Transforming a Victorian house on the edge of leafy Clapham Common has been a bright new chapter for this family in their newly configured home
FEATURE COSMO BROCKWAY PHOTOGRAPHY ASTRID TEMPLIER
The villas overlooking London’s Clapham Common have a particular charm. The views across large skies, changing with the seasons, alongside the majestic trees, all lend an illusion of semi-rural living while largely being built on a handsome scale denoting the area’s prosperous past. It was here that Steve and Katherine Smith found the perfect renovation project to concentrate on in the throes of lockdown. “When we first glimpsed the house, it was a tall warren of dark furniture, aspidistra plants and grills on the windows,” laughs Steve, standing in his new custom-made wine cellar. At first glance, it may have been a daunting project but the couple knew they had the drive and vision to transform it into the home they had been dreaming of.
“It was the second time around for both of us,” reflects Steve. “With five children between us, and being close to an ‘empty nest’, we really wanted a house for entertaining as well as a fitting space to house Katherine’s treasured art collection and my wine.” His background in engineering made Steve the perfect choice to be the project manager.
The most obvious starting point was turning the six-bedroom house into a four-bedroom family home, with a focus on creating en-suite bathrooms from the extra space. “The original bathrooms were mostly windowless, damp and badly configured,” Steve explains. “We particularly wanted a large-scale master bathroom with a freestanding bath. There is nothing more relaxing.”
Having moved several times, the couple were tired of ‘making do’ and wanted a serene and stylish setting for hosting convivial dinners for family and friends. “We met interior designer Tor Saer of Westcot House because our children were at school together,” Steve says. “Her very personal approach and attention to detail appealed to us strongly. Plus she is tremendously talented at furniture design – working with the best craftsmen in the country.”
Tor also recalls an instant synergy with the couple and the project. “I was asked to visit when the renovations had just started,” she says, “and was impressed by the incredible high ceilings, original sash windows and aspect. It was obvious that Steve
