An industrial converted factory in London’s Spitalfields is given a lift with playful artwork and punchy design

Pop culture meets Land of Oz fantasy – with a few fabulous fripperies thrown in for good measure – in this converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

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converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

The property

A converted factory in London’s Spitalfields. The modern home has a living room, kitchen, dining room and study, plus two bedroom suites, a bathroom and a courtyard garden.

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LIVING ROOM

Tongue-in-cheek artwork, punchy design combos and architectural surprises – not to mention some glittering pop star hand-me-downs – have dragged this converted factory out of its grey, industrial past.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

The owners (a film director and restaurateur) immediately clicked with the vision of Chris Dyson Architects, which set out to retain the building’s working-class roots with brick, steel girders and factory-floor proportions, blending them with contemporary glass walls and blocky concrete.

They first viewed the building when it was little more than a shell but it meant they got a say in things like the flooring and layout. They also had the help of an ‘amazing’ builder, Liam Cullen of Cullen Carpentry.Now it hums with a new energy.

STUDY

The work zone is divided from the main living area by glass walls, which keep the flow, but allow privacy via a curtain.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

The table lamp was an impulse buy from nearby Spitalfields market.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

HALLWAY

The central hallway (opens in new tab) serves as an ever-changing gallery. Alison Carmichael’s advertising-savvy art mixes with Jonathan Adler designs and, just for fun, there’s a yellow bust of Andy Warhol, which the couple spotted in a market in Israel.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

KITCHEN

Magnus Hastings’ photo of drag artist Vanity Faire, aka ‘Dorothy’, was part of an exhibition Why Drag? and reflects the film director owner's life-long love affair with Technicolor.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

See Also: The best modern kitchen ideas - stylish, smart and chic

DINING ROOM

The table is ‘A great macho number: the more dented and worn it gets, the better it looks,’ says the owner.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

MASTER BEDROOM

The couple have embraced the factory bones of the building, but embellished it with gleam, colour and decorative flourishes. The mirror was mounted on to an easel to get round the issue of the curved wall and the love seat was reupholstered.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

Butterfly bright colours are set against steely greys - the ultimate mix of pretty with gritty.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

BATHROOM

Steely grey, matt tiles set the tone for the home’s modern bathroom spaces.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

The vintage Sylvester the Cat statue is a reminder of the owner's great love of cartoon classics.

converted factory in London’s Spitalfields

See more work by Chris Dyson Architects at chrisdyson.co.uk. (opens in new tab)

Photography / James Merrell

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Livingetc

Shining a spotlight on the now and the next in home design and decor, Livingetc is the UK's best selling high end and contemporary home design magazine. As a brand, Livingetc showcases the world's very best homes, breaks and makes the trends, and has access to leading international designers for insight and ideas. It was first published in 1998, and is currently edited by Pip Rich. 

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