A Hampstead pied-à-terre for a family of booklovers
Wanting a London pied-à-terre for her and her children, one of whom is studying in the city, the owner of this home settled on an historic mansion block in Hampstead. Realising the space needed a total revamp, she turned to architecture and interior design studio De Rosee Sa to help her with its transformation.
Interior designer Eliza Davey worked on the project and found that her client was enthusiastic about colour and character in her new base. ‘Her style is quite modern, but here she wanted to embrace a more traditional London aesthetic,’ she explains.
Before they could get to the decorating, however, some major structural work was required. The flat had no central heating and significant mould issues, corner chimney splays in small rooms that were taking up valuable space had to be removed, and an old dumbwaiter proved an awkward obstacle to work around.
‘Since all the internal walls were masonry, we needed 13 structural beams and columns to accommodate the design,’ recalls senior project architect Claire Mannings of the tricky build. ‘Our main goal was to be as playful as possible,’ she adds ‘as this is often a major issue in mansion block flats where all rooms open off a central corridor.’
Carefully preserving the beautiful original stained glass door, the team widened the entrance to create a spacious arrival that flows into the living spaces. They also consciously made the dining space within the kitchen cosy so mealtimes could be close, and kept the kitchen open as the client loves to be able to cook and chat at the same time.
The client’s taste tended towards classical and neutral, which influenced many of the colour and material choices. ‘We opted for soft wallpapers, muted paints and earthy tones to create a calm, timeless atmosphere,’ says Eliza, adding ‘at the same time, we wanted to evoke a sense of formality with elements like the wood flooring and checkerboard entrance, giving the space a subtle Parisian feel.’
One of the most striking design elements in the home is a deep red lacquered bookcase, which is the focal point of the living room, rather than the TV. ‘As a family of avid readers, much of the conversation centred around how to incorporate spaces for books and reading,’ Claire explains. ‘The bookcase reflects both their love of books and the need for practical storage. The lacquer finish also helps reflect natural light from the bay window which brightens the space.’
Because of the flat’s compact footprint, the team had to come up with ingenious and bespoke solutions to maximise space, creating banquette seating in the kitchen, a sofa bed in the study and a hidden boiler cupboard at the end of the shower to allow for concealed storage.
This approach gives every room a completely personal feel. Claire cites the canopied bed that incorporates a bookshelf in the daughter’s bedroom as a good example, calling it a ‘book-lover’s dream’. A mix of new, custom and vintage furniture and accessories add soul and character to the interiors.
What was once a dark, subdued space has become somewhere cosy, bright and inviting – much more than a bolthole for flying visits, but a true home from home. ‘It was hard for them to envision how different the space would feel until it was brought to life,’ says Claire. ‘I don’t believe they fully expected the extent of the transformation.’ deroseesa.com
