A little bit industrial, a little bit English country, here contrasting decorating ideas are a match made in heaven.
Get the look: The tap is from Barber Wilsons, made bespoke. Wall light is from Lampe Gras. The marble for the worktops came from Marble City. The table is from Belgian company Heerenhuis. The moulded plywood chairs are by Eames for Herman Miller, bought in the US and shipped over. The island is painted in Off-Black eggshell by Farrow & Ball.
THE PROPERTY
A Victorian semi-detached house in south London. In the basement, there is a family/play room and WC, with steps leading up to the kitchen-diner. The upper-ground floor has a living room, plus a guest bedroom. The master bedroom and en suite are on the floor above and the top floor is home to the children’s bedrooms and a bathroom.
KITCHEN
The house was bought in August 2010, and building work started a year later. At the back of the house, a smallish kitchen enjoyed less than impressive views outside. The basement floor is a storey below ground level and there was no connection between the garden and kitchen. Working with Daniel Adeshile at Ade Architecture, the owners extended the kitchen and also raised its floor level, so that it now flows onto a terraced seating area with grassy garden beyond.
Get the look: Wall light is from Lampe Gras. The marble for the worktops came from Marble City. The table is from Belgian company Heerenhuis. The moulded plywood chairs are by Eames for Herman Miller, bought in the US and shipped over. The island is painted in Off-Black eggshell by Farrow & Ball. The Heidi stools are by Sebastian Wrong for Established & Sons.
The builders dug out tons of earth – it filled 80 skips. A study on the floor above was sacrificed to create soaring ceiling height too, and the result is a dramatic room which feels part-New York loft, thanks to its exposed brickwork and steel windows, and part-kitchen in an English stately home, complete with super-sized bespoke cabinets.
A love of strong, industrial design is written all over the kitchen, with its exposed brick walls, brass taps, vast steel windows and salvaged supporting pillar. Sourcing the details that underpin the look was a labour of love – the owners would scour salvage yards online for hours – but it paid off. They found the supporting cast-iron column in the kitchen (pictured above), which was originally part of a Yorkshire bandstand.
Get the look: The cabinet and island are painted in Off-Black eggshell by Farrow & Ball. The oak flooring is from The Natural Wood Floor Company. Much of the china is from Caravane.
The kitchen cabinets (pictured above) were designed and made to fit the generous dimensions of the space. They could go quite tall because the ceilings are so high. Anything smaller might look a bit lost against this wall.
Exposed brick walls and cool marble are balanced by bespoke units painted in timeless grey. Tools and utensils from Joseph Joseph are dotted around, adding pops of colour.
Get the look: The marble for the worktop came from Marble City. The units are painted in French Grey Dark Eggshell from Little Greene. The oven is by Wolf. The splashback tiles are from Habibi. The fridge is from Sub Zero. The Nest storage containers are from Joseph Joseph.
The kitchen combines practicality with great design. Eggshell on the walls gives a nice sheen and is easy to wipe down too.
Get the look: The wall is painted in Cornforth White eggshell by Farrow & Ball and the units are painted in French Grey Dark eggshell by Little Greene. The moulded plywood chairs are by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. See the DCM ash and polished-chrome version at Vitra. The wall light is from Lampe Gras. The print is by Julian Opie, picked up at an art fair.
TERRACE
The rear of the house was extended up and out. The builders went back about three metres and up half a storey. A big terrace now creates a seamless connection between inside and out. It is a south-facing sun trap and the family uses it all year round. Tough, weatherproof furniture stays outside all year round.
Get the look: The furniture is from Danish company Cane-line. The terrace and steps are made from York Stone and were laid by English City Stone, which also installed the railings. The steel windows are from Clement Windows.
DOWNSTAIRS LIVING ROOM
The basement is the heart of family life. The kitchen was originally a storey below ground level, but it was raised during the renovation to create a flowing connection with the garden beyond. In the relaxed play area on the basement floor, contemporary modular shelving lines one wall.
Get the look: The 606 Universal Shelving Solution is by Vitsœ. The Kids Table is by Another Country. The Series E classroom chairs are by Robin Day for Hille.
The colour scheme used throughout the house is in full effect here – grey walls punctuated with pops of colour from bright cushions and artwork.
Get the look: The Tati sofa table by Broberg & Ridderstråle for Asplund is from Twentytwentyone. The Vintage Refreshed rug is by Bazaar Velvet. The print on wall behind the sofa isUno, La Mela, 1963by Enzo Mari from Twentytwentyone. Cushions from a selection at Heal’s.
CLOAKROOM
A panelled space, tucked beneath the stairs, the downstairs loo is completely concealed behind a row of doors that look like storage.
Get the look: The panelling is painted in Stiffkey Blue Estate Eggshell by Farrow & Ball. The small basin was found at Mongers Architectural Salvage.
UPSTAIRS LIVING ROOM
The marble table is a favourite piece thanks to its contemporary aesthetic and beautiful craftsmanship. It’s amazing how something designed in 1969 works so well with the more modern pieces in the room.
Get the look: The table is by Angelo Mangiarotti. Find his pieces at 1stdibs.com The print behind is called Mr Dob by Takashi Murakami. For limited-edition Mr Dob prints, visit artbrokerage.com. These are the LCM moulded plywood chairs by Ray and Charles Eames for Vitra. The lounge chair in the alcove is by Warren Platner for Knoll at Skandium. The walls are painted with Pigeon estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball.
Muted greys are used throughout. These slightly sombre colours have a relaxing effect, but they are mixed in with some brighter shades to add energy to the scheme.
Get the look: The sofa is by Cassina. The Series UP 3 lounge chair is by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia. The coffee table is by Marc Krusin for Knoll. The walls are painted in Pigeon estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball. Fuchsia velvet cushions, Designers Guild, green patterned cushion, Heal’s.
Despite the classic details in this house, contemporary design is also at home here.
Get the look: The Series UP 3 lounge chair is by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia. The walls are painted with Pigeon estate emulsion from Farrow & Ball. The Nomad floor lamp is by Niclas Hoflin for Rubn.
A photograph of Elton John’s hands hangs on the living room wall.
Get the look: The photograph was bought at an auction at GQmagazine’s 25th-anniversary dinner.
MASTER BEDROOM
The master bedroom floor is an adult haven, complete with luxe marble bathroom. The space feels calm and grown-up, with a palette of dark, sleepy colours. Panelling was built around an existing chimney breast, creating a headboard effect and reinforcing the classic vibe that runs throughout the house.
Get the look: The walls and panelling are painted in Mole’s Breath estate emulsion and eggshell by Farrow & Ball. The carpet is from Marlows Carpets. The bed is from John Lewis. The Beauty Mirror on the wall is by MIchael Anastassiades for Sigmar. The Lektor desk light is by Niclas Hoflin for Swedish company Rubn. The Krusin black marble side table is by Marc Krusin for Knoll at Aram Store. The bedspread is from Caravane in Paris.
Contemporary pieces are mixed with vintage or salvaged finds.
Get the look: The low chair came from Battersea Antiques market. The lamp is from an antique market in Paris and stands on a vintage stool.
A wall of wardrobes were installed by the builders.
Get the look: The wardrobes are painted in Mole’s Breath estate eggshell by Farrow & Ball.
BATHROOM
The marble basin was made bespoke. It’s warmed up by fittings in warm metal, including a reclaimed radiator, sourced online at a salvage yard, brass taps and shelving and a vintage, metal-framed mirror.
Get the look: The Fifties mirror with metal frame is from Fiona McDonald. The taps are from Barber Wilsons. The marble is from Marble City. The walls are painted with French Grey Dark Eggshell by Little Greene. Kate Moss, London, 2006, isby Mario Testino. Limited-edition signed prints of the photograph are available at Dominic Guerrini.
The bathroom was purposefully designed to be somewhere luxurious, devoid of kids’ stuff. Cool marble is teamed with brass taps and fittings.
Get the look: The taps are from Barber Wilsons. The marble is from Marble City. The walls are painted with French Grey Dark Eggshell by Little Greene.
BOYS’ ROOM
The top storey is for the children. Tucked away at the top of the house, this boys’ room is still decorated in greys. The rug was designed to illustrate carpet colours available at John Lewis, and was not for sale, but the home owners asked to buy it. John Lewis now makes them for retail.
Get the look: The rug is from John Lewis. The painted Swedish bed is by Bump. The walls are painted in Lamp Room Gray estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball. The grey linen bedding is from Merci in Paris and the Jersey spot duvet cover and pillowcase is by Aspace. The arrow and star lights on the chest in the hall are by Bhs.
GIRLS’ ROOM
A muted, greyish tone from Farrow & Ball was used as a compromise on wished-for pink walls. It’s a nice soft shade that blends with the rest of the house.
Get the look: The paint shade is Calamine estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball. The painted Swedish bed is by Bump.
The house has just won Wandsworth Council’s 2014 Design Awardfor ‘recognition of its outstanding contribution to design in the Borough of Wandsworth’. Ade Architecture, who worked on it, is at ade-architecture.co.uk.
Photography / Paul Massey
