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Open house : A paper bark maple tree marks the open space between the two extensions -
Open house : Floating timber joinery, a freestanding tub and an oversized window overlooking the garden increase the feeling of spaciousness in the master bedroom. The textured walls were treated with mixed plaster and spices. -
Open house : The kitchen table and seats were custom-made. A wall finished with chalkboard paint makes a useful life-sized "to do list". -
Open house : The kitchen sports a super-contemporary feel defined by the glass-sprayed joinery, a glass splashback and stainless-steel appliances. -
Open house : The lounge uses decorative vessels to add interest. -
Open house : Large sliding doors opening to the garden define the indoor pool. At night, the polycramatic lighting set into the floor illuminates the space. -
Open house : Beautiful outdoor living and entertaining is taken advantage of. -
Open house : The garden was designed as a series of usable and decorative spaces, including a sculpture garden and a water feature.
PHOTOS: David Hiscock & Graham Gaunt | WORDS: Elana Castle
When a couple discovered design flaws in their Hampstead home, they called upon a London firm of South African architects to save them.
It is rather common to hear South Africans living in the United Kingdom bemoaning the relentlessly cold and wet weather conditions. Dedicated sun seekers, we crave the warmth and natural light that fill African homes most of the year.
So when the South African owners of this 1920s house in a London conservation area initially happened upon the property, they were immediately taken with the light-filled spaces and expansive outdoor area. “The house felt bright and roomy – just the kind of family home we had been looking for,” they explain. As recent immigrants to London after many years living in Spain, the owners were dedicated to maintaining the casual and easy style of living they had grown accustomed to in both South Africa and the Mediterranean.
However, only 18 months after moving in, they discovered that their dream home was not all that. Dysfunctional lighting and heating systems were only the beginning. The primary problem proved a little more difficult to resolve. “After spending some time in the house, we realised the disjointed arrangement of spaces prevented us from enjoying it as a whole. We love to entertain large groups of friends but this was proving to be rather difficult.”
Put at ease
Faced with the prospect of living in a home that couldn’t fulfil their expectations and many months possibly searching for another property, they decided to enlist the help of KSR Architects, a well-established London architecture firm with extensive residential experience run by three South African architects. The homeowners were immediately set at ease that their light, space and easy-living requirements would be understood and the team set to work on a significant overhaul.
“The brief was relatively simple,” explains Gordon Jefferys, a partner at KSR and design architect on the job. “The client wanted to create a cohesive relationship between the major living areas, allowing for intimate gatherings as well as large-scale entertaining. They also wanted a new spacious master-bedroom suite, a reworked entrance area and a swimming pool. Given the nature of the English summer,it had to be of the indoor variety!” Gordon explains.
“The concept was to bring together all the main living areas via a garden room that would connect them to the outdoors.”
This strategy is clearly visible when looking back at the house from the garden. While the frontage was retained, the rear elevation was developed as part of the design. In conservation areas, a level of leniency is often offered to modifications in this area and KSR took full advantage.
The original, traditional facade is dramatically offset by two glazed volumes that seem to pop out into the garden. The first is the garden room, a casual lounge with full views to the newly landscaped garden. “While this room opens up to the outside via large sliding doors, the sloping roof also has the effect of pulling the outdoors towards the house,” explains Gordon.
The second space is the indoor swimming pool, luxuriously finished in resin and black silica sand. High clerestory windows bring the sky into the space, resulting in a truly glamorous and theatrical addition to the house.
Strong connections to the outside
No indoor-outdoor scheme is complete without a strong connection to the garden itself and KSR worked closely with the landscaping consultants to develop a strong and rich outdoor area to tie in with the planning of the house and the owners’ lifestyle. Almost all the available space was used. A decked terrace just beyond the garden room provides the setting for the outdoor dining area, which is well served by cooking facilities and additional seating. Other elements include large grassed and planted areas, sculptures and water features.
When the weather is non-cooperative (admittedly a little too often for their liking), the family makes full use of the new informal dining room that flows seamlessly from the new, gleaming white kitchen. The formal dining and lounge areas are conveniently adjacent but benefit from a much more structured interior.
Rosie Winston from Clifton Interiors was brought in to assist the owners with translating their eclectic style into an holistic whole. Rich textures, varied art and objects and bold prints all combine to create a strong synergy in the house.Not scared to experiment with textures and fittings, Rosie’s signature style, a red curved hallway wall and dramatic light fixtures add the finishing touches.
The theme continues into the master bedroom, which also received a design-intensive renovation. “The original bedroom only had one wardrobe,” recall the owners. The spaces also lacked character, intimacy and a sense of luxury.“We re-planned the whole area,” explains Gordon. “We added a row of deep, suede-lined wardrobes, relocated the bathroom so that it could enjoy a view of the garden and created a canvas for the clients to decorate using their own personal style.”
The outcome is a happy family that finally has the home and lifestyle they have always envisioned.
• KSR Architects: www.ksra.co.uk
• Clifton Interiors: www.cliftoninteriors.com
