Tour this renovated flat in a converted Victorian mansion
Thanks to the energy and creative vision of its owners, a once uninspiring flat has been transformed into a maximalist haven of colour and pattern, with references ranging from the building's Victorian roots to rustic Mediterranean style and (almost) everything in between.
Like many people, make-up artist and interior designer Jodie Hazlewood started an Instagram account, @thehouseupstairs, to record the progress of a home renovation when she and her husband, commercial photographer Olly Hunter, purchased a derelict two-storey flat in March 2020. But unlike most, Jodie stuck at it – both the refurb and regular updates – and found a niche that saw the number of her followers soar and prompted a career pivot. Now, with more than 100,000 followers and her own collection of bespoke furniture being sold to a legion of fans up and down the country, the hard work and frequent posting is paying off.
‘When we found our home, I don’t think a single other person was interested in buying it as it had no working plumbing or heating, not to mention terrible 1960s windows and damp everywhere,’ recalls Jodie. ‘But we saw great proportions, as well as the potential to knock through into a very large loft space, which we’ve since done.’ The couple are the first to admit that they outsourced to professionals rather than tackle it themselves – as most of the initial jobs were so big they wouldn’t have known where to start – but the process provided a steep learning curve for them both. ‘Our confidence in DIY is slowly growing,’ says Jodie, ‘so we definitely do more things ourselves now.’
But where to begin with such an enormous undertaking? Pragmatism, it seems, was key. ‘The most important question we asked ourselves at the start of the renovation was: “How do we want to live?”’ remembers Jodie. ‘Our answer was that we wanted to entertain with ease, to be able to relax and be comfortable, and to live in an open-plan way but with private areas tucked away.’ And more than three years later, it’s clear that this is exactly what they have achieved, with fluid spaces that flow seamlessly from one to the other and feel casual but convivial.
First task on the list was ripping out and replacing the electrics and plumbing, followed shortly after by removing those unfashionable windows, many of which were missing lintels so major structural work was required. This led to yet more structural work, such as knocking through the separate sitting and dining rooms to create the open-plan living/kitchen space they wanted, then replacing the main staircase and extending into an unused loft void to create their bedroom and adjoining dressing room.
Next, they turned the original kitchen into a guest bedroom with ensuite, upgraded all the bathrooms, changed a bedroom into a snug complete with freestanding bath and converted a box room into a second guest bedroom by reinstating the vaulted ceiling, adding a new door and window, and replacing rotten walls. Last, but certainly not least, was replacing the front door. It was a major reconfiguration by anyone's standards.
As with any refurb, there were some unforeseen costs, as well as some welcome surprises, mostly in the form of much sought-after period features – gold dust for those in the throes of converting a Victorian house. ‘We discovered all the original ceilings – hidden behind suspended ceilings that were installed when the mansion was converted into three flats in the 1960s – as well as beautiful floorboards, stained glass and chimneys,’ says Jodie. ‘We’ve really tried to put personality back into the property by reinstating its history.’
With the hardest part done, Jodie and Olly were free to channel their creativity – and remaining budget – into furnishing their blank canvas. Jodie explains: ‘We wanted the interiors to look lived in – as though they had always been there – with nothing too perfect or overly staged.’ Seeking inspiration from travels, social media, hotels, stately homes and books, they set about adding to their already eclectic collection of furniture, accessories and textiles, sourcing vintage pieces and reclaimed treasures via Instagram as well as from the occasional auction.
‘We also love flea markets, eBay and Facebook Marketplace,’ adds Jodie. In fact, the reclaimed kitchen, marble fireplace and reupholstered sofas are just a handful of spoils from a pick and mix of fruitful resources. But building up their scheme didn’t stop there. Colour and pattern, too, have been layered to add further character. ‘I love to throw everything together, but always with a sense of balance,’ continues Jodie. ‘So I try to counter any vibrant elements with calmer touches.’
Throughout, she and Olly have created an aesthetic that feels effortless, well-travelled and absolutely timeless, somehow managing to evoke both British charm and Mediterranean spirit: ‘Once you open the door, we wanted it to feel like you could be anywhere, a bit like a magical escape.’
But not everything has been completed. Next on the couple’s hit list is the dressing room – ‘a bit of a dumping ground’ – and the garden. And then... who knows? ‘A life abroad might be in our future,’ says Jodie, ‘and I think we’ve got another big project in us.’ Watch this space, because if it’s anything like this joyful maisonette, it’s going to be wonderful.
Find Jodie’s furniture and homeware on thehouseupstairs.co.uk.
Explore the rest of the flat:
Snug
Bedroom
Bathroom
Hallway
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