A Victorian family home in London receives a refreshing color injection – here's how the owners perfected the balance of form and function

Comfort and joy are at the heart of the house design of this three-bedroom, classic Victorian property in southwest London. Along with this, a palpable sense of calm, and a distinct nod to practicality, too.

‘The clients had owned their much-loved home for 20 years but wanted to change it to today’s way of living and make it feel more cozy,’ explains Sophie Eadie, co-founder with Fi Crole, of interior design studio Eadie & Crole, who were commissioned to inject this house design with a new lease of life and transform it into a welcoming home brimming with character.

Sophie continues, ‘Apart from a side kitchen extension, the owners hadn’t touched the place in more than 20 years.’ Additional storage ideas were essential and the designers swathed the walls with paneling ‘that you can hide cupboards in,’ says Fi. ‘We made the house somewhere that the homeowners could use properly as there were so many areas that they weren’t utilizing. Every square centimeter is now used.’

In the main bedroom, for instance, bespoke wardrobes conceal a TV so the clients can watch it in bed. ‘The doors fold back fully, and then we styled up the space so that you’re looking at books when the doors are open,’ says Sophie.

Upstairs in the main suite, extra bedroom storage was provided under the bed, which lifts, and in the ottoman at the end of the bed. Changes to the layout were a prerequisite. There were two underused spaces in the house that the clients wanted to maximize – the rear of the double reception room, plus an upstairs second back bedroom that was mainly used for storage.

The house had a small half-landing bathroom and the solution was to transform the second back bedroom into a much-needed en suite for the main bedroom. An arch now frames the bath, with cupboards on either side, while vanity mirrors above the double console basin open to reveal storage behind.

The rear reception downstairs was transformed into a dining space with a generous banquette seat and table tucked into a corner, ensuring the area isn’t cluttered with chairs while providing an abundance of seating. ’We’re real banquette people,’ explains Fi.

Elegant glazed cabinets flank the fireplace and provide plentiful storage. In addition, the kitchen became a multifunctional space. Eadie & Crole altered the layout, with a small breakfast nook located beside the window to provide a handy spot for coffee, while a bespoke desk area offers a work-from-home space.

‘It was touch and go whether we could fit the breakfast nook in but actually it works really well. Sometimes when you have a tight space, one or two large pieces work better than lots of little things.

We have a large island and the nook, and now the kitchen functions at its capacity,’ says Fi. Soft colors infuse the interior, balanced by playful touches. ‘We knew our client wanted a home that was welcoming but had the wow factor so we installed a yellow runner up the stairs, which brings surprise and energy,’ says Sophie.

‘We then introduced a nod to yellow in most of the rooms.’ In the kitchen, for instance, the interior of the breakfast bar cupboards are painted yellow. And pops of yellow appear on the editor’s chairs in the sitting room and on the cushions. ‘It adds a sense of fun,’ says Fi.

Soft tones of pinks and terracottas, as well as yellow, are intermingled with slightly brighter pinks and greens for a playful feel. Comfort was high on the clients’ wish list and Eadie & Crole answered this with an indulgent and comfortable wool sofa in the sitting room and a profusion of seating including a practical window seat made with outdoor fabric so that there’s no fear of the fabric fading, plus a club fender and a pair of editor’s chairs.

‘We’ve designed the scheme so that in a small space, a lot of people can sit down,’ says Fi. The editor’s chairs showcase cheerful fabric. ‘That was our hook point and was where our color came from. We didn’t want the scheme to be too traditional, and then everything started working from around the fun fabric.’

The clients’ desire was for Eadie & Crole to think very practically and for longevity as well, and this elegant and functional interior is destined to be around for a long time to come.

Q&A with Eadie & Crole

The designers share their style inspiration

What was the biggest indulgence?

Designing the en-suite main bathroom with both a shower and built-in bath with the curved ceiling, and paneled walls with hidden cupboards either side for optimum storage.

What one small change had a huge impact?

Transforming the back area of the reception room into the dining room with banquette seating and good lighting. It has changed from a dark, never-used space to a light, inviting area that is used all the time.

Your go-to color?

Soft tones of pinks, terracottas, yellows and greens.

How does home make you feel?

No matter who you are or where you are, instinct tells you to go home – a place to love, live and relax.

Finish the sentence, 'We know we're creatives because...'

Our lives entwine around all things beautiful – from interiors, art, fashion, gardens and travel.