Victorian Townhouse
Brigit and Jon Havard didn’t know where to start when it came to transforming this dated home but luckily, inspiration turned out to be just around the corner
THE STORY
OWNERS Lawyers Brigit and Jon Havard, live here with their children Meg, 15, and Tom, 13 PROPERTY A four-storey house on the Heaver Estate in south London, with six bedrooms and three bathrooms. The property was built around the turn of the 20th century WHAT THEY DID Interior designer Beth Dadswell (imperfectinteriors.co.uk) helped the couple transform their home. The house was rewired and replumbed; the kitchen was updated; the basement was panelled and a new en suite was fitted in one of the guest bedrooms. Period features were restored before the house was redecorated throughout
Brought up in a thatched cottage in Oxfordshire, Brigit Havard has been passionate about antiques for as long as she can remember. ‘I guess I am a little old-fashioned and I have always loved characterful furniture and beautiful paintings,’ she says. When she moved to London and bought a period property of her own, it gave her an extra incentive to hunt around for antiques and artwork. ‘By the time I met Jon, I’d built up quite a collection. We’ve also been lucky enough to inherit some lovely pieces, and we have moved them all with us from house to house, adding to our collection over the years,’ she explains.
Spending the Covid lockdowns in their former house as a family of four, Brigit and Jon began to long for a little more space. ‘Our house in Balham had started to feel a bit cramped,’ says Brigit, ‘so we decided it was time to look for a larger property while still being close to the children’s schools.’
Their search led them to a double-fronted Victorian house on the sought-after Heaver Estate, a Conservation Area close to leafy Tooting Common. Jon and Brigit were enchanted by the wealth of period features, the generous proportions of the rooms, and the large garden. They became the home’s proud new owners in February 2021.
‘It was only when we moved in that we realised some areas needed a lot of attention,’ Brigit explains. ‘But we just didn’t know where to start.’
The perfect solution turned out to be waiting for them back in Balham. As Jon passed their old house on his way to work, he spotted a sign outside for a design company, Imperfect Interiors. Brigit lo
