A London couple turned their late Victorian home in Parsons Green into a home infused with an earthy palette and organic elements. The renovation, finished in 2023, reflects the homeowners’ love of natural materials and bold colours.
From brick to bespoke
The property was stripped to its brickwork and rebuilt. Cor Domi, the design firm behind the project, crafted the custom joinery and worktops, while its sister company, Project London, oversaw the structural work. The owners, who split their time between South Africa and London, where their children study at university, decided to renovate soon after buying the home.
Greg Daulby, senior designer at Cor Domi, explained the approach. “The property was stripped back to brick and modernised throughout. Each element was carefully integrated to balance functionality, ease of use, and the warmth of a lived-in family home.” The couple wanted gas cooking, strong extraction, and a premium coffee setup, all arranged to make the kitchen a central spot for cooking, dining, and socialising.
A kitchen built for flow
The original small kitchen extension was replaced with a longer, brighter space that added a side return and higher ceilings. Large skylights and sliding doors bring in natural light, while dark timber cabinets and lacquered green oak veneer add depth. Taj Mahal quartzite worktops provide texture, and herringbone flooring completes the scheme.
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The kitchen sits at the rear of the property, designed to connect effortlessly from the main work area to dining and entertaining zones. “The kitchen is located at the rear of the property, designed to flow seamlessly from the main working area through to the dining and entertaining space,” explains Greg. “With limited outdoor space, we introduced large skylights and sliding doors to bring in as much natural light as possible, making the kitchen feel inviting, bright, and connected to the outdoors.”
The layout was planned to overcome the typical constraints of a terraced home, giving the impression of a much larger, family-friendly space. The green kitchen with dark timber is now spacious enough for easy movement, cooking, and entertaining.
The focus wasn’t only on appearance. Materials were selected for durability as well as style. The Taj Mahal quartzite worktops introduce extra texture, while the herringbone flooring complements the organic-looking scheme. The theme of nature runs throughout the kitchen—dark timber joinery and lacquered green oak veneer create a rich, layered design that also serves as a backdrop to the couple’s collection of artworks.
Harmony across the home
The bathrooms follow a similar theme to the kitchen, with beautiful zellige wall tiles and joinery with a lived-in feel. “We had the chance to work with an amazing oyster-white quartzite, crafted into a 250mm-thick block to house the double sinks above the floating timber joinery,” says Greg.
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The consistent use of materials and design ties the home together, fulfilling the couple’s goal of a peaceful, cohesive scheme.
The renovation faced challenges common to London terraced homes, including tight spaces and ambitious plans. The final result met the owners’ expectations, with Cor Domi’s ability to deliver a full, bespoke joinery package ensuring quality and craftsmanship throughout. “It allowed for a cohesive design across all rooms, ensuring consistent quality and craftsmanship,” Greg adds. “Plus, our seamless project management made the installation process smooth and stress-free, giving the homeowners confidence that every detail would be handled to the highest standard.”
The home now serves as a family base, offering practicality and the kind of natural beauty that makes it feel like a true sanctuary.
