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Room of the Week: An Elegant Open-plan Living Space in a Victorian Flat
This open-plan living-dining-kitchen space in a period apartment is light, refined and pared-back, with just a dash of boho
The trend for open-plan living isn’t going away, but creating a room that does ‘multi-purpose’ perfectly can still be tricky. However, this space in a two-storey apartment in Notting Hill is a beauty, working effortlessly as an elegant lounge-cook-eat solution. What’s lovely about this room is the way it combines grand period details with a simple sense of light and airiness for a calm, modern effect. What’s even more impressive is that the home was originally two flats, which have now cleverly been joined together and reconfigured to accommodate a family of four.
The stunning arched window frames and surrounding architraves are original, but they were double-glazed during the makeover.
The key to joining the two apartments was a modern, ‘floating’ staircase with simple, sculptural lines and a glass balustrade, specially sourced from a Belgian company. Going through the heart of both flats, it had to be compact and neat. A more traditional, period-style staircase with wooden banisters and struts would have blocked light and interrupted the room’s flow. ‘It’s quite minimal – we really wanted to open up the space, not have the stairs blocking it,’ says Fletcher.
The architect admits that linking the ground- and first-floor flats was more complicated than, say, the basement and ground floor, where the stairs could simply have gone under the communal staircase.
Staircase, Smet.
Discover how to make more of your staircase
The key to joining the two apartments was a modern, ‘floating’ staircase with simple, sculptural lines and a glass balustrade, specially sourced from a Belgian company. Going through the heart of both flats, it had to be compact and neat. A more traditional, period-style staircase with wooden banisters and struts would have blocked light and interrupted the room’s flow. ‘It’s quite minimal – we really wanted to open up the space, not have the stairs blocking it,’ says Fletcher.
The architect admits that linking the ground- and first-floor flats was more complicated than, say, the basement and ground floor, where the stairs could simply have gone under the communal staircase.
Staircase, Smet.
Discover how to make more of your staircase
One of the most inspiring things about this room is the chic, streamlined kitchen, which slots neatly into two alcoves. It manages to avoid looking too ‘kitchen-y’, cluttered or messy, thanks to a cool, sophisticated grey finish and minimal lines. ‘We wanted the units to be subservient to the grandeur of the room,’ explains Fletcher.
The couple aren’t big cooks, he adds, and eat out frequently. However, while the kitchen is on the snug side, a separate utility room means the laundry appliances and dishwasher can be accommodated elsewhere.
Kitchen units, Mowlem & Co. Spray painted in Mole’s Breath estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball.
The couple aren’t big cooks, he adds, and eat out frequently. However, while the kitchen is on the snug side, a separate utility room means the laundry appliances and dishwasher can be accommodated elsewhere.
Kitchen units, Mowlem & Co. Spray painted in Mole’s Breath estate eggshell, Farrow & Ball.
The house occupies two floors of a typical stucco-fronted period property in London’s buzzing Notting Hill.
The large opening between the kitchen-dining area and the lounge might appear original, but again it was created by Fletcher, with architraves added to re-create that crucial period feel. Sliding doors mean the dining and living zones can be separated if needs be.
‘The opening lines up exactly with the window at the back of the house,’ says Fletcher. This allows light to funnel through the room beautifully.
An orange lamp adds a dash of retro colour.
Spun T2 table lamp by Sebastian Wrong, The Conran Shop.
‘The opening lines up exactly with the window at the back of the house,’ says Fletcher. This allows light to funnel through the room beautifully.
An orange lamp adds a dash of retro colour.
Spun T2 table lamp by Sebastian Wrong, The Conran Shop.
The owners have a laid-back style, with a curated selection of interesting antiques and objects on display. The 1950s marble table was sourced from a flea market in Paris; the classic metal Tolix café chairs work perfectly with it and add a dash of industrial chic.
Touches of gorgeous gold add some shimmer, including a bust in the fireplace and the mirror above. As with the plasterwork, the marble fireplace surrounds aren’t original to the property, but were made bespoke to add to the period effect. (An ugly concrete fireplace was removed.)
Fletcher says while the fireplace in the kitchen isn’t functional, the chimney in the living area was cleaned out (’it had been blocked for years’), and can now be used again.
Touches of gorgeous gold add some shimmer, including a bust in the fireplace and the mirror above. As with the plasterwork, the marble fireplace surrounds aren’t original to the property, but were made bespoke to add to the period effect. (An ugly concrete fireplace was removed.)
Fletcher says while the fireplace in the kitchen isn’t functional, the chimney in the living area was cleaned out (’it had been blocked for years’), and can now be used again.
A large window at the rear of the room lets the light flood in for an uplifting feel. The walnut herringbone floor was chosen for its timeless style. ‘We looked at lots of floors, but ended up with a slightly oversized parquet,’ says Fletcher.
The floor had to be levelled off and, as this room is above a basement flat, special acoustic boarding was laid.
Parquet flooring, Rainleaf.
The floor had to be levelled off and, as this room is above a basement flat, special acoustic boarding was laid.
Parquet flooring, Rainleaf.
The distressed mirrored doors opposite the dining area cleverly conceal the boiler. The design is proof that something as functional as an understairs cupboard can still look lovely, given a little thought and planning.
Mirrors, Rough Old Glass.
Mirrors, Rough Old Glass.
Shabby chic furnishings, such as this golden Louis-style chair, give the flat a touch of Parisian charm.
The recessed bookcases (there’s also one at the back of the kitchen) make use of the spaces where the doorways were originally positioned. Using wood here warms up the off-white paint, and also matches the focus on wood throughout the apartment.
The recessed bookcases (there’s also one at the back of the kitchen) make use of the spaces where the doorways were originally positioned. Using wood here warms up the off-white paint, and also matches the focus on wood throughout the apartment.
The white kitchen worktop, made from reconstituted stone, blends neatly with the white walls.
The clear glass splashbacks are unobtrusive and simple, further helping the kitchen ‘fade’ into the background.
The view of the staircase from the dining area.
Is open-plan living over or here to stay? Join the debate
Is open-plan living over or here to stay? Join the debate
The modern, minimal stairs are made of walnut to match the parquet flooring.
TELL US…
What do you think of this room? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of this room? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A literary agent, her husband and their two young sons
Location Notting Hill, London
Property A Victorian apartment, spread over two storeys, with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1 shower room
Architect Stephen Fletcher Architects
The property was originally two flats. The husband was living on the ground floor, then, when his wife-to-be was pregnant with their first child, the couple snapped up the flat above. For several years, they padded between the two apartments on the communal staircase, in dressing gowns and pyjamas! Now the flats have finally been properly joined together and reconfigured to create one stylish family home.
The living space has a light, elegant, period feel thanks to a plethora of apparently original features, such as the fireplaces and plaster mouldings. However, the previous owners had in fact removed many of the original details, and the ceiling rose and all cornicing in this room are convincing reproductions, made from Victorian moulds.
‘We know what features these houses would have had, but if anything these details are a bit grander than what might have been here,’ says architect Stephen Fletcher. They prove how, done sympathetically and well, restored features can look authentic and a give a room a truly special feel. As Fletcher points out, ‘It’s not like putting period features into a modern building.’
Cornicing and ceiling rose, Hayles & Howe.