Interior design ideas: Lighten Up - in pictures

One of the shortfalls of Victorian terraces is a tendency for narrow, dark living spaces. This house in east London was no exception: a gloomy entrance led to a staircase that got progressively more confined as it led to a dingy pantry. Glass extensions on the rear of the house dealt with that. Now, a double-height, slimline glass stairwell, slightly wider than a sash window, floods the entrance hall with light and provides views from the front door to the back garden, which is accessible through a glass door. A second, smaller glazed extension accommodates a bright family living space connected to a large kitchen/dining room.
Photograph: Michael Franke

This is where the family, Lindsay and Matt Gormley and their eight-year-old daughter, Olive, spend most of their time. Its three spaces – for dining, cooking and relaxing – flow into each other and into the garden. A sleek, graphite and yellow kitchen allows the couple to cook while chatting to guests. The douglas fir floor is by Dinesen.
Photograph: Michael Franke

The low-ceilinged dining area at the front of the house has its original fireplace, flanked by shelving for glassware and cookbooks; a large timber-and-steel dining table, from Metro Retro, was delivered through the window last Christmas Eve. The Beat pendant lights are by Tom Dixon. Photograph: Michael Franke

A garden-facing living space beyond features a magnificent glass roof and doors, and a slim picture window cut into a black-painted wall. The Kenneth sofas are from SCP. The Dandelion Clocks fabric on the cushions is by Sanderson, and the BL5 wall lamp (just seen, far right) is by Bestlite (from ferriousonline.co.uk).
Photograph: Michael Franke

Upstairs, on the ground floor, are two reception rooms with black painted floorboards, lead-coloured walls, white mouldings and pops of colour from furniture and accessories. This vibrant rug is Donna Wilson’s Scope, from Heal's, and the shelving is mid-century Danish, as is the Hans J Wegner chair.
Photograph: Michael Franke

In the other reception room lead grey walls – Down Pipe by Farrow & Ball – contrast with orange GE290 chairs by Hans J Wegner and a Malia floor lamp from John Lewis (now available only in white). The curtain fabric is from Marimekko, and the Oranges and Lemons letterpress print is from New North Press.
Photograph: Michael Franke

The top floor is a master suite – with free-standing tub and two fireplaces – created from two rooms that were knocked into one and opened up to the eaves. The orange Madrugada throw is from Abigail Ahern. The Absence of Rose wallpaper is by Vivienne Westwood for Cole & Son. The Canterbury bath is from Fired Earth (hutarchitecture.com).
Photograph: Michael Franke