Houzz Tour: A Central London Apartment With a Clever Open-plan Layout
This chic flat in London’s theatreland has the lot: glamour, well-thought-out design and cool exposed brickwork
If you’ve ever fantasised about Zone 1 living in the capital, then this plush apartment might just be your dream home. Situated in the heart of town, on London’s Drury Lane – famed for its theatres – it’s described by designer Stephanie Koball of Hatch Interiors as ‘New York loft meets chic city retreat’.
But while the setting of this first-floor bolthole might be high drama, the brief was simple. Stephanie says the client wanted ‘an uncluttered, glamorous apartment that worked as an inner-city retreat’.
But while the setting of this first-floor bolthole might be high drama, the brief was simple. Stephanie says the client wanted ‘an uncluttered, glamorous apartment that worked as an inner-city retreat’.
The living area has an uplifting, bright feel thanks to two generous adjacent walls of windows. ‘They’re my favourite thing about this space,’ says Koball. ‘The arched shape and the sheer number of them means natural light floods in.’
To show them off, and stop the apartment feeling austere, Koball went for floor-length, handmade pinch-pleat curtains. ‘I was determined to keep the arches visible, despite blinds possibly being a more practical and cost-effective option,’ she says. ‘I wanted to celebrate the character of the building rather than obstruct it.’
Curtain fabric, Ashley Wilde.
To show them off, and stop the apartment feeling austere, Koball went for floor-length, handmade pinch-pleat curtains. ‘I was determined to keep the arches visible, despite blinds possibly being a more practical and cost-effective option,’ she says. ‘I wanted to celebrate the character of the building rather than obstruct it.’
Curtain fabric, Ashley Wilde.
As the main living area demonstrates beautifully, the key to a successful open-plan space is decisive zoning. ‘Rather than making the room feel like one large space, I wanted to create three defined areas: living, dining and study,’ says Koball.
By keeping each one carefully demarcated, it doesn’t feel cramped or untidy. ‘I ensured the dining space was easily approachable from the kitchen area, defining it by using a large pendant light suspended above the dining table,’ Kobal adds.
By keeping each one carefully demarcated, it doesn’t feel cramped or untidy. ‘I ensured the dining space was easily approachable from the kitchen area, defining it by using a large pendant light suspended above the dining table,’ Kobal adds.
The cornerstone of the apartment is the warm, warehouse-style brickwork, which runs throughout the space, adding what Koball calls a ‘pared-back, distressed effect’.
The overall interior design, meanwhile is strong and sexy, with plenty of bold black powder-coated steel and gleaming glass. ‘The furniture is offset against aubergine accents and plush scatter cushions to warm it up,’ says Koball.
The overall interior design, meanwhile is strong and sexy, with plenty of bold black powder-coated steel and gleaming glass. ‘The furniture is offset against aubergine accents and plush scatter cushions to warm it up,’ says Koball.
If you can’t decide between open-plan and individual rooms in your own home, this apartment demonstrates how sliding doors can be an ingenious compromise. Tucked behind the sofa, they conceal or reveal a study area with sofa bed as and when required. ‘The sliding pocket doors use a very slick tracking system in line with the floor,’ explains Koball. ‘The doors fold back entirely to allow for a seamless transition into the office space.’
The sofa helps slice up the space further, even when the doors are fully open. ‘I used a large three-seater to act as a soft partition to the study area,’ adds Koball.
Sofa, Made.com.
The sofa helps slice up the space further, even when the doors are fully open. ‘I used a large three-seater to act as a soft partition to the study area,’ adds Koball.
Sofa, Made.com.
The finished look is polished and more than a little theatrical – the warm reds definitely have something of a ‘velvet front stalls’ feel. ‘The local district provided us with creative inspiration,’ agrees Koball. ‘We played on the cinematic and theatrical style with the film-style tripod lamp and shimmering side tables.’
A carefully styled cluster of plump, shimmery cushions ramps up the plush factor on a simple sofa.
Tour another London flat – but with a very different style
A carefully styled cluster of plump, shimmery cushions ramps up the plush factor on a simple sofa.
Tour another London flat – but with a very different style
Despite its fantastic position a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, Koball says the flat is surprisingly quiet. ‘It’s actually quite sheltered away from the hustle and bustle. The owner is very lucky – it has a secluded yet central location.’
While the décor is pared-down and uncluttered, a smattering of subtle accessories, such as these glass vases, adds touches of character,
While the décor is pared-down and uncluttered, a smattering of subtle accessories, such as these glass vases, adds touches of character,
The plaster was removed from the brickwork when the flat was first refurbished, to add that crucial loft-living feel.
The bricks’ rough, natural warmth is in great contrast with the metallic surfaces, silvery fabrics and clean lines, while jazzy, modernist prints help break it up. ‘The black and white artwork tied the entire scheme together and played on the cinematic, chic style,’ explains Koball. ‘I decided to continue the monochrome look with all the artworks, so as to not detract from the brickwork.’
Prints by Jaime Derringer, art.co.uk. Black side lamp, RV Astley.
See inside an East London school transformed into a contemporary home
The bricks’ rough, natural warmth is in great contrast with the metallic surfaces, silvery fabrics and clean lines, while jazzy, modernist prints help break it up. ‘The black and white artwork tied the entire scheme together and played on the cinematic, chic style,’ explains Koball. ‘I decided to continue the monochrome look with all the artworks, so as to not detract from the brickwork.’
Prints by Jaime Derringer, art.co.uk. Black side lamp, RV Astley.
See inside an East London school transformed into a contemporary home
Look carefully and you’ll spot some very subtle – and extremely useful – built-in storage in this apartment. ‘It runs from the kitchen down the corridor to the front door,’ says Koball.
A spicy, wine-coloured armchair with a boxy shape adds some welcome colour. ‘It was added to inject some fun and warmth to an otherwise muted colour palette,’ says Koball.
Armchair, Made.com.
A spicy, wine-coloured armchair with a boxy shape adds some welcome colour. ‘It was added to inject some fun and warmth to an otherwise muted colour palette,’ says Koball.
Armchair, Made.com.
The owners wanted to keep the apartment flexible, so while the area behind the sofa is styled as a study, it could equally be used as a handy second bedroom.
Black accents throughout keep things looking ultra-smart and professional, and the classic Eames chair adds a high-end feel.
Black desk, Actona. Tripod lamp, Made.com. Eames chair, Utility.
Black accents throughout keep things looking ultra-smart and professional, and the classic Eames chair adds a high-end feel.
Black desk, Actona. Tripod lamp, Made.com. Eames chair, Utility.
Traditional parquet gives the apartment a timeless feel in line with the location and building. ‘The parquet’s pale tone makes the room feel light and spacious,’ says Koball.
A transparent table, meanwhile, keeps things bright, light and fluid. ‘I chose glass as the open-plan layout in the living area gives the room a great spacious feel,’ explains the designer. ‘I wanted to retain that.’
The strong black accents continue with the vintage-look radiators and the dining chairs, which are simple but smart – not too modern, but not too traditional either, which suits the vibe of this flat perfectly.
Table, Dwell. Chairs, Atlantic Shopping.
A transparent table, meanwhile, keeps things bright, light and fluid. ‘I chose glass as the open-plan layout in the living area gives the room a great spacious feel,’ explains the designer. ‘I wanted to retain that.’
The strong black accents continue with the vintage-look radiators and the dining chairs, which are simple but smart – not too modern, but not too traditional either, which suits the vibe of this flat perfectly.
Table, Dwell. Chairs, Atlantic Shopping.
Kitchens can be tricky in multi-functional, open-plan rooms – but definitely not here. Minimal white units set neatly against one wall, teamed with a black splashback, help it recede into the far wall. The monochrome design also blends with the rest of the apartment. ‘The kitchen’s beautiful splashback helps tie all the black accent pieces together,’ says Koball.
Glossy glass and black metal coffee table, Dwell. Cream ceiling pendants, Dar Lighting.
Discover ways to work a single-wall kitchen
Glossy glass and black metal coffee table, Dwell. Cream ceiling pendants, Dar Lighting.
Discover ways to work a single-wall kitchen
‘Sumptuous’ is how Koball describes the bedroom. This bright space looks like your dream boutique hotel: a simple divan bed, padded headboard, coordinated scatter cushions and tasteful prints.
Here the wine reds have disappeared and instead the colour theme is a restful green. ‘Green is one of the most calming yet under-utilised hues in interior design, and perfect for creating a quiet retreat,’ says Koball. ‘It adds a natural, fresh feel to the bedroom and works well with the terracotta tones in the brickwork.’
Here the wine reds have disappeared and instead the colour theme is a restful green. ‘Green is one of the most calming yet under-utilised hues in interior design, and perfect for creating a quiet retreat,’ says Koball. ‘It adds a natural, fresh feel to the bedroom and works well with the terracotta tones in the brickwork.’
The apartment looks directly onto other blocks, so floor-length curtains in the bedroom were crucial. ‘Due to the heavily populated and overlooked location, privacy was key,’ says Koball. ‘And to help avoid sleepless nights, we added blackout linings.’
A timeless dressing table and stool, complete with razzle-dazzle circular mirror, are perfect for those London-meets-Hollywood moments.
Dressing table, Gilmore Space.
TELL US…
What do you think of this flat’s glamorous look? Share your views in the Comments below.
Dressing table, Gilmore Space.
TELL US…
What do you think of this flat’s glamorous look? Share your views in the Comments below.
Who lives here Private tenants
Location Drury Lane, central London
Property Apartment in a five-storey red-brick building, built in the 1900s
Size 1-2 bedrooms
Designer Stephanie Koball of Hatch Interiors
As you might expect from its amazing location, this apartment is all about glamour with an edge and has, says Koball, ‘some seriously luxurious touches’.
When it came to the overall design, there were only one or two caveats. ‘The owner was keen for no vivid colours to be used, and for the design to celebrate the exposed brickwork,’ she says.