We take a trip to Tooting, and learn about this Victorian home and its vacation-inspired aesthetics. Fancy a tour?

“I think I’ll just move that dragon fruit a smidge” is not something I find myself saying very often. But on the shoot of Louisa’s beautiful south-west London home, I remember finding it rather comical as I uttered it, while heading over to the kitchen island in the midst of styling – complete with giant mangoes and a pair of rather poofy cabbages.

While I continue to dress the space, I see how Louisa’s home (which she shares with her husband, one-year-old, and Cavapoo, Alfie) has been greatly influenced by her passions, being a luxury travel industry professional and hotel interiors enthusiast. With arched windows inspired by a favourite restaurant, and aesthetics created with Los Angeles villas in mind, it certainly didn’t feel like I was standing in a Victorian home near Tooting.

As I fiddle with the fruit and arrange the hydrangeas, I begin to chat with Louisa, and ask all about the transformation of her gorgeous home.

So, where did it all start?

We had loved and searched for properties on this road in the past, so were really excited when we saw this one come on the market. We were fortunate to be chosen by the last generation of the family who lived here. Apparently, we reminded them of themselves when they purchased the house five decades ago: eager, excited, and ready to infuse the property with love.

We recognised its potential as a long-term project and were keen to embrace the challenge. We love period properties, especially the charm of Victorian homes, so we were committed to restoring this house to its former splendour from the get-go. It hadn’t been updated in 40 years – it featured locks on every door and, apart from a tiled floor hidden beneath a threadbare blue carpet, no original characteristics remained.

The renovation was comprehensive: we demolished the existing extension, stripped all rooms back to brick, reconfigured the upstairs bedroom layout, increased ceiling heights, and added a substantial extension to the rear.

Tell me about the extension…

Our vision was for a completely open-plan space, free from central supports – a key design element we tackled together with our architects and builders. Their solution involved a massive ‘picture-frame’, cranked steel to support the mezzanine level, eliminating the need for a central rolled steel joist that would have required integration into the kitchen design.

We adore the spaciousness of the extension, and how the blend of arched windows and a tall, free-flowing, ‘waterfall’ glass feature delineates the living and dining areas. To further define the lounge, we incorporated exposed beams, adding texture and highlighting the ceiling’s height.

And to add another layer of interest, we introduced arched, built-in storage around a central stone fireplace and a functional log burner, creating a wonderfully cosy atmosphere for winter cooking. On the adjoining wall, we opted for a shiplap effect to add visual interest, and installed a built-in bench for seating.

What was the kitchen like before?

Initially, the kitchen was a well-used extension of the house, a long galley with terracotta, black, and white floor tiles, white units, and a gas hob and oven. We shared many memorable meals in that space after first moving in. We lived with this set-up for a year, always dreaming of a Devol kitchen.

Is that where you went for the design?

It is! Devol was exceptional throughout the project. Their communication was great and their work consistently accurate. We thoroughly enjoyed every step of the process. We went for several bespoke elements, including deeper units for our coffee station and drinks cabinet.

What was your brief to them?

As passionate food lovers and hosts, a key design element for our kitchen was a dedicated space where guests could relax with a glass of wine while we cooked. We carefully considered the hob’s placement and debated including a range, ultimately deciding on an island hob with the sink directly behind it. This avoided having a sink on the island, which, given our lifestyle, would frequently have dishes in it. We preferred it to maintain a minimal and clean aesthetic.

Our vision also included keeping the main kitchen units free of food items. This led to the creation of a generously sized pantry at the rear of the space. I often find myself spending a lot of time here. It’s incredibly practical for organising spices, nuts, and dried fruit, and I truly believe it has elevated my granola-making abilities.

I also enjoy doing all my baking in this room. We decided against extending the underfloor heating into the pantry, which ensures it remains wonderfully cool in the summer – ideal for rolling pastry or keeping salads and prepared food chilled.

How would you describe your kitchen?

Do you have any favourite bits? Our kitchen truly embodies the heart of our home, and it’s undoubtedly the building’s standout feature. Opting for such light-coloured walls and units felt like a bold decision, but I wouldn’t change it now. It perfectly blends timelessness and tradition with a touch of modern flair. My favourite elements are the ladder, coffee station, and pantry.

Why did you go for this type of glazing?

Our home is part of the Heaver Estate, built and designed by Alfred Heaver circa 1890 – indicative of Victorian architecture. The area benefits from conservation status, therefore choice of material was an important consideration throughout our renovation.

The combination of two bespoke Crittall Windows arched doors next to the fixed, bespoke, ‘waterfall’ glazing defines different zones within the large open-living space. From lounging, relaxing, and socialising with the backdrop of the softer Crittall arches, to the bolder lines of the glass ‘waterfall‘ denoting the dining space. Watching the three-metre windows being craned over the entire house on install day was pretty terrifying!

What about the rest of the house?

Combining our master bedroom and bathroom, originally the two largest bedrooms in the house, was a bold choice, as we were effectively losing a bedroom. Dedicating both spaces to ourselves felt a bit indulgent but, ultimately, it was the right decision. Unlike many homes on our street, with front-facing bedrooms, we prioritised a garden view in the mornings. And aside from the nocturnal London foxes, it’s incredibly peaceful.

The family bathroom is the culmination of countless late-night Pinterest sessions and my ongoing fascination with hotel aesthetics. It leans slightly more towards an ‘Instagram-friendly’ look, a stark contrast to the existing kitchen and bathroom combination room that was present when we bought the house.

It took me a while to track down the cornflower blue tiles, and I drew inspiration from bathrooms in fantastic New York hotels such as The Ludlow – which has floor-to-ceiling metro tiles. The pencil detailing truly perfected the white tiled walls. We elevated the bathtub with a beautiful marble surround, creating a convenient ledge for plants, bath toys, or even perching wine glasses.

How did you find the experience overall?

It’s taken us almost three years to reach this point, but we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with our builders, Innovate Decisions Services Ltd and Taras Construction Ltd. Their incredibly positive approach and dedication was instrumental in transforming this space into the high-specification area you see today.

Photography: Anna Stathaki | Styling: Georgina Townshend

This house tour was featured in the September 2025 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.

Enjoyed this post? Click here to discover the story of an L-shaped kitchen and its chic stone island

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