This Edwardian house was transformed into a large and comfortable house for a family of five. 

The owners met during a production of MacBeth and wanted to create a theatrical living room echoing the dark and moody vibes of the play. We developed a dark colour scheme using Studio Green from Farrow and Ball on the walls. It's a beautifully dark shade with rich pigments that takes the light well to look green in full light and almost black in low light. 

Ashford Design & Build, a Bristol-based bespoke property design and build company, undertook this ambitious renovation. Mark Ashford and his team are experienced in restoring period properties that have been modified, sometimes losing their proportions and features over the years. This home was no different, the large living room had been divided by a partition wall creating a garage and a smaller living room. 

Before: Living room divided

The partition wall was removed, the sash window and chimney breast re-instated to bring back the space to its original proportions. The false ceiling was also removed and the coving replaced to create a decorative ceiling.  

The hallway also got a makeover. The crucial point for the owners was to restore the original floor tiles as the pattern was exactly the same as one of their childhood home.  

Original staircase

The storage cupboard was turned into a toilet and features a vibrant wallpaper from Icelandic artist, Kristjana S Williams. 

The owners had fallen in love with the bold colours and graphics of the wallpaper, and we can see why, however we advised them against placing it on the landing. We felt it would overpower the entrance and take the focus off the floor tiles. Instead, we agreed on the positioning in the toilet where the colours would really come together in this small space. 

Our tip: We love going bold in small spaces. Colours and patterns really take the focus away from the proportions of the space, creating interest and depth. 

As the house features a modern rear extension, we considered how the hallway and staircase would link the dark living room and the bright and open kitchen. We visualised a few concepts to finally agree on Down Pipe, a dramatic lead grey and a stair runner and black taping over white stairs. 

Hallway & Concept Sketch - Ivywell Interiors

The property benefited from a large modern rear extension part of the architectural design from DHV Architects. 

 The kitchen was designed by The Kitchen Partners and wholly embraces a modern feel with beautiful copper accents. We zoned the kitchen space using Grate Black to provide a strong contrast against the light feel of the space. 

 As with any new extensions, the owners are slowly getting used to the space. They selected two large display cabinets through our sourcing service and we are continuing to support them with sourcing styling options. 

Bedrooms and Family Bathroom

It’s not often we get to work on such as large bathroom. DHV Architects opted to knock through the small toilet and bedroom to make a large more comfortable space. The owners were keen to use colour again with an art deco touch.  

We selected a deep green wallpaper from Casadeco to complement the bottle green tiles from Mandarin Stone. The wallpaper features a geometric construction that gives a 3D impression with finely drawn golden lines, great to use in a larger space to provide some structure. We also used textured sheers to frame the free-standing bath complete with gold fittings to embrace the Art Deco luxuriance.

Master Bedroom 

The master bedroom is a calm space with a more traditional style. The existing wardrobes were removed and replaced with built-in wardrobes by Creative Storage and Kitchens. The floor-to-ceiling element isn’t at all overbearing thanks to a wonderfully muted colour palette.  

Guest bedroom

The guest bedroom that doubles up as a home office is equally peaceful thanks to a neutral colour palette. The chimney breast and fireplace were completely re-built and finished off with beautiful tiles.