Charming London townhouse gets a warm DIY update

Located in London, a charming townhouse has been thoughtfully transformed by Emily and Hugh, the creative duo behind the popular Instagram account @ourlondonlittlelife. Known for sharing snapshots of everyday life and the renovation of their characterful home, the couple took on one of their most ambitious DIY projects yet: the installation of an electrical floor heating system and a terracotta herringbone tiled floor in their kitchen and dining space. With a hands-on approach to renovating their forever home, they were keen to add both style and substance to this area. The result? A visually stunning and incredibly cosy space brought to life with the help of Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT-DUO Peel & Stick, installed entirely by the couple themselves.

The project involved upgrading a 22sqm open plan kitchen and dining area, laid over an insulated concrete base. Wanting to maximise comfort without compromising floor height or design aesthetic, the couple turned to Schlüter’s innovative Peel & Stick underfloor heating system. “Luckily the space was fairly rectangular which meant adding the DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS was super simple,” they explained. “We couldn’t believe how quick and easy it was to stick down – we just made sure to prime the surface first for a secure bond.” After preparing the surface, the DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS membrane was rolled out and adhered in a matter of minutes. The studded structure of the mat made cable insertion straightforward, allowing them to lay out a precise, even heating plan throughout the space. “The heating cable slotted in perfectly, and we were able to install everything in less than a day,” they added. “This was our first time doing anything like this – laying underfloor heating and tiling a floor ourselves – and it was surprisingly smooth thanks to the Schlüter-Systems video tutorials, which were so helpful and made the install process much easier.”

To finish the project, the couple chose herringbone terracotta tiles – a classic, durable option that suits the natural feel of their home. DITRA-HEAT-DUO-PS was a great fit thanks to its low build-up height and built-in thermal break, making it ideal for homes which may be impacted by space and height restrictions, and preserving original features is important.