My Houzz: An Ingenious Small Kitchen in a Victorian Flat
A cleverly designed one-wall kitchen slots beautifully into this food stylist’s cooking-dining-living space
Francesca Sarti is one of the most original voices in the contemporary food design and styling industry. An architect by training and founder of the Arabeschi di Latte studio, she focuses on the connections between food and design.
As you might expect, her one-bed flat in northeast London is perfectly designed for and her partner, with plenty of display space for treasured finds, a space-saving bed and a kitchen that works as part of their relaxing living space.
As you might expect, her one-bed flat in northeast London is perfectly designed for and her partner, with plenty of display space for treasured finds, a space-saving bed and a kitchen that works as part of their relaxing living space.
It’s been five years since Sarti chose to live in London, having been drawn to its dynamic feel and vibrant atmosphere of cultural and artistic exchange. “I’ve always been obsessed with London. It seems as if its energy is impossible to contain, which is the exact opposite of Florence, the Renaissance city I was used to,” she says.
Vintage dining table and chairs, SM05, Cees Braakman for Pastoe. IC Lights Suspension 2 pendant light, Michael Anastassiades for Flos.
Vintage dining table and chairs, SM05, Cees Braakman for Pastoe. IC Lights Suspension 2 pendant light, Michael Anastassiades for Flos.
For the past year, Sarti has lived in Hackney, the east London area with a working-class soul that’s become a centre of gravity for designers and artists. Due to its history, the neighbourhood remains welcoming and open, and hosts many cultural events, including gastronomic ones.
“You can find everything in Hackney: delicious bread, ethnic restaurants – not just [commonly accessible ones like] Japanese and Vietnamese, but also [restaurants offering harder-to-find cuisines such as] Burmese ones – and other small food-industry activities producing high-quality products, such as smoked salmon and craft vodka,” Sarti says.
“You can find everything in Hackney: delicious bread, ethnic restaurants – not just [commonly accessible ones like] Japanese and Vietnamese, but also [restaurants offering harder-to-find cuisines such as] Burmese ones – and other small food-industry activities producing high-quality products, such as smoked salmon and craft vodka,” Sarti says.
The flat was in good condition when Sarti bought it. “It just needed a minor cosmetic makeover,” she says.
The generous-sized living area is part of the reason she was drawn to the flat. Open and airy, this space is perfect for entertaining guests and leaves room for the Sarti’s natural sociability.
“I like having people over for dinner,” she says. “Conviviality is not only part of my work, but also my character.”
Vintage sofa, Broadway Market. Cushions, Nathalie Du Pasquier for Hay. Stackable copper Last stool, Max Lamb for Discipline.
Find a huge range of cushions in the Houzz Shop
The generous-sized living area is part of the reason she was drawn to the flat. Open and airy, this space is perfect for entertaining guests and leaves room for the Sarti’s natural sociability.
“I like having people over for dinner,” she says. “Conviviality is not only part of my work, but also my character.”
Vintage sofa, Broadway Market. Cushions, Nathalie Du Pasquier for Hay. Stackable copper Last stool, Max Lamb for Discipline.
Find a huge range of cushions in the Houzz Shop
The other thing that sold Sarti on the flat was the one and only custom-made piece that was already there: the unique kitchen unit that takes up an entire wall of the living room. Modest yet iconic, it features a grey smoked mirror surrounded by modular, white-lacquered wood cabinets.
“I wish I’d designed it myself! I think it’s incredibly well done. It was made by an architect –Andrew De Carteret of Studio DC – who graduated from the Royal College of Art.”
Track down architects in your area on Houzz
“I wish I’d designed it myself! I think it’s incredibly well done. It was made by an architect –Andrew De Carteret of Studio DC – who graduated from the Royal College of Art.”
Track down architects in your area on Houzz
The oven is housed in a small peninsula unit that adds to the worktop space and forms a handy nook for a wine rack.
“I don’t have a professional kitchen here at home,” Sarti says. “In fact, after I’ve spent all day cooking in the studio, I don’t necessarily feel like spending the rest of my time doing the same at home. I prefer to think of my kitchen as if it were my living room. Maybe that’s the reason I like the design of this unit, which looks as if it could be something other than a kitchen.”
“I don’t have a professional kitchen here at home,” Sarti says. “In fact, after I’ve spent all day cooking in the studio, I don’t necessarily feel like spending the rest of my time doing the same at home. I prefer to think of my kitchen as if it were my living room. Maybe that’s the reason I like the design of this unit, which looks as if it could be something other than a kitchen.”
Sarti says she’s inherited her father’s penchant for hoarding. However, as the flat’s small, she’s been forced on a ‘diet’ of sorts, and has had to carefully select what she wants to hold on to.
Among the saved items, displayed on a shelving unit next to the oven, there are family heirlooms, little design classics, a sculpture by the Memphis Group – the white cylinder with a golden sphere at the top, also a family heirloom – and, in the background, a greeting in Japanese calligraphy, which was a housewarming gift from some friends.
Among the saved items, displayed on a shelving unit next to the oven, there are family heirlooms, little design classics, a sculpture by the Memphis Group – the white cylinder with a golden sphere at the top, also a family heirloom – and, in the background, a greeting in Japanese calligraphy, which was a housewarming gift from some friends.
One of the items on display is a lovingly framed piece of paper. Sarti recently found it in her parents’ house in Florence. It’s the ‘Family Menu’ – a weekly plan Sarti’s mother’s uncle used to draft for his private chef.
A sense of spontaneity permeates Sarti’s house. “I couldn’t have a perfect home; it wouldn’t suit my character,” she says. “That’s why every house I live in is always a mixture of vintage and contemporary design.”
Some pieces were designed and manufactured locally, such as the acid-green Arnold Circus stool by Martino Gamper – “A great piece of design from east London,” Sarti says.
Another piece with east London ties is the limited-edition aluminium Spade chair by Faye Toogood. Toogood had organised an exhibit called The Trade Show at last year’s London Design Festival, in which 50 designers, including Sarti, agreed to exhibit one of their signature pieces for the duration of the festival, and received this iconic chair in exchange.
The large world map on the wall is from Florence; it was a gift from her father.
Some pieces were designed and manufactured locally, such as the acid-green Arnold Circus stool by Martino Gamper – “A great piece of design from east London,” Sarti says.
Another piece with east London ties is the limited-edition aluminium Spade chair by Faye Toogood. Toogood had organised an exhibit called The Trade Show at last year’s London Design Festival, in which 50 designers, including Sarti, agreed to exhibit one of their signature pieces for the duration of the festival, and received this iconic chair in exchange.
The large world map on the wall is from Florence; it was a gift from her father.
Next to the bookcase is an A’dammer console with sliding fluted fronts, designed by Aldo van den Nieuwelaar for Pastoe. Sarti has matched it with the Rose Circum mirror by Aytm. She bought the pieces specially for this flat.
Private and quiet, the bedroom has an intimate atmosphere. Its elongated shape forced the couple into certain furnishing choices, such as placing the bed under the window.
The bed was custom-designed by Sarti’s partner, Michele Salvi, to fit into the space perfectly and provide some extra storage. “This piece caused violent arguments,” Sarti says, as the couple could not find a solution they could both agree on.
In the end, they chose a simple one that both of them liked. “My partner and I are both architects: to make each other happy, we went for a clean design that would allow for optimal space.”
Next to the bed are a minimalist coat rack and a vintage 1960s Scandinavian shelving unit Sarti bought at London’s Broadway Market.
Want to wake up feeling relaxed? Steal ideas from these bedrooms
The bed was custom-designed by Sarti’s partner, Michele Salvi, to fit into the space perfectly and provide some extra storage. “This piece caused violent arguments,” Sarti says, as the couple could not find a solution they could both agree on.
In the end, they chose a simple one that both of them liked. “My partner and I are both architects: to make each other happy, we went for a clean design that would allow for optimal space.”
Next to the bed are a minimalist coat rack and a vintage 1960s Scandinavian shelving unit Sarti bought at London’s Broadway Market.
Want to wake up feeling relaxed? Steal ideas from these bedrooms
As with the other rooms, the bathroom was not really renovated, just slightly modified, with touches like a generous addition of plants. “I would like to turn it into a small jungle,” Sarti says.
It’s a clever way of disguising the things they don’t like that much and, at the same time, giving the bathroom – a room that’s often difficult to decorate – a lively feel.
Sarti’s approach here chimes with her overall recipe for successful furnishing. “You should try to make the place your own and avoid searching for the epitome of perfection.”
Tell us…
What do you think of this compact home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
It’s a clever way of disguising the things they don’t like that much and, at the same time, giving the bathroom – a room that’s often difficult to decorate – a lively feel.
Sarti’s approach here chimes with her overall recipe for successful furnishing. “You should try to make the place your own and avoid searching for the epitome of perfection.”
Tell us…
What do you think of this compact home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Francesca Sarti, founder of food design studio Arabeschi di Latte, and her partner, architect Michele Salvi, an associate at Zaha Hadid Architects
Location Hackney, London
Property A flat in a Victorian house
Year built About 1880
Size One bedroom and one bathroom
Born in Florence and a Londoner by adoption, Sarti founded the Arabeschi di Latte studio in 2002. She and her team blend anthropology, architecture and gastronomy to create unique events and installations at venues around the world.