Houzz Tour: A 1960s House Gets an Update for 21st-Century Living
Plywood storage units add modern-day convenience, while retro colors and laminates stay true to the home’s era
Lara Sargent
October 29, 2017
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
When Carol Pitcher-Towner and her husband, Cris Towner, were looking for a new home, they were thrilled to get their hands on a 1960s Span house. Named after the development company co-founded by renowned British designer and architect Eric Lyons in 1948, Span houses are considered classics, and are sought after for their modern design, space, light and well-planned interiors. The couple loved not only the house, but also its 5 acres of landscaped gardens. Only one thing disappointed them: “Many of the original features had sadly gone,” says interior designer Deborah Moor, who helped with the home’s renovation. “Carol and Cris hoped to restore some of the charm but also add interest. They were keen to have a home that was true to the original design but also fun, relaxing and practical.”
Photos by Anna Stathaki
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Carol Pitcher-Towner; Cris Towner, owner of Bicycle Tribe; and their two daughters, ages 12 and 15
Location: Taplow, England
Size: Three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms
Designers: Deborah Moor and Caroline Nicholls of Slightly Quirky
Since their home is part of the architecturally significant 1960s Cedar Chase estate, Pitcher-Towner and Towner wanted the renovation to be sympathetic to that era, but they also wanted a home that was practical for modern-day living. They’ve pulled off this tricky balance.
“Internally, there were no building restrictions,” Moor says. “Because of this, we made a few structural changes, including squaring off archways for a more modern look, and replacing full-height walls with half walls and adding pocket doors to make the home more open-plan and to create an easy-on-the-eye flow.” The light and airy living room is a master class in midcentury modern design, with its classic pieces of furniture and retro colors.
Curtain fabric: Robert Allen
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Carol Pitcher-Towner; Cris Towner, owner of Bicycle Tribe; and their two daughters, ages 12 and 15
Location: Taplow, England
Size: Three bedrooms, 1½ bathrooms
Designers: Deborah Moor and Caroline Nicholls of Slightly Quirky
Since their home is part of the architecturally significant 1960s Cedar Chase estate, Pitcher-Towner and Towner wanted the renovation to be sympathetic to that era, but they also wanted a home that was practical for modern-day living. They’ve pulled off this tricky balance.
“Internally, there were no building restrictions,” Moor says. “Because of this, we made a few structural changes, including squaring off archways for a more modern look, and replacing full-height walls with half walls and adding pocket doors to make the home more open-plan and to create an easy-on-the-eye flow.” The light and airy living room is a master class in midcentury modern design, with its classic pieces of furniture and retro colors.
Curtain fabric: Robert Allen
“For the color palette, we looked back at the colors of the 1960s — earthy tones like olive, red and orange — for inspiration,” Moor says. “The wallpaper is sea grass, inspired by the Hessian wallpapers of the era.”
Signature chairs and coffee table: Carl Hansen & Son; AJ floor lamp: Louis Poulsen; wallpaper: Thibaut
Signature chairs and coffee table: Carl Hansen & Son; AJ floor lamp: Louis Poulsen; wallpaper: Thibaut
The house had very little storage, so introducing it was a priority. In the living room, plywood, which was the project’s main material, was used to create a versatile storage unit. “Carol and Cris like plywood,” Moor says. “It’s also easy to work with and offers beautiful detail and texture.”
With a solid birch plywood frame, the custom unit has concealed supports for the shelves and built-in lighting to ensure a slick but practical piece. Neutral-colored laminate doors complete the 1960s feel.
Design Workshop: Plywood as Finish
With a solid birch plywood frame, the custom unit has concealed supports for the shelves and built-in lighting to ensure a slick but practical piece. Neutral-colored laminate doors complete the 1960s feel.
Design Workshop: Plywood as Finish
The door into the hallway was replaced with a floor-to-ceiling pocket door. “The pocket door helps to create an open-plan feel on the ground floor when it’s opened,” Moor says.
“But you have the option of being able to close it off during the evening for a cozier, private ambiance,” she adds.
Discover the Ins and Outs of Pocket Doors
Discover the Ins and Outs of Pocket Doors
An arched wall into the dining area, which is just off the living room, was squared off and framed in plywood for a clean, modern silhouette and to echo the design details throughout the ground floor.
The effortlessly stylish dining area continues the same design scheme as the living room, with sisal wallcovering and classic Scandinavian furniture.
“I love how the ground floor flows,” Moor says. “There are individual spaces that are relatively open-plan, but they all flow well together. The color palette, natural materials and textures help connect each space.” The newly laid English elm floor also links the living spaces.
Dining table and chairs: Carl Hansen & Son; pendant light: Tom Dixon; Shang extra-fine sisal wallcovering: Thibaut; flooring: Sutton Timber
“I love how the ground floor flows,” Moor says. “There are individual spaces that are relatively open-plan, but they all flow well together. The color palette, natural materials and textures help connect each space.” The newly laid English elm floor also links the living spaces.
Dining table and chairs: Carl Hansen & Son; pendant light: Tom Dixon; Shang extra-fine sisal wallcovering: Thibaut; flooring: Sutton Timber
The shelving unit above the peninsula is a new addition where a full-height wall once stood. Not only do the homeowners get more storage, but they also get a space that is lighter and airier. The unit has LEDs that help create layers of lighting in the dining area and kitchen.
Door fronts with integrated grip handles are covered in the same laminate as the storage unit in the living room for continuity. “The kitchen is completely bespoke and handmade from birchwood ply,” Moor says. “Cris really wanted a red cooker, so we worked it into the design.”
Countertops: Caesarstone; laminate door fronts in Feutre F026 and Camouflage C035: Polyrey; Delphi range: Britannia; see other red ranges
Countertops: Caesarstone; laminate door fronts in Feutre F026 and Camouflage C035: Polyrey; Delphi range: Britannia; see other red ranges
A cluttered office space on the first floor became a stylish and organized work hub. “We designed the built-in desk from plywood and spray-painted it in white. The doors are laminate,” Moor says.
The chair was reupholstered in a textured, moss-colored fabric.
Kintore fabric in Sahara: Romo
The chair was reupholstered in a textured, moss-colored fabric.
Kintore fabric in Sahara: Romo
A detail shot of a drawer in the office desk shows the plywood layers.
At the other end of the office is a custom daybed designed by Slightly Quirky. It makes this room a very multifunctional space.
“It also means that Carol and Cris’ girls can have separate bedrooms as they get older,” Moor says. “So far, they still enjoy each other’s company, but that might change.”
A retro-print Roman shade, striped pillows and floral artwork create a relaxing space for work and sleep.
Fabrics: Robert Allen
“It also means that Carol and Cris’ girls can have separate bedrooms as they get older,” Moor says. “So far, they still enjoy each other’s company, but that might change.”
A retro-print Roman shade, striped pillows and floral artwork create a relaxing space for work and sleep.
Fabrics: Robert Allen
Fabric-effect porcelain tiles in the bathroom tie in with the textured sea grass and sisal wallcoverings downstairs. A wall-hung vanity unit and toilet maintain the neat, clean lines.
Tile: Mandarin Stone
Tile Trends: Styles You Need to Know | Browse wall-hung toilets
Tile: Mandarin Stone
Tile Trends: Styles You Need to Know | Browse wall-hung toilets
The children’s bedroom has been totally transformed with a mezzanine level and built-in cabinets.
“Carol and Cris had asked us if we thought a mezzanine would work, so we came up with this idea,” Moor says. “It creates a private, quiet space where their younger daughter can leave her toys out, knowing no one will walk in and disturb them.”
Wallpaper: MissPrint; headboard fabric: Robert Allen
“Carol and Cris had asked us if we thought a mezzanine would work, so we came up with this idea,” Moor says. “It creates a private, quiet space where their younger daughter can leave her toys out, knowing no one will walk in and disturb them.”
Wallpaper: MissPrint; headboard fabric: Robert Allen
A graphic floral-print wallpaper creates a striking feature in the master bedroom.
Summer Lily wallpaper: Cole & Son; pendant lights: Original BTC
Summer Lily wallpaper: Cole & Son; pendant lights: Original BTC
A slim desk and chair occupy a spot by the window. It’s the perfect place to get ready in the morning or do some work.
Plywood is a unifying theme throughout the home.
A refreshed staircase includes a custom handrail complete with LED lighting designed by Towner.
This is the rear of the revamped house, with a glimpse of the 5-acre property.
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Thank you so much. We really did enjoy working on this project and is still one of our favourites.
Hi there!
Always was wondering how this houses look like inside and finally I have this opportunity - thank you. I like this project very much. Its a great sample when exterior and interior compliment each other and create a great harmony.
Absolutely fabulous. These 'estates' that incorporate cluster homes into large landscaped gardens are so rare. Getting your hands on one is a privilege. Definitely worth compromises in space.