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London victorian townhouse


Victorian Townhouse in London Completely Renovated by LLI Design

Project: Victorian Townhouse
Interior Design: LLI Design
Location: London, United Kingdom
Photos provided by LLI Design

LLI Design have recently completed a total refurbishment of a 3 storey Victorian townhouse on a leafy residential road in Highgate, a desirable residential area of North London. Our clients wanted to create a warm, comfortable home with modern touches. Although the house was in reasonable condition, the joinery and fittings throughout the house were dated, had been well used and looked tired. Many of the period features had been stripped out and those that remained had not been maximised. The house lacked character and personality although it benefited from ‘good bones’, nicely proportioned rooms, a delightful garden and a handsome exterior.

LLI Design felt that more could be made of the period features, enhancing some and reinstating others to bring out more of the Victorian feel of the property. The brief was to create a warm, comfortable and welcoming home referencing and emphasising the house’s Victorian past as well as adding more contemporary elements to the scheme.

Layout
This Victorian Townhouse comprised of c. 2500 sqft / 230 sqm spread out over 3 floors including a cellar and a lovely rear garden.
The ground floor comprised of a generous hall leading to 2 connecting reception rooms and at the end of the hall an extended kitchen. There was a small WC and stairs down to the cellar. It was decided to leave the cellar as it was and use it for additional storage. The first floor is divided into 2 bedroom suites. The Master Suite; comprising a good size principle bedroom with steps down to an ensuite and off the master bedroom, a small dressing room.

We created a Nursery Suite at the front of the house comprising of a sizeable bedroom and an ensuite bathroom. On the half landing up to the second floor is a kid’s bedroom and on the top floor a Family Bathroom, Guest bedroom and a generous Study Room.

Ground Floor – Entrance Hallway
Although the entrance hallway was a good size it lacked character. We reinstated the stained glass in the fan light window above the front door and side window, in a bespoke design, bringing light, colour and texture into the hallway. The original tiled floor had long been removed so we re-tiled the whole of the entrance hall in crisp black and white period tiles with a border pattern. This immediately visually increased the size and lightness of the hall area.

Considering the overall size of the Victorian Townhouse almost no provision had been given to coats storage, so as not to compromise the size of the hall we nibbled a small amount out of the generous dining room adjacent to the hall in order to create a generous cloaks cupboard. This created a small return in the dining room; so that this wasn’t visually intrusive in the dining room we ensured that the coving, skirting and dado detail wrapped seamlessly around the new return. The new return had the added advantage of creating an alcove for a sideboard, thus making the whole alteration seem natural.
We commissioned Nigel Tyas to produce a dramatic copper and glass pendant light in the stairwell that hung from the top floor ceiling down to the ground floor, giving a visual connection and really creating a wow factor.

Ground Floor – Living & Dining Room
In the living and dining rooms we specified new light greyed oak parquet floors and traditional white marble fireplaces, in one of which we installed a wood burning stove.
Bespoke pale grey lacquer joinery was designed and installed either side of the fireplaces in both rooms, incorporating plenty of storage, with asymmetrical shelving which we lit with individual accent in joinery spotlights. At the side of one of the fireplaces we incorporated a black steel log store.

Both the dining and living rooms had the original ornate plaster ceilings, however they had been painted white throughout and were visually lost. We really brought this feature out by painting the plaster relief in close, but contrasting, tones of grey to emphasis the detail.

Ground Floor – Kitchen
The kitchen extension, although a good size, was rather dark, with a wall of folding sliding doors on one side at the back overlooking the garden. The architectural style was traditional and in keeping with the architecture of the Victorian Townhouse.
We enhanced the rear extension by adopting a contemporary aesthetic, installing folding sliding doors in dark grey aluminium on 2 sides, which allowed in copious amounts of light and gave a real sense of connection with the garden.

We redesigned the existing kitchen to suit the family. Creating a bespoke joinery kitchen in lacquer with walnut drawers and interiors. The styling is contemporary classic in soft colours with plenty of storage, including a generous larder and breakfast cupboard to house a kettle and toaster as well as a small wine fridge. Thus eliminating all clutter with everything being behind doors when not required. We specified a boston sink along with a composite worktop and added colour with ceramic deep blue tiles as a back splash. We designed and fabricated bespoke metal brackets from which to suspend 3 glass pendant lights which hover over the island below the glass skylight.

First Floor – Master Suite – Dressing Room
The dressing room was re-designed with bespoke oak full height units to make the most of the space.

First Floor – Master Suite – Master Bedroom
We stripped back and reinstated deep alcoves either side of the bed, giving them lacquer interiors and a shadow gap around. Delicate downlights in the shelves add interest to the room. An accent ceiling light was added for dramatic effect.

First Floor – Master Suite – Master Ensuite
The master ensuite, which overlooked the garden, was re-designed and fitted with a large double wall hung vanity unit, with elegant composite basins on a thick natural stone shelf with a lacquer vanity unit underneath, wall mounted taps and double mirrors above. A sculptural composite free standing bath sits near the window. We specified a large matt tile for the floor, steps and walls, with a contrast ceramic polished narrow rectangular tile for the shower enclosure. Dramatic lighting under the vanity unit and in the shower alcove add to the sense of well being.

First Floor – Nursery Suite (Bedroom 2)
The Nursery suite was redesigned, with playful illustrated cloud roman blinds and a colourful watercolour dot wallpaper. The ensuite bathroom was redesigned featuring a wall hung vanity unit with deck mounted basin and a bath with a shower over.

Second Floor – Bedroom 3
We created a fun playful childs bedroom on the half landing featuring a playful illustrated fox roman blind.

Lighting Design
To enhance the interiors a new lighting scheme was designed and specified including new fittings and garden lighting which adds the feeling of the garden and terrace being an additional “Outdoor room”. An Intelligent Lighting system was installed in order to create moods, ambience and timed events internally and externally, controlled from wall mounted keypads and also by iPads / iPhones.

Summary
By subtle changes to the spaces and by adding texture, color and interesting material choices we were able to create a warm, comfortable and welcoming family home. We have achieved a harmonious and calm aesthetic throughout with modern touches within a timeless design. As with the majority of LLI Design’s projects, the construction, joinery, home automation and landscaping were carried out by our in-house vertically integrated teams – Pegasus Property

Related Articles

A Victorian Townhouse With Rustic-Inspired Interiors Is Available to Rent in London

Conveniently set on Kensington Park Road in London’s vibrant Notting Hill neighborhood, this reimagined Victorian feels worlds away from the city thanks to its serene interiors that channel the English countryside.

Each level of the 2,029-square-foot home in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood incorporates organic materials such as coarsened stone, weathered wood, chalky limewash, and aged copper. 

"The house was designed to create a quiet sanctuary away from the thrum of central London," says the current owner of the 19th-century townhome, which is now available as a short-term rental. "I chose mostly natural, rustic materials because they’re tactile and age beautifully. I wanted the house to feel like it had always looked like this."

"I decided to use textiles instead of framed paintings on the walls," says the owner of the reimagined residence, which is available to rent for £4,750 per week. "The curtains have been sewn together from antique fabrics and raw silk."

The terrace home’s large, open layout spans four levels. On the ground floor, a multifunctional reception room is lined with historic Georgian columns and soft-pink plaster walls. The spacious area includes high ceilings trimmed with intricate cornicing and is anchored by a Calacatta marble fireplace.

In the basement, exposed trusses and blonde wood floors connect the open kitchen and reception room.  

An original fireplace with unfinished concrete edges sits between open shelves in the basement-level living room. Built-in nooks hold collected books and memorabilia. 

Downstairs, the basement houses an open kitchen with elongated marble worktops and a Falcon range. Exposed beams stretch across the ceiling to an adjacent lounge area, where a raw concrete mantel is flanked by open shelves and built-in nooks that hold books and other memorabilia. Blonde wood floors further enhance the rustic aesthetic.

Wood cabinets and marble countertops complement the agate stone-effect backsplash in the kitchen.

A wide basin sink sits at the other end of the L-shaped cabinetry.

Beyond the kitchen, an extended skylight illuminates another gathering area, which presents a cozy window nook near aluminum-framed doors that provide access to the brick-paved backyard garden with a fire pit. "The garden has been planted with bees in mind and is full of rambling jasmine and honeysuckle," notes the owner. "Even the roof of the extension has been turned into a tiny, wild meadow."

A plush reading nook tucked into a cantilevered Corian window overlooks the rear garden.

In total, the home offers three bedrooms, all of which are located on the upper levels. The primary bedroom features built-in, wall-to-wall wardrobes, arched windows, and an en suite bath with a frameless shower and freestanding tub. Raw textures and timber accents continue throughout each of the stripped-back rooms in the home.

Bohemian decor in the primary bedroom matches the home’s neutral palette.

The en suite bathroom includes a frameless shower, freestanding tub, and antique vanity.

A bespoke alcove bedroom clad in timber sits down the hall from the primary suite.

Bespoke cabinetry in the galley-style utility room contrasts with pale-pink and gold finishes.

Kensington Park Road, W11, in London, England, is available to rent from £4,750 per week (approximately $6,426 USD) with Domus Nova.  

Know of a home for sale or rent that should be featured on Dwell.com? Find out how to submit to Dwell.     

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London townhouse in rural style

The kitchen, dining room and small living room are located on the ground floor of the house.

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domusnova

“You don't have to buy a country house to feel like living in the countryside,” decided the owners of this townhouse in London. They looked after a house with an area of ​​186 sq. meters in the Victorian style in London's Notting Hill and turned it into a cozy family haven in a traditional style. If it were not for the view from the window on the busy London streets, one would think that you are in the English outback.

Original fireplace with raw concrete edges, framed on both sides with open shelves. Memorabilia of the owners of the house is kept there.

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domusnova

The carved facades of the kitchen resemble the cut of a precious stone.

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domusnova

A rustic atmosphere cannot exist without the materials that are commonly used to build country houses. In a London townhouse, she is helped to recreate exposed hardwood floors, rough stone, raw wood, chalk lime plaster, aged furniture. “I chose materials that are pleasant to the touch, and also that they age beautifully,” says the hostess of the house. “I wanted to achieve the feeling that the house was not just renovated, but always looked that way.”

In addition to two living rooms, the house has one more room for relaxation.

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domusnova

Bright decor in the bedroom looks advantageous against the backdrop of a neutral palette of materials.

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domusnova

In the bathroom there is an antique cabinet for a sink and a bathtub.

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domusnova

The house has four floors. On the ground floor there is a kitchen with marble countertops and unusual faceted facades, a dining room with a large "rustic" table and a small sitting area with a perfectly preserved 19th century fireplace. On the ground floor is the main living room with authentic Georgian columns and pale pink stucco on the walls.

Photo
domusnova
Photo
domusnova

The bedrooms are located on the upper floors and are decorated in the same rustic style as the rest of the house: simple furniture, rough wood and colorful surfaces, natural. The guest bedroom is housed in an alcove, like in old country houses, and is completely lined with old wooden barn boards.

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domusnova

The guest bedroom in the alcove is finished with barn boards.

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domusnova

Custom-made storage systems are located in the utility room.

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Domusnova

Ilya Polyakov

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