Packed with PERSONALITY

Clare Bolger bought a house that was dated and dull knowing she could make it a place full of charisma

- PIPPA BLENKINSOP

HALLWAY

This impressive space has been painted a dramatic shade of dark blue, making the adjoining rooms feel even lighter and brighter. Walls in Juniper Ash absolute matt emulsion, £48.50 for 2.5ltr; woodwork in Basalt intelligent eggshell, £68 for 2.5ltr, both Little Greene. Manor Heath Arcade print, £276, Kate Lycett

SITTING ROOM

The woodwork and fire surround have been painted a slightly darker colour to add subtle highlights, while a sideboard brings character to the alcove. Tubby sofa in Postbox Red, £349, Made. Artificial plants, from £17.99, Dowsing & Reynolds. Similar sideboard, £1,615, Tikamoon

Although Clare Bolger and her husband Oliver weren’t looking to move, when they saw an Edwardian villa they had always admired come up for sale, they knew it had the potential to be their forever home. Initially, the price was out of their budget, but when they saw that it had been reduced, the couple immediately put their house on the market. ‘We’d just had our third son, Henry, a brother for Jack and George, so needed more space,’ says Clare. ‘One of the best things about the house was the basement, which spanned the entire footprint of the property, so we were really keen to unlock its potential.’