Period Family Home Remodel Henleaze
A thoughtful interior & remodel for a period home
This charming period property in Henleaze, Bristol, had gone through a full renovation previously. It had great bones but needed a fresh layout and thoughtful interior updates to suit the needs of a growing family. Our role was to guide the homeowners through the redesign process, supporting them with space planning, furniture sourcing, and finishes that reflected their style while respecting the character of the home.
"Ivywell helped us make our new home ours. They helped us with choosing new colours for the house and redesigning a few rooms. We wanted a hotel feel bedroom and a nursery in neutral colours that will grow with our baby. They made the two rooms look amazing and exactly like we imagined them to be. Ivywell also put us in touch with various other people that they work with and we had an amazing build in wardrobe built in our bedroom and beautiful curtains & blinds throughout the house. Communication was very easy and the whole team was there to help through the project. We love our home and we are so happy that we found Ivywell to help us make our dream home come true".
Bringing Colour and Character to a Period Property
Nestled in the heart of Henleaze, with its bustling high street and charming cafés, this period property was ideal for the lovely couple and their young child to create their dream family home. With an impressive art collection to showcase, we knew colour would play a starring role in making the space feel both curated and deeply personal.
Every design and style decision was shaped by the clients’ vision and our guidance to create a warm, functional and characterful home. We worked collaboratively with them and the contractor at every stage to ensure the interiors didn’t just look beautiful, but truly worked for their everyday lives.
Reimagining the Ground Floor: Practicality Meets Personality
The ground floor featured an open-plan kitchen-diner and a snug at the rear. The couple had a few cherished furniture pieces they were keen to keep (and we’re all for personality!). Out went the banquette seating—practical, yes, the space was generous enough to comfortably accommodate their beautiful teak and glass dining table and chairs from Raft Furniture. We added soft voile curtains in the sunroom to gently filter the light and repositioned the sofa to face the garden—perfect for keeping an eye on their little one exploring outdoors.
Creating Flow and Focus in the Living Room
While the kitchen was scheduled for a light refresh, our attention turned to improving the flow between the living room and the rest of the ground floor. With its generous proportions, high ceilings, and beautiful period fireplace, this space had all the right ingredients—it just needed a few standout pieces to bring it together.
The existing sofas were reoriented to face each other, creating a layout centred on connection, conversation, and play – with the TV tucked in the corner. This setup invites family time and makes space for relaxed moments with their young child. Anchored by a statement chandelier, the room now feels open, welcoming, and perfectly in tune with the rest of this thoughtfully redesigned period home.
Designing a Calm Light-Filled Master Bedroom
Upstairs, the brief was simple: a light, airy master suite to contrast the darker tones found elsewhere in the home. We love a neutral bedroom, but we know it takes texture and layering to avoid it feeling flat.
Soft voile panels add privacy, while full-length wave curtains bring an elegant softness to the space. A subtly textured wallpaper from Casamance adds depth without overpowering the room. The existing built-in wardrobe lacked functionality, so we collaborated with our trusted partner, Creative Storage & Kitchens, to design a bespoke solution tailored perfectly to the couple’s needs.
A Nursery Designed to Grow with the Family
Just across the landing, we designed a calm but playful nursery. We kept the layout open and the colour palette neutral, ensuring the space could evolve as the baby grows. But we couldn’t resist a little fun—a dreamy cloud-motif wallpaper on the ceiling, Casadeco ‘Nuage’, which adds a whimsical touch. Our curtain maker also created blackout roman blinds on the bay window to ensure everyone would get their beauty sleep.
A Seamless, Stree-Free Project from Start to Finish
With work and family commitments to juggle, the homeowners trusted us to fully manage the project implementation. From coordinating trades and joiners to sourcing bespoke window treatments, we oversaw every detail—making the process smooth and stress-free.
Thanks to our trusted network of local partners, we were able to deliver a result that felt not just beautiful, but genuinely personal. From the built-in wardrobe to the finishing touches, every element was brought together with care and collaboration
Design that fits your life—not just your floor plan.
If you’re juggling a busy life but want a home that feels calm, considered, and completely ‘you’, we’re here to help. From the big picture to the little details, we’ll guide you through it.