Victorian Terrace Renovation
Bishopston
A thoughtful design to mix period charm and modern living
This Victorian terrace renovation in Bishopston was a full home transformation — blending original period features with thoughtful updates for modern family life. From restoring the character of the front rooms to reconfiguring the rear layout for better flow, the result is a home that feels both classic and completely liveable.
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.
After renovation
"We have just had a whole house refurb and Ivywell’s design service has been fantastic and exceeded our expectations. Megs was lovely to work with and took our taste and style into consideration to come up with a design that also added sophistication, coordination throughout the house and a real wow factor. She spent many hours refining design choices and was very proactive in getting things achieved. Ivywell managed the whole project very efficiently and ordered many items, including all bathroom fixtures. They ensured that we stayed within our budget and their service was excellent value for money. Regular visits from Megs helped to make a large project into a positive experience. We absolutely love our newly finished home and could not be happier with the beautifully designed interiors."
Before renovation
A Top-to-Bottom Renovation: Transforming a Victorian Gem
Victorian homes are full of charm, but they often come with their fair share of quirks—and this three-storey terrace in Bishopston was no exception. The owners were ready for a full renovation but knew that juggling the process alongside work and family life would be no small feat. With an architect reimagining the layout—opening up the ground floor and adding more natural light—they brought us on board to shape the interiors and bring their vision to life.
Balancing Budgets and Big Ideas
The biggest challenge? Balancing practical upgrades with their interior wish list. Together, we prioritised smart investments like an air source heat pump, underfloor heating, and better insulation—essential features for year-round comfort. We helped the clients navigate trade-offs, scaling back on structural alterations in favour of creating warm, functional living spaces that still felt beautifully designed. After all, there’s no joy in a gorgeous kitchen if you’re too cold to enjoy your morning coffee.
Remodelling Over Extending
The house already had a modest half-width rear extension, so we explored whether a side return extension would truly enhance the way they used the space. By digging into their day-to-day routines, cooking habits, and what mattered most, we collectively decided a smart remodel would be more impactful.
We collaborated with Creative Storage & Kitchens to design a bespoke kitchen that combines painted and natural wood cabinetry, complete with a waterfall-edge breakfast bar. For the worktop, we worked with Bristol-based stone specialists Marmobello to choose an engineered surface that could handle family life—including turmeric spills—with style and durability.
To add a splash of personality, we used Hoxton tiles from Mandarin Stone as a split-height splashback—a playful fusion of vintage and contemporary, echoing the spirit of the home itself.
Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Built-In Solutions
The compact family bathroom was slightly extended and fully refurbished to make the most of every inch. We introduced a tiled-in bath and shower and layered the scheme with Hoxton Peach tiles for a soft splash of colour. A terrazzo-effect floor and half-height wall tile in light grey helped visually expand the space while keeping it playful and practical.
Upstairs, the loft bathroom was transformed into a calming retreat with a walk-in shower, a generously sized wall-mounted basin from Roca, and the dramatic Monteverde marble-effect tile. These large-format tiles add impact to long walls and their melange of pale green and blush veining beautifully ties into the rest of the tonal palette.
The master bedroom in the loft offered great ceiling height but minimal storage. Working again with Creative Storage & Kitchens, we designed a bespoke built-in wardrobe and shelving unit that delivers both beauty and function—perfectly echoing our design ethos.
A Palette with Personality
The clients’ eclectic collection of ceramics and artwork inspired a tonal, earthy palette that carries through the entire home. While walls remain mostly neutral, we added warmth and interest through bolder accents: a vibrant coral pink—‘Raspberry Blush’ by Benjamin Moore—in one of the bedrooms, a nod to the homeowner’s Indian heritage; and ‘Neluwa’ leaf-patterned wallpaper from Casamance in the dining room, offering soft movement and depth.
Even the smallest spaces weren’t overlooked—the cloakroom makes a confident statement with a bold black-and-white wallpaper inspired by the Madhuca tree, bringing drama in just the right measure.
Fabric choices also played a key role in bringing the palette to life. Bespoke curtains, upholstery and ottomans were carefully selected for texture, tone and proportion—ensuring each piece fit beautifully and enhanced the overall feel of the home.
This project was featured on Houzz, the leading platform for home design inspiration, as ‘a masterclass in how to bring a typical Victorian terrace into the 21st century’. Read the full Houzz Tour here.
If you’re planning your own renovation—whether it’s a period property or something entirely different—we’d love to help you bring it to life.
Get in touch and let’s create something thoughtful, personal, and timeless.
