Designer Mark Lewis' Modern Rustic Victorian Home in London is a masterclass in modern rustic

THE PROPERTY

Two floors of a Victorian home in London, plus a basement area for utilities. On the ground floor of this modern home (opens in new tab) is the main living/dining/kitchen area and a pantry, plus the master bedroom and en suite and a WC. On the first floor, there is son James’ bedroom, and daughter Olive’s bedroom, a bathroom and a mezzanine landing area.

All good things come to those who wait. And for this family, who moved into their ground-floor flat nearly 10 years ago, the evolution of their ultimate home had just started. ‘Originally, we’d planned to take on an element of renovation,’ says owner Mark Lewis. ‘We turned a bathroom into a bedroom and later added a small extension (opens in new tab) to the side yard. But then, after we’d been here five years, the upstairs flat came on the market. We’ve always felt happy in this area and the idea of more space was appealing, so it seemed logical to buy it. The intention was to knock the two properties into one – but that didn’t happen immediately. We had to wait until we had enough cash behind us.’

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DINING AREA

So in 2018, the family moved out of the property for eight months while the builders moved in. ‘It’s a disruptive process,’ admits Mark. ‘And, at times, hideous, but you have to go through it to get what you want. It really does help being an interior designer as I’ve got the experience of my day job and I’m fortunate enough to have access to a wide range of inside info. Plus I was able to project-manage the whole thing, which kept the cost down on our very tight budget. I feel we just about ended up with what we wanted.’

LIVING AREA

Removing a ceiling allowed for the creation of a mezzanine level that fills the space with light. The cobalt blue of the armchair and footstool adds a grounding touch to the lofty, airy room. 

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But, like most renovations, an element of compromise comes into the equation. ‘My partner Abi has always been keen on loft living and this is a Victorian building with boxy rooms. We decided to give the house the same sort of open feel with high ceilings and lots of light. So we knocked upwards and sideways, taking out some of the ceilings and walls of our original flat to create the double-height kitchen and the big living space (opens in new tab). Unfortunately, that meant we lost a guest bedroom (opens in new tab) and bathroom, but the dramatic finished result made it worth it.’

PANTRY

Mark carved out a nook to create a hard-working storage area. It keeps the open-plan kitchen calm and clutter-free. 

Mark’s design style means he veers towards a subtle approach, preferring not to end up with something that looks ‘brand spanking new’. In this house, there is a blend of vintage furnishings and gentle hues that create a calming feel. The use of beautifully graphic wallpaper (opens in new tab) in the bedrooms, delicate greens (Mark often mixes his own colours) and natural flooring add to this easy mix of modern and Victorian. ‘Someone said to me that our daughter Olive’s bedroom looks like a World War II refugee’s bedroom. I took it as a compliment.’

MASTER BEDROOM

A retro feel has been evoked with the soft hues, graphic wallpaper and pared-back accessories. 

To get the effects he wants, time and effort go into the process. The kitchen cabinetry (opens in new tab) was specially built to fit the space, then hand-painted and waxed for an aged look. The walls were stripped back to the original bricks and finished in a lime plaster, which had to be applied in endless coats and hand-sponged. ‘It was a long process and a bit of a headache but we got there in the end,’ he says.

OLIVE’S ROOM

These built-in bunks mean granny has somewhere to sleep when she comes to stay. ‘They have been designed with adults in mind – there is enough space so you don’t bang your head when getting into bed,’ says Mark.

Another factor Mark feels strongly about is upcycling. As he says: ‘Establishing a home takes years and years, so if you reuse the materials that have already been part of the house, then you are giving it a kick-start.’ Examples of his creativity are everywhere: the downstairs loo which benefits from ‘another life’ trimmings, the brickwork in the dining area, which was once the old garden wall, and the distinctive pieces of handed-down furniture that have all been reupholstered or repainted.

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ENSUITE BATHROOM

Mark’s favourite room: ‘A huge bath and a working fireplace… it couldn’t be more calming.’

Mark emphasises the need for his home to be a haven, a secure place for the family to appreciate as they grow older. ‘I moved from pillar to post as a child,’ he says, ‘so I want this house to be an anchor for us. We’re here for the long term.’ Although he is still smarting somewhat from the renovation, there is a glimmer in Mark’s eye when the topic of ‘what’s next?’ comes up. ‘I am hankering after adding an underground yoga studio to the garden. Ridiculous, I know! But if we get planning, it could happen. And there is another flat on the top floor of this building so if that comes up for sale, we might grow even further…’ One thing is for sure – never say never!

See Mark’s work at marklewisinteriordesign.com

Photography Paul Raeside

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