It's sociable and perfect for festive celebrations'

By choosing a cohesive colour palette and elegant panelling, Vicky Thomas has created a traditional look with a modern twist

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Vicky and Luke had been happily renting for 11 years but, with only two bedrooms and a growing family, the couple needed more space. ‘I loved the high ceilings and generous room sizes of this house, and the decor was quite bland, which was a bonus because it meant I could add my own personality,’ says Vicky. But what almost put her off buying the property was that the porch opens directly into the living room. ‘I really disliked the thought of walking straight into the open-plan space with no hall to create a buffer zone,’ she says. However, the pros of the house outweighed the cons, so the couple decided to make it work.

THE PROJECT