HOUSE TOUR | A Colorful London Townhouse with Renter-Friendly DIYs

Writer and interior design enthusiast Katherine Ormerod invites us into her charming rental townhouse in London.
For more extraordinary home tours, visit our website: homeworthy.com
Over the years, Katherine has transformed her townhouse into a personalized haven for her family of four, demonstrating all the ways you can make a rental feel like home. Her approach is all about high style on a budget-using peel and stick tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, vinyl countertops, and vibrant paint on the walls, she has managed to infuse her unique style without breaking the bank.
Her four-bedroom home is a testament to her creativity, boasting a colorful, vibrant, and playful aesthetic.
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[@amandawoods4051]

AS A BRITISH RENTER I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR THIS EPISODE

[@OlivePeterson-fo9xi]

Hey Amanda how are you doing, Hope you're having a great day?

[@opheliacrux9212]

me too

[@kellyconnor8244]

I love her. She’s such a lovely warm and friendly person and her home reflects that. I can see many happy memories for her kids being made here.

[@evam4536]

Homeworthy is showcasing more and more eclectic and interesting homes with witty, genuine, artistic people. It is a pleasure to enter their spaces and share an hour or so with them. TY 💕

[@nataliebutler]

Might be because they've featured quite a few British homes recently. The style is different.

[@lolinmelo7296]

She’s wonderful, I love her honest approach to decorating, very refreshing to see someone so relatable. She’s created a beautiful home 👏🏻😍

[@zenetezena8864]

A pessoa que consegue limpar e decorar uma casa não quer guerra com nimguem ❤❤

[@houseonahill4893]

This is one of my favorite Homeworthy episodes. I love the home, I love the ingenuity,and I love lady of the house. She has a great laugh!

[@gemellabaldini4259]

Bravo to Homeworthy for bringing us not only a collection of great interiors, but a collective of incredibly talented, warm, openhearted and just lovely, lovely people like Katherine! Thank you very much! xx

[@annjohnson8437]

I love this fabulous woman! She keeps it real! Beautiful decorating this rental! ❤

[@CanadianQueenmagenta]

Your home is YOU! There is no higher compliment coming from me. I am mid seventies and have never owned a home on purpose. I have decorated each and every space I've lived in and have no regrets. Where I lay my head is my home and I will make it as comfy and as much me as possible. I have done this for me and my family and that is all that needs to be considered. All my landlords appreciated me and gave me singing praise as I moved on. As the saying goes these days, "you do you!" What a treat to tour your home. Hugs from Toronto.

[@OlivePeterson-fo9xi]

Hello Beautiful, how are you doing! Hope you're safe from the covid-19 pandemic?

[@patriciapoole4851]

Beautiful

[@carolynratliff1380]

You should add fabric to those doors like you did the bottom of the drapes….love your home…precious home…Thankyou for sharing. Hugs carolyn

[@atomicwendy]

She's the type of personality to aspire to. and that tiny bathroom! I adore it!

[@arlenecal]

What a charming woman who has done so much in her rental. She's has worked so hard to make such a beautiful family home all their own. Fantastic in every way!

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

I love the way she made a whole lot of things in her home. It gets kind of boring sometimes people on home tours oh I had this shipped from Paris so I bought this in Africa on one of my travels🤣 . There’s nothing like the feeling of creating something yourself you appreciate it more😊💚😊

[@BrownyBird]

Yeah, the thing about Paris is very boring. Mainly if it comes from the Americans (I apologise if you are) that believe anything from France will make them look posh or superior.

[@tiffanycurtis4794]

@@BrownyBirdno apologies my dear it’s ok I don’t get easily offended 😊

[@annemurphy9339]

@@BrownyBird. I honestly don’t think that’s the reason: Americans are by and large just migrated Europeans, and were drawn to the beauty from “home.” There’s something comforting in the things of Europe that could have been our grandmother’s or great-grandmother’s. It’s driven by both appreciation of beautiful things and heritage, in my humble opinion.

[@craven5328]

​​@@annemurphy9339 Canadian here, so definitely not American lol, but we share that we are both from "the new world" so to speak. When I first went to Europe, I was staggered by the history and patina of things. I was lucky that I grew up in Montreal, one of the oldest cities on my continent, that has managed to preserve a lot of it's 18th century architecture, but for so many Canadians I know, Europe was their first experience with the truly "old" and "historic". For me, it's not about things from Paris being "posh". There's a reason why Paris is the most visited city on the planet - the devotion to superlative aesthetics in all it's forms that the city exudes is sort of spellbinding. I love sewing and textiles, and the fact that I could get near pristine, 150 year old fabric for a steal in one of their flea markets was just wild to me, and eveytime I look at what I've made from those fabrics, I'm transported back to those 6 days I was able to spend in the city of light (I was an art major in university, so visiting Paris finally at 42 was also a bit of a pilgrimage).

[@kikim5507]

Love the house, love this women. So honest and talented.

[@lulamamokone2851]

I love her home but it's really her personality that kept me engaged. She seems like such a cool person.

[@susannagiesey9657]

I like her attitude about perfection, not being everything.

[@user-os7om7ef9k]

Love her! What a wonderful, welcoming personality and it translates beautifully into the design of her home.

[@sophiamagkouta3665]

One of my favourite episodes! I will go back to this video to study it again and again! Amazing woman, so inventive and positive! Thank you homeworthy! Thank you Katherine for sharing!

[@OlivePeterson-fo9xi]

Hey Sophia how are you doing, Hope you're having a wonderful day?

[@carysnw1]

The talented Ms Ormerod not only possesses charm and resourcefulness but a depth of cultural intelligence that's often missing in these visits. What an absolute delight!

[@grecow3484]

What a lovely woman and such an interesting home full of personal touches. Certainly doesn't look like a rental - lots of inspiration that people can take away.

[@pamelafrancis8131]

Katherine is sooooo talented! Curtains, pillows, painting, what can't she do? And wonderful use of colour.

[@OlivePeterson-fo9xi]

Hey Pamela how are you doing, Hope you're having a wonderful day?

[@MsLeefisher]

Love her home and her personality :)

[@lef1065]

Just wonderful! What a gifted, intelligent woman. We would love to see another video where you discuss art, etc. This is so much more interesting than any exhibition of huge expenditure. Thank you for allowing us into your home.

[@user-wc1jh3os6s]

Can’t say enough! Love love love!!! Cozy, tasteful, fun, interesting, full of personality…love the color palette…WOW!!! ❤️❤❤

[@maaamiii6918]

This was a delight. Katherine is best friend material and her home is unique, charming, comfy--much like she is. I really enjoy home tours that demonstrate the intimate connection of those who live there to their space rather than simply a show and tell of all the expensive, new items consumed during countless shopping excursions by the occupants and/or their decorators. Katherine's method produces a home with a heart and soul. Well done!

[@beeutiffle]

Give this lovely lady a tv show and a home to decorate. She articulates everything beautifully

[@providetriggersforevolutio3748]

This home tour was absolutely amazing. Her rental philosophy and final comments about how she defines a home are to be paid attention to. Just saying! 😂❤

[@romanmuller2729]

Ich lieeeeeebe die Frau, so kreativ, ehrlich, sympathisch und witzig. Wunderbarer Geschmack, außergewöhnlicher Mensch ❤

[@mariamary65]

I now have a new mantra for life. Embrace imperfections and live now. What a refreshing look at what home means and what you can create with imagination, creativity and on a budget. Probably the most stylish, visionary and cosy home I've seen. Katherine is incredible.

[@martinethevenau69]

In love with your home, art, colour choices and creativity. You have created a haven for your family. 💚🏚

[@zulemaalamo4863]

Fabulous apartment and I too when rented took care of the place as if I owned it, I was the care taker.❤❤❤

[@Noreenlee1]

I so appreciate her attitude about renting. Our youngest son wasn't old enough to buy a home before the prices got out of reach. I'll be sure to pass this video along to him.

[@annabodroghkozy1498]

Your landlord has never had such a gorgeous home!

[@atolanib]

What a pleasure to watch. Fell in love with this woman, her space and her outlook on life, a joy to watch 😍😍😍

[@helenrohl1113]

This is such a great home. This woman is like a ray of sunshine. She’s such an inspiration.

[@kathrynnielson5689]

Oh my gosh. I love this so much. I love all the color, the layers that I think the British do especially well in their homes, the DIY, all of it. Gorgeous, but lived in and not the least bit too precious.

[@vanessaarsenault9938]

I love this woman! Her home is as cool as she is. I could listen to her talk interior design for days! ❤🇨🇦

[@gabriellechilton5902]

Every now and then, there is a designer (professional or not) where the designer is one with her /his home. This little house fits this woman perfectly.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Two minutes in, I loved her attitude and knew this would be special.

[@perfectlycoiffed05]

One of my favorite episodes to date. She really loves her home regardless of who “owns” the property. Her honesty and transparency is a breath of fresh air!

[@viktoriajung8251]

One of the best episodes ever! Real people, real houses, realistic budget. Thank you! Very inspiring episode! More content like this, please! Feeling highly inspired by this!

[@rhiannonwhite2514]

Love this, beautiful, thoughtful, curated and collected, my favorite! ❤

[@susanjoslin3669]

I love her philosophy of design and creative diy projects. With her great aesthetic, she created a lovely, interesting, and comfortable home for her family. Enjoyed the tour!

[@swankyclass8654]

I love her attitude, treat it as much your own until you get your own, minimizing your cost. Budget friendly “yours”! Don’t let negative na sayers affect your thoughts, it’s family first and as long as you all are happy, does what that say really matter, NO. Congratulations on a beautiful and warm home for your family in this market.

[@kh5005]

Fellow vintage lover here 🤍

[@karenalsbury5882]

What a lovely lady. Enjoyed a glimpse into her charming home.

[@traceyg6148]

Any child would be so lucky to have a Mum like this lady, she’s adorable! 🩷 Loved watching this video, she’s so engaging and fascinating. Another fabulously unique home Homeworthy.

[@OlivePeterson-fo9xi]

Hello Tracey how are you doing, Hope you're safe from the covid-19 pandemic?

[@aura3337]

She would be sooooo much fun to hang out with! God, how I wish she was my next door neighbor! And of course I absolutely love her sense of decor. Fabulous!🪴 And ….. WOW- that downstairs bathroom is stunning!🌞

[@shirley2202]

This lady makes me want to be more creative in my home ,love all her DIY projects ❤

[@seaviewpenangoverseas4603]

My favourite house tour. Love the colours and the meanings. Many thanks for sharing with me.

[@carlasalsone3502]

A huge fan of Katherine and what a joy she and her home is.

[@lookingback5889]

What some people do not understand is that although it may be someone else’s house, it is your HOME. I love how you made everything so beautiful, cozy and yours

[@janelte]

Your "better than what it was" is outstanding! So artistic and inviting and thoughtful but unpretentious. As a lifelong renter, unlikely ever to be able to own a home (and nearing 60) I have chosen to personalise every space I have been in, and created a garden that I have had to leave behind in every rental. Nowadays the security in rental in Australia has collapsed, and you are lucky to be able to stay more than 12 months in a home, and the rent will most certainly rise every year, but each place is still my home for the time I reside there. Thank you so much for your warm and generous tour of your space, and I can see why people like to stay for a long time!

[@MizJilly]

I totally agree with this lady - get a rental that needs cosmetics. Saves you rent, and you get to customize a place to look like its yours instead of a property management company's portfolio asset. And what I've noticed is that people who don't decorate their rentals don't do any better after they buy. They don't magically turn into a different people.

[@shonabeggs4640]

Very true. Why would anyone want to sit in a rental for years and do nothing to make it homely. Live for now and make life as comfortable as you can. We don't know how long we are here.

[@melaniewoodroffe5099]

Your home is super lovely! Never listen to unhappy people! You are absolutely right to live in a beautiful home now! 👏🏾✨🥂

[@talia9144]

My top favorite Homeworthy episode thus far! I love how you have completely transformed a rental home with mostly budget-friendly hacks and DIYs while sensible to the fact that there is a naturally a ceiling to how much we can/would like to spend to decorate a rental. I very much appreciate the context on the housing crisis in the UK and the genuine presentation of how you live in your home.

[@FluffyFace-mj3ro]

Katherine has done wonders with this house! I love the Ikea hacks with painting the lampshade and mirror frame. This episode is full of inspiration and ingenuity. Kathrrine has wonderful taste in colour and decor.

[@debrahayes3778]

She is the genuine article! I hope she one day has the joy of owning her own home and knowing it's permanent with any colors she wants! ❤❤❤🎉

[@AfricancoolChic]

Lovely cosy home ❤

[@danielesinhorelli4083]

Definitely my favourite video of all the ones I’ve watched from you. Love it!

[@destinyeb2498]

This is probably my favorite episode from Homeworthy yet! Katherine is so so lovely and her home is gorgeous and lively just like her!

[@zaidaosorio6162]

I totally love your creativity, great attitude and approach towards living in a rental property. I love how you made this space your own and invested in what makes it personal, livable, and a beautiful home for you and your family. Why do some people wait and live miserably, just because it it's someone else's place? When you live in it, whether you own it or not, it's definitely yours at the time. Make it beautiful and enjoy every day! You did a great job! ❤

[@biblianabovery4092]

What a great attitude, lovely decorated home and engaging hostess. I'm glad you worked on your rental so your kids have a positive experience of their childhood home.

[@sunflowergirl5141]

💚💙 AQUA GREEN IS A BEAUTIFUL & CALMING COLOR!😊

[@ibislife]

Absolutely charming home. I love that you showed a "normal" home this time. What she has done with the home is so lovely. A family home with personality. Love it. I do the same, expensive taste and collect over time. Enjoyed sharing an hour with this lovely lady and her home.

[@kimgerow7707]

You are such an inspiration, love your home!

[@shonabeggs4640]

Katherine is a darling! She and her home are beautiful and perfectly matched. A rental property is still your home, you are right. What a breath of fresh air you are. All your hand-made touches around your home are wonderful, a Jill of all trade's. Well done for creating an amazing family home for you, your partner and your little boys.

[@08pixiedust]

She's like a grown-up English Amelie! I admire her cleverness and creativity. Love her house and it's nice to see a rental. I'm stunned that the laminate paint held up so well; that's great to know if I need to do something like that!

[@Rebecca-rf8cc]

Love her sense of color and style. Oh and use your fireplace if you want to! Don't worry about what others frown upon as it is you who are creating magic for your family with cozy nights around a blazing fire!

[@janelte]

Unfortunately lighting a wood or coal fire in London is illegal now. You can use smokeless coal or anthracite only.

[@AntelJM]

Its illegal in London (clean Air act) unless you can make a fire from genuinely smokeless fuel.

[@marthawolfsen5809]

I can't believe you have Alexander Calder's print for the opening of the Los Angeles Museum of Art! My husband and I bought that decades ago when the museum opened. What a hoot, to see it all the way in London!

[@OlivePeterson-fo9xi]

Hello Martha, how are you doing.. Hope you're safe from the covid-19 pandemic?

[@susannegiesen2114]

This woman and her home are fantastic! I can totally relate to all that she did, ' cause I' m also constantly creating something to make my apartment more beautiful. And I also have a lot of ikea furniture. They last for such a long time - people would not believe. And you can style them up in so many ways👍 She did so well to create a real home for her boys and herself, I love it, it is amazing😃.Thanks for showing! All the best to her and her family and greetings from Germany 🍀😊

[@janinedevilliers510]

I agree. I also live in Germany. Greetings from me. 👋😊

[@WildWest144]

Well Katherine is by far the craftiest and most diligent renter I think Ive ever seen. That kitchen and bathroom makeover are quite stunning. Great job. The whole vibe is immensely cozy and is aesthetically beautiful and charming. I love it.

[@Driftwoodbaby]

love this video and thanks for the 'wall of art' suggestion!

[@gracemccartin194]

“Home …..a sense of peace”………the best definition I’ve heard. I love this home tour….lots of good ideas….very cute,nice,fun personality. 🥰

[@Shirazyoni]

I could listen to Katherine all day, she's funny and super talented. I love what she has done to her home, she has a hidden talent. Well done, you have done an amazing job on this rental property !

[@melissadurbin8081]

What a beautiful spirit Katherine has! Her home is absolutely gorgeous, I will be thinking about those blue and white tiles for a long time! Everything was so inspiring. I especially loved her comment about how this is her six year old's childhood bedroom, so it has to be special. A magical, charming, warm, inviting home, with personality galore! Thank you so much Katherine and Homeworthy!!

[@kate-studio-huske]

Love Katherine, how she expresses her thoughts behind each decision. Such an incredibly hard worker and what a stunning result - chapeau 💛

[@sarahp3676]

I love her home so much... and her! She was an absolute joy to listen to and has the best personality and perspectives. I admire everything she's done to make that place truly her own home.

[@b.bernal6151]

Amazing job with those peel and stick tiles in the bathroom!❤

[@annlittlejohn1454]

Oh my Katherine what a treasure you are. What a sumptuous treasure you have created! Thank you for sharing & sparking so many things to explore.

[@janetjorch9013]

Beautiful home!

[@vintagegal541]

Katherine, You are an inspiration! I love how I decorate with vintage, thrift and 2nd hand items in my many spaces through the years. I recently moved into a 1957 duplex rental. It was updated to white, white, white. They took away the 1950's charm. Not my choice, but I can't do anything and I do have a better place to live after my last apartment. You inspired me in the middle of the video to go back and buy the blue rolling kitchen cart that I had been eyeing. I got back home, put it in place and watched the rest of your video. Thanks, Katherine, for your friendliness, warmth and just plain outgoing personality! VintageGal Lakewood, Washington

[@sandiecavendish9722]

Such a beautiful home and Katherine is absolutely delightful.

[@antoinettamason8557]

Absolutely wonderful! One of your best tours. A beautiful home curated by a beautiful human being.

[@gulerendoner2747]

The most beautiful house presentation I have ever seen. Thank you Homeworth for introducing this gorgeous woman patiently created a home.

[@angelarogershesch529]

I loved this tour and the hostess who shared her amazing creativity, design fingerprint, and fun outlook. She's obviously a wonderful mother. So thoughtful with her use of space, and money. I personally adore her collected style and the stories that make up her family tapestry. Thank you for sharing tours of real homes, real people, with real life challenges we can all relate to and be inspired by. Brava ❤🎉

[@marshawilliamson8602]

I love that you have a video of this space for your children to enjoy when they’re adults. You are an inspiration to all. 🌸🐝

[@micahmiller9113]

Love the all stories behind the DIY projects, especially the Eames chairs. She has taken a rental and made it warm and homey.

[@sacb2000]

What an amazing woman. Great outlook on life which has helped her to create a great space

[@carmeniglesias6434]

I'm from Spain and lived in London for 6 years, I never understood why the carpets every where, thanks for the explanation. Although I still don't understand why you would even put carpet in the bathroom….. What a wonderful personality Katherine, loved this woman and her special and unique home.

[@nataliebutler]

Rentals have a particular kind of cheap carpets, but generally homes have better quality carpet for warmth. It's quite a cold damp place in winter. Carpet in a bathroom is quite unusual these days, but it was common when central heating and double glazing wasn't.

[@Ericthegreat1483]

Been following her on Instagram for a while and lovely to see her home in full and her endearing personality shining through!

[@katefitzgibbon4270]

Thank you for your refreshing honesty, sharing your tips. I’ve been a creator all my life and love the finds and making beauty and fun spaces 💚

[@sheilazart]

I love this episode. I love her creative solutions, her use of color and art. Not perfect is so wonderful. Reusing, mixing not matching. Making, creating. This is what home is about for me. Creating your own uniquely personal space. Food for the soul. Such a warm, comfortable home. I think it is wonderful that the landlords allow this. And the investment is in her family. The memories they will create, and the joy and comfort of really feeling at home. Bravo! I am going to watch this again, just to take in her fabulous art collection!

[@janinedevilliers510]

L💖ve your home Katherine, it is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, philosophy, creativity, tips, and ideas. I got so much more from this video than a home tour. You are super special Katherine! I was born in South Africa, I lived in Cape Town for a few years & it was special to hear you have a keepsake from Cape Town. I am also Italian and beauty and design are in the very fibre of my being. Ugly spaces bring us down. We can all strive to make where we live beautiful, even on a budget. And now I live in Germany, so sending you and your family lots of love from here. Tschüss 🤗👏🌈🍓💒🦄🦋

[@simply.k3573]

Really admire her creativity and ability to decorate/renovate this old ugly home to such a beautiful cozy home.

[@ivettabauman]

So funny lady 😂❤ and I love her DIY ideas and taste of art and interior.

[@32446]

I rent in the Uk and I have actually the same attitude as this lady. I have a great relationship with my landlord and he has let me do what I want in the house as he knows I will take care of it.

[@denisecarter5117]

Such a soothing voice and pleasant personality. I also love objects. And the bathroom tiles are wonderful. Me too on fixing up every rental I have lived in. My favorite segment.

[@helenedeslauriers3983]

I just love your "Ikea philosophy" and the way you deal with it. Certainly one of the most interesting Homeworthy episode.

[@underthemermaidmoon]

I think making this place your own is great! Your landlord must love you! Wherever we live, it should reflect what we love and who we are. The landlord will benefit, but so will you! Beautiful space!

[@curatedstyle8645]

Lovely. Little bit of genius happening here.

[@carmostudio]

the solutions for the kitchen are WOW! love it

[@nataliavalentina2341]

You are so talented. Your home is a home of an artist. Gorgeous! You proved that any house can become a stunning piece of heaven!! I love your colorful art. Thank you for sharing, love to see houses out of the United States, they have so much character and stories to tell. 🙏💕 Beautiful home!!!