When Kari Young is preparing her Victorian home in Bath for Christmas, she is often stopped in her tracks by the sight of the tree in her drawing room. ‘The view from our hallway, with the ornate spindles of the staircase, restored cornicing, and double doors, is magical at this time of year, and epitomises Christmas in our home,’ she says.
In the late 1800s, a landowner bought a plot on the outskirts of Bath with spectacular views towards Solsbury Hill. He built two houses here for his daughters. When Kari and her husband, Jeff, viewed one of these historic Bath stone properties in 2008, the estate agent explained that it had once been an old people’s home, before being converted into a B&B.
‘Despite its jumble of rooms, various alterations, and rather dated appearance, the majority of the period features were still intact,’ says Kari. ‘I loved the proportions of the rooms and the huge windows.’
Striking a deal, the couple moved in that September, six weeks after their fourth child was born. ‘Having looked at our neighbour’s mirror-image house, we were keen to echo the original drawing room layout, so reinstated the double-aspect room and brought back the double doors leading to it.’
The decor was 1970s in style so Kari, who works as an interior designer, was keen to put her own stamp on the house. Working her way gradually through each room, Kari devised schemes that would link beautifully throughout the home, taking her time to carefully source fabric, wallpaper and antique and vintage pieces to enhance each space and allow the character to sing out.
‘I enjoy incorporating antiques into my clients’ homes as well as my own. They add extra depth and interest to any space,’ says Kari. ‘Antiques have a story, a sense of history, and inject individuality and personality. I love the patina of beautiful antiques. You just don’t get that character with new pieces.’
Some items have moved with the couple over the years, so it’s a question of finding the right place for them in each home. ‘I tend to work the rooms around our larger pieces of furniture,’ she says. ‘I’m sentimentally attached to a number of antiques, including several that have been passed down to us over the years.
'We have an eclectic mix that dates back to before we were married, long before brown furniture had a resurgence. As well as the more classic Georgian pieces, we have some beautiful, painted French furniture.’
One of Kari’s favourites is the French glazed dresser in the dining room, which has accompanied the couple with each move. ‘I used to store the girls’ toys and Play-Doh in the bottom of the dresser. These days, it comes in handy for extra glassware,’ she says.
As the girls have grown up, the spaces have evolved with the family, but the essence of the interior: comfortable, relaxed and elegant, has remained. ‘The palette is soft neutrals, which is a lovely backdrop for our treasured finds,’ Kari says.
To add texture, Kari has used natural materials such as rattan, wicker and linen, and also chosen large, statement pieces, such as pendant lights and chandeliers, which offset the high-ceilinged rooms.
There’s no doubt that this house lends itself to the festive season. The deep-red sofa in the drawing room and floral fabric on the dresser look particularly striking at Christmas, teamed with the red and white decorations that date back to the couple’s first home.
‘Even though our three older girls have now gone to university, when they return at this time of year, one of the first things they do is peer into the cosy drawing room,’ says Kari. ‘It instantly conjures up the nostalgia of our Christmases past.’ kariyounginteriors.com
