Real home: a colourful and creative Victorian house

A dark painted kitchen-diner with gallery wall and large pendant lights

(Image credit: Fiona Murray)

published 21 October 2019

Stepping into the unassuming terraced home of designer Sally Tooth and her family, you’d never guess the explosion of colour, pattern and print that awaits. One of the first things that strikes you is the hand-painted graphic wall in the open-plan playroom, which was recreated from one of Sally’s favourite multicoloured geometric wallpapers, designed by her partner Jay, to complement their own furniture.

‘If you are happy to get painting yourself, I think you can generate real interest in a room without spending a fortune,’ says Sally. ‘We like to go big and bold in all the small spaces in the house. I think Maddi’s room and our downstairs loo are great examples of this.’

Discover more amazing home makeovers on our dedicated page, and practical information on adding a two-storey extension like Sally and Jay have. Read on to find out how the couple have transformed their home.

Living room with grey sofa, original fireplace, large mirror and rug — Sally’s living room is a homage to her love of accessories. Shelves are lined with vases, books and trinkets, while houseplants of different heights add greenery to the space. Walls painted in Chalky Downs, *Dulux. Alcoves painted in* *Down Pipe, Farrow & Ball. Sofa and mirror,* *Next. Pendant light,* *Wayfair. Rug,* *Habitat*

Project notes

The owners: Sally Tooth, designer and MD of accessories label Konoc, and partner Jay Srimankong, who runs a decorating business, live here with son Rocco, five, and daughter Maddi, four
The property: A three-bedroom Victorian terraced house in Farnham, Surrey
Project cost: £160,000

When the couple bought the house five years ago they saw it as the perfect ‘fixer-upper’. It was near Sally’s parents in Surrey, and just the right size and price range for them to be able to put their unique stamp on the space. ‘The house hadn’t been touched for years and was in a terrible state when we first bought it,’ says Sally.

Renovations began with the complete gutting of the house to make way for moving the stairs, adding on a two-storey extension to the back and reconfiguring the rooms upstairs. Jay did a lot of the cosmetic work himself, but they hired builders to do the bulk of the structural work. ‘We’re hands-on and creative people, and knew this was the best way to create the family home we imagined, so we weren’t daunted by the project,’ Sally says. ‘We were excited.’

Leather sofa against dark navy walls and wooden floor — *Redesigning and extending the house has created space for an open-plan kitchen/dining/living space at the rear of the property*

The couple added in new bathrooms, one new bedroom and new flooring throughout. They also raised and levelled the step-down kitchen, giving the downstairs space a more fluid and open feel. Much of the original character of the property was added in with furniture and period features like the fireplaces, which were found at salvage yards, Ebay, Gumtree and vintage markets.

At this time, the couple had just returned from living in Thailand, where they had first met. With Sally pregnant with their daughter Maddi and their first child Rocco, who had just turned one, in tow, they moved into Sally’s parents’ house, a five-minute drive away, until the house was liveable.

Cloakroom with bold leaf wallpaper and pink tiles — *A tropical theme continues into the downstairs cloakroom, which is a haven of a designer-favourite colour combination – pink and green.* *Palm Jungle wallpaper, Cole & Son. Metro tiles,* *Tile Giant. For a similar black towel radiator, try* *Victorian Plumbing*

The building work took 18 months to complete, but half of this was done while they were still living in Samui, with Sally’s parents project managing on their behalf. The family were able to move into their refurbished home in 2015, just two months after Maddi was born.

Now their ‘fixer-upper’ is a haven of warmth and colour. From the cocoon-like feel of the dark inky hue in the kitchen-diner to the bright gallery walls in the living room, and with the kids’ bedrooms so full of life and detail, the house is a feast for the senses. ‘For me, accessories make a room,’ says Sally.

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Children's playroom with colourful walls and toys — *The playroom is Sally’s favourite, with its mix of old and new. It caters to Sally and Jay’s tastes as well as the children’s. Sofa,* *Habitat. Rug,* *Wayfair. Rubber track,* *Acorn & Pip*

The kids’ playroom had a vibrant makeover of its own and is full of quirky design details, like the hand-drawn height chart, and the magnetic blackboard where the children can get creative. Jay painted the wall – with a little help from Rocco – before the family moved in.

Neutral bedroom with metal bedframe and grey bedding — A wall mural of clouds against natural textures and tones
of neutrals and greys sets a calm scene in Sally and
Jay’s bedroom. Bed, bedside tables and rug, *Ikea. Wall mural,* *Photowall. Bamboo light shades,* *B&Q*

‘I like having collections of things together – or “organised clutter” as I tend to call it! Plants, books, toys and prints, when displayed with purpose, can make all the difference. I also love crafting – some of my favourite things in the house are the vintage metal crates in the playroom I picked up recently and sprayed orange and mauve.’

Modern bathroom with large freestanding white bath — *The decor of the family bathroom proves that layers of colour, texture and pattern can work in this functional room just as well as any other. Mural,* *Photowall. Tiger bath mat,* *Urban Outfitters*.

The bathrooms are also full of retro flair, with punchy tropical wallpaper amid a colour-filled scheme. ‘I feel like functional spaces should never be plain and boring,’ says Sally. ‘I always like to paint and add wallpaper and accessories, and I approach the interior of my bathroom and kitchen just as I do the rest of the house.’

kid's bedroom with fun house-shaped bed — *Cool two-tone walls, a gallery of prints and a house-shaped bed make Maddi’s room the perfect place for child’s play. Multicolour rug,* *B&Q. Bed,* *Wayfair. Triangle blanket,* *Camomile London*

Now that they’re a few years further on from the original renovation work, is there anything left to be done in the house? ‘At some point we’ll probably do the basement,’ says Sally. ‘But for now, we’re taking a rest and just enjoying living here. It’s everything we could have wished for – and more.’