Color magic – how bold and unexpected choices fill this townhouse with joy

Living nearby, the owners of this home would often admire the imposing Arts and Crafts houses with their impressive façades and picturesque gardens in a leafy west London suburb. So when the couple had the chance to own a home on their favorite street, they jumped at the chance. 

While the previous owners had maintained the house well, the sleek, minimal interiors meant some of the original fireplaces had been removed and the period flooring damaged. 

Fortunately for the couple their interior designer friend Brooke Copp-Barton is an advocate of restoring period properties back to their former glory, so they enlisted her help in reinstating authentic features to bring the house back to life and reflect its Arts and Crafts heritage. Equally important was creating a comfortable and functional family home. 

The results speak for themselves: the home's playful colorschemes, beautiful fabrics and wallcoverings, and striking tiles all add up to make this one of the world's best homes. We've picked out our highlights. 

Entryway

Bert & May Victoriana tiles welcome you into the bright and cheerful hallway of this house where pattern – and color – are key. A pink armchair and mint green cushion herald the striking pink and green colorscheme glimpsed through the kitchen doorway. The best hallway ideas find a way of turning the entryway into a room in itself – here, it's that inviting armchair that does the trick. 

Colorful kitchen

A bespoke island unit was designed to fit in the centre of the long, narrow kitchen, to offer another eating spot and extra storage. The island is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Calke Green, with the window frames picked out in the same impactful shade, balancing the look across the room. 

Needless to say, top of this couple's list of kitchen ideas was the unusual color combination. Green is a favorite color for the homeowners and it gets a bold, retro rethink in the kitchen combined with pink and blues. 

Adding a rustic touch at one end of the island is a vintage cabinet, bought from a specialist online antiques site. The pendant fittings above are vintage factory lights. 

The previous owners' sleek, gloss kitchen was replaced with bespoke painted wooden cabinetry more in keeping with the period style. Painted in Little Greene’s Puck, the units have been teamed with a Caesarstone worktop that’s incredibly durable and ideal for busy family kitchens

Diner-style breakfast nook

Despite the kitchen's awkward shape, the family were determined to have somewhere they could sit and eat together. There's plenty to inspire here for anyone looking for dining room ideas. The ultimate in retro diner-style, this bespoke banquette breakfast nook, featuring pink leather seating is a masterstroke and offers a versatile dining spot that’s ideal for quick meals or can be dressed up for formal occasions. The wall lights are vintage fittings and the blind fabric is from Vanderhurd. The paneling is painted in Setting Plaster, while the walls are painted in Vert de Terre, both Farrow & Ball. 

Family living room

The family room is the owner's favorite of the two sitting rooms and features an antique armchair in a striking polka dot print. Living room ideas for this much-used room include custom-built joinery to provide smart alcove storage for the family’s books. 

The family living room is a cosy, inviting space for everyone to enjoy. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue, with reds, pinks and a modern over-dyed Afghan rug to warm the cool blue backdrop. The curtain fabric is Marmorata in Russet from William Yeoward, and a new lamp shade from Fermoie has been added to an old lamp base 

Formal living room

In the formal living room, a mid-century sideboard offers a wonderful setting for the owners’ art collection, while the walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Off White and woodwork in Old White, lets the art bring the impact. A decorative Victorian style fireplace has been reinstated to give the room back its heart.

Bold and bright primary bedroom

The primary bedroom (above) and guest room (below) are full of inspiring bedroom ideas. Set against walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue, a bespoke red velvet headboard sets a decadent tone in the main bedroom, while co-ordinating pillows add an extra layer of comfort and color. The bedside tables were sourced online. The lampshades are from Rosi de Ruig.

Pastel guest room

Pretty Beech wallpaper from Lewis & Wood is teamed with curtains in fabric from Christopher Farr Cloth for an elegant look in the guest room. The lampshade is from Rosi du Ruig and the bedside table is a vintage piece. Be warned though, with accommodation like this guests may want to stay for some time! 

Bathroom inspiration

Blue and green should never be seen? We disagree. Bathroom ideas here include these exquisite shades and patterns that complement each other perfectly. The vibrant scene features Green Santana tiles in the shower and Blue Siham tiles for the basin backsplash, both from Bert & May. The vanity unit is a converted Arts and Crafts cabinet. 

Designer: Brooke Copp-Barton

Original feature: Louise O'Bryan