My Houzz: Country Cottage Chic in a London Suburb

After taking lessons in how to make curtains and Roman blinds, and sewing them for friends as a sideline to her full-time job as a real estate agent, Gemma Crauford turned her hand to furnishing her own home, a two-story terraced house on the leafy outskirts of London. She and her husband extended the kitchen last summer to create a large and open family-friendly space, which looks out onto a small, sunny terrace and the community gardens beyond. Crauford was eager to give the space a warm, welcoming feel. Although she used cream as a soothing backdrop, she used hot-pink accents, vibrant floral patterns and an eclectic mix of furniture to give their home a cozy country-retreat atmosphere.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Gemma Crauford, her husband and their baby
Location: Earlsfield, London
Size: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Crauford and her husband bought the house in 2011 and have since redecorated throughout. “While we have no intention of moving just yet, this is not our ‘forever home,’ so resale did play a part when we were decorating,” Crauford says. “We wanted to keep it relatively neutral and make the layout adaptable.”

Old blends seamlessly with new throughout the house. In the dining area, Victorian balloon-back chairs, bought by Crauford’s aunt from Lots Road Auction, were reupholstered with a luxe contemporary pink fabric from Designers Guild.


The kitchen cabinetry, from the Tewkesbury line by Howdens Joinery, is made of painted solid wood and has Shaker-style doors with bar handles. The countertop is granite.


This is now a great space for Crauford to hang out with baby daughter Phoebe.


The curtains are made of Brunswick Floral fabric from John Lewis. “I’d been eyeing it up for months,” Crauford says.

Double doors to the small back terrace link the inside and out. Potted plants add to the cottage feel.


The small back garden looks out to a cluster of flourishing community gardens, or allotments, giving the impression that the house is in the countryside and not just 20 minutes from central London. The wooden table and chairs enable the family to eat in the garden whenever the weather allows.


Most of the furniture was bought from small shops over the years or donated by family. The mix of chairs clustered in the living room gives the space a cozy feel.


The mix of fabrics in the living room works thanks to the unifying pink. The curtains are made from Natalia material from John Lewis. “I made all the curtains and blinds myself, which was a bit of a race against time,“ Crauford says with a laugh, “but our sitting room is now much warmer, thanks to the shutters and thick curtains.“


The elegant armchair in a neutral check is brought to life by one of Crauford’s deep pink cushions.


A small window opens up and connects the living room with the kitchen and dining area, so Crauford can do the dishes and keep an eye on her daughter in the next room. It also helps bring much-needed light from the kitchen’s skylights into the cozier living space beyond.


Personal mementos create decorative displays above both of the original Victorian fireplaces in the living room.


Crauford has kept the bedroom neutral, but, as elsewhere, has used bright pink curtains and cushions, here made from Designers Guild fabric, to lift the space. The sash window looks out to the leafy community gardens.

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URL: My Houzz: Country Cottage Chic in a London Suburb http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25812.html