Go behind the scenes to see the makeover at the Holland Cottage!
Every remodel begins with a mission for us. At the Holland Cottage, a beautiful London home tucked away in an absolutely serene spot in Kensington, that mission was to take an already lovely property and add the perfect finishing touches to create a peaceful London getaway where guests would feel right at home. Come along on this before-and-after journey as we highlight how we enhanced Holland Cottage’s charm, transforming it into a stunning vacation rental in the heart of London!
The entrance to Holland Cottage is classic London charm.
The Project Begins: Finding a Dream Property in Kensington
We’re very selective when it comes to choosing our London vacation apartment rentals. We know the best neighborhoods and exactly what our guests need to enjoy the perks of London living in comfort. Located in one of the loveliest spots in Kensington, the Holland Cottage instantly caught our eye. Nestled at the end of a quiet street, with beautiful outdoor spaces, it was easy to imagine guests enjoying a morning coffee on the terrace or an evening glass of wine on the balcony.
We fell in love with the beautiful balcony and terrace at Holland Cottage.
The location just off of Kensington High Street and near beautiful Kensington Gardens was perfect! Even better, this two-level gem needed very little work. The living spaces were inviting and well-designed, the kitchen bright and modern and the bathroom fully remodeled. The upper floor’s two rooms were bright, with excellent built-in storage, though there was some work to be done to transform an office into a second bedroom. By adding our experienced decorative touches, we knew it could become the ideal home away from home in London.
Let’s take a closer look in this before-and-after reveal as we redecorate Holland Cottage, enhancing its charm and turning it into a stunning vacation rental in London.
Creating a Lovely Living Room
AFTER: A London living room designed for comfort.
What greets you when you arrive at Holland Cottage is a bright and spacious open plan living space leading to a dining area that opens to the kitchen and terrace. We could see the potential immediately. The first floor level was designed very well, but the decor made the space feel crowded. The wall colors, while warm and nice, made the room feel smaller.
BEFORE: The furniture felt crowded and made the room look small.
Instead of creating a cohesive sitting area in the living room, a dark brown sofa was pushed up against a bay window. It completely blocked that beautiful architectural detail! The two red chairs in the middle of the room facing the wall-mounted TV left very little visual space between the sitting area and the dining table on the opposite side of the room.
AFTER: A newly designed living room with bay window highlighted.
A brighter wall color and lighter colored furniture made a world of difference in the living room. The bay window returned to its proper place as the center of attention visually in the room. A large sofa and armchair created a sitting area that is well-designed for comfort and conversation. The glass end table and coffee table are convenient but also leave the room feeling open and bright.
BEFORE: Dark furniture and heavy art.
Even after so many remodels in London and with our sister companies Paris Perfect and Italy Perfect, we’re still so often surprised to see how much of a difference little design touches can make in a room.
AFTER: A large mirror reflects the light in the living room.
Look at how much brighter the living room feels with the addition of a large antique French mirror over the fireplace. It’s a good lesson in how sometimes larger artwork and mirrors can make a space feel much bigger!
BEFORE: The living space furniture all runs together making the room feel small.
We also placed a large mirror on the opposite wall beyond the sofa to create even more of a sense of space in the living room. To solve the problem of the room visually running together, we used color and selected a glass dining table with charcoal grey chairs. Here is where a darker color is useful, because it creates a pleasing visual separation from the living room sitting area.
AFTER: The living room now looks and feels as big as it really is!
We love the open plan design of Holland Cottage, with the kitchen conveniently located just off the dining area. Large glass doors also open directly to the garden terrace from both the kitchen and the dining area. It’s this comfortable floor plan that guests love – making it easy to spend time together with family and friends while enjoying relaxed meals at home or just sitting around catching up after a day of sightseeing.
A Beautiful Dining Area & Kitchen
AFTER: A charming spot to dine at home.
The dining area is a bright space thanks to the large doors that open right out onto the terrace. The glass top table worked well from a design point of view, but the chairs desperately needed updating. It’s now both a comfortable and also a beautiful place to gather.
BEFORE: New chairs were a must!
Adding another gorgeous antique mirror in the dining area created a visual symmetry that balanced the entire space. It was the perfect finishing touch!
AFTER: The final result!
We love the pops of yellow in the decor and how they bring out the warm hues in the wood flooring and pick up the gold tone of the mirrors. It’s now the perfect space our guests love calling home in London!
AFTER: The kitchen was already beautifully remodeled and ready to welcome guests.
One of the biggest perks of this property was the beautiful kitchen, which had already been remodeled and featured a large bay window overlooking the garden terrace. There’s even a door that opens directly from the kitchen to the terrace, which is convenient for dining outdoors or even simply enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea.
A Garden Terrace Perfect for Relaxing at Home
BEFORE: Garden terrace with only a bistro table.
The Holland Cottage has one of the loveliest garden terraces we’ve seen in the heart of Kensington. Not only does it feel delightfully private, but it also has a view of the bell tower of nearby St. Mary Abbots Church. Does it get any more charming than that? However, the space was underutilized with just a small bistro table for two. Instead, we imagined it as a gathering space, ideal for relaxing summer evenings at home.
AFTER: The perfect spot to relax at home in Kensington!
Our gardeners tamed the garden and we added comfortable chairs around a low table so guests can enjoy the terrace to the fullest. The glass-paned doors create a seamless flow between the indoor dining and living areas and the outdoor garden patio, making it easy to move between spaces. Just above, the balcony off the second bedroom offers a charming view of this lovely spot.
Decorating a Serene Primary Bedroom
AFTER: Look at the lovely light all the excellent storage in bedroom 1.
The primary bedroom at Holland Cottage was already a beautifully designed space, with large windows that filled the room with natural light. The ample built-in storage added to its appeal, making it both functional and inviting.
BEFORE: Already a well-designed space.
To complement the bright setting, we kept the design light and airy, adding carefully chosen artwork and decorative touches to bring the room together. The result is a serene and cohesive space that feels both elegant and comfortable.
AFTER: An cozy place to rest after a day sightseeing in London!
Creating a Second Bedroom with a Charming Balcony
AFTER: The new second bedroom at Holland Cottage.
With a bit of creativity, we were able to add a second bedroom upstairs at Holland Cottage. We did this by transforming what was once an office by cleverly modifying the existing built-in shelves and closets. By cutting out a section of the shelves and the closets, we were able to inset the beds.
BEFORE: The office with balcony.
There was enough space to add two single beds, which can also be combined to form an extra-wide queen bed. This innovative use of space allowed us to maintain ample storage while creating a comfortable and versatile sleeping area. The final result is so natural that it looks like it was designed this way from the very beginning!
AFTER: Sometimes all it takes is a creative look at a space!
Step out from the newly converted bedroom onto a sweet balcony, where a bistro table awaits. It’s an inviting spot to enjoy the views of the Kensington neighborhood, with the garden patio just below and the spire of St. Mary Abbots Church in the distance. This peaceful outdoor space adds an extra touch of charm to Holland Cottage.
AFTER: The balcony is truly the perfect finishing touch at Holland Cottage!
Plan Your Stay at Holland Cottage Today!
Experience Holland Cottage for yourself!
Now it’s your turn to experience the charm and comfort of Holland Cottage. Whether you’re savoring a morning coffee on the terrace, unwinding in the beautifully redecorated living spaces or enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Kensington, this lovely home offers the perfect London getaway. Book your stay at Holland Cottage and create lasting memories in a place where historic charm meets modern comfort. We can’t wait to welcome you!
