Houzz Tour: A Small Studio Apartment with a Mezzanine Bedroom
Clever use of space and modern design transform a small and dated London apartment
Lara Sargent
25 May 2017
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
Sometimes it is the smaller spaces that provide the best inspiration for creating an ingenious and jaw-droppingly gorgeous home. That’s certainly the case with this compact, yet utterly cool and meticulously thought out studio apartment in London.
The owner called in interior design and architecture firm Ensoul to ensure she made the most of the 65 sq m space. The result? An apartment with an envy-inducing kitchen, spectacular glass bedroom and super-clever storage. “We had just three months to design, get on site and transform the apartment into her finished home,” says Viki Lander, creative director of Ensoul.
The owner called in interior design and architecture firm Ensoul to ensure she made the most of the 65 sq m space. The result? An apartment with an envy-inducing kitchen, spectacular glass bedroom and super-clever storage. “We had just three months to design, get on site and transform the apartment into her finished home,” says Viki Lander, creative director of Ensoul.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A professional woman, who works in the fashion industry
Location Earl’s Court, London
Property A studio aparment in a Victorian terrace
Size 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Designer Viki Lander, creative director, and Philip Rogerson, design director, both of Ensoul
This project is all about smart space planning and beautiful interior design. These two elements have transformed what was a tired and dated apartment into an amazing first home for the owner.
“The apartment needed to be contemporary and suit our client, who is in her early 20s,” says Lander. “She definitely didn’t want it too ‘grown-up’ in style. It also needed to provide additional space for parents and relatives who visit regularly from Asia.”
Space wasn’t the only pressing issue. “There was no kitchen storage or wardrobes. Our client is very interested in fashion and has lots of clothes, make-up and shoes to store.”
Who lives here A professional woman, who works in the fashion industry
Location Earl’s Court, London
Property A studio aparment in a Victorian terrace
Size 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Designer Viki Lander, creative director, and Philip Rogerson, design director, both of Ensoul
This project is all about smart space planning and beautiful interior design. These two elements have transformed what was a tired and dated apartment into an amazing first home for the owner.
“The apartment needed to be contemporary and suit our client, who is in her early 20s,” says Lander. “She definitely didn’t want it too ‘grown-up’ in style. It also needed to provide additional space for parents and relatives who visit regularly from Asia.”
Space wasn’t the only pressing issue. “There was no kitchen storage or wardrobes. Our client is very interested in fashion and has lots of clothes, make-up and shoes to store.”
The key to this project’s success is that the design team obtained a very detailed understanding of how their client lives and worked up a plan that would utilise every last inch of the property, which is just 65 sq m.
“On the lower level we designed a double-height kitchen to maximise storage, a dining area for four, a ‘sitting room’ with sofa bed for guests, a built-in study area for our client to work at home and a cloakroom so you don’t have to go upstairs,” says Lander.
‘Upstairs’ is the mezzanine level. “On the existing glass-floored mezzanine we designed a bedroom, en suite with shower, mirrored wardrobe area and a dressing table feature with storage. That’s the art of space planning, which we love doing,” says Lander.
Stockholm sofa bed, BoConcept.
10 ways to find or add more space to your home
“On the lower level we designed a double-height kitchen to maximise storage, a dining area for four, a ‘sitting room’ with sofa bed for guests, a built-in study area for our client to work at home and a cloakroom so you don’t have to go upstairs,” says Lander.
‘Upstairs’ is the mezzanine level. “On the existing glass-floored mezzanine we designed a bedroom, en suite with shower, mirrored wardrobe area and a dressing table feature with storage. That’s the art of space planning, which we love doing,” says Lander.
Stockholm sofa bed, BoConcept.
10 ways to find or add more space to your home
The studio was always one big space, but had no real kitchen to speak of – just a single block under the stairs with a sliding top to reveal a tiny kitchenette.
“Part of the reason we moved the kitchen was the bad feng shui that a kitchen underneath a bed poses,” Lander explains. “This was an important factor for our client.”
The solution? A spectacular double-height kitchen complete with roller ladder to access the top storage.
“This is the star feature of the apartment and the single, biggest investment of the entire project,” adds Lander. “We’re really thrilled with the aesthetic and also the practicality of providing so much storage.”
“Part of the reason we moved the kitchen was the bad feng shui that a kitchen underneath a bed poses,” Lander explains. “This was an important factor for our client.”
The solution? A spectacular double-height kitchen complete with roller ladder to access the top storage.
“This is the star feature of the apartment and the single, biggest investment of the entire project,” adds Lander. “We’re really thrilled with the aesthetic and also the practicality of providing so much storage.”
To make the kitchen look more like a living space, a shelving unit was incorporated and the red background makes it stand out.
“I wanted to inject a strong colour not only to add contrast, richness and warmth, but also to link the kitchen with other areas of the apartment,” says Lander. LED lighting enriches the red accents around the space. The red backdrop is even used in the tall floor-to-ceiling unit, which cleverly hides the sink to keep the kitchen streamlined.
Bar-stools, Blue Suntree.
“I wanted to inject a strong colour not only to add contrast, richness and warmth, but also to link the kitchen with other areas of the apartment,” says Lander. LED lighting enriches the red accents around the space. The red backdrop is even used in the tall floor-to-ceiling unit, which cleverly hides the sink to keep the kitchen streamlined.
Bar-stools, Blue Suntree.
The rolling steel ladder is a key part of the kitchen design.
“We needed to create a means of accessing a double-height kitchen, but wanted to make a contemporary feature of it too,” explains Lander. “So we specified a stainless-steel rail and ladder with flat, square rungs and had it made bespoke. It was a very tricky piece of engineering to get right.”
“We needed to create a means of accessing a double-height kitchen, but wanted to make a contemporary feature of it too,” explains Lander. “So we specified a stainless-steel rail and ladder with flat, square rungs and had it made bespoke. It was a very tricky piece of engineering to get right.”
The contemporary, double-height kitchen sits comfortably alongside the original French doors and shutters for a successful – and beautiful – blend of old and new.
“We inherited and redecorated three sets of beautiful French doors and shutters, which provide a real elegance and grandeur to the space,” says Lander. But she did add a modern touch. “Above each one sits electric blackout roller blinds, which can be operated from anywhere in the apartment.” Blinds ensure the beauty of the doors is never hidden.
“We inherited and redecorated three sets of beautiful French doors and shutters, which provide a real elegance and grandeur to the space,” says Lander. But she did add a modern touch. “Above each one sits electric blackout roller blinds, which can be operated from anywhere in the apartment.” Blinds ensure the beauty of the doors is never hidden.
In a studio, where space is limited, items that have more than one function are a wise choice. The open shelves in the kitchen provide storage but also create a quirky feature.
“The open shelving is playful and was chosen to show off shoes, handbags and decorative objects – things that are fun and interesting rather than the usual glassware and china displayed in a kitchen area,” says Lander.
“The open shelving is playful and was chosen to show off shoes, handbags and decorative objects – things that are fun and interesting rather than the usual glassware and china displayed in a kitchen area,” says Lander.
The island unit helps to zone the kitchen and living areas, is packed with appliances (including a space-saving downdraft extractor) and storage. It even acts as a dining table.
Combi oven, Siemens. Induction hob, Miele. Downdraft extractor, Falmec. Piatra Grey worktop, Caesarstone.
Combi oven, Siemens. Induction hob, Miele. Downdraft extractor, Falmec. Piatra Grey worktop, Caesarstone.
Beautiful engineered oak flooring unifies the open-plan studio.
“The red statement chair links with the red accents in the kitchen and the sofa bed provides extra accommodation for visitors,” Lander adds.
Imola chair, BoConept. Engineered oak flooring, Lamett.
“The red statement chair links with the red accents in the kitchen and the sofa bed provides extra accommodation for visitors,” Lander adds.
Imola chair, BoConept. Engineered oak flooring, Lamett.
A deep yellow sideboard adds a surprising colour contrast.
“We chose it for its warmth and richness, and it is great paired up with the deep red,” says Lander. “It also adds another pop of colour to this side of the apartment.”
The owner is a big fan of pop art, so filled the double-height ceiling with three rows of the Campbell’s Soup artwork.
“We chose it for its warmth and richness, and it is great paired up with the deep red,” says Lander. “It also adds another pop of colour to this side of the apartment.”
The owner is a big fan of pop art, so filled the double-height ceiling with three rows of the Campbell’s Soup artwork.
The ‘floating’ cantilevered staircase and built-in desk create a light and airy working hub, with plenty of room for two monitors.
“We’ve done a few cantilevered staircases – they’re absolutely beautiful and provide a really clean, contemporary solution,” explains Lander. “The dark-stained oak brings it together to become a highly sculptural corner of this luxury apartment.”
“We’ve done a few cantilevered staircases – they’re absolutely beautiful and provide a really clean, contemporary solution,” explains Lander. “The dark-stained oak brings it together to become a highly sculptural corner of this luxury apartment.”
The staircase and desk underneath are well thought out.
“We loved the idea of architecting in the desk to look like it was a continuation of the staircase and floating underneath,” says Lander. “In fact, there is a small gap between the tread and the desk to allow the tread to flex.”
Another clever feature is lighting. There are slim slot lights recessed into the wall, which shine across the stair treads.
More brilliant ideas for lighting your stairs
“We loved the idea of architecting in the desk to look like it was a continuation of the staircase and floating underneath,” says Lander. “In fact, there is a small gap between the tread and the desk to allow the tread to flex.”
Another clever feature is lighting. There are slim slot lights recessed into the wall, which shine across the stair treads.
More brilliant ideas for lighting your stairs
Sculptural pendant lights hang at random points to create visual impact both on the lower level and the mezzanine.
“These are interspersed with architectural spotlights from Kreon for task lighting on the island in the kitchen and for illuminating interesting objects in the open shelving,” Lander adds.
Random light, Moooi.
“These are interspersed with architectural spotlights from Kreon for task lighting on the island in the kitchen and for illuminating interesting objects in the open shelving,” Lander adds.
Random light, Moooi.
The glass-floored mezzanine bedroom overlooking the lower level was here before the transformation, but Lander added bespoke wardrobes and even a make-up station.
“Mezzanines are brilliant for providing an additional living area where ceiling height permits,” explains Lander. “By using glass, this mezzanine creates an openness and connection with the lower space.
The glass balustrade offers more visibility, but also safety.
A doorway to the left leads to the en suite and the walkway to the right, with a mirror at the end, is where the new wardrobes are.
“Mezzanines are brilliant for providing an additional living area where ceiling height permits,” explains Lander. “By using glass, this mezzanine creates an openness and connection with the lower space.
The glass balustrade offers more visibility, but also safety.
A doorway to the left leads to the en suite and the walkway to the right, with a mirror at the end, is where the new wardrobes are.
The bespoke headboard is made of individual acoustic panels which provide sound absorption – ideal for an open mezzanine bedroom.
The bedroom’s make-up table has drawers to boost storage and a Hollywood mirror to up the glam factor.
Dressing table, Jesse. Hollywood mirror, Illuminated Mirrors.
Dressing table, Jesse. Hollywood mirror, Illuminated Mirrors.
A compact, yet contemporary and elegant shower room leads directly off the bedroom.
“A low-profile shower tray creates a wet-room feel,” says Lander. “We kept the look calm and neutral, but utilised glass mosaic tiles as a feature wall for texture and interest.”
Tiles, Topps Tiles.
What do you think of this space savvy modern studio apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
“A low-profile shower tray creates a wet-room feel,” says Lander. “We kept the look calm and neutral, but utilised glass mosaic tiles as a feature wall for texture and interest.”
Tiles, Topps Tiles.
What do you think of this space savvy modern studio apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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This is NOT a small studio...Love what they've done with the space but it isn't a small space by any stretch of the imagination
Fantastic use of space. It would have been beyond my wildest dreams to live in a place that cool in my twenties...enjoy it!
Why's this original 2017 design coming through in 2018? I like what's been done but the budget would have been good to know . and as fifi says, this is not a small space. Perhaps square footage and cubic capacity could help you define small.