Krista reached out soon after relocating with her family from rural Canada to London, having swapped 15 acres of land for a postage stamp plot in the city. Their new home, a Victorian townhouse situated in southwest London, had the bones of a good house, but the family missed the warmth and charm of their former home – a log cabin set right at the forest's edge. The existing layout was also proving problematic, and Krista needed help making it work for their new life.

First and foremost, we encouraged the family of five to lean into the modern rustic design they missed and loved. In the kitchen, we replaced shiny white cabinets with full oak cabinetry, elevated with antique brass handles and a leathered granite worktop. Black leather bar stools now surround the generous island, offering a place for the three kids to perch while their parents prepare meals. The only structural change – the addition of a partition wall – alleviated the previous space issue, which had allowed only one person at a time in the kitchen, while also making room for new kitchen units and an extra sink.

Just off the kitchen, on the reverse side of the new partition wall, the dining nook provides ample space for the family to gather. We suggested a banquette upholstered in bouclé and leather: leather to stand up to the inevitable messes that come with a household of teenagers, bouclé to soften the space. The banquette doubles as storage, too – space in the base for tablecloths and dining accessories, and an additional flip-up compartment behind the backrest.

In the living room, we wanted to create an earthy, welcoming space for all seasons – something that connected beautifully with the garden view. We explored New England touches but ultimately landed on a timeless, globally inspired look. Vintage nods came through in the custom TV unit joinery, echoed by a real vintage tallboy and a retro-styled bespoke sofa. These were paired with modern art and structured armchairs – a lovely, sophisticated, grown-up fusion.

Krista and her husband had reached the stage of parenthood where they often went to bed before the girls. Upstairs, their bedroom became a welcome sanctuary to retreat to in the evenings. Layered with tactile textures in a soft, natural palette, the scheme was darker and more enveloping but still maximised light from the largeVictorian windows.

The girls had a wish list for their own rooms, including great desks and space for friends to stay over. We brought in a set of bunk beds from Little Folks and added cute rattan side tables, plus layered rugs for playing, chatting, and making crafts.

Emma, the eldest, took after her mum in wanting a more rustic feel in her room. We added a barn door on a metal slider, rattan furniture, warm woods, and zen-boho details. The result was a light, cosy, and very tactile space.

Already benefitting from natural light, the post-renovation family bathroom became an airy, almost ethereal space. Sheers at the windows lent a boutique hotel feel, with a creative screen separating the walk-through shower and freestanding bath.

Once the bedrooms were finished, the family – who had been living in the basement – could finally move upstairs. We were then able to begin the transformation of the lower floor, including an exciting cinema and bar hangout, with a creative nook for the girls. We encouraged the family to keep the original wood flooring, stripping and staining it to add more character. The bar is perfect for both movie nights and entertaining and includes a fridge to keep drinks cool.

Emma, who was studying textiles for GCSEs, took to the creative corner immediately. We designed the joinery so baskets full of fabrics and other clutter could be neatly hidden away behind doors.

This warm, characterful transformation brought together the best of two worlds – modern London living with the family’s rural Canadian roots.