine table now sits in the center of the kitchen, providing a welcoming spot for family meals. “We wanted the table to be in the kitchen as we both love cooking and having friends over,” Kreussel says. “That’s a key thing for us, so I wanted to create a sociable kitchen space. This is my favorite part of the house now.”
The view back into the living room shows how well the new layout works as a flexible living and dining space. A mustard yellow sofa zones the two spaces, and pale wall colors throughout keep things bright and airy.
Enamel pendant: Nook London
Enamel pendant: Nook London
Before: This little room, which is tucked at the back of the first floor, didn’t have a specific purpose. Rather than just use it as a walkway to the yard, the couple decided to turn it into a reading room.
After: A coat of leafy green paint on the walls and bookshelves on either side of the fireplace helped transform the space. The wall color creates a visual link to the yard and helps create a cozy feel inside.
The gallery wall features photos and artwork, and the armchairs offer the perfect spot for a cup of coffee and a moment of peace and quiet.
Wall paint: Breakfast Room Green, Farrow & Ball
The gallery wall features photos and artwork, and the armchairs offer the perfect spot for a cup of coffee and a moment of peace and quiet.
Wall paint: Breakfast Room Green, Farrow & Ball
A view of the hallway off the reading room. The front door is directly ahead and the living room and kitchen are to the left.
A vintage pew and coat rack in the narrow hallway provide storage and seating without taking up too much space.
The second floor is now home to the master bedroom, daughter Penelope’s bedroom and a family bathroom. The master bedroom, shown here, is at the front of the house, in what used to be the living room.
A large bay window faces out toward the sea, letting in plenty of natural light. The armoire is an antiques shop find, as are many of the pieces in the house.
A large bay window faces out toward the sea, letting in plenty of natural light. The armoire is an antiques shop find, as are many of the pieces in the house.
Before: This photo shows how the room was being used when the couple first saw the house.
The walls of the master bedroom are painted a soothing putty shade that was inspired by the decorating process. “When we took the existing wallpaper off, we revealed the plaster underneath,” Kreussel says. “I loved the color, so when I saw that Farrow & Ball did a color called Setting Plaster, I knew I had to use that on the walls!”
Wall paint: Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball; chandelier: John Lewis
Wall paint: Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball; chandelier: John Lewis
The chest of drawers and small armoire are also antiques store finds. Kreussel isn’t afraid to use bold paint to give an antique a new lease on life, and the mustard yellow of this armoire adds some zing to the room’s otherwise restful palette.
The large family bathroom at the rear of the second floor has been decorated simply with a coat of light gray paint on the walls.
The couple asked family members for help with the painting. “My mum, aunt and brother helped a lot with all the painting,” Kreussel says.
The couple asked family members for help with the painting. “My mum, aunt and brother helped a lot with all the painting,” Kreussel says.
Next to the master bedroom is Penelope’s room, which features bright colors and cheerful accessories. A soft buttercup yellow on the walls acts as a soothing backdrop to the bold prints and textiles.
Wall paint: Pale Hound, Farrow & Ball
Wall paint: Pale Hound, Farrow & Ball
A striking wallpaper covers one wall of her room. “My mum helped me to hang the wallpaper,” Kreussel says. “It was rather stressful as it’s a quite expensive paper, so I couldn’t afford to buy extra rolls. As such, we couldn’t afford to make any mistakes!”
Charles Voysey Alice in Wonderland wallpaper: Trustworth Studios
Charles Voysey Alice in Wonderland wallpaper: Trustworth Studios
On the third floor are two bedrooms and a bathroom, which the couple decorated in cheerful colors.
This guest room is painted a beautiful pale blue, which is elevated with bright accents of mustard yellow.
Wall paint: Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball
This guest room is painted a beautiful pale blue, which is elevated with bright accents of mustard yellow.
Wall paint: Parma Gray, Farrow & Ball
The walls in the second guest room are a soft apple green, which mirrors the leafy view from the window. The duvet cover adds interest and pattern.
In the corner, an armoire painted in a rich red adds an unexpected twist — a signature element of Kreussel’s decorating style.
Vintage light fixture: Industville; wall paint: Cooking Apple Green, Farrow & Ball
In the corner, an armoire painted in a rich red adds an unexpected twist — a signature element of Kreussel’s decorating style.
Vintage light fixture: Industville; wall paint: Cooking Apple Green, Farrow & Ball
The guest bathroom on the top floor is done in crisp white and gray.
In the basement, Kreussel and Godzisz have carved out space for a studio each, as well as a utility and storage room.
When they first viewed the property, the door to the basement was locked and they couldn’t gain access, but they knew the space would have lots of potential. It was in a bad state, though — it needed new plumbing and electricity, the walls had to be replastered and the floor needed replacing.
Basement renovation: Browns Carpentry and Construction
When they first viewed the property, the door to the basement was locked and they couldn’t gain access, but they knew the space would have lots of potential. It was in a bad state, though — it needed new plumbing and electricity, the walls had to be replastered and the floor needed replacing.
Basement renovation: Browns Carpentry and Construction
Kreussel runs her business, The Fox in the Attic, from the front studio, making pillows, home accessories and hand-painted greeting cards. “I always dreamed of having my own studio and now I have it!” she says.
The space is light and bright and packed with inspirational photos and objects, as well as the tools of Kreussel’s trade.
The space is light and bright and packed with inspirational photos and objects, as well as the tools of Kreussel’s trade.
Next door is Godzisz’s music studio, overlooking the backyard.
With a lot of hard work and a clear creative vision, the couple created a warm and welcoming family home, perfectly set up for both work and family life.
“Working from home means we can both take turns with childcare,” Kreussel says. “When you’re a parent and also a self-employed person, you have to find a routine that works for you, but it’s important to find time for both roles.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
“Working from home means we can both take turns with childcare,” Kreussel says. “When you’re a parent and also a self-employed person, you have to find a routine that works for you, but it’s important to find time for both roles.”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Love your home too. Good for you for wanting to be there for your child. You want your values to be learned by her-not somebody else's.
This is definitely one of the most authentic homes I've seen on Houzz.com. It is lovely, but doesn't look "decorated". While I am normally not a fan of wallpaper, what they did in the little girl's room, c'est très charmant. (When I find something to be totally charming, I feel the need to express it in French because it seems to add a certain je ne sais quoi.)
How lovely to see a family create their dream. The house has got great bones but I think they have really given it a new welcoming warm update. Beautiful and obviously a labour of love...