The Warren, an Edwardian house in a quiet English suburb, has been transformed from a tired, overgrown property into a bright, cottage style home that its owners describe as a “dream.” Chris and Neil Myers bought the property in 2000, noting its “huge scope for transformation.” Over two decades of work, they have repainted brick walls, added a New England‑style porch, and cultivated a garden filled with hydrangeas, roses and several scratch‑built sheds.
Exterior and garden makeover
The exterior now features pristine white‑painted brick and pebbledash, while the porch, built in 2004, offers a spot for residents to greet passers‑by. The garden, once overgrown, has become an abundant retreat. Neil, who runs a workshop in a shed made from a salvaged WWII Anderson shelter tin roof, crafted many of the garden structures himself. Their effort to preserve a protected tree and address council concerns about shiplap cladding added complexity, but the result is a cohesive cottage style setting.
Interior redesign and reclaimed décor
Inside, the 1904 building feels light and unified. Original bay windows are dressed with Colefax & Fowler Bowood chintz curtains, while walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Purbeck Stone and Strong White, and woodwork finished in Dulux’s Timeless hue. The stripped‑wood fireplace remains a period reminder, but the rooms have been refreshed with handmade soft furnishings and restored furniture. The couple avoided new items where possible, preferring to restore or reuse pieces that add character.
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The kitchen blends freestanding units with repurposed furniture, including a bright‑blue double Aga and tongue‑and‑groove ceiling boards. Chris scoured fairs such as Loseley Park Decorative Home & Salvage Show and Sunbury Antiques Market for dressers and shelves, creating a space that showcases her collections of blue‑and‑white china and vintage scales. The dining room serves both meals and sewing sessions, with a wooden picket‑fence‑style pelmet made by Neil replacing a more formal fabric drape.
Above the original sitting‑room fireplace, a loft‑style bedroom was added, offering a view that “somehow added to the kitchen,” according to Chris. The extension houses The Cozy Club, a room styled like an old general store where she holds creative workshops and occasionally sells handmade and vintage items. The space reflects the intent to integrate new structures as part of the house rather than as afterthoughts.
From an analytical standpoint, the Myerses’ approach illustrates how incremental, hands‑on renovation can preserve historic character while meeting modern lifestyle needs. Their reliance on local fairs and salvaged materials reduces environmental impact, and the continuity of design elements—such as the consistent color palette and reclaimed furnishings—helps the house feel like a single, well‑curated entity rather than a patchwork of renovations.
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Visitors have noted the preserved atmosphere. One guest, born in the residence, remarked that despite extensive changes, the “same atmosphere” remained. Chris considers this “high praise,” reflecting the balance they have struck between restoration and personalization.
It feels like home.
