Houzz Tour: A Contemporary Flat in a Converted Factory in West London
Crittall windows, steel beams, airy spaces... This flat has all the key ingredients for a cool industrial pad in the city
A converted warehouse doesn’t automatically look amazing, as this homeowner discovered when he moved into a rather drab and dated apartment in a converted factory building in Chiswick, west London. It does, however, have a lot of the building blocks for a cool and contemporary pad, and sometimes all it needs is a little helping hand. That’s why he called in designer Alison Teverini. “He wanted something that was industrial but not too clinical,” she says, “something homely with a neutral palette.”
Original, steel-framed Crittall windows flood the apartment with light. The living area is a big space with a high ceiling, so it lent itself to an open-plan scheme.
Having lived in a period property previously, the owner was keen for a change and wanted to keep the look contemporary and industrial throughout.
Sofa, Camerich.
Having lived in a period property previously, the owner was keen for a change and wanted to keep the look contemporary and industrial throughout.
Sofa, Camerich.
Previously, there had been no real form or definition to the different zones within the space. Teverini was able to introduce some by bringing the kitchen units around to separate off the cook space, and adding in a banquette to create a clear dining area.
A statement pendant light further defines the dining area, and adds interest to the airy space. In addition, Teverini installed lighting on the steel beams and joinery.
Pendant light, Original BTC. Dining chairs, Rockett St George. Walls painted in All White, Farrow & Ball.
Pendant light, Original BTC. Dining chairs, Rockett St George. Walls painted in All White, Farrow & Ball.
Rather unusual stairs lead up to a small study at mezzanine level. “We just wanted to do something a bit different to standard stairs,” explains Teverini. The uneven treads match the wood floor, but are quite interesting and graphic.
The kitchen had previously been very bland and tired. “It didn’t work well as a layout before and didn’t have any definition,” explains Teverini.
“Because it’s a small flat, it was important to get in as much storage as possible, so the wall of full-height cabinets was important,” she adds. They house the fridge, washing machine and dryer, for starters.
The charcoal cabinets define the space, while white wall units keep it from feeling too dark. Teverini used a mixture of atmospheric lighting – LED strip lighting above the cabinets and in the shelves – and general task lighting.
Worktop, Silestone.
Discover key kitchen storage trends
“Because it’s a small flat, it was important to get in as much storage as possible, so the wall of full-height cabinets was important,” she adds. They house the fridge, washing machine and dryer, for starters.
The charcoal cabinets define the space, while white wall units keep it from feeling too dark. Teverini used a mixture of atmospheric lighting – LED strip lighting above the cabinets and in the shelves – and general task lighting.
Worktop, Silestone.
Discover key kitchen storage trends
The bedroom had previously been smaller, with steps up to a second mezzanine. “The mezzanine had no head height, so we reconfigured the space and put a ladder in the hallway so the mezzanine could be used for storage,” explains Teverini.
She was aware that with such a high ceiling, something needed to be added for visual interest. She settled on more panelling, with a wallpaper mural of a Parisian streetscape above.
Bedside lamps, Mullan. Panelling painted in Dark Lead Colour, Little Greene.
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She was aware that with such a high ceiling, something needed to be added for visual interest. She settled on more panelling, with a wallpaper mural of a Parisian streetscape above.
Bedside lamps, Mullan. Panelling painted in Dark Lead Colour, Little Greene.
Browse more industrial grey bedroom ideas
The owner wanted something stylish with lots of storage, so tall, built-in wardrobes were installed. Teverini added strip lighting to the beams in here, as well as above the panelling to highlight the mural.
Wardrobes painted in Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball.
Wardrobes painted in Purbeck Stone, Farrow & Ball.
The en suite is big enough to accommodate a bath and a shower. The room’s style chimes with the rest of the flat. “We wanted a slightly industrial look with clean lines… something quite masculine, but still with texture and interest,” says Teverini.
Metro and wall tiles, Mandarin Stone. Sanitaryware, all CP Hart.
Metro and wall tiles, Mandarin Stone. Sanitaryware, all CP Hart.
There’s a second bathroom off the hallway, to the left just before entering the living space. It’s been kept quite simple and contemporary.
Tiles, Mandarin Stone. Sanitaryware, all CP Hart.
TELL US…
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Tiles, Mandarin Stone. Sanitaryware, all CP Hart.
TELL US…
What do you like about this flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A bachelor
Size 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms
Location Chiswick, west London
Designer Alison Teverini of Milward Teverini
The factory had been converted into residential units in the 1990s and, design-wise, this flat hadn’t really been touched since then. The owner bought it with the intention of doing it up and, after just a few short months, he called in designer Alison Teverini to help him realise its full potential.
The ceilings throughout the property are very high, so Teverini installed wood panelling in the hallway to make it more intimate. It incorporates small pegs for hanging coats. The designer also made the decision not to use pendant lights, and opted instead to add detail with industrial-style wall lights.
The white block at the far side of the bench is a roomy cupboard, faced with mirror to keep the space feeling open.
Walls painted in Grey Birch, Sanderson. Wall lights, Mullan. Flooring, The Natural Wood Floor Company. Radiator, Castrads.