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Real home story: A sleek makeover for a Victorian masterpiece 

Take a peak into a real home that underwent an unbelievable transformation under the hands of expert interior designers.

Words by: My Bespoke Room

Ever wondered about how much an Interior Designer can actually transform your home?

From clever paint tricks to ingenious storage solutions, our designers at My Bespoke Room have given this home all the TLC it needed to truly shine. 

This Victorian Semi underwent a total makeover under the trusted hands of Lucy, our Head of Design here at My Bespoke Room

Prepare to be amazed by these stunning before and after shots showcasing the remarkable difference a designer can make in elevating your home to new heights!

PS, working with a designer may not be as expensive as you think - check out our pricing, here.

FREE consultation with an interior designer

Need help with your space? Make the most of My Bespoke Room's complimentary service and connect with a professional interior designer for up to 30 minutes. They’ll help you tackle your design dilemmas, refine your style, and share tailored tips.

A warm and welcoming hallway

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house hallway before & after

As this is a house tour, it makes sense to start off at the entrance: the hallway.

Lucy worked her magic to turn this often-overlooked space into a true showstopper.

“This was a typically narrow, dark hallway, in line with the age and style of the property," says Lucy.

"The key was to be clever with the lighting. We chose a large, tall mirror to take advantage of the high ceiling and to bounce plenty of light around. We also added wall lamps and a large pendant light, all with glass shades, to maximise the spread of lighting in the space.”

As Interior Designers, you’ll always hear us say that subtle changes often have the biggest impact - by painting the dado rail and the wall beneath a soft grey shade, the period feature was emphasised and more character was added to the space.

Lucy added interest to the hallway while keeping it neutral, by painting the balustrade and bannister black to make it stand out and add a pop of drama.

An idea for Victorian hallways is to restore the original character with a stunning stair runner. Not only does this reduce noise, it adds beautiful depth and contrast to the space.

And finally, here's a little secret: hiring an Interior Designer doesn't mean you have to splurge on all-new everything. Case in point: the homeowner's trusty chest of drawers.

By incorporating this beloved piece into the room design, we not only added heaps of character but also sprinkled in some rustic charm. It's all about blending the old with the new for a space that truly feels like home.

A neutral, Victorian living room

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house living room before & after

This lounge is living the minimalist dream, with fresh white walls that instantly brighten up the space, giving it a new lease of life.

We’re often asked about how best to use a fireplace alcove, and this living room ticks all of the boxes. 

Floating shelves are seamlessly incorporated into the alcove, showcasing cherished items and stylish décor while bespoke cabinets below offer abundant storage, banishing any wasted space woes.

And as for TVs, while undeniably practical, they can sometimes disrupt a room's aesthetic. By nestling this one into the alcove, the visual impact was minimised, allowing the space to harmonise effortlessly.

My Bespoke Room: A Victorian lounge with a round mirror

Though we modernised the room with white paint, the original features such as the wooden floor, fireplace and picture rails do all the character talking.

“We kept the overall colour scheme in the front room light and bright with pops of colour added in the occasional chairs in the bay window and accessories. I decided to add feature pendant light fittings to showcase the beautiful high ceilings and a lovely large mirror above the fireplace to bounce plenty of light around the space,” says Lucy.

Shutters were also the perfect option to control light, while saving space and taking the property back to its original Victorian feel.

A classic white and blue kitchen

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house kitchen before renovations
My Bespoke Room: Victorian house kitchen after renovations

When we think of a timeless kitchen colour scheme, only one thing comes to mind - white and blue. This bright and airy look is just so classic and fits the space perfectly.

“The kitchen was designed with a classic heritage shaker style but we introduced a dark blue kitchen island and pops of brass and timber to add contrast, texture and warmth.” - Lucy. 

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house kitchen after renovations - breakfast bar

Rustic, wooden bar stools create a natural feel in the kitchen, contrasting the space, while creating a cosier feel. This is also complemented by the brick feature wall which added more warmth and texture to the space, ensuring the fresh white walls didn’t feel too clinical.

The whole space is pulled together by brass accents featured in the pendant lighting, cupboard handles and finishing touches, creating an effortlessly elegant feel.

Timeless bedroom design

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house bedroom before and after

Lucy says, “The clients required a lot of storage, but they feared this may become an eyesore. I suggested nestling a couple of bespoke wardrobes into the fireplace alcoves to make the most of the space. By painting the wardrobes the same colour as the backing wall, they practically disappeared into the room, becoming a beautiful feature.”

The tranquil shades of blush pink and teal create such a calming environment, perfect for winding down in the evenings.

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house bedroom after renovations

A stunning idea, which was also a big space saver, was the gold wall lamps - not only do they ooze elegance, but they’re magic space makers, creating a clutter-free look on the bedside tables. 

Lucy really thought of the finer details by matching the artwork to the teal walls and the plush blue cushions to the classic ottoman. It’s these finer details that give this calming bedroom a truly designed feel.

A small cloakroom with big personality

My Bespoke Room: Victorian house downstairs loo before & after renovations

We’ve saved the best for last on this house tour, as this room is a total fan favourite here at My Bespoke Room.

Everything from the funky wallpaper to bold blue paintwork screams fun and eclectic whilst embracing the darkness of the space. 

And timeless elegance is a theme of this home which continues into this cloakroom with all of the hardware fittings.

“This was the space the clients were happy to have a bit of fun with and go bold! It's always a nice surprise to enter such a small space with such bold colours and patterns," says Lucy.

"The cloakroom was a small space with little natural light, so we decided to go dark by adding a patterned wallpaper which really gives depth to the space - and it also creates a quirky talking point for guests!”

For just £395 per room, you can collaborate with your own, professional Interior Designer to totally transform your space in just 3 weeks. You’ll receive tailored colour schemes, room layouts, visuals and a handpicked shopping list - arming you with everything you need to create a room you love.

If you would like to find out how our professional Interior Designers can help you, get in touch with one of our experts today.


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