Divide & CONQUER

A new layout has dramatically improved the way in which Rebecca Mason and her young family enjoy their Victorian home in fact, she says reverting to two separate living spaces downstairs was the best decision they made

-  RACHEL LEEDHAM

many modern-day homeowners have faced the conundrum of how to best rework the layout of a typical Victorian semi – and Rebecca Mason and her husband were no exception. ‘We lived in this house for seven years before we renovated it, which gave us a lot of time to think about how we would like it to work for our family,’ recalls Rebecca, who came to the conclusion that they should divide the double reception, reverting to a more traditional layout of two separate living spaces. ‘It was a leap of faith but it’s the best decision we made,’ she adds.

Helping the couple with the plans were architects Hamilton King and interior design firm Q Design House. It was the latter’s founder, Josie Lywood, who came up with the winning idea. ‘She suggested placing a powder room and cloakroom in the centre of the ground floor, which is the darkest part of the house,’ recounts Rebecca, adding, ‘She proposed a snug leading off the kitchen, giving us a more formal drawing room at the front of the house.’