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Houzz Tour: Eclectic Row House in London
Vintage treasures, original illustrations and family keepsakes make this bright home just right for a British family of four
Tracey English fell in love with her family's Victorian as soon as she stepped onto the property. The home, a typical London row house in an eclectic suburban district of southwest London, has plenty of windows — a boon in light-hungry London. English says that although all the houses on her street look similar from the outside, behind each front door is something unique.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Illustrator Tracey English, her husband and their two boys
Location: Southfields, southwest London, United Kingdom
Size: 1,184 square feet
That's interesting: The house is part of a historical and architectural conservation area within close proximity to the Wimbledon Tennis Club.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Illustrator Tracey English, her husband and their two boys
Location: Southfields, southwest London, United Kingdom
Size: 1,184 square feet
That's interesting: The house is part of a historical and architectural conservation area within close proximity to the Wimbledon Tennis Club.
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English's neighborhood celebrated the century-old houses in the area last year with a lively street party enjoyed by the residents, mostly families and professionals who chose the area for its diversity and access to public transportation. "There's a mosque nearby, so there are plenty of Muslim families. There are also lots of residents from other European countries," says English, whose husband is from Germany.
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The home's cobalt blue door sets it apart from a row of black and brown entries. "We changed the door color as soon as we moved in," she says.
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| An open floor plan on the ground level and crisp white walls create a sense of spaciousness and light. Chair: Knoll Barcelona, All Modern |
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| Huge bay windows, a manteltop mirror and varnished floors reflect light coming in from the street. The Lucite coffee table is a mellow addition to a room that unabashedly mixes patterns, decor and a collection of things the family truly loves. |
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Old and new family photos, secondhand finds and tchotchkes adorn the house. This marionette belonged to English when she was a child; it hangs in the threshold linking the dining area to the conservatory, a symbol of the inhabitants' penchant for things whimsical and preloved.
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| English and her husband updated the eat-in kitchen with stainless steel drawers, new hardware and frosted cabinetry. Spices, ingredients and kitchenware are neatly organized in containers but are always visible and accessible. Dark blue vinyl flooring is an appropriate choice for splashes, spills and other inevitable happenings with kids. |
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| Here, the vinyl-to-wood floor transition visually separates the preparation and cooking space from the dining room; the mix of contemporary chairs with modern high chairs reflects a modern treasure — a family that still eats meals together at the table. Table: Yo-Yo, Ligne Roset; high chairs: Tripp Trapp, Stokke |
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| The second-floor loft was converted into two separate bedrooms. "Our boys appreciate having their own space; they love displaying their own toys," she says. "They tell me that [the loft] feels a bit like being tucked away somewhere, like an escape." |
| Here, one of the boys enjoys the peace and quiet of his reading nook. Despite the low vaulted loft ceiling, the room is spacious and bright, thanks to two dormer windows. |
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| "The rooms are quite small in the house, so the boys' old room downstairs doubles as my husband's rock-out music studio and a spare room for guests," says English. |
Mannequins from English's art college days flank the fireplace, an original from when the house was built. Vintage finds from Portobello Market, old family photos and silhouettes from the 1920s done by her great-aunt make up the mantel vignette.
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| English, an illustrator and Etsy shop owner, works from home in a cozy office as wide as her work desk. "Everything I need is at arm's length. From my seat I can see the street and the day's activities unfolding: school kids coming and going, people walking their dogs and the postman delivering our mail," says English. |
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| The family bathroom accommodates everyone's needs: The multitiered towel rack; wide, floating shelf; and large sink make it easier for the boys to share the space with their parents. |
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| The backyard garden houses a play shed for the boys and is home to their outdoor things. "We are growing some pumpkins and tomatoes, but they're still seedlings at this point. We have some herbs, strawberries and a fig tree, but I'm afraid that short-lived London summers don't give trees much time for fruit bearing," says English. |
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| The family uses the conservatory as a play area and media room; it bridges the outdoors to the interior. English plans to expand the kitchen into the conservatory when her sons leave the proverbial coop. For now, it remains as is — a place for the family to congregate. "I adore this room," she says, noting that seeing the sky from under the glass ceiling was what made her fall in love with the house in the first place. |
Ideabook updated on May 15, 2012.
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I think these children are very lucky to have such a wonderful enriching environment to grow up in! Did you notice the glorius assortment of children's books or the monster multiplication chart? The reading nook? These things tell me that this is a family who values education and family values, but still has a sense of humor and whimsy. I would LOVE to have this family as friends and be able to visit for tea and have time to look at all the wonderful things on the mantel, shelves and bookcases.
From: the lady in Auburn Maine USA :)
And while I think it is fine to comment on the general style of a home here on Houzz, I'm appalled by some of the schoolyard bully nastiness of some of these comments, to the point the owner had to apologize for being herself! The cattiness of some here says more about their poor character of the commenters than anything else.
It's clear that, given the Paul Klee poster front and centre upon entry into the living room, this is going to be a home where art, creativity, fun and eclecticism dominate. Bravo to the owners of the home for giving the site a bit of refreshing truth in living.
Also, let's stay on topic. This is a forum for home design enthusiasts — whatever your style and preference may be.