House in Holland Park

The brief for the renovation of this Victorian houses included creating multi-functional spaces that can be easily opened up or closed off. A solution was found in using sliding pocket door systems to make the most of the space available. Manufacturer Elisse produced the large bespoke sliding pocket door system used for the entry from the hallways to the main living area. This door further mirrors that sliding glass panel that provides access to the garden. All doors are full height ot create an extra spacious feeling.

More from the Manufacturer:

The clients required multi-functional spaces that could be opened up or closed off, for example, when guests came to stay. Flexibility throughout the whole plan was a key feature of the brief as was making the space feel ‘generous’. The solution was using pocket door systems on the downstairs to make the most of the space available. The large bespoke sliding pocket door system used for the entry from the hallway to the main living area mirrored the sliding glass panel that then provided access into the garden. The architect chose Syntesis Line Estensione Double, because they wanted to use discrete extra large bespoke doors to help the house feel spacious and to allow more natural light throughout. The doors gave adaptability to the property and once opened created larger, more social spaces, and when closed the areas became cosier private areas - particularly useful for houseguests. The doors were all full height to create the feeling of extra height, they essentially were sliding walls rather than doors. Eclisse pocket doors not only solved the requirement for the sliding doors to be fire rated but the top hung mechanism meant that the floor surface was free from guides and allowed the floor material to be continuous with the next room enlarging the perception of the space.

This renovation of a five floor Victoria townhouse in the heart of London reflects the client’s interest in colour, textiles and fashion. The interior furnishing and details from repainted stairs to modern shelving and sliding doors systems are part creating a purposefully contemporary look and giving a refreshing feel to an historic dwelling.

More from the Architects:

The property was an existing five floor Victorian townhouse set in the heart of Holland Park. The clients had recently relocated back to London and were looking to fully refurbish the dwelling to create a family home. The brief was to utilise every space in the house and the client was incredibly interested in colour, textiles and fashion so it was an opportunity to fuse these elements into the design.

The layout was designed for a medium sized family, with large living, dining and kitchen area to accommodate modern day life and more traditional style rooms to the main formal floors. Materials such as Marmorino plaster were used to give texture and depth to the walls of the main rooms, the fireplace and mouldings were purposefully decadent to add interest to the spaces and give anod to the Victorian tradition. Walnut parquet floor was used throughout the property but was given a modern take using an oversized pattern and bordering.

Interior furnishings and details were all part of a purposeful contemporary look. The traditional staircase was repainted in dark grey paint and livened up with a bright yellow wool runner, a new coat cupboard and mirrored wall was commissioned by furniture designer Paul Kelley to hide away coats and accessories. In the main study area a large B&B Italia bookcase was chosen to house the extensive range of the client’s art books, the shelving system was a very modern design in bright yellow and bronze but fitted in perfectly due to the fine profile of the system so it created a strong, but not overpowering statement. The ceramicist, Natasha Daintry, was commissioned to produce two art pieces, a collection of small glazed cylindrical pots to the lower ground floor and a larger more striking set of larger vessels to the ground floor, all reflecting the colours picked for the palette of the house.

At the lower ground floor level the client was convinced to remove an existing glass 80’s conservatory from the rear garden to reclaim space for a new sheltered garden. Inspired by the client’s childhood spent in Kenya and South Africa, we designed a bold planting scheme (with the help of Sylvie Gabbey from Ginger Landscapes) and sculptural landscape, for which we recently just won a Gardenistaaward!

To the lower level there is an open kitchen, sitting area and dining room. The spaces are divided discretely by a floating unit of kitchen cabinetry which cantilevers from the wall and a circular fabric screen which can close off the circular dining space. The wall treatments were also bespoke in the dining area with a commissioned hand-painted finish to the circular walls to visually separate the area.

At first floor the master suite was designed to create a practical space with plenty of storage and beautiful lighting to highlight the client’s sculptures and fabric collection.

The traditional character of the property was retained but layered with colour, furniture, modern pieces, lighting and the client’s artwork and sculptures to create a truly refreshing modern feel to a Victorian dwelling.