Houzz Tour: An Open-plan Flat in an East London Warehouse
Packed with original factory features, this amazing space has been transformed into a welcoming home
“This project has been a real labour of love,” says Lulu Skinner of the beautiful open-plan warehouse flat in east London where she lives.
Although it’s now a polished and welcoming home, the flat looked very different to this when she first moved in, and the journey from building site to beautifully finished flat was a long and, at times, painful one. Rather than defeating her though, if anything it’s just filled Lulu with enthusiasm for “the next project”.
Although it’s now a polished and welcoming home, the flat looked very different to this when she first moved in, and the journey from building site to beautifully finished flat was a long and, at times, painful one. Rather than defeating her though, if anything it’s just filled Lulu with enthusiasm for “the next project”.
“The flat had a strange layout, with one bedroom but two bathrooms,” Lulu says. “Possibly it had been used as a live/work studio previously.”
She decided to create two bedrooms and one bathroom instead, which made much more sense from a residential point of view. The living, dining and kitchen space was kept almost the same size as it had been previously.
She decided to create two bedrooms and one bathroom instead, which made much more sense from a residential point of view. The living, dining and kitchen space was kept almost the same size as it had been previously.
After running into some problems with a previous contractor, the couple found Vincenzo Palomba of HouseUP through a recommendation, and he helped them to finish the project.
“We researched all the materials and sourced them ourselves,” explains Lulu, who had a really clear vision for the space, “then Vincenzo made it happen.”
Vittorio sofa in Teal, Made.com.
“We researched all the materials and sourced them ourselves,” explains Lulu, who had a really clear vision for the space, “then Vincenzo made it happen.”
Vittorio sofa in Teal, Made.com.
The kitchen is a clever mix of industrial and Shaker styles. “I wanted an industrial feel in order to respect the building’s past,” Lulu says. “The light switches are raw pewter, for example, and the pendant lights are originals, sourced from a reclaimed lighting specialist.
“I didn’t want to go too industrial, though, as we wanted to make it homely at the same time.”
So although the colour of the units and the concrete worktop lend an industrial feel to the space, the style of the units is quite traditional, “and almost farmhouse,” Lulu says, “which just helps to soften everything a little bit.”
Bar stools, eBay. Sink, deVOL. Kitchen, The Shaker Kitchen Company.
“I didn’t want to go too industrial, though, as we wanted to make it homely at the same time.”
So although the colour of the units and the concrete worktop lend an industrial feel to the space, the style of the units is quite traditional, “and almost farmhouse,” Lulu says, “which just helps to soften everything a little bit.”
Bar stools, eBay. Sink, deVOL. Kitchen, The Shaker Kitchen Company.
The copper-pipe taps in the kitchen are a fun design statement, although Lulu would be more cautious about using such industrial fittings again in the future. “The taps look cool, but this particular style is very hard to open and close, so they’re not ideal for using every day.”
Looking for the right pro to help make your renovation plans a reality? Search the directory here
Looking for the right pro to help make your renovation plans a reality? Search the directory here
The bookshelves in the living room have been made using the same materials. “These are my favourite element of the project,” Vincenzo says.
The living, dining and kitchen space is wonderfully airy thanks to the high ceiling, exposed beams and a skylight carefully positioned above the dining table.
The large windows draw plenty of natural light into the space and the emerald green painted metal frames are a beautiful feature in themselves. “They’re original Crittall and were already painted the deep green when we bought the flat,” Lulu says.
The living, dining and kitchen space is wonderfully airy thanks to the high ceiling, exposed beams and a skylight carefully positioned above the dining table.
The large windows draw plenty of natural light into the space and the emerald green painted metal frames are a beautiful feature in themselves. “They’re original Crittall and were already painted the deep green when we bought the flat,” Lulu says.
Lulu made sure she brought in some warmer, more homely elements to help soften the industrial space. In this corner, vintage armchairs add a wonderfully cosy feel, and the books on the shelves behind introduce colour and interest. Houseplants also bring colour and life to the space.
French ‘moustache’ chairs, vintage.
French ‘moustache’ chairs, vintage.
The dining table is another of Lulu’s creations. She sourced the vintage legs on eBay and had the antiqued zinc top made to fit. “I really enjoyed the process of finding all the materials and putting the design together,” she says. “It took a lot of time, but I enjoyed scouring eBay and searching online for suppliers.”
Browse a range of dining chairs in the Houzz Shop
Browse a range of dining chairs in the Houzz Shop
In the bedroom, wooden furniture brings in a layer of warmth, while a green velvet sofa and painted radiators neatly echo the emerald green Crittall window frames.
The wardrobe doors add an industrial note. “I designed and built this wardrobe ourselves – I found someone who could make doors from antiqued zinc,” Lulu says.
Wardrobe doors, James Gilbert & Son.
The wardrobe doors add an industrial note. “I designed and built this wardrobe ourselves – I found someone who could make doors from antiqued zinc,” Lulu says.
Wardrobe doors, James Gilbert & Son.
The bathroom is simply decorated with warm copper and brass fixtures and fittings, a frameless glass shower screen and encaustic floor tiles. The bathroom radiator was made on-site from copper piping and the walls are polished plaster.
Tiles, Bert & May. Polished plaster, Novacolor. Taps, Chadder & Co.
Tiles, Bert & May. Polished plaster, Novacolor. Taps, Chadder & Co.
“You feel proud when you put your mark on something,” Lulu says. “You get the taste for taking on big projects, though, which can be dangerous!”
So, would she repeat the experience? “Absolutely!” she says. “I’m going to live here for a good couple of years yet, but when I do move, I’ll look for another project.”
Tell us…
What’s your favourite bit of this warehouse conversion? Let us know in the Comments section.
So, would she repeat the experience? “Absolutely!” she says. “I’m going to live here for a good couple of years yet, but when I do move, I’ll look for another project.”
Tell us…
What’s your favourite bit of this warehouse conversion? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here Lulu Skinner
Location Shoreditch, London
Property A former warehouse
Size Two bedrooms and one bathroom
Designer Vincenzo Palomba of HouseUP
Size Around 100 sq m
Photography by Chris Snook
“I bought the flat four years ago with my then boyfriend and knew I wanted to totally renovate it,” Lulu says. “I just fell in love with it when I saw it, because it had a lot of great original features that few loft spaces actually have.”
However, while the structural elements were all sound, the interior design left a little to be desired. “The flat had been converted quickly and cheaply in the 1990s and had been done in a fairly bland fashion,” Lulu explains. “The designers hadn’t thought through the spatial design particularly well, either, so there was loads of wasted space.”