Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A One-bed Flat is Transformed into a Two-bed Home
Rip it up and start again? That's exactly what happened to this London mansion-block apartment
When you want to turn a one-bedroom, one-bathroom flat into a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home you might just need to call in the experts. That’s precisely what the owners of this mansion-block apartment did. They called in Jess Lavers of Jess Lavers Design, who totally revamped and rejigged the entire property in just 12 weeks, creating a beautiful and space-efficient interior. “The clients approached me as I had recently completed a project for a friend of theirs and they loved the style of,” says Lavers.
When it came to the décor, the brief was to create a fresh, contemporary aesthetic for a modern apartment using geometric patterns.
“This was originally the master bedroom and looks out onto the rear of the property,” says Lavers. “But it was tired and miserable so we decided to put the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space here instead, in order to maximise space.”
The delicate lampshade is made from goose feathers, which helps to create a soft light and an elegant ambience.
EOS lampshade, Vita Copenhagen. Rug, Rama Carpets.
“This was originally the master bedroom and looks out onto the rear of the property,” says Lavers. “But it was tired and miserable so we decided to put the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space here instead, in order to maximise space.”
The delicate lampshade is made from goose feathers, which helps to create a soft light and an elegant ambience.
EOS lampshade, Vita Copenhagen. Rug, Rama Carpets.
In the living area, the bespoke dark-grey sofa is piled with pale pink and printed cushions from Designers Guild. “The owners loved the use of pink,” says Lavers.
Most of the apartment is painted in a soft grey – a delicate, sophisticated backdrop to the pink accents.
Walls painted in French Grey, Little Greene.
Find out how to maximise space in a small period flat
Most of the apartment is painted in a soft grey – a delicate, sophisticated backdrop to the pink accents.
Walls painted in French Grey, Little Greene.
Find out how to maximise space in a small period flat
A sleek gas fire creates a modern, but cosy living hub for the winter.
“I commissioned the artwork to match with the whole scheme,” says Lavers.
“I commissioned the artwork to match with the whole scheme,” says Lavers.
Pink accents, geometric blinds and copper tones create a stylish apartment for 21st-century living.
“We ripped up the ghastly lino and put down the gorgeous limewashed oak herringbone floor,” says Lavers. “It draws on the geometric theme throughout.”
Dining table, Dwell. Copper pendants, Amazon. Blinds made in Mulu Trellis Graphite, Villa Nova.
“We ripped up the ghastly lino and put down the gorgeous limewashed oak herringbone floor,” says Lavers. “It draws on the geometric theme throughout.”
Dining table, Dwell. Copper pendants, Amazon. Blinds made in Mulu Trellis Graphite, Villa Nova.
The pared-back, single-line kitchen is perfect for the open-plan space.
“We chose inexpensive Howdens units and added Perspex handles for a clean, modern look,” says Lavers.
Discover how to spend less on kitchen cabinets
“We chose inexpensive Howdens units and added Perspex handles for a clean, modern look,” says Lavers.
Discover how to spend less on kitchen cabinets
Black polished granite worktops pick up the charcoal colour in the fabric on the blinds, while a mirrored splashback bounces light around the room.
A space-saving sliding door leads from the kitchen area into the hallway in the centre of the apartment.
More sliding pocket door ideas you’re going to love
More sliding pocket door ideas you’re going to love
In the hallway, sheepskin throws, pink cushions and a geometric blind continue the design theme of the open-plan living space.
“I wanted to make a lovely cosy nook where you could sit with a good book and a glass of wine to relax,” says Lavers.
“I wanted to make a lovely cosy nook where you could sit with a good book and a glass of wine to relax,” says Lavers.
The master bedroom is a tranquil space where the couple can forget about work and relax. “It’s such a restful space with aqua hues and fresh whites – a haven of luxury and comfort,” says Lavers.
Bedding, The White Company. Blind made in Ebba in Mineral, Clarke & Clarke. Window wall painted in Pale Powder, Farrow & Ball.
Bedding, The White Company. Blind made in Ebba in Mineral, Clarke & Clarke. Window wall painted in Pale Powder, Farrow & Ball.
A feature wall of seagrass wallpaper adds texture and warmth to the master bedroom.
Sacramento 2243 seagrass wallpaper, Stereo.
Sacramento 2243 seagrass wallpaper, Stereo.
Clean-lined furniture is juxtaposed with more flamboyant, decorative accessories in the master bedroom.
Starburst mirror, Out There Interiors.
Starburst mirror, Out There Interiors.
The main bathroom has a classic look with a mix of grey paint and delicately veined marble tiles.
‘We needed to incorporate a bath and a shower, and I wanted to keep the grey paint colours throughout the property for continuity,” says Lavers. “I picked up on this colour by selecting marble tiles for the walls and slate grey floor tiles.”
Calacatta polished marble wall tiles and black riven slate floor tiles, both Mandarin Stone.
‘We needed to incorporate a bath and a shower, and I wanted to keep the grey paint colours throughout the property for continuity,” says Lavers. “I picked up on this colour by selecting marble tiles for the walls and slate grey floor tiles.”
Calacatta polished marble wall tiles and black riven slate floor tiles, both Mandarin Stone.
With space at a premium in the en suite, Lavers needed to be clever with the design. “I went for a compact heated towel rail and I mirrored as many walls as possible to help make the space feel larger and lighter,” she says.
There’s a crisp monochrome scheme in the guest bedroom.
The bespoke headboard is covered in a luxurious and bold dark-charcoal velvet with chrome stud detailing.
All the bedroom furniture is from RV Astley, a trade-only supplier.
All the bedroom furniture is from RV Astley, a trade-only supplier.
The second bathroom is decorated in the same soft grey tones used throughout the apartment for continuity and an increased sense of space.
Have you rejigged the layout of your home? Share your ideas/photos in the Comments section.
Have you rejigged the layout of your home? Share your ideas/photos in the Comments section.
Who lives here A young professional couple
Location Earl’s Court, London
Property A Victorian mansion block
Size 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms
Designer Jess Lavers, founder and creative director of Jess Lavers Design
Photos by James Balston
This 900 sq ft apartment was tired and miserable, and needed a total revamp for the new owners. The first thing to tackle was the layout. “I worked with an architect on the project,” says Lavers. “We ripped out nearly all of the walls and moved the position of the kitchen to the other side of the apartment, and by doing all this we created an extra bedroom and bathroom.”
The front door is located in the middle of the apartment: turn left for the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area (now at the rear of the property) and right for the bedrooms and bathrooms at the front.
Dining chairs, Cult Furniture. Sheepskins, Ikea.
Want to create a similar scheme in your own home? Get the look in the Houzz Shop