Thought renovating a house was difficult? This couple did it while living in a different country – and the result is jaw-droppingly awesome.
Get the look Find artwork by Adam Cullen at Michael Reid. This is the Flap sofa by Francesco Binfaré for Edra, dressed with cushions from Habitat and House of Hackney. The coffee table is a G-Plan prototype, designed by the owner’s father, who worked there during the Seventies.
The prOperTy
A Georgian semi in north London. The lower-ground floor has a kitchen/dining/living area, utility room and WC, with a double-height space above the dining zone. Overlooking this is the mezzanine library and formal living room. The master bedroom, his-and-hers dressing rooms, master bathroom and a WC are on the first floor. The boys’ bedrooms are on the second floor, as is a WC, bathroom and guest bedroom suite.
Living room
The owners of this home pictured it as a special family home as soon as they saw it. The north London semi was a supermodel-in-a-scruffy-coat kind of place – in need of some sprucing up, but essentially gorgeous.
This ground-floor space tends to be used for grown-up gatherings. The sofa was an investment, bought when the family lived in Australia. The artwork, entitled Growler, was another purchase made in Sydney – it’s by Australian artist Adam Cullen.
KITCHEN
Although planning to move back to the UK, the family were living in New York at the time, having just moved there from Sydney, so Project Remote Renovation kicked off with architect Chris Eaton of Stiff + Trevillion and contractor Jon Loveday leading the charge.
Get the look The island is made from Calacatta Vagli marble from Italy, sourced by Jon Loveday. The Raimond pendants are by Raimond Puts for Ox-ID at Moooi. These are Charles Ghost stools in Matt Gloss White by Philippe Starck for Kartell. The Axor Citterio Semi-Pro single lever kitchen mixer tap is by Hansgrohe.
The owners flew back a couple of times during the nine-month build, but many of the decisions were made by email. Architect, Chris would send pictures of eight slabs of marble for the kitchen island and they’d pick one.
The couple say it was nice to be decisive as you can spend so long agonising over these things. Bronze mirrored-glass adds a glam note.
So the room ‘didn’t feel too white and sterile,’ the couple chose a black marble splashback.
Get the look The Portuguese black marble was sourced by John Loveday. The bespoke units are made from white-lacquered, moisture- resistant MDF and topped with white Corian.
dining area
The house was furnished with existing pieces – a funky mix of vintage, designer and pop art treasures. Think a G-Plan coffee table next to a leather Edra sofa and modern Australian art (shown in the living room above).
Creating the double-height space was the best thing they did, according to the couple. They love that a lot more light flows in and you can appreciate the curve of the wall, which works wonderfully with the table.
Get the look This is the Saarinen Tulip table for Knoll, teamed with DSW side chairs in White by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra at Aram Store.
mezzanine Library
Architects Stiff + Trevillion designed the built-in storage, then emailed the sketches for the couple’s approval.
On their return to the UK, they bought this sofa and footstool to have somewhere to relax with a book.
Get the look The built-in shelving, created by Manning Bespoke, is made of oak veneer backed by bronze mirrors. The Bath sofa and footstool are from Graham and Green. The Anemone Cocoa rug is by Marni at The Rug Company. Jon Loveday of Loveday Construction made the bespoke pendant light. The T-tables in Crystal are by Patricia Urquiola for Kartell. The wood flooring is from Parquet Flooring.
mASTEr BEDroom
The couple moved their bedroom to the back of the house, where doors open on to a semi-circular balcony. The light is lovely in here and it’s quieter too, away from the road.
Get the look Both the Bloom ceiling light and the Bourgie table lamp are by Ferruccio Laviani for Kartell. Find Love and Black Marilyn limited-edition prints by Peter Blake at artrepublic.com.
MASTER BATHROOM
Each time the budget was a bit tight, the architect would suggest the owners save money by cutting back on the marble but they were adamant it stays as it’s so glam.
Get the look The Portuguese marble was sourced by Jon Loveday. These are Mackintosh shower fittings and basin taps by Lefroy Brooks. For a similar shower screen and mirrored wall cabinet, try CP Hart.
boys’ BEDroom
There was a 13-week shipping time for the bunk beds to arrive, so the boys had to sleep on temporary ones. They love them, though, and can have friends for a sleepover, so the delay and hassle of getting them into the house (they had to be winched through the window) was definitely worth it.
Get the look This is the Wave 2 bunk bed by Mimondo. The Componibili storage unit is by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell. For a similar wall colour, try Fired Earth’s Garden Folly emulsion.
Photography / Simon Brown
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