Houzz Tour: An Open-plan Layout Updates a Converted Schoolhouse
A revamped floor plan and Scandi-influenced décor let the original Victorian features of this apartment shine through
The penthouse flat Simon Baker and Roberta Schwarz live in started off as a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. The numbers haven’t changed but everything else has. “The space wasn’t working,” says Viki Lander of Ensoul who, together with Philip Rogerson, transformed the Victorian property into a light-filled home with a fluid layout that makes the best of its fabulous structural features.
Simon and Roberta found Ensoul on Houzz and fell for the orange and green accents Ensoul had used in another project, so while influenced by clean and simple Scandinavian style, touches of colour were also key to this refurbishment. “We had to deliver cool and beautiful,” says Viki.
Simon and Roberta found Ensoul on Houzz and fell for the orange and green accents Ensoul had used in another project, so while influenced by clean and simple Scandinavian style, touches of colour were also key to this refurbishment. “We had to deliver cool and beautiful,” says Viki.
The kitchen is bespoke. “Simon is a keen cook and blogs about food, so although beautiful, the kitchen also had to be practical as it’s used all the time,” explains Viki.
A breakfast bar was included at the end of the island, creating a handy spot to grab a coffee or look through cookery books.
Adjustable bar stools, Wayfair.
A breakfast bar was included at the end of the island, creating a handy spot to grab a coffee or look through cookery books.
Adjustable bar stools, Wayfair.
The island is in bookmatched oak, while the cabinetry is spray-painted in anthracite grey as a contrast. The worktop is white Corian. “It’s neutral, but it has character,” says Viki.
Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel.
Fridge-freezer, Fisher & Paykel.
Simon’s cooking essentials are designed to be close at hand, while a pull-out spray tap adds to the professional feel of the kitchen. Wrapped in hard-wearing stainless steel, the shelves repeat the finish of the dishwasher drawers alongside the sink and fridge-freezer. “We stripped back the number of materials, so we could put in splashes of colour,” explains Viki.
DishDrawer dishwasher, Fisher & Paykel.
DishDrawer dishwasher, Fisher & Paykel.
The island is fitted with an induction hob and a teppanyaki cooktop which Simon had imported.
The glasses and drinks cabinet was made bespoke in the interior’s accent orange.
Nordlux Nexus 20 pendant lights, RS Electrical Supplies.
The glasses and drinks cabinet was made bespoke in the interior’s accent orange.
Nordlux Nexus 20 pendant lights, RS Electrical Supplies.
Beyond the living area is an inviting outdoor terrace fitted with new decking and built-in bench seating.
The couple already owned the dining table, chairs and sofa. “Our job was to bring the interior to life with bespoke accessories that had to work with the existing key pieces,” says Viki.
The couple bought striking artworks from independent artists online, and they’re found throughout the apartment.
Dokka pendant lights, Northern. Painting by Marijan Novak Slunjski, Artfinder.com.
The couple bought striking artworks from independent artists online, and they’re found throughout the apartment.
Dokka pendant lights, Northern. Painting by Marijan Novak Slunjski, Artfinder.com.
Lime green features prominently, and here it’s been used on wall cabinetry to add a pop of bright colour.
The former school’s roof beams are painted black to stand out against the white backdrop, emphasising the height of the ceiling.
Wall cabinet; sideboard, both Go Modern. Painting by Marijan Novak Slunjski, Artfinder.com.
The former school’s roof beams are painted black to stand out against the white backdrop, emphasising the height of the ceiling.
Wall cabinet; sideboard, both Go Modern. Painting by Marijan Novak Slunjski, Artfinder.com.
The bespoke bookshelves were made to fit the space, and the couple arrange their books by colour for visual impact.
Bit of a bookworm? Organise your editions with these great shelving ideas
Bit of a bookworm? Organise your editions with these great shelving ideas
A door to the hall was replaced with a zinc-wrapped sliding version to add an industrial touch, which also complements the steelwork of the ceiling.
Take a look at the stylish family-friendly living room in our London Design Festival pop-up, the DreamHouzz, then shop the look
Take a look at the stylish family-friendly living room in our London Design Festival pop-up, the DreamHouzz, then shop the look
A flat-panel radiator was fitted to the structural pillar in the hall, and generous shoe storage was cleverly included in the space.
Germania Colorado seven-door shoe cabinet, Furniture Mind.
Too many shoes? Check out storage solutions in the Houzz Shop
Germania Colorado seven-door shoe cabinet, Furniture Mind.
Too many shoes? Check out storage solutions in the Houzz Shop
The master bedroom is open to the en-suite bathroom with a dwarf wall creating just the right amount of privacy. A small balcony, fitted with decking, is beyond the bifold door. A digital print of a forest cleverly conceals the sight of the building’s services, which run through at the edge of the balcony.
A large mirror fitted to the wall reflects the lovely forest view. Along with the white walls and white-painted beams, it helps make the bedroom feel fresh and filled with light.
A large mirror fitted to the wall reflects the lovely forest view. Along with the white walls and white-painted beams, it helps make the bedroom feel fresh and filled with light.
Warm grey tones create a calm, restful feel.
Guardia Iris bed; bedside tables, all Head2bed. Painting by Olena Topliss, Artfinder.com.
Guardia Iris bed; bedside tables, all Head2bed. Painting by Olena Topliss, Artfinder.com.
The smart wardrobe was made to order and repeats colour tones used elsewhere in the apartment, giving the interior a cohesive feel.
Wardrobe, Go Modern.
Wardrobe, Go Modern.
With the en suite being behind a wall rather than in a separate room, the space feels very airy. “The area seems bigger because it’s broken up, but everything is part of the same space,” says Viki.
The eye-catching red painting is by Inge Strobl, an aunt of one of the homeowners.
The eye-catching red painting is by Inge Strobl, an aunt of one of the homeowners.
Viki used black brassware in the en suite. “The couple don’t like shiny chrome, so everything is either brushed or stainless steel with black,” she says.
The bath is freestanding. “It looks more contemporary as it has cleaner lines,” says Viki.
Bath; taps, all Lusso Stone. Wall and floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
The bath is freestanding. “It looks more contemporary as it has cleaner lines,” says Viki.
Bath; taps, all Lusso Stone. Wall and floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
The en suite’s loo is separate from the bathing space and located behind it to create privacy.
The second bedroom is a home office-cum-guest room with a desk positioned opposite the sofa bed. The wall to the left of the sofa bed is painted brick. “We did think about going back to exposed brick, but it’s expensive and you never know what the brick will look like, so we kept it painted,” says Viki.
Painting by Snezana Djordjevic, Artfinder.com.
Painting by Snezana Djordjevic, Artfinder.com.
The second bedroom has a mezzanine level above with room for a mattress to accommodate extra guests. Viki cleverly designed a staircase that doubles as a bookcase to lead up to the space, and the couple have arranged their filing to repeat the signature bold colours used elsewhere.
The guest bathroom is fitted with a shower as there’s already a bath in the en suite. Bespoke mirrored cabinetry provides useful storage, while the aquamarine tiling helps to zone the shower area.
Wall and floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature of this apartment in a converted Victorian school? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Wall and floor tiles, Topps Tiles.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite feature of this apartment in a converted Victorian school? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Simon Baker and Roberta Schwarz
Location Peckham, southeast London
Property A converted Victorian schoolhouse
Size Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designers Viki Lander and Philip Rogerson of Ensoul
Photos by James Balston
“The biggest transformation was removing the wall between the kitchen and the living space,” says Viki. A structural pillar, around which the kitchen island is designed, is all that remains of the partition, and the kitchen, dining and living area are now one big space.
The walls were painted white throughout the apartment. “They keep it bright and light,” says Viki. “It’s a continuous canvas, which meant we could punch out colour, and highlight pieces of art.”
The original wood floor was sanded and re-stained, and apart from the kitchen and bathrooms, which have practical porcelain tiles, it runs throughout all the rooms, creating a unified feel.