‘We felt an instant connection,’ says artist Suzy Broome of the time she and her husband Iain first saw their Victorian end-of-terrace in central Sheffield. ‘It wasn’t about any one feature in particular, it was more about how the whole house made us feel.’
The couple had spent years lovingly renovating a terrace in nearby Meersbrook, complete with a striking modern extension, but as their four children grew older, space and school catchments became increasingly important.
‘Despite the fact that we adored our old house, when we found this place, we knew it was right for us,’ Suzy explains. ‘It gave us extra space, a studio for me to paint in and even a basement cinema and games room for the kids. It ticked every box.’
Built around 1900, the four-bedroom home wasn’t in need of any major structural work, but the interior was uninspiring. ‘It was entirely grey,’ Suzy laughs. ‘We’re a colour- and pattern-loving family, so in some ways that neutrality was perfect. It gave us a blank canvas on which to stamp our own style.’
Kitchen
The open-plan kitchen may be small, but Suzy has maximised its potential with clever, budget-friendly updates. ‘The Shaker-style cupboards aren’t my taste,’ she explains, ‘but they were such good quality that I was reluctant to paint them and risk ruining them, and replacing them wasn’t an option financially.’ Instead, Suzy drenched the walls in fresh blue and swapped the handles for vivid orange ones, instantly giving the space a more modern edge without major expense.
Monochrome tiles from Artisan Tiles have been used to create a striking splashback that has added the pattern Suzy wanted. ‘They work perfectly with the current scheme, but they’ll also hold their own if I decide to change the wall colour in the future,’ she says. On the walls, hand-painted faces and the quirky wooden spoon family by Polish artist Agata Pietrusz sit alongside a playful display of vintage chopping boards. ‘I probably spent longer than I’d like to admit arranging those boards on the grass at Newark Antiques Fair before I bought them,’ Suzy laughs. ‘But I love that they’ve become their own little art feature.’
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Dining room
The dining area has become a focal point of family life. Crisp white walls provide a fresh backdrop for an ever-evolving gallery of artworks, while an enormous handmade dining table is surrounded by multicoloured vintage chairs Suzy rescued and reupholstered: ‘I’ve re-covered them at least five times. But I still love them as much as the day I found them.’ The window seat is upholstered in a bold striped fabric. ‘This is probably my favourite room,’ Suzy admits. ‘It’s where the magic happens – from the excited conversations over dinner to the quiet moments spent being creative.’
Living room
The transformation began in the living room, where Suzy swapped grey walls for deep blue and hung a series of her own large-scale portraits. ‘It feels like a little gallery space now,’ she says. ‘Every piece tells a story, whether it’s something I’ve painted, something by the children or work by an artist we admire.’ One particularly special piece is a print by Ghanaian artist Kojo Marfo, gifted to Suzy after she painted his portrait during lockdown. ‘It’s a daily reminder of how art can connect people.’
Bedrooms
Upstairs, the bedrooms have each been tailored to reflect their occupants. Suzy and Iain’s room features repainted wardrobes, striped wallpaper and a headboard upholstered in a vintage Welsh tapestry blanket in honour of Suzy’s grandfather. The children’s rooms are alive with character, from monochrome scribble wallpaper and a David Attenborough portrait in Jasper’s attic bedroom to playful prints and bright accents in younger siblings Frida and Peggy’s spaces. ‘Nothing here is too precious,’ Suzy shares. ‘It’s about joy and personality.’
Studio
The adjoining studio is another highlight, giving Suzy and Iain space to create side by side. ‘It’s wonderful having a designated place to paint after years of working at the kitchen table,’ Suzy says. ‘It feels like a room that belongs to all of us, where imaginations can run wild.’
