Holland Harvey transform North-London 1930’s apartment
Wellington Court, situated in North London called for a complete refurbishment and internal reconfiguration that sensitively responds to a unique brief, while maintaining a connection to the original 1930’s architecture, creating a contemporary yet timeless design with a spatial arrangement that is open, inviting and drenched in natural sunlight. The buildings duality is taken advantage of, resulting in an apartment that is totally unrestricted and vast. Formerly blocked up windows are revealed and reinstated to bring light into the secondary rooms. The existing kitchen is removed and replaced with a light-filled ample kitchen, that is now connected to the dining and living area. New Crittall doors allow for visual connection between different rooms and pocket-sliding doors are used to encourage flexibility.
The master bedroom is significantly enlarged and a continuous flow between dressing room and master bathroom is achieved. New floor finishes and underfloor heating has been installed throughout. Timber flooring organised in a chevron pattern demarcates the entrance and guides the visitor towards the private rooms of the apartment, whilst transforming the reinstated window into an interesting new focal point. Timber floor has been used in the rest of the living spaces to create a sense of uniformity and emphasize the new connection between spaces that were formerly separated. Patterned tiles are used in the secondary spaces, bringing an additional element of interest, whilst soft carpet and white terrazzo tiles enhance the sense of calmness in the master suite.
The master bathroom has been curated so that the walk-in shower sits centrally onto the plan, allowing for generous twin vanity units on either side. The glass shower enclosure allows maximum light to wash through the room while naturally illuminating the dressing room area. White terrazzo tiles form the bathroom floor and wrap around the walls. Black mild steel details and black Richlite has been used in the joinery to contrast the crisp white terrazzo.
The dressing room joinery is fully bespoke and designed to meet the clients’ specific storage requirements. The rattan wardrobe doors are intended to add an element of warmth and permeability, whilst the mirrors to the side of the wardrobes create an interesting and playful visual effect, with the adjacent rooms’ reflection. Our new master bedroom has been designed to incorporate the client’s piano. The large built-in shelving unit spans across the wall and wraps around the piano, creating different sized compartments for various storage and display needs. Walnut timber has been chosen for the frame, whilst bespoke pink pigmented concrete tiles have been specifically made for the unit. The same pigmented concrete terrazzo has been used as a top for the bedside tables.
The living room design has been kept minimal by using every possible storage opportunity. The existing traditional fireplace has been removed and replaced with a new concrete fireplace surround. The monolithic stepped surround is made of casted concrete, specifically made for the project. Bespoke built-in joinery has been designed for the dining and kitchen room. Dark walnut, terrazzo, blue and grey tones form the material palette and aim to complement each other. The new kitchen is fully bespoke, with dark walnut frame and cut-out handle details.
At the client’s request, the secondary bathroom has been remodelled to allow for a walk-in shower that’s primary purpose is to keep the occupants beautiful collection of bicycle frames immaculate. The same patterned tiles are being used as the floor and wall finishes, clearly defining the proportions of the space. A matching finish and materials palette are transferred across to the further room, that house’s the bikes, and can also facilitate yoga practice. Additionally, built-in joinery is designed to hide a murphy bed and allow for full flexibility in the use of space.
Material Used :
1. Joinery: Rich Howell
2. Timber floor: Havwoods
3. Terrazzo tiles and countertops: Diespeker
4. Guest bathroom tiles: Domus
5. Master bathroom shower tiles: Mandarin Stone
6. Bespoke concrete tiles and worktops: Kelham Island concrete
7. Carpet: wool classics
