A small project with a big impact

Our client had lived in the same house, in a pretty avenue off Queens Park in North West London, for 20 years. Now the time had come to re-vamp and reconfigure the living areas.

We started the project with a strategic meeting, where we discussed our client's desires and needs. It immediately became clear that investing in a good layout and high-quality fittings and furniture to renovate the existing ground floor was preferable to extending at the rear, losing part of her beautiful garden. As interior architects we always weigh up adding space versus maximising the existing space with our clients.

We re-invented the cooking and dining areas, with a bespoke kitchen which includes a curved alcove for a round table to sit up to 8 people. The table is in the centre, breaking the long space and providing a cosy corner in winter, while cooking happens at the garden end of the room. When the new French doors are open, the kitchen island feels like it is in the garden and it's easy to bring food to the outside eating area.

For the sitting area, the challenge was to mix new furniture and lighting with pieces our client already had and loved. Her striking lights - the iconic Arco and Taccia by Achille Castiglioni and Tripode by Santa & Cole - come from the forever missed Conran Shop and the bright blue sofa by Roche Bobois is her sons' favourite place for a nap. We complemented them with very discreet plaster uplighters, to pick up the original ceiling mouldings, and a set of modern classic sofa and armchairs upholstered in pale pinks and whites.

The new floor and fireplace are modern takes on classic features, we designed the herringbone parquet and marble surround as a simplified versions of what would have been in the house when it was first built.

Once the kitchen, dining and sitting were sorted, we turned our attention to the entrance. The brief was to make the long corridor and the stairwell warm and welcoming. We started with the lighting: small mouth blown glass pendants hung at different heights from a coral pink painted ceiling. The timber staircase is dark bronze and fitted with a soft, cream wool runner in contrast with the new slim balustrade in raw iron.

A mirror that was previously above the mantel now reflects the fireplace through the drawing room door and our client's art, is now lining the corridor at correct eye level so she can look at it every time she goes in or out.

"It's my old house, but much better!" is her comment. For us, a great compliment.