Through the invaluable help of a property finder, media guru Caroline Kyriazis tracked down a spacious Victorian terrace in Tunbridge Wells with all the period qualities she and her husband had been searching for. With a love of DIY and decoration they have created their dream home.

TEST Caroline’s workspace emphasises the benefits of home working. Her neat, mid-century-style desk – from Maisons du Monde – is next to a large window, with a view out over the back gardens of this quiet corner of Tunbridge Wells. Venetian masquerade masks on the mantlepiece were a present from Simon

Caroline’s workspace emphasises the benefits of home working. Her neat, mid-century-style desk – from Maisons du Monde – is next to a large window, with a view out over the back gardens of this quiet corner of Tunbridge Wells

TEST Venetian masquerade masks on the mantlepiece were a present from Simon

Venetian masquerade masks on the mantlepiece were a present from Simon

TEST Tilly’s spacious room, at the front of the house, looks over the school playing field Left: Oscar’s room was difficult to fit furniture in because of the sloping ceiling. His bed was from Little Home children’s range by John Lewis.

Oscar’s room was difficult to fit furniture in because of the sloping ceiling. His bed was from Little Home children’s range by John Lewis

TEST Tilly’s spacious room, at the front of the house, looks over the school playing field Left: Oscar’s room was difficult to fit furniture in because of the sloping ceiling. His bed was from Little Home children’s range by John Lewis.

Tilly’s spacious room, at the front of the house, looks over the school playing field

TEST In the master bedroom is a bay window and oversized armchair or ‘love seat’. “We’ve had the armchair for more than 10 years, along with the leather sofa downstairs. They were in the first flat we had together,” says Caroline

In the master bedroom is a bay window and oversized armchair or ‘love seat’. “We’ve had the armchair for more than 10 years, along with the leather sofa downstairs. They were in the first flat we had together,” says Caroline

TEST “We wanted a better work-life balance. In London I was working full time, the kids were in child care 7am until 6pm. They were long, long days for everybody and we thought ‘What are we doing?!’ ”

“We wanted a better work-life balance. In London I was working full time, the kids were in child care 7am until 6pm. They were long, long days for everybody and we thought ‘What are we doing?!’ ”

TEST The walls of the master bedroom are painted in Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball. A king-sized bed by Sofa.com takes pride of place next to a pretty lantern window

The walls of the master bedroom are painted in Manor House Gray by Farrow & Ball. A king-sized bed by Sofa.com takes pride of place next to a pretty lantern window

TEST A brightly painted chest of drawers contrasts with the cool greys and blacks of the master bedroom

A brightly painted chest of drawers contrasts with the cool greys and blacks of the master bedroom

TEST Along the corridor, the family bathroom is a tranquil haven of greys peppered with yellows and whites

Along the corridor, the family bathroom is a tranquil haven of greys peppered with yellows and whites

TEST The guest bedroom features a metal bed frame from Made.com

The guest bedroom features a metal bed frame from Made.com

TEST The guest bedroom features a metal bed frame from Made.com

Every room in the house has a fireplace, of varying size, with jewel-like tiles surrounding it in either dark green, blue or red

TEST Caroline initially intended on turning the playroom at the front of the house into a snug. The walls are painted in Pavilion Gray and Mole’s Breath by Farrow & Ball and prints on the wall were found at Battersea Affordable Art Fair

Caroline initially intended on turning the playroom at the front of the house into a snug. The walls are painted in Pavilion Gray and Mole’s Breath by Farrow & Ball and prints on the wall were found at Battersea Affordable Art Fair

TEST Next to the kitchen is a cosy room known as ‘the snug’. Initially a very light grey, and devoid of much natural light, Caroline has worked with the darkness, choosing deep tones and adding little pops of colour

Next to the kitchen is a cosy room known as ‘the snug’. Initially a very light grey, and devoid of much natural light, Caroline has worked with the darkness, choosing deep tones and adding little pops of colour

TEST The kitchen’s bi-fold doors open out into the courtyard garden. Caroline sourced the metal kitchen table from eBay

Caroline sourced the metal kitchen table from eBay

TEST The kitchen’s bi-fold doors open out into the courtyard garden. Caroline sourced the metal kitchen table from eBay

The kitchen’s bi-fold doors open out into the courtyard garden

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming

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