Nordically inspired Victorian terrace house makeover

ARTICLE Anya Kussler IMAGES JLB Property Developments 

When faced with the task of giving a rundown Victorian home in the West London suburb of Chiswick a spruce-up, lead architect Reuben Spiring embraced the challenge. 
As per the brief, the aim of the £350,000 renovation was first and foremost to develop the 149sqm property by creating more space and light, as well as making it function better as a family home for the owners at the time. 
“When the family bought the property it needed full refurbishment, from the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas right down to the ironmongery that was chosen,” Reuben explains. “We wanted to equip the family with an easy functioning family house with a modern twist, whilst still retaining the original features of the Victorian terraced house.” 

One of the considerations behind maintaining some of the Victorian features was that it would be in keeping with the overall feel and look of its surroundings.
Chiswick is a suburb that’s known for its many Victorian terraced houses nestled amongst tree-lined streets, as well as a number of good schools that make the area popular with families. On top of that, it’s also an entertainment hub with no shortage of cafes, restaurants and bars.

To fulfil the family’s needs of increased space and light, a side return, loft featuring skylights and studio were added, while an extension into the garden provides more kitchen and also family space. As a result, the final conversion, set over three levels, now comprises four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a reception area, kitchen and dining space as well as an outdoor studio. 
Being a Scandinavian design company, it comes as no surprise that this conversion is largely Nordically inspired. Straight, clean lines and a natural colour palette extend throughout the home, ranging from light grey or nude slats in the living area and kitchen to white, cream or grey walls. Rectangular grey tiles and marble wall and floor tiles add a fresh sense of luxury to the bathrooms, while soft furnishings are sleek, simple yet elegant in soft shades of white or grey, with bespoke white and cream joinery throughout. 

At the same time, the Scandinavian design elements were tailored around – and balance extremely well – with existing traditional Victorian features such as the original marble fireplace, the linear detail along the walls and ceilings, the original taps in the bathroom and the piece de resistance, a grey and white claw-foot bath.
The design and planning phase lasted for about three months, Reuben says, "While the renovation took a reasonable eight months to complete." This is not a mean feat in a city where limited parking and tight roads can easily put a spanner in the works of any construction, making deliveries of materials and access a challenge.

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This article by Anya Kussler featured on page 82 in Issue 022 of Renovate Magazine. Renovate Magazine is an easy to use resource providing fresh inspiration and motivation at every turn of the page. This is not a Refresh Renovations case study. 

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