Large windows and natural light for a 1930s home renovation
We speak to homeowner Sarah Strickland about how she and her husband renovated their 1930s home; from vintage furniture to a freestanding bath
A desire to bring the outside in was the inspiration behind the stunning scheme in Sarah Strickland’s master bedroom with en suite.
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Here’s what she was she was dealing with.
The project in a nutshell:
The property: A 1930s semi-detached mock-Tudor home
Who lives here? Sarah Strickland and her husband Tony
The designer: Sarah and Tony, with the help of a local builder
With a calming palette of crisp white, cream and grey and an organic selection of stone, wood and rattan, Sarah and Tony have created a space that feels refreshing and unique in style.
“We fell in love with this house in 2011 mainly due to its large garden,” says Sarah.
She adds: “The interior was in desperate need of renovation and the existing master bedroom and bathroom in the loft hadn’t been renovated since the 1970s.
“There was no insulation so it was very cold and uncomfortable.”
Upon moving in, the couple installed a new boiler and began redesigning the ground floor before moving onto the loft. “I had already renovated our previous homes, which gave me confidence to design this one,” Sarah explains.
She says: “My husband is good at visualising the layout and size of a room, so it just seemed to work.
“We also used a superb builder who we could trust to do a good job.”
The new loft differs from conventional designs as it has large windows that run the full length of the back of the house. With these, plus an internal window that looks out onto the landing and staircase and two full-length roof lights, the room has plenty of natural light.
“We designed this space to maximise the daylight and green views – we are really fortunate in that we are not overlooked at the back of the house,” shares Sarah.
“We wanted to be able to lie in bed or in the bath and have clear views out onto the garden,” she says.
A range of tactile materials were used in the bathroom, such as the concrete-effect porcelain tiles, smooth glass shelves, wood-framed mirrors, brass wall lights and linen blinds. The main focal point of the room is the curved freestanding bath, which takes pride of place in front of the window.
“I wanted to create a luxurious feel but keep the vibe of a home,” says Sarah.
“To soften the streamlined surfaces I’ve included rustic features such as the wooden bath caddy, the rattan side table and a selection of houseplants.”
A great feature of the bedroom is the tongue and groove panelling, with an extended shelf acting as a headboard above the bed. “It gives me so much flexibility for styling it with art and plants,” says Sarah.
She says: “I love finding small businesses that sell new pieces as well as vintage furniture, art and accessories online.
“And I always try to bring something interesting back from a holiday.
“It’s the individual pieces that give character to a home and tell a story, which is what we’ve tried to do here.”
