Dramatic decor and a fabulous outdoor kitchen make this the perfect party home — inside and out

Rosie and Innes extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy, and sociable home of their dreams

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home
(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Taking a stroll around Rosie and Innes’ Victorian renovation, it became clear that Rosie has a natural eye for interior design. Her architectural choices, use of color and, as I later found out, savvy money-saving ways, have created a beautiful, contemporary home that gives the couple the bright sociable space they wanted.  

Profile

The owners Rosie Willingale (no44.house) a director of a property company, and Innes Willingale, a wealth manager, live here with their Cockapoo, Basil
The property A three-bedroom Victorian house built in the 1890s, in Middlesex, England.
Project cost Approx £200,000/roughly $241,996.00

Previously living in a flat just five minutes down the road, Rosie and Innes were desperate for more space and a dog — so a garden was essential, and this house ticked all the boxes. "The property hadn’t been touched since the 1970s and it had a tiny little kitchen," says Rosie. "We initially applied for planning permission for a wraparound extension, which would be squared off at the back, making the space significantly bigger."

Before

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

The original kitchen was small, and hadn't been updated since the 1970s

(Image credit: Rosie Willingale)

After

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

Rosie saved money on her kitchen by going to a smaller, independent firm. "We knew exactly what we wanted, and as the company was fairly new, we got a really great deal," she says. Units and wooden worktop, Swan Bespoke Furniture. Kitchen color, Farrow & Ball’s Black Blue. Quartz worktop, Granite Artistry. Sink and tap, Tap Warehouse. Window mirror, William Wood Mirrors. Hob, Bora. Wood-effect floor tiles, Floors of Stone. Grey patterned tiles, Tile Mountain. Wall colour, Johnstone’s Paint. Pendant lights, Studio. Wall lights, Solihull Lighting. Stools, Wayfair

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

Unfortunately, planning was initially refused as the house is in a Conservation Area, and the shape of the rear had to remain the same as the original building. However, Rosie used this to her advantage, as the L-shape created by the addition that was allowed left space for an outdoor kitchen.

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

Floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a rooflight make the dining area light and bright, with inviting views of the garden. Dining set, Furniture Village. Rug, Urbanara. Floor tiles, Floors of Stone. Wall color, Johnstone’s Paint. Shelves and dried eucalyptus, both Etsy. Blinds, Blinds2Go. Artwork, sourced by El & Ro Interiors. Plants, House of Kojo. Candlesticks, Nkuku. Tray, Melody Maison

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

They also wanted to extend up into the loft, so once planning permission was granted for both, their project manager took the lead on the two areas at once. "We were lucky enough to still be living in our flat while the work was being done," says Rosie. "But we enjoyed popping by, probably more regularly than necessary, to see how the work was coming along."

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

"The garden kitchen is like our home’s USP," says Rosie. "It means that we spend so much more time outdoors, both in the summer and the winter months.’" Outdoor kitchen, built DIY. Granite surface, Granite Artistry. Barbecue, Big Green Egg. Rug, Wayfair. Festoon lights, Lights4fun. For a table, try the Vadim, Tikamoon 

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

"The old layout had two reception rooms at the front of the house, which the couple didn’t really need, so they knocked through one of them, allowing them to create a larger kitchen area and one large living room."

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

The garden is south-facing and low maintenance, so the couple use it all year round, like an extra room. Sofa set with coffee table, Wayfair. Porcelain tiles, London Tile

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

"Once the building work was done, we moved in the day before New Year’s Eve. All we had was a dining table, a mattress in the bedroom, and the garden was a mud field. But we invited a couple of friends over to celebrate anyway!"

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

With a blank canvas to play with, Rosie was excited to decorate. When it came to choosing colors and scrolling through Pinterest, her mum was a huge source of inspiration. "I definitely get my passion for interiors from her," she says. "Our previous flat was very pale, so we wanted to experiment with colour. My mum decorated her living room and bedroom with dark colours, and it worked to create a cosy and cocooning space — that’s what we wanted, too." The dark blue living room walls and deep green of the bedroom contrast strongly with the light walls of the rest of their home "They’re the rooms we go to in the evenings after work —it’s nice to have somewhere to hunker down and escape," Rosie adds. 

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

The separate living room offers a calm escape away from the hustle and bustle of the kitchen. "My mum inspired me to go for a darker paint colour in here — we’re really pleased with it," says Rosie. Sofa and matching cushions, Darlings of Chelsea. Armchair, Sklum. Cushions, Raft Furniture and Barker & Stonehouse. Walls painted in Squid Ink, Paint & Paper Library. Mirror, Select Mirrors. Lamps, Tala and Dusk Lighting. Upcycled wooden side table, Facebook Marketplace. Radiator, Victorian Plumbing. Cabinetry and shelving, Swan Bespoke Furniture. Plant pot, Olivia’s. Shutters, Thomas Sanderson. Coffee table, Loaf. Dried flowers, Shida Preserved Flowers

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

When it came to fitting out the kitchen, they thought outside the box to get quality pieces for less. "We called loads of companies asking if they had ex-display models that we could buy. It was a lengthy process, but it meant that we got brand new Miele ovens, a Bora hob, and a BeefEater outdoor fridge for basically half price — we’re so pleased with them!"

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

Forest-inspired wallpaper and dark, earthy colors make for a soothing and cozy bedroom. "My mum’s friend is an interior designer and she helped source the headboard," says Rosie. Wallpaper and Huntsman Green wall paint, both by Zoffany. Headbaord, El & Ro interiors. Cushion covers, La Redoute, Amazon and Zara Home. Beige bedspread, Zara Home. White bedspread, The White Company. Bedside tables, Furniture 123. Lamps, Olivia’s

(Image credit: Chris Snook)

While the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area is a thing of beauty, with ample glazing allowing the space to be flooded with natural light, it’s the outdoor kitchen that Rosie is most proud of. She and Innes had a clear vision of exactly how they wanted their garden to be, so when quotes came in at around £20,000, Innes decided that he would take on a lot of the work himself.

Contacts

Architect/designer Jack Dusěk from Jack Dusek & Co, Kitchen company Swan Bespoke Furniture
Decorator Lucas & Peter Maintenance

Sharing the load with a laborer, they completed the work within three weeks, for a fraction of the cost. "We love the outdoor kitchen — it’s like the unique selling point of the house, and it has so much wow factor when you look out and see it," says Rosie. "It’s a great social space for all seasons. In summer we use the Green Egg barbecue at least three times a week as you can cook anything on it! But we also use the space in winter; with the festoon lights and lanterns, it’s really cozy and just beckons you to sit outside."

VictoriVictorian house extended outwards and upwards to create the bright, airy and sociable home

Rosie chose spa-style colors for the bathroom to create a calming space. "The earthy colours and the wood make for a relaxing vibe," she says. Bath, Building Supplies Online. Wall and floor tiles. London Tile Company. Stool, Acumen Collection. Towel rail, Reina. Taps, Tap Warehouse. For a similar laundry basket, try ManoMano

(Image credit: Chris Snook)
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Amelia Smith
Content Editor

After joining Real Homes as content producer in 2016, Amelia has taken on several different roles and is now content editor. She specializes in style and decorating features and loves nothing more than finding the most beautiful new furniture, fabrics and accessories and sharing them with our readers. As a newbie London renter, Amelia’s loving exploring the big city and mooching around vintage markets to kit out her new home.