Houzz Tour: A London Terrace is Given a Stylish Architectural Edge
This house looks conventional on the outside, but a modern conversion and chic industrial touches have made it unique inside
Jo Simmons
8 July 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Built on a bomb site after the Second World War, this house hadn’t been touched in years when its current owners bought it. It was divided into lots of small rooms, so the owners’ aim was to open out the space and also expand the property by adding a basement. Once the basement was added, however, it did more than just boost the house’s size, it also provided inspiration for the interior decoration.
“The owners were inspired by the basement’s raw walls when it was just a shell,” explains architect Georgina Turvey, who worked on the project. As a result, a moody monochrome colour scheme runs throughout the property and many walls have been treated to concrete-effect plaster. “The owners like the idea that it’s a normal terraced house from the outside,” says Turvey, “but when you go in, it’s a bit more architectural and industrial.”
“The owners were inspired by the basement’s raw walls when it was just a shell,” explains architect Georgina Turvey, who worked on the project. As a result, a moody monochrome colour scheme runs throughout the property and many walls have been treated to concrete-effect plaster. “The owners like the idea that it’s a normal terraced house from the outside,” says Turvey, “but when you go in, it’s a bit more architectural and industrial.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A family of four
Location Chelsea, London
Property Terraced house built in the late 1950s
Size 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architect Georgina Turvey of PEEK Architecture + Design
“The owners wanted a common theme running through the whole property,” explains Turvey. “They chose a monochromatic scheme, brightened up with splashes of colour. The family is from Australia and has lots of colourful Australian art, so they’ve also added bursts of orange throughout.”
Vibrant orange cushions from Designers Guild and a bold cowhide rug also help to break up the moody scheme.
Some of the walls are treated with a plaster finish that’s made to look like concrete. “When the owners were gathering up reference images at the start of the project, they had a lot showing concrete,” says Turvey. “We found this specialist plaster finish. It’s a simple way to cover an existing wall but makes it look like concrete.”
Balance sofa, Designers Guild.
Who lives here A family of four
Location Chelsea, London
Property Terraced house built in the late 1950s
Size 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Architect Georgina Turvey of PEEK Architecture + Design
“The owners wanted a common theme running through the whole property,” explains Turvey. “They chose a monochromatic scheme, brightened up with splashes of colour. The family is from Australia and has lots of colourful Australian art, so they’ve also added bursts of orange throughout.”
Vibrant orange cushions from Designers Guild and a bold cowhide rug also help to break up the moody scheme.
Some of the walls are treated with a plaster finish that’s made to look like concrete. “When the owners were gathering up reference images at the start of the project, they had a lot showing concrete,” says Turvey. “We found this specialist plaster finish. It’s a simple way to cover an existing wall but makes it look like concrete.”
Balance sofa, Designers Guild.
The lower-ground floor leads out to the garden and contains a family living room, dining space and kitchen, plus a cloakroom and utility area.
The owners have a variety of interior pieces, from classic contemporary designs to antiques and midcentury gems, such as the table and chairs. “It’s quite an eclectic mix,” says Turvey, “but the softly monochrome scheme anchors it all.”
The striking black wallpaper looks like upholstered leather. “The owners liked it because it’s wipeable,” says Turvey. “It looks 3D but it’s actually flat.”
Cabretta vinyl wallcovering, Metropolis Vinyls 2 collection, Osborne & Little. Smoked and stained oak flooring, Treehouse Flooring.
The owners have a variety of interior pieces, from classic contemporary designs to antiques and midcentury gems, such as the table and chairs. “It’s quite an eclectic mix,” says Turvey, “but the softly monochrome scheme anchors it all.”
The striking black wallpaper looks like upholstered leather. “The owners liked it because it’s wipeable,” says Turvey. “It looks 3D but it’s actually flat.”
Cabretta vinyl wallcovering, Metropolis Vinyls 2 collection, Osborne & Little. Smoked and stained oak flooring, Treehouse Flooring.
“The bench in the living space is made from the same basalt stone as the one outside,” says Turvey. “So it looks as if it’s passing through the wall into the garden.” Steps lead up to an area covered in artificial grass. “No need for a lawnmower here,” adds Turvey.
The sleek white kitchen was sourced at an inexpensive supplier and then luxed-up with beautiful quartz worktops. “The owners enjoy mixing ‘budget’ pieces with expensive antiques,” says Turvey. “They prefer simple designs, such as this white kitchen, and as long as things are made and fitted well, you can get them from cheaper suppliers and they’ll be just as good.”
Clerkenwell kitchen (available in matt or gloss), Howdens. Tap and sink, both Franke. All appliances, Miele.
Confused by kitchen design jargon? See this handy guide to make sense of it all
Clerkenwell kitchen (available in matt or gloss), Howdens. Tap and sink, both Franke. All appliances, Miele.
Confused by kitchen design jargon? See this handy guide to make sense of it all
The worktops and side panels on the island are Atlantic Stone quartzite, which adds a luxurious feel. “It’s very hard-wearing,” says Turvey. “It has the same appearance as marble, but is as durable as granite.”
Atlantic Stone quartzite, MGLW.
Atlantic Stone quartzite, MGLW.
The hallway on the upper-ground floor has been clad in timber to visually separate it from the reception space that flows off it. This door leads to stairs and allows the kitchen below to be shut off from the upper floors for fire safety.
The upper-ground floor is home to a formal reception room, which has the house’s signature mix of contemporary and antique pieces, plus a faux-concrete wall. “This room is at the back of the property and all the doors slide open,” says Turvey.
Charles sofa, B&B Italia.
Charles sofa, B&B Italia.
This staircase on the very top floor leads to a roof light that can be opened to give access to a roof terrace. Three steel tube-like sections provide industrial-style decoration. “The owners wanted to add a little feature here,” says Turvey. “There’s also a recess running around the roof that’s been fitted with LED lights that glow at night.”
In the main bedroom, the wooden headboard was fitted away from the wall on brackets. “We then installed an LED strip around it,” says Turvey. The concrete-effect plaster finish is used again here, giving the space a softly industrial edge.
Want to add drama to your home? Discover how lighting can create an atmosphere
Want to add drama to your home? Discover how lighting can create an atmosphere
The monochrome colour palette continues in the main en suite with dramatic black tiles and white sanitaryware. A double vanity unit is topped with luxurious black marble.
Wall tiles, European Heritage. Black marble, MGLW. Basins, both CP Hart.
Wall tiles, European Heritage. Black marble, MGLW. Basins, both CP Hart.
The concrete-effect plaster finish is also water-resistant, so it’s been used behind the basins in the master en suite. The vinyl wallpaper features again, too, this time in a paler shade. A piece of Australian art, in the vibrant orange tones the owners love, add a shot of colour.
Wardrobes from Ikea line the space between the main bedroom and the en suite. “When you mount them off the floor, they look like fitted wardrobes,” says Turvey. “Then you can add all the inserts, which Ikea does so well, so they become bespoke.”
In the basement, Turvey and her team built pine wine racks. “We then fitted LED lights behind them,” she says. “The media room is just beyond and there’s a kitchenette here, too, so you can grab a snack and drink before watching a film.”
From the basement bedroom at the back of the house you can look up through a lightwell to the family living space above. The media room is visible through glass doors on the other side of the basement. “Planning requirements meant we had to include this lightwell,” says Turvey. “Legally, a bedroom has to have some kind of direct light from outside.”
Bespoke pendant lights illuminate the basement bedroom. “You can buy the flex, bulbs and fittings separately, and then create the light you want,” says Turvey. “The flex was passed through a painted timber panel and fitted to the ceiling.”
For DIY pendant light parts, try Urban Cottage Industries.
For DIY pendant light parts, try Urban Cottage Industries.
The basement lightwell creates a real sense of height and space. “By creating a basement living space, we added about 57 sq m to the property,” says Turvey.
TELL US…
What do you like about this terraced house? Add your thoughts to the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you like about this terraced house? Add your thoughts to the Comments below.
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Some seriously good architecture, but for me it's the quality of finish that makes this extra special. Great architects earn their fees by their connections to excellent tradespeople almost as much as through their own design work, and it's clear they've been effective here. Clever using a Howdens kitchen & 'lux-ing' it up. And nice use of owner's art, adding some much-needed warmth to the home.
Lovely work Georgina
Clever. Great ideas. Love the wine cellar.