Houzz Tour: Contemporary Glamour in a Historic London Flat
An elegant Kensington apartment is updated to make it a vibrant home for a creative family
Natalie Wain
March 20, 2015
UK-based Houzz contributor.
I've been writing for the national press in Britain for almost 10 years and my most recent post was as the News Editor at Housetohome.co.uk.
These days I can usually be found hunched over my dining room table (which I've commandeered as my office) where I scribble away for a number of UK-based publications, including Homes & Gardens, The Telegraph, metro.co.uk and This is Money, among others.
I'm a bit of a jack of all trades but hopefully master of some.
And, in case you're wondering, I'd describe my interior style is brave, bold and eclectic. That's not to say I don't love a gleaming white wall... but I can't resist an accessory or two.
As the glorious Vivienne Westwood once said, 'when in doubt, overdress...'
UK-based Houzz contributor.
I've been writing for the national press in Britain... More
Designer Dyfed Price knew this protected historic home in London’s Kensington district would need plenty of work, but he also saw lots of potential. He helped art-loving owners searching for a renovation project choose the apartment. “The apartment is in a beautiful mansion block [apartment building] dating from 1879, but this particular flat hadn’t been touched since the 1970s,” he says. “There were lots of remnants from that era, and the layout was clumsy and didn’t flow very well. … It was designed for a very different time.”
Dyfed’s first task was to reconfigure the layout to meet the needs of a contemporary family, while integrating generous wall space into the plans to showcase their treasured art collection. “Most of the major work was done in the kitchen to enhance the sense of flow,” he says. “And we moved a large pillar in the hallway, which opened it up to create a spacious reception area.” Dyfed created plenty of storage wherever space allowed. “We’ve also been mindful to adhere to the principles of minimalism,” he says. “There’s a lot of technology in the house, but it can all be hidden away. It’s seamless.”
Dyfed’s first task was to reconfigure the layout to meet the needs of a contemporary family, while integrating generous wall space into the plans to showcase their treasured art collection. “Most of the major work was done in the kitchen to enhance the sense of flow,” he says. “And we moved a large pillar in the hallway, which opened it up to create a spacious reception area.” Dyfed created plenty of storage wherever space allowed. “We’ve also been mindful to adhere to the principles of minimalism,” he says. “There’s a lot of technology in the house, but it can all be hidden away. It’s seamless.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with 4 children
Location: Kensington district, central London
Year built: 1879
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The apartment building, designed by eminent architect Richard Norman Shaw in 1879, was the first to be designed specifically as flats in London.
The spacious entrance hall features a made-to-order chaise longue and a sculptural Birds Birds Birds chandelier by Ingo Maurer. Dyfed, of Morph Interior, says he’d been wanting to use it in a design for years. “It’s rare to find a space with such lovely high ceilings that can actually take such a dramatic piece,” he says. “Even when the lights are off, it looks amazing.”
The intricate molding in this room is an original feature that the designer had painstakingly restored.
Chandelier: Birds Birds Birds, Ingo Maurer
Who lives here: A family with 4 children
Location: Kensington district, central London
Year built: 1879
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The apartment building, designed by eminent architect Richard Norman Shaw in 1879, was the first to be designed specifically as flats in London.
The spacious entrance hall features a made-to-order chaise longue and a sculptural Birds Birds Birds chandelier by Ingo Maurer. Dyfed, of Morph Interior, says he’d been wanting to use it in a design for years. “It’s rare to find a space with such lovely high ceilings that can actually take such a dramatic piece,” he says. “Even when the lights are off, it looks amazing.”
The intricate molding in this room is an original feature that the designer had painstakingly restored.
Chandelier: Birds Birds Birds, Ingo Maurer
Artwork displayed in the split-level entrance hall lends it the appearance of a modern art gallery. “There was originally a pillar at the top of the staircase. Removing it has transformed the space, and you can now see the artwork very well,” Dyfed says.
The fireplace is a new addition, fashioned to make a statement without overpowering the space. “It just needed a focal point, so it’s a lovely feature while not being too obtrusive,” Dyfed says.
Fireplace: Jamb
The fireplace is a new addition, fashioned to make a statement without overpowering the space. “It just needed a focal point, so it’s a lovely feature while not being too obtrusive,” Dyfed says.
Fireplace: Jamb
The glamorous drawing room is a TV-free zone. “There’s space for two living rooms in the apartment, so this one was intended as an area for reading and music,” Dyfed says. “It’s a grown-up space where the family and their guests can go to talk.”
Another new fireplace has an art deco feel, which is subtly referenced elsewhere in the room.
Fireplace: Jamb
Another new fireplace has an art deco feel, which is subtly referenced elsewhere in the room.
Fireplace: Jamb
Elsewhere in the drawing room, thin strips of aluminum underneath the molding add a cool, metallic touch to the pared-down scheme. Accent colors appear in the soft furnishings, making it easy for the family to update the look in the future.
Chandelier: Serip; sofa: Roche Bobois
Chandelier: Serip; sofa: Roche Bobois
The eye-catching kitchen–dining area was previously a small sitting room and a hall that led to the kitchen, before Dyfed knocked through walls to open up the space. “We completely reconfigured this part of the house,” he says. “They’re a large family, so they needed a lot of space, and they didn’t want a formal dining room.”
The open-plan design is perfect for low-key family dinners and convivial gatherings. “It’s a very practical kitchen in many ways, but they’re a very creative family, so there’s also a certain element of panache,” Dyfed says.
Glamorous bauble chandeliers complement the orange and copper palette. A cupboard at the end of the kitchen peels back at the touch of a button to reveal an array of concealed household appliances.
Kitchen units: TM Italia; cooktop: ABK-InnoVent; chandelier, Innermost
The open-plan design is perfect for low-key family dinners and convivial gatherings. “It’s a very practical kitchen in many ways, but they’re a very creative family, so there’s also a certain element of panache,” Dyfed says.
Glamorous bauble chandeliers complement the orange and copper palette. A cupboard at the end of the kitchen peels back at the touch of a button to reveal an array of concealed household appliances.
Kitchen units: TM Italia; cooktop: ABK-InnoVent; chandelier, Innermost
The ceiling has beautiful original brickwork, which Dyfed exposed in places to turn into a feature. “We worked hard to make the house a comfortable, contemporary space, but we’ve incorporated a number of special elements throughout,” he says.
Dining table: B&B Italia; dining chairs: Zanotta
Dining table: B&B Italia; dining chairs: Zanotta
The colorful media room has been designed for optimum comfort, as well as sound and picture quality. The artwork in this soundproofed room is different in style from the pieces in the drawing room. “The drawing room is filled with work chosen by the wife, while this room is more to the husband’s taste,” says the designer.
Sofa: B&B Italia; chandelier: Tom Kirk
Sofa: B&B Italia; chandelier: Tom Kirk
At the back of the media room, two Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs are positioned with a view of the central London skyline.
Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs: Chaplins
Arne Jacobsen Egg chairs: Chaplins
There’s a subtle Japanese theme in one of the bathrooms in the apartment. The tub is a Japanese two-seater soaking bath that was custom made. “It’s by William Garvey, who makes incredible teak baths,” Dyfed says. Subtle origami-style tiles complete the look.
Japanese soaking tub, stand: custom, William Garvey; tub fixtures: CEA
Japanese soaking tub, stand: custom, William Garvey; tub fixtures: CEA
The elegant master bedroom has a boutique hotel feel. “The dressing table is the only antique piece in this room,” says Dyfed. “Everything else was made specifically to fit the space.”
Bedside pendant lights: Rothschild & Bickers; central pendant light: Heathfield & Co.
Check out more supersized headboards
Bedside pendant lights: Rothschild & Bickers; central pendant light: Heathfield & Co.
Check out more supersized headboards
“The zesty lemon accent color was chosen by the wife,” Dyfed says. “But we kept the rest of the palette fairly neutral, as we knew they wanted to display some artwork in this room, so it’s designed to let that shine.”
Textural fabrics in glimmering shades of silver and lemon add depth to the bedroom design.
Armchair: Porada
Armchair: Porada
The lemon accent color carries through to the en suite bathroom for a unified look. The rest of the room is decked in marble for a practical yet glamorous finish.
Tub: Rexa Design
Tub: Rexa Design
The couple’s eldest daughter chose a funkier design for her bedroom, which is used as a guest room when she’s away at college. “It’s quite grown-up, but it’s a bit fresher than the glamorous master bedroom,” Dyfed says.
Wallpaper: Harlequin; hand-blown glass pendants: Bob Crooks; lampshade: Heathfield & Co.
Wallpaper: Harlequin; hand-blown glass pendants: Bob Crooks; lampshade: Heathfield & Co.
As with the master bedroom suite, the pink accent color has been carried through from the bedroom into the en suite bathroom through the back-painted-glass backsplash.
The couple’s younger son has a versatile gray and white bedroom with red accents. “It’s more of a blank slate so he can adapt it as he gets older,” Dyfed says.
Concrete pendant lights: Wayfair; bedside tables: Porro
Concrete pendant lights: Wayfair; bedside tables: Porro
A smaller bedroom features items from emerging designers. “We like to give our clients things they won’t see in their friends’ houses,” Dyfed says.
Bedside pendant lights: Studio WM; closet: Carré
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Bedside pendant lights: Studio WM; closet: Carré
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Homeowner should invite designer to a nice chat over some splattering bacon.
Beautiful! Love the light fittings in every room >.<
This is excellent! The Designer is an Artist having a skilled eye and hand at everything! From beautiful fabrics and textures, to shapes and colors. They all blend well to present a masterfully creative living space. It IS warm and feels like home, contrary to another’s comment. The lighting was done purposefully and perfectly. Thank you for inviting us in.