25 Beautiful Homes

city terrace| 25bh25bh OCTOBER 2017 | 73the new kitchen-diner, we built into the side extension andremoved two load-bearing walls, inserting massive steel supportbeams that required 10 men to lift and position. Not surprisingly,it was at this stage of the renovations that we moved out for sixmonths, staying as guests in various friends’ houses.’Once the building work was finished, it was important to bothGregory and Nick to stamp their personalities onto the interior.They decided to use an online company and design their ownkitchen layout using the website’s step-by-step tools. ‘It was veryeasy to do, but you do have to be precise with your measurementsand triple-check everything before ordering,’ Gregory says. ‘Weforgot to allow for a steel beam that interrupted the run of wall units,but our builders came to the rescue and altered the cabinet to fit.’Replacing PVC glazing with period-style sash windows wasan extra expense, but Gregory believes it was worth doing. ‘Wewanted a modern interior, but to also give a nod to the house’sVictorian roots,’ he explains. ‘We kept the dividing doors betweenthe two areas of the reception, painting them a rich teal blue andbalancing this colour with charcoal-stained engineered woodf looring, which gives the space great character.’ Throughout thetry and be bold with your colour choices, too – nobody likes a bland, boring space’RECEPTION ROOmLarge rugs and velvet seating link thiselegant double-length space.Jenson chairs, £429 each, Fern and Grey.Doors painted in Vardo estate emulsion,£43.50 per 2.5 litres, Farrow & Ball``````DETAILBold wallpaper lends characterto this cosy corner.Try Cole & Son’s Palm Junglewallpaper, £82 per roll, Amara