Work

Design Consultation Video

A new build family home, generous, light & personal

Show Home Virtue
We often live our lives in pre-formed patterns, both emotionally and physically, expressed in how we choose to create our homes, often becoming predictable, even static. It is my passion to create fabulous, happy spaces for people where life is fun and welcoming. 
This is a show home, a proud quality build where the interior underlines the character of the building, to be light, easy and personal. 
Show home interiors come at a strict budget, still, the aim was to signal style, relevance and quality. It had to be ‘different’, yet had to appeal to the many, a fine line to thread. It was a highly enjoyable project as I was given much freedom by the developer. 
We wanted to use a minimal amount of furniture to let the space ‘breathe’ while still giving it a personal connotation, a sense of presence and warmth, supporting the architecture, promoting quality and accessibility while allowing space for the future owner’s personal expression.
The project run through the two-year Pandemic with all interior choices made off site from drawings only. It was a bit ‘nervy’ to get it all delivered after a long storage period, to finally see how it would present itself in the space.
Prior to my engagement it had been decided to paint all walls white. My advise was to use a pallet of light, warm colours, including a softer tone of white for the ceiling. The colours suit the light character of the house, creating a pleasing transition between the rooms, giving a united ease to the layout. The house has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, a gym and two TV rooms on 3 floors with 2 terraces and a garden.
When entering, a bright, generous space meets the visitor. The hallway is kept clean with its swiping walls. Here we decided to place only a welcoming bench with a framed fabric print, enough to set the flavour of the house.
The kitchen with the large dining space leads onto a generous terrace. The kitchen cabinet colour in green, situated across the generous window space, was chosen to harmonise with the opposite garden. The kitchen was designed by the architect of the project, all fittings in the house were chosen by the developer.
Next to the entrance is a family TV/playroom, leading into the generous living room. Here would be plenty of space for a large sofa arrangement, instead we chose to adapt a lighter furniture setting, giving the room a slight formal, yet easy angle.
The furniture for all rooms including bedrooms was chosen to complement one another in character, to be of quality and timeless appeal. All room settings are kept simple, for the space to visually be able to ‘breathe’.
All in all, the home was built for a family to be enjoyed for many years to come and making for a good investment.





A soft colour palette brings visual flow to a Bloomsbury pad

Bloomsbury is one of central London’s hidden 'in-between' gems, offering much history and great places to live, with many purpose-built flats from the beginning of the last century. 
When refurbishing such spaces, it is vital to reflect the charm of the original without the need to be nostalgic. It's about small details, material choice, proportions, fixtures and fittings, kitchen and bathroom style and all over quality of execution. 

The apartments in the building at hand had already been desecrated through previous refurbishments, now the task was to find a contemporary visual tone well suited for the style and character of the flat.  What we were looking for, was to bring some of its intended gentle personality back to life in a contemporary fashion. A basic requirement to make a space work is to look at its proportions and material choices of fixtures and fittings, colour, wallpaper, tiles and of course furniture. This might be obvious, but it is surprising how often the subtle differences are not observed and therefore not beneficial to the space.
I finish the slide show with a few images showing the flat at start of project.

For this small 2-bedroom top floor flat we initially looked at previous added false architectural elements we could remove, 'opening' the space visually. Then it was decided what contemporary character the space would benefit from and listened to what would make the client comfortable. The owners general brief was to present the space visually as ‘clean’ as possible with a warm touch. 
To create this, we chose one base colour throughout,  same colour for doors, doorframes, skirting, joinery work, wardrobes, etc. A similar tone of couleur was chosen for transition spaces, bedrooms and bathrooms. We gave the entrance and kitchen cabinets their own colour to create a gentle dynamic in the flat. The made to measure kitchen by Kent & London was chosen for its style and quality of craftsmanship, well suited for the small space and character of the flat. It has good proportions with simple handle detail, no added fixtures to keep the visual impression uninterrupted but offering a colour contrast and point of interest. 
 
The client preferred window treatment were venetian blinds, we found a version in same colour as the walls, this way the visual impression of the background stayed non interrupted.
In the master bedroom we moved one wall towards the shower bathroom to free some space to fit a super king size bed. Both bedrooms received new built-in wardrobes with sliding doors, well suited for small spaces.
The bathroom tiles and furniture where chosen in matt ceramics, creating an easy visual transition with the over-all colour of the flat. The sanitary ware and fittings are light in character of perfect proportion for the space with a timeless feel. We installed underfloor heating in all rooms to free wall space.
The furniture had to be tone in tone to keep a ‘quiet’ flow. To create variety, we chose different surface textures. 
Now art- work will add highlights and dynamics to the space. 
All in all, the result was delivered on time with slight budget additions due to changes requested during the process, everyone is happy, and a new home is enjoyed by its owner.






A home in Kensington

This was a substantial rebuild , making a home out of what essentially was, one big room, The ceiling was taken down to reveal a8m high ceiling in total with beautiful stucko work. A 'second' floor was built to hold the bedroom and bathroom with bathtub on the upper part,simple stairway put in place with dining space and adjacent kitchen built underneath on entrance floor. The wall to the balcony/terrace was taken down and replaced with a window wall to add a sense of more space to the room as the entire window/glass wall can be opened up.  We retiled the balcony/terrace floor. The parquet flooring in the room was restored, giving the home some character. The furniture had to be classic, simple in design as the space was limited and had to hold a variety of functions, so keeping the space fluid in character, yet interesting enough not to be too monochrome. Across  the entrance under the stairs we have a white table with light, chairs so the space feels not so cramped, into a white kitchen with an orange wall. The orange, so the kitchen is not too sterile, having its own character. The large sofa placed centre in the room works like anchor round which all activity is placed. The space accommodates numerous needs very well. All artwork chosen together with the client.

Creating an open one bedroom in Kensington

Mid century modern in St. Johns Wood, London

The owner of this beautiful family home was looking to create a modernist setting in this Edwardian building. We chose not change the built in shelving, but left these off white as all wood work throughout the house. The subtle grey/blue wall colour works well with the style of the building, the fireplace and golden wall light. The furniture is uncomplicated, yet stylish with a timeless modernist flair, making for easy living both for the family and welcoming guests. The sheer linen curtains are set on poles which were already installed when the client moved in. These work with the space why we reused the already existing setting. All artwork was researched and selected for the client with the ambition to make it versatile and personal, brining individuality and a point of view.

Mid century modern St. Johns Wood, London

Family life in a period building

Family home Regency style building, The entire house was renovated, choosing all wall colours from entrance trough every room. For the bedroom we decided to use wallpaper as the room was large and needed a soft touch paper so well is able to add. The wallpaper chosen was 'non decorative' meaning neutral but with fine design element to suit the other room and the house at large in character. All cabinets and wardrobes where custom built . The reception room was small and divided in a seating area and study area. The owners wanted good quality furniture lasting a lifetime, something that would work with the historical house in character and proportion. The seating is midcentury Swedish, the coffee table had to add a contemporary feel but blending well with the seating. We produced this to suit the setting and the requirements. The rug is a Andrée Putman rug, Christopher Farr produced for us, adding to the style and whilst simple in design, it is not boring, but light and accommodating. All artwork was the owners, we rehung some pieces to give the space a better flow.

A young woman's city pad

This was a full home renovation, a 1990s built with open plan kitchen, two bedrooms and a balcony. The building was an early 1990's built, with no character.
The task was to give it a better flow with colours and textures but not overload it, keeping it simple, yet interesting. The light grey works well with eh white kitchen in the open plan of the living space where we chose light linen curtains on drawstring to give the curtains a soft flow to soften the space, rather than strict appearance.
The bedroom got Woodnotes panels all along the 3 window walls.The panels add lightness to a low ceiling room, keeping a dull outside view out of sight, whilst adding interest and structure to the room. Wallpaper wall behind the bed adds a point of view, so the room becomes less boxy. The owner needed a lot of additional storage so as bed side units two chest of drawers in different heights where chosen, adding some playfulness and unexpected element. The owners few antique pieces where mixed with new furniture choices.

Bring a one man home to life.

A bachelor pad in Blackheath, suitable for a discerning client, loving uncomplicated, easy living, appreciating mid century and modern furniture of good craftsmanship and quality to last a lifetime and more. A timeless style of perfect proportion, suitable for each space. Uncomplicated, yet thoutfull accommodating its user with full attention, comfort and flair. All artwork for each room  sourced by me. 

Bring a one man home in Blackheath to life.

A pied-a-terre for an overseas family to enjoy

A pied-a-terre in central London, serving an oversees client. It required a basic update, requested at low/medium cost, not executed were kitchen and walls 
The focus was on a few basic elements which would give the space a fresh feel without the need of a total refurbishment. Underfloor heating and new wooden floors were installed in all rooms, the two bathrooms and utility room were totally stripped and rebuilt, their condition was poor, all to an economic budget but providing high quality workmanship. 
The furniture brief: make it simple, with an easy flow and to visually be a good match to the artwork provided by client. Only available stock furniture at the time could be ordered, no manufacturing orders could be placed. The time frame to be finished swiftly, was paramount.
We tried to give this lower ground floor flat a fresh, timeless feel and hope it will be enjoyed  by the family for many years to come.

A first time buyers home

A one bedroom flat in a 1930's building in central London. This was a first time buy already partly renovated. The client decided to redo the flat, but keeping the carpet due to cost. 
The wall colours where carefully chosen to keep the flat as light as possible and  to be suitable for the style of the flat.
The client did not want curtains so we chose Woodnotes blinds for the sitting room. These are light in character but offer enough privacy and due to their warm character adding comfort to the space.
The book shelf was to be as non obtrusive as possible why we decided to spray an ordinary Spur shelving in same colour as the wall. This gave the least invasive effect and suited the space perfectly.
The dining table had to be in a colour that worked on the carpet so the visual flow would not be interrupted. The dining chairs where chosen for comfort, lightness and cost, working perfectly with the table in the limited space.
The rug for the seating area had to work well on the carpet, be defining but not  visually interrupting.
The bedroom was kept cool and simple without being cold, the art work fitted perfectly to add a personal touch.
The kitchen was a standard kitchen which got an uplift through the matt, dark blue tiles and dark blue wall, projecting warmth and be suitable for the property.
We added art work, accessories, cushions and throws to work perfectly with the furniture and colours for personality without interrupting the intent of harmony and ease.
All in all, the motto was: light, calm living in a challenging city.

Creating a home for the owners pre decorated house

The building work for this house was completed with new floors, kitchen, bathroom and all walls decorated. The task was to furnish the space so it would work to its best potential for the owner. The style chosen was light and uncomplicated, yet all pieces to be of superior craftsmanship and quality, so make this a home which would last for many generations, always relevant, no matter where stye would take off in the future. All materials to be natural with an easy flow between the selected items yet each different in their own right to give variety and interest. The space was not over furnished to keep it light and airy in character

Kitchen fit for a small space

The owner had acquired this 5 bedroom modernist 1950  home in need of renovation.
The project will be run in two stages with the first to replace all bathrooms and new kitchen, redecorate all rooms using a neutral colour, oak floors, simple flat radiators,tiled floor in kitchen to make life with a dog easier. The kitchen was an Ikea kitchen where we added dark blue tiles with black grouting to give the space a point of view and personal character. The style of kitchen selected worked well in the space and architecture of the house. All furniture had to be easy to use and is still in progress to be completed.

Utility space reborn

A straight forward task: to make the most out of the available utility space which has to house a separate washer and dryer. The solution is covering boiler and  electrics along walls. All panels are linked with magnets, easily removable if access is needed to any electrical elements.

Unconventional furnishing solutions for mansion block living

This  home was a two bedroom Victorian mansion block where the owner had  renovated, redecorating walls in shown colour and decided on a new, dark stained oak parquet flooring. 
The task was to add light uncomplicated furniture of good quality, bringing an aspect of modernity but keeping it soft in character to accompany the style of the  building. The task was to add character and easy to make the flat a home that has lived for a long time but keep it fresh and individual.

Starting a home inspired by midcentury

When starting the first home, it's a good idea to invest in a few key furniture pieces only. Focus on quality furniture which will last and build slowly, adding more pieces through time. Buying fewer pieces leaves room for better quality choices and one allows to better know what one really would like to own, making fewer 'mistakes', instead, every piece is thought through and loved, creating an environment that allows to grow organically through the years. And ultimately we need much less than we think we do. Let quality be king.

A contemporary artistic home

The owner had done an amazing job, building a modern bungalow which now needed to be furnished so it worked with the  modernity of the architecture, adding a personal flavour to the home. All wall where to be kept white with a small exception in the long corridor connecting the main living area with all bedrooms. Her we used a wallpaper only along one side which worked in design well with the feel of the space, would add warmth but also function well as a backdrop for a big number of art works. A few pieces of furniture the owner already had where selected with contemporary pieces added. Rugs and artwork sourced selected for each setting. The curtains sheer linen, single  finger pleated to give some structure to the big windows dominating the space where he curtains add softness without distracting form the architect intended feel of the space.

A London Rental, lower ground floor

A  pied-à-terre in central London

A small one bedroom flat in central London for a family of 5 living both in Europe and the Far East, visiting to London frequently. The small  space had to accommodate an easy, uncomplicated use of space. The flat was renovated with new sisal flooring throughout, new kitchen and balcony tiling, replaced radiators, redecorated throughout in neutral light grey to give the limited space a light, airy feel. The furniture was held uncomplicated but of quality to give the space integrity and a sense of true wellbeing.

Storage solutions for a tricky entrance space

A family home facing storage challenges for their entrance with limited space to build cabinets. We utilised the available walls as best suitable for the task, managing to add enough units to suit all storage needs. Cabinets specially produced by our per excellence carpenter, simple, timeless, well built for many years to last. The central piece, a spiral staircase, was renovated and painted to visually better suit the setting. We brought the best out of the space to the clients delight.

Clare Hall College Cambridge

Clare Hall college Cambridge by architect Ralph Erskine
https://www.clarehall.cam.ac.uk/50th-anniversary-ralph-erskine-exhibition

Clare Hall is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, founded in 1966 by Clare College, a college for advanced study, admitting only post graduate students alongside postdoctoral  researchers and fellows. 
The architect Ralph Erskine was appointed 1969 to design the buildings for Clare Hall which include common rooms, offices, dining facilities, a house for the President and 20 apartments for visiting fellows. Whilst the buildings where finished, the interiors for the college was never completed but left to their own device. 
Magnus Englund and I where appointed in early 2018 to look at the interiors of the entrance space, common rooms and bar area to give them the identity they always deserved, mirroring the time and architecture of the building.

The entrance holds a large black and white photograph transferred on a plywood backdrop, showing the architect at his desk, working on the college drawings.

We chose a light neutral wall colour palette suitable to accompany the now amber coloured, low hanging wooden ceiling, adding colour instead to the furniture. 
The entrance received a striped floor by Bolon, the common rooms a more silent version of same. 

The furniture was chosen by Swedese, producing the Accent sofa with arm chairs and Primo chair by Ynge Ekström. These pieces, one can imagine, would have been chosen by the architect at the time the college was completed, fitting to accompany the architectural language. Additionally we chose simple round oak tables by architect Jonas Lindvall for Stolab with the classic Grand Prix chair by Arne Jacobsen. 



 
 


header

left

footer

Home

About

Blog

Contact

Privacy Policy

Process

Services

Project Highlight Video

Floor plan preview

Is this your business? <t1>Log In</t1> to your account on Houzz Pro to reactivate your profile.

Houzz Pro Account Suspended

We will get back to you by email as soon as possible.

We have received your enquiry!

Map for {location}

Privacy Policy for this Site

This website stores cookies on your device and handles your information in accordance with the <t1>Houzz Privacy Policy</t1> and <t2>this website privacy policy</t2>. Select your preferences below. When you click “{ACCEPT_ALL}” this website can give you the best possible user experience.

This Website Uses Cookies

Your privacy is important. You can select your cookie preferences as described below. You can modify your preferences at any time.

Read more about the <t1>Houzz Privacy Policy link</t1> and <t2>this website privacy policy</t2> for more information about how these cookies are used.

This website uses cookies and similar technologies. Strictly necessary cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. If you consent to the use of other cookies, we use them to personalise your experience, serve you relevant content, and improve our products and services.