DREAM HOME
IN THE CITY OF BATH, SUSANNA HAWKINS AND HER FAMILY HAVE REVIVED A 1960S BUNGALOW WITH CONTEMPORARY EXTENSIONS, CLEAN LINES, NEW TALL WINDOWS AND NORDIC STYLE
FEATURE SUSAN WALKER
Garden
‘Creating a patio was very high on the wish list. I wanted a large creamy sofa to create this relaxing, cosy outdoor space where we can all enjoy spending lots of time.’
Snug room
To maximise cosiness, Susanna added a chunky blanket, textured cushions and candles. ‘I love watching TV with my family on the corner sofa.’
VARY TEXTURES
Mix different fabrics to create depth and interest
When Susanna first began documenting her design sense via her Instagram account and blog SHnordic, little did she imagine that six years down the line, her house renovations would be Instafamous. Today, her style in Scandinavian living inspires more than 754,000 followers on Instagram.
In 2018, Susanna and her husband decided to move with their two children to the city of Bath. ‘Bath was always top of our list as we had spent our honeymoon there,’ she explains.
They traded their red-brick Victorian house in west London for a 1960s split-level bungalow. ‘It was in good condition but the decor was rather tired-looking.’ They had to acknowledge that internally it had significant limitations – there had been no upgrades since the 1990s, the rooms were all small, corridors narrow, windows too small and too high: ‘We couldn’t even see outside when we were seated,’ she says. The layout was also badly configured, necessitating walking through one bedroom to access another, but the garden and views captivated them, winning their hearts and persuading them that the house had lots of potential. ‘We absolutely loved the plot as it was so secluded and surrounded by big trees.’
Dining area
Decorative elements such as the wall prints, candles and macramé pendant light add personality and warmth to the open space. The dining table is an upcycled Ikea piece.
GALLERY SPACE
Enhance a blank wall with artwork for a homely feel
Kitchen
Large sliding doors give the kitchen direct access to the garden and connect th
