Author and content creator Louise Boyce (also known as @mamastillgotit_ on Instagram) talks to KBB journo Becca Cullum-Green about how she renovated her Surrey-based Edwardian home…
There’s no place quite like home for Louise Boyce – and she’s never more relaxed than when she’s perched behind her kitchen island hosting friends and family.
Louise, an author and content creator, along with her husband Jesse, a creative director, embarked on renovating their Edwardian home after leaving their busy lives in London behind.
“We decided to move to Surrey for more space during Covid, taking advantage of the then stamp duty holiday. We found this house and it had been stripped of all its original features. It also had some very ‘interesting’ additions, shall we say, including an abstract glass staircase,” giggles Louise.
As soon as the couple viewed this house, they knew it was a great opportunity to bring it back to its former glory as well as extending it to create their dream family home for them and their three children, Basil, Sonny and Inca.
The ground-floor renovation
After securing the property, it was time for Louise and Jesse to do their research. “It was so important for us to get the right builders in. We’d heard so many horror stories and we really didn’t want to fall into that trap. We actually nearly went with one company until we checked their online reviews and were immediately put off.
“We’re so pleased we went with Totus in the end. They made the entire build an enjoyable process from start to finish and it only took eight months,” smiles Louise.
When it came to designing the ground-floor part of the home extension, which included an open-plan kitchen, snug, pantry, boot room and downstairs WC, the couple’s main aim was to create a large communal space.
“We love hosting and having parties and we are usually the ones to host Christmas and Easter. There’s nothing we enjoy more than gathering around the kitchen and dancing with our loved ones.”
The hub of the home
However, Louise also wanted to make sure that the space was functional for them as a family. “Everyday, us and the kids sit at the breakfast bar to eat our dinner and to discuss what has happened during the day. It feels like the real hub of the home.”
She proudly admits there’s nothing she would change about the kitchen design and is really pleased with the detailed decisions that they made.
A great example of this is the symmetrical design of the kitchen. The hinges on the left-hand side cabinetry are not real, they simply create the look of an entirely symmetrical kitchen. Louise admits that the only addition they want to make in the future is a library ladder fitted to the back of the kitchen so they can easily reach the top cupboards.
Louise and Jesse’s master bedroom
Walking up the stairs to the master bedroom, it’s hard not to be distracted by the show-stopping pink glass chandelier that hangs proudly above the stairs. To the right is Louise and Jesse’s bedroom, a brand-new space that was part of the double-height extension.
But, it’s not just your average bedroom – it features a dressing-utility area as well as a sizeable ensuite with a walk-in shower and freestanding bath.
“I wanted the bedroom to feel light, airy and spacious and to be completely calm,” says Louise. The couple opted for a soothing neutral colour palette in here, with minimal furniture and accessories to keep the space feeling tranquil and decluttered.
“I wanted a washing machine and tumble dryer upstairs because of sheer practicality. The rest of Europe thinks we’re crazy for having our utility rooms downstairs and for having our clothes next to our dirty dishes. If you think about it, it does make sense. I didn’t want to keep going up and down the stairs with baskets of clothes, it definitely saves on arguments,” laughs Louise.
The dreamy ensuite
On the opposite side of the bedroom, you’ll find the couple’s dreamy ensuite that looks like it belongs in a swanky boutique hotel. The couple chose taps and fixtures by C.P. Hart and mega slab wall tiles from Rak Ceramics, which undoubtedly adds to the luxurious feel of the room.
“The mega slabs don’t require any grout lines and we think they create a clean and seamless look. There’s no grouting in the shower either, which makes me very happy,” Louise says.
This sense of tranquillity flows through the entire house, which Louise once again credits to their brilliant builders Totus. Despite how many design decisions had to be made during their speedy renovation, every element of their project feels well thought through and suited to them as a family.
She goes on to admit, “I don’t think a house ever feels completely finished, and there are always more ideas that pop into my head, but I couldn’t be happier with where we’re at right now.”
As originally told to: Becca Cullum-Green | Photography: Anna Stathaki
This house tour was featured in the September 2024 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms magazine.
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