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Inspiration

A Victorian Home Reimagined

Creating a traditional family home 

Robyn and Jack, the creative minds behind new Interior Design company, Studio Belgrave, embarked on an ambitious journey to renovate their semi-detached Victorian home, built in 1862 in Colchester, Essex. The property was constructed as part of a series of Victorian era ‘self builds’, meaning that every property on the road is different and has its own individual character. Interestingly as a result, the house is semi-detached but also double fronted, benefitting from two front reception rooms, a large cellar and spacious bedrooms.

Jack and Robyn, along with their four cats (Lanie, Zaffre, Mavis, and Winnie), have called this house home for over two and a half years, also recently welcoming their new daughter Verity. As owners of Studio Belgrave, they handled all interior design and project management themselves. Their focus was on creating a beautiful yet highly functional home, specifically tailored to their needs as proud homebodies. They also prefer the traditional approach where rooms have distinct purposes, rather than becoming combined living spaces.

Images credit: Jack Caley, Caley Photography @jpcaley

The new kitchen was to be located at the back of the property, in a large open space created where the previous owners had removed two internal walls. This open-plan layout, however, brought its own set of challenges for practical use. Unusually, the project aimed to make the kitchen smaller, going against the trend of larger, brighter kitchen spaces. The owners wanted to create a functional working kitchen for their love of cooking, while also incorporating a large utility, laundry room and a downstairs WC – all without expanding the original footprint of the house.

 

Robyn and Jack felt that it was really important to reintroduce period features and work-around the existing architectural elements, which included two doorways, a stained glass window, large sash windows, the cellar door, and the fireplace. These features restricted cabinetry placement, especially since the decision was made to preserve the property’s historical shape without extending. This commitment to preservation also meant keeping the single back door and sash windows, rather than opting for large French, sliding, or bi-fold doors. The guiding principle for the kitchen quickly became ‘less cabinetry, more function,’ achieved through clever interior storage solutions that maximised the existing shape and limitations of the space. The ‘less is more’ approach to cabinetry allowed them to prioritise investment in high-quality finishes over an abundance of cabinets.

The Perrin & Rowe Ionian Bridge Mixer in Aged Brass takes pride of place at the heart of the peninsula

Several key decisions shaped the kitchen's design and style, like the choice of a Lacanche range cooker as the primary appliance, and the implementation of a peninsula design deemed ideal for room flow and usable storage, given the space's shape and size constraints.

There was no debate on the positioning of the sink. In order to fit in enough storage and be functional within the kitchen itself it had to sit in the peninsula opposite the range. This means you’re facing the dining area, which is ideal for washing up, but you’re also right next to the dishwasher and not far from the fridge, making a perfect triangle of services.

With its classic fluted design, the Shaws Bowland 600 Sink makes a striking statement

The sink is visible from the hallway, so Jack and Robyn wanted it to be a design feature in itself that would draw you into the kitchen. They chose the Bowland 600 by Shaws, as they loved the distinctive fluted detailing and felt it added real period character to the kitchen. They also love the Bowland’s size and depth, which was perfect for their needs without taking up too much space. It is also the perfect home for the absolutely timeless Perrin & Rowe Aged Brass Ionian Bridge Sink Mixer Tap.

A range of pink hues achieve a soft, dusky effect

Once these foundational choices were made, selecting other finishes became easier. The entire kitchen was a bespoke collaboration between Studio Belgrave and Ross Smith Design. The shallow-rimmed Shaker style kitchen cabinetry was painted in two colours – Etruscan Red for tall cabinetry and around the range cooker, and Templeton Pink for the peninsula, both by Farrow and Ball. Internally, the cabinetry boasted solid walnut dovetailed drawers, brass hardware from DeVol, and a walnut wall cabinet with reeded glass doors.

The room itself was also painted in the same shade of pink, which plays with the light, creating an eternal dusk effect. The back door and the ceiling, with its impressive oversized plaster rose, are painted in Jitney, another shade by Farrow & Ball. 

A love of colour and a desire for the space to feel warm and textured has avoided the harsh and clinical feel often associated with kitchens. The stained glass window on the dining side of the room also heavily inspired the colour choices. The kitchen’s original solid oak herringbone floor was meticulously brought back to its former glory.   The Calacatta Viola Estremoz worktops, with their bold grey veins and subtle pink background are in perfect harmony with the kitchen's other tones. The distinctive marble surfaces will patina over time, contributing to the kitchen's sense of history.

The bespoke banquette bench seating by the window was a treat for the cats, featuring a solid walnut curved and bullnosed top, adding interest to the dining side of the kitchen. An imposing glass light fitting from Pooky hangs above a well-used antique dining table. The whole kitchen project was completed within the anticipated timeframes and budget, with no other significant issues. The result is a beautiful, cosy kitchen that has the warmth of a bustling French bistro and the personality of a perfect family home.

You can find the latest from Robyn and Jack’s renovation on Instagram @renovating_belgraveplace.