A courtyard garden is the centrepiece for this beautiful London home

A courtyard garden gives this former Victorian dairy a splash of Parisian style

Imperfect Interiors design project - courtyard garden
(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

With its spectacular Parisian-style courtyard garden and gentle soft-toned interior, it's hard to believe this former crumbling Victorian Dairy had a collapsing roof, damp and no natural daylight. 

That was before interior designer, Beth Dadswell, founder of Imperfect Interiors and her husband, Andrew, a graphic designer, got their hands on it and turned it into a beautiful modern home.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

See Also: A light, airy home centred around a gorgeous courtyard garden

The previously dark, dank spaces were converted into a light-filled family home but the couple took meticulous care in retaining its industrial atmosphere and unique character, finding inspiration in the rust and decay.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

The couple sought inspiration from the hidden gardens found behind old buildings on the streets of Paris.

The extensive use of steel windows and doors maximises the views of the two vertical courtyard gardens. 

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

A limited palette of materials including un-lacquered brass, plaster and concrete put an elegant twist on the previously raw industrial aesthetic.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

The beautiful kitchen was once a windowless fridge, storing the goods, after the cows were milked. 

The original joists were restored while the walls were painted in a soft calamine pink.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

See Also: 21 Pink Kitchen Ideas- How to get the on-trend kitchen colour right

In the kitchen and dining area, simple utilitarian cabinetry is offset with beautiful pale pink Zellige tiles and a spectacular chandelier. 

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

The palette flows through to the study, which overlooks the courtyard.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

Two bedrooms and two bathrooms were slotted into the original footprint on the first floor.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

They simple grey panelling, pale pink tiles and brass detailing continue upstairs, creating a cohesive scheme.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

Clad completely in beautiful Zellige tiles, the shower room is a lesson in understated luxury.

Design project - former dairy with courtyard garden

(Image credit: Imperfect Interiors / Photography: Chris Snook)

See more of Beth Dadswell's projects at Imperfect Interiors. 

Want Beth's look without a complete renovation? Shop the pieces at The Edit.

See more Modern Homes

See Also: See how a small Victorian terrace has been tastefully extended into a modern family home

Jacky Parker is a London-based freelance journalist and content creator, specialising in interiors, travel and food. From buying guides and real home case studies to shopping and news pages, she produces a wide range of features for national magazines and SEO content for websites


A long-time contributor to Livingetc, as a member of the team, she regularly reports on the latest trends, speaking to experts and discovering the latest tips. Jacky has also written  for other publications such as Homes and Gardens, Ideal Home, Red, Grand Designs, Sunday Times Style and AD, Country Homes and Interiors and ELLE Decoration.