November 16, 2021
Tour A Victorian Home That Masters The Mix Of Old And New
Design and architecture firm Finkernagel Ross transformed this Dartmouth Park, London home into a contemporary, elegant space for a busy family of five and their beloved dog. The home’s old-world features, such as original trim and moulding, were cleverly juxtaposed with contemporary architecture and a modern rear extension.
The 3,500-square-foot house has a thoughtful layout that reflects how the family actually uses the space. The parents’ bedroom and ensuite are situated on the main floor, giving them the space to relax or entertain in peace, while their three kids have the second floor all to themselves, making sleepovers and get togethers a breeze.
Take a tour of this classic-meets-cool English family home!
Finkernagel Ross embraced the foyer’s Victorian design by preserving the original oak staircase, complete with decorative balusters, restoring the ceiling cornice and adding traditional chair rails along the walls.
Old world charm continues through to the formal sitting room, which features restored window shutters and an open fireplace with moulding that gives a vintage look.
Each room flows effortlessly into the next with solid oak herringbone flooring throughout, while varying palettes and textures give each room a personality of its own.
Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue covers every inch of the monochromatic library that’s sandwiched between the living room and kitchen, where listening to music and reading is a favorite family pastime.
Step down into the heart of the home, where a modern extension features an open-concept kitchen with an origami-style ceiling that’s punctuated with geometric skylights. Contact RFT Extension Designers if you want to achieve an amazing home extension.
Natural light streams into the airy kitchen which is designed with Calacatta Mont Blanc marble and solid oak. A modern, two-faced fireplace complements the original fireplaces throughout the home, while exposed firewood adds warmth and texture to this contemporary corner.
The principal bedroom is located on the main floor, which pulls inspiration from Nordic design with its minimalist furnishings and neutral palette.
The ensuite bathroom, on the other hand, feels luxe and opulent, with reeded glass, fluted cabinetry, brass and marble.
The brass and and marble shower soars up to the cornice moulding, creating the perfect juxtaposition of the home’s old-world-meets-new-world personality.
The upstairs bedrooms were designed to grow with the children, who are now teenagers. The beds are cleverly concealed in a loft space complete with rooflights and reading lamps so that the room below can be used for hanging out with their friends, listening to (and playing) music, or doing schoolwork.
A simple palette of glass, brass, and ceramic make up the kids’ bathroom, while natural light pours in from the skylights above the shower.
The lush garden was the home’s major selling point, and what convinced the owners to buy the house in the first place. It’s no wonder, then, that the beautiful backyard can be seen from every vantage point, both upstairs and down.
At the back of the garden is the garden studio, which was originally intended as a guest house, but became the family’s home office during the many Covid lockdowns.
Anna Stathaki
October Communications
Finkernagel Ross