After years of rural living, seasoned property renovators Catherine and Rupert decided to move their growing family to a spacious Victorian townhouse in the heart of Sevenoaks. After extensive modernisation, in a very short timeframe, they have succeeded in creating the ideal space to accommodate the needs of their family including the bespoke kitchen Catherine has always dreamed of.

TEST Beneath a sparkling chandelier, the impressive entrance hall features a floor tiled in Fired Earth ‘Patisserie’ tiles

Beneath a sparkling chandelier, the impressive entrance hall features a floor tiled in Fired Earth ‘Patisserie’ tiles

TEST The kitchen was designed and built by Chamber Furniture in Halstead. “It’s the first time I’ve had a bespoke kitchen in any of the properties we’ve had,” says Catherine. “We’ve found that the best system when we’re doing up a house while living in it is to tackle the kitchen last and we’ve always seemed to have exhausted the budget by then.”

The kitchen was designed and built by Chamber Furniture in Halstead. “It’s the first time I’ve had a bespoke kitchen in any of the properties we’ve had,” says Catherine. “We’ve found that the best system when we’re doing up a house while living in it is to tackle the kitchen last and we’ve always seemed to have exhausted the budget by then.”

TEST The pretty fireplace in the bright and airy kitchen

The pretty fireplace in the bright and airy kitchen

TEST What will eventually become a formal dining room is currently the ultimate gaming room gathered around a pool table that flips over for air hockey in the centre

What will eventually become a formal dining room is currently the ultimate gaming room gathered around a pool table that flips over for air hockey in the centre

TEST The fireplace in the games room

The fireplace in the games room

TEST Catherine and Rupert found that, as the layout of the rooms was very much as it had been when originally built, it meant that virtually all of the original features – including some lovely fireplaces and superb cornicing – were intact

Catherine and Rupert found that, as the layout of the rooms was very much as it had been when originally built, it meant that virtually all of the original features – including some lovely fireplaces and superb cornicing – were intact

TEST “We had first thought of making the whole top floor our domain,” says Catherine, “but whatever way we looked at it we just couldn’t make it work.” The answer has been to remodel a bathroom and the next door former bedroom to create a master suite with both dressing room and bathroom

“We had first thought of making the whole top floor our domain,” says Catherine, “but whatever way we looked at it we just couldn’t make it work.” The answer has been to remodel a bathroom and the next door former bedroom to create a master suite with both dressing room and bathroom

TEST On the two upper floors, there were originally eight bedrooms but Catherine and Rupert’s remodelling has brought it down to six bedrooms and four bathrooms. “It’s a much more workable balance for a family,” says Catherine

On the two upper floors, there were originally eight bedrooms but Catherine and Rupert’s remodelling has brought it down to six bedrooms and four bathrooms. “It’s a much more workable balance for a family,” says Catherine

TEST Adhering to a colour palette of cool greys in the family bathroom, Catherine has chosen rubber flooring and striking pearlised mosaic tiles

Adhering to a colour palette of cool greys in the family bathroom, Catherine has chosen rubber flooring and striking pearlised mosaic tiles

TEST Son James’ very blue room features a giant map of the world papered onto one wall

Son James’ very blue room features a giant map of the world papered onto one wall

TEST Daughter Emma’s room used to be the original master bedroom and is now a spacious retreat decorated in hues of purple

Daughter Emma’s room used to be the original master bedroom and is now a spacious retreat decorated in hues of purple

TEST A wide staircase sweeps up to the top floor, the domain of daughters Alice and Ellie

A wide staircase sweeps up to the top floor, the domain of daughters Alice and Ellie

  • words:
  • pictures: David Merewether
  • styling: Lucy Fleming & Helen Barton

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