Interior Design Feature: Wandsworth, South West London

Inside Forbes 30 Under 30 Natalie Glaze’s Victorian London Home

Overview

When Natalie Glaze first stepped inside her Southwest London home, she was not searching for a project this big. The Victorian property had been untouched for nearly 70 years, with unsafe electrics, collapsing ceilings, damaged floors, and no central heating. Yet beneath the disrepair, she saw something worth preserving. “It’s such a beautiful old home with so much history” Natalie explains. Renovating the house wasn’t meant to hide its age; instead, it was about bringing back warmth, richness, and personality while integrating old and new elements.

Homeowner

Natalie Glaze

Type

Family Residence

Location

Wandsworth, South West London

Services

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Presented by

Natalie Glaze

A narrow hallway with black and white checkered tiles leads to a beige-carpeted staircase. A mirror and dark radiator adorn the wall, creating an elegant, classic ambiance.

Elegant white ceiling with intricate molding, featuring ornate patterns and a round, vintage light fixture, creating a refined and classic atmosphere.

First Impressions

The hallway became a symbolic turning point in the renovation. “The hallway is always the last thing you do, but it’s also the first impression” she says. Limestone checkerboard flooring introduces a subtle classic Victorian aesthetic vibe, paired with original mirrors, restored doors, and warm earthy tones. Throughout the space, the original detailing remains intact, including decorative ceiling features Natalie affectionately describes “I love all the period features, up here like these little faces which some people say are a bit spooky but I think they’re cute.”

Stylish kitchen with dark green cabinets and a marble countertop. Features a brass faucet, wooden boards, soap dispensers, and decorative items, creating a cozy ambiance.

Elegant kitchen sink with a brass faucet set in white marble countertop. Features wooden cutting boards, Verden soap bottles, and striped ceramic vase.

Designing a Kitchen with Natural Light

The kitchen renovation completely transformed a room that was dark and cramped. Working alongside her father who is an architect, Natalie extended both outward and sideways to create a brighter, more open layout. The elevated island was designed deliberately to reveal more flooring beneath, subtly increasing the openness of the area. Cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball’s Studio Green reflects the landscape outside. “A greener, earthier palette felt more aligned with the house” Natalie says. Quartz surfaces with veining provide the elegance of marble with greater practicality, and vintage furniture pieces represent the old elements in the kitchen.

Modern kitchen with a marble island, dark green cabinets, and brass handles. An oven and decor sit on the left, while wooden doors and natural light create a warm, inviting atmosphere.

Modern kitchen with sage green cabinets, marble countertops, and natural wood accents. Large windows and skylight provide abundant natural light.

Old and New in Conversation

One of the most compelling aspects of the home is Natalie’s instinct for combining contrasting eras. A worn vintage school cupboard now functions as a coffee station beside a sleek floating glass window seat. Crittall-style doors and contemporary glazing are paired with reclaimed wood and antique furnishings. “How do I balance that old and new?” Natalie asks while explaining her design process. That question seems to lead every room, which makes the renovation feel new without taking away from the ambiance of the original property.

Creating Space Through the Courtyard

At the centre of the extension is a small private courtyard inspired by Spanish terraces. Introduced at her father’s suggestion, the courtyard allows natural light to reach both the kitchen and dining spaces, solving a common problem in Victorian terrace renovations. Terracotta tiles and varied paving patterns create warmth and familiarity, while large doors keep the connection between inside and out. Natalie describes it as her “pride and joy” praising the “really lovely, dappled light throughout the day.” The courtyard may occupy only a modest footprint, but it significantly alters how the ground floor looks and functions.

Bright living room with large bay window and white shutters. Features a gray sofa, navy armchair, white marble coffee table, and built-in bookshelves.

Cozy living room with a black wood-burning stove in a white fireplace, flanked by a TV stand and colorful bookshelf. A marble coffee table with candles and books adds elegance.

Ceiling corner with intricate white plaster molding, featuring decorative floral patterns. The walls and ceiling are painted in soft, muted tones.

A cozy living room with a white fireplace and large mirror. A colorful bookshelf is filled with books. A blue chair adds a calm touch to the scene.

Preserving Character in the Living Spaces

The living and dining rooms reveal Natalie’s commitment to protecting the house’s original architectural identity. Ceiling roses, fireplaces, doors, and decorative mouldings were all retained despite the extensive structural work required. “We have to save the ceiling roses. There is no way we can get rid of those original features” she recalls. Even when the original floorboards proved impossible to save, she chose a chevron timber floor to keep the warm and neutral vibe she wanted throughout the home. Bookshelves filled with well-used novels add personality, making the room feel homey and lived in.

Minimalist bedroom with soft green walls, a large white bed, and a window with a sheer blind. The room conveys a calm and serene atmosphere.

A minimalist room with soft green walls, an open wooden door leading to a light-filled hallway, beige carpet, and a sleek wardrobe, evoking calmness.

A cozy bedroom with a plush, dark blue headboard, white bedding, and neutral pillows. The room has a wooden nightstand and an open shelf with decor items, exuding calm.

A cozy interior with a white fireplace adorned with an orange vase and greenery. Beside it, a minimalist shelf with sculptures and a small mirror. A plush blue chair adds a calm touch.

Textured and Natural Materials

Upstairs, the design becomes more modest and natural. The spare bedroom layers olive tones, natural fibres, linen, wood, and woven textures to create what Natalie describes as a “calm and soothing” atmosphere.

In the bathroom, handmade marble sinks, unlacquered brass fittings, limestone floors, and micro cement walls create a spa-like feel. The handmade marble acts as the centrepiece and absence of visible tiles and the neutral colours makes the room feel sleek and cosy.

Cozy room with a large mirror reflecting a table, chair, and scattered items. A closed white wardrobe and black mantelpiece add modern elegance.

A cozy, sunlit room with cream-colored curtains flowing over a window, revealing a clear blue sky. Flanked by beige cabinets, a ceramic vase sits on a wooden table.

The Dressing Room Reinvented

Natalie’s favourite room in the house is her dressing room, where muted pinks, marble surfaces, and vintage furniture create a softer and more decorative mood. The bespoke-looking cabinetry is an IKEA Pax hack enhanced with custom detailing. “It saves so much money” Natalie says, proving that well-planned design often matters more than costly spending.

A Renovation Still in Progress

Natalie openly acknowledges that the renovation is still in progress. Several rooms are intentionally unfinished as she continues collecting furniture and vintage pieces gradually and not rushing decisions. The authenticity of the home comes from such patience. Instead of a perfectly polished showpiece, the home is truly personal and purposefully designed with preservation, texture, and emotional connection in mind.

Natalie Glaze is a UK sustainable lifestyle blogger, content creator, and the Co-Founder of Stay Wild Swimwear. She was also recognised as part of Forbes 30 Under 30 for her work in sustainable fashion and entrepreneurship. Alongside documenting her renovation journey and interiors, Natalie also shares lifestyle, fashion, and travel content through her platform BYGLAZE. Follow Natalie on Instagram at @natalieglaze.

View the full episode here: Inside Natalie Glaze’s London Home | The Luxury Home Show