FAMILY HOME
LAURA BUTLERMADDEN RESTORED HER PERIOD HOME TO ITS FORMER GLORY IN TIME FOR A COSY FAMILY CHRISTMAS WITH A TOUCH OF SPARKLE
WALL LIGHTS
Illuminate a piece of art, creating a striking focal point
Dining area
‘Comfortable banquette seating is a great use of space and here introduces warmth and texture to a relaxed eating nook.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES
For a similar table, try The Spinningfields oval double ribbed pillar table, from £835, Crafty Creations MCR. Try Lara Wishbone chairs, £109 each, Dunelm. Cylinder modern brass wall sconce, £156.25, Kwoking, would work here
THE LAYOUT
An open-plan kitchen-dining area forms the heart of the home on the ground floor, along with a living room, boot room and loo. Downstairs on the lower-ground floor is a family room and study/bedroom, with a guest bedroom and bathroom below on the garden floor. On the first floor is the main bedroom and family bathroom, with a child’s bedroom, second guest bedroom and bathroom on the top level.
The five-storey Georgian townhouse that was to become Laura and Patrick ButlerMadden’s family home had been split into two flats when they first saw it. But the creative couple knew that they could turn the historic property back into one beautiful home, which would be perfect for family living. With two levels below the ground-floor kitchen and living room, and two more above, there was a great deal of space to play with, but Laura didn’t shy away from the challenge.
WHAT MADE THIS HOME PERFECT FOR YOUR FAMILY?
‘We fell for the house because of its architectural history and saw the scope to breathe new life into it without fundamentally changing its bones. No extensions, no knocking down walls, just a considered update to enhance the property’s beauty, and make it comfortable and practical for modern family living. We didn’t want the kitchen in the basement with our daughter Lily’s room miles away at the top of the house. Instead, we live in the middle, sleep above, and have spaces for guests below.’
WHAT WORK HAVE YOU HAD DONE?
‘We had to get planning permission to turn it back into a single dwelling. Working around the availability of builders and supplies during lockdown was a challenge, but the total revamp, including the new kitchen and three bathrooms plus plumbing, wiring and redecoration throughout took an impressive six months. We spent time on advance planning to a
