Total renovation was the only way forward when a couple bought their rundown home. Once that was complete, they took their time to create rooms that would set a mood, settling on elegantly muted backdrops to vibrant highlights and an eclectic mix of treasured possessions
LIVING ROOM
Trish painted the fire surround an uplifting yellow to complement the room’s ambience. Fireplace in Tilton, Annie Sloan. Green sofa, Swoon Editions. Cushions, H&M Home. Coffee table, Tikamoon. Lampshade, Hay
STAIRCASE
Vibrant pops of colour are found throughout the house, including the oversized canvases – many of which Trish (left) painted herself
Trish Thomas has transformed the traditional Victorian townhouse she shares with husband Dan and their ginger cat Ozzy into an inviting space that combines original features with modern elements in a way that defies categorisation. Rather than following trends, she revels in mixing different styles, creating intersections where mid-century modern meets Scandi chic, and where bohemian flirts with utilitarian.
However, arriving at a point where Trish was able to experiment with bold colours and styles took considerable time and effort. In 2017, shortly after moving in, Trish and Dan embarked on the daunting task of completely updating their new home as it required extensive renovation from top to bottom. ‘It was a wreck, but we’d fallen in love with the original architectural features, the lovely original sweeping central staircase and generous wide hallways,’ she reminisces. ‘This was our second renovation, so our confidence had grown and we felt like we could take on a bigger project.’
Among the many issues that needed resolving were the top two floors, which had been converted into three bedsits in the 1970s, each equipped with its own outdated kitchenette that required removal. Meanwhile, on the ground floor, the raised garden posed a challenge, with a retaining brick wall that blocked most of the natural light, leaving the space feeling dim and gloomy. On top of that, the plumbing and electrics needed replacing, walls had to be replastered and floorboards restored.
The couple took their time with the next steps so they could manage their budget and give each element careful consideration to make the most out of the space. ‘We focused on all the big structural work in the first 18 months,’ Trish explains, ‘and then each year over the past six years, we’ve taken on a different sizable project, from sandblasting the front of the house to replacing the sash windows with double glazing.’
The most complex part of the renovation was the ground floor, where they excavated a section of the raised garden to create a terrace and merged the two rear rooms into an open-plan kitchen a
