Houzz Tour: Theater Is All Around This Dramatic London Apartment
This chic flat on London’s famed Drury Lane has glamour, smart design and cool, exposed brickwork
Cheryl F
December 30, 2015
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
If you’ve ever fantasized about living in central London, then this plush apartment might just be your dream home. Situated in the heart of the city on Drury Lane — famed for its theaters — it’s described by designer Stephanie Koball of Hatch Interiors as “New York loft meets chic city retreat.” But while the setting might be high drama, the design plan was simple. Koball says the client wanted “an uncluttered, glamorous apartment that worked as an inner-city retreat.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Private tenants
Location: Drury Lane, central London
Size: One to two bedrooms
Designer: Stephanie Koball of Hatch Interiors
As might be expected from its location, this apartment in a five-story 1900s building is all about glamour with an edge and has, interior designer Stephanie Koball says, “some seriously luxurious touches.”
When it came to the overall design, there were only one or two caveats. “The owner was keen for no vivid colors to be used, and for the design to celebrate the exposed brickwork,” Koball says.
Who lives here: Private tenants
Location: Drury Lane, central London
Size: One to two bedrooms
Designer: Stephanie Koball of Hatch Interiors
As might be expected from its location, this apartment in a five-story 1900s building is all about glamour with an edge and has, interior designer Stephanie Koball says, “some seriously luxurious touches.”
When it came to the overall design, there were only one or two caveats. “The owner was keen for no vivid colors to be used, and for the design to celebrate the exposed brickwork,” Koball says.
The living area has an uplifting, bright feel thanks to two generous adjacent walls of windows. “They’re my favorite thing about this space,” Koball says. “The arched shape and the sheer number of them means natural light floods in.”
To show them off, and to keep the apartment from feeling austere, Koball went for floor-length, handmade pinch-pleat curtains. “I was determined to keep the arches visible, despite blinds possibly being a more practical and cost-effective option,” she says. “I wanted to celebrate the character of the building rather than obstruct it.”
Curtain fabric: Ashley Wilde
To show them off, and to keep the apartment from feeling austere, Koball went for floor-length, handmade pinch-pleat curtains. “I was determined to keep the arches visible, despite blinds possibly being a more practical and cost-effective option,” she says. “I wanted to celebrate the character of the building rather than obstruct it.”
Curtain fabric: Ashley Wilde
As the main living area demonstrates, the key to a successful open-plan space is decisive zoning. “Rather than making the room feel like one large space, I wanted to create three defined areas: living, dining and study,” Koball says.
With each one carefully demarcated, the space doesn’t feel cramped or untidy. “I ensured the dining space was easily approachable from the kitchen area, defining it by using a large pendant light suspended above the dining table,” Koball says.
With each one carefully demarcated, the space doesn’t feel cramped or untidy. “I ensured the dining space was easily approachable from the kitchen area, defining it by using a large pendant light suspended above the dining table,” Koball says.
The cornerstone of the apartment is the warm, warehouse-style brickwork, which runs throughout the space, adding what Koball calls a “pared-back, distressed effect.”
The overall interior design is strong and sexy, with plenty of bold, black powder-coated steel and gleaming glass. The furniture is offset against aubergine accents and plush throw pillows to warm things up, Koball says.
The overall interior design is strong and sexy, with plenty of bold, black powder-coated steel and gleaming glass. The furniture is offset against aubergine accents and plush throw pillows to warm things up, Koball says.
If you can’t decide between open-plan and individual rooms in your own home, sliding doors can be an ingenious compromise. Here, tucked behind the sofa, they conceal or reveal a study area with sofa bed. “The sliding pocket doors use a very slick tracking system in line with the floor,” Koball says. “The doors fold back entirely to allow for a seamless transition into the office space.”
The sofa helps slice up the space further, even when the doors are fully open. “I used a large three-seater to act as a soft partition to the study area,” Koball notes.
Sofa: Made.com
The sofa helps slice up the space further, even when the doors are fully open. “I used a large three-seater to act as a soft partition to the study area,” Koball notes.
Sofa: Made.com
The finished look is polished and more than a little theatrical. “The local district provided us with creative inspiration,” Koball says. “We played on the cinematic and theatrical style with the film-style tripod lamp and shimmering side tables.” A carefully styled cluster of shimmery pillows ramps up the plush factor on the simple sofa.
Despite its fantastic position a stone’s throw from Covent Garden, the flat is surprisingly quiet. “It’s actually quite sheltered away from the hustle and bustle,” Koball says. “The owner is very lucky — it has a secluded yet central location.”
While the decor is pared-down and uncluttered, a smattering of subtle accessories, such as these glass vases, adds touches of character.
While the decor is pared-down and uncluttered, a smattering of subtle accessories, such as these glass vases, adds touches of character.
The plaster was removed from the brickwork when the apartment was first refurbished, to add a loft feel.
The bricks’ rough, natural warmth is a great contrast to the metallic surfaces, silvery fabrics and clean lines, while modernist prints help break it up. “The black and white artwork tied the entire scheme together and played on the cinematic, chic style,” Koball says. “I decided to continue the monochrome look with all the artworks, so as to not detract from the brickwork.”
Prints: Jaime Derringer, art.co.uk; black side lamp: RV Astley
The bricks’ rough, natural warmth is a great contrast to the metallic surfaces, silvery fabrics and clean lines, while modernist prints help break it up. “The black and white artwork tied the entire scheme together and played on the cinematic, chic style,” Koball says. “I decided to continue the monochrome look with all the artworks, so as to not detract from the brickwork.”
Prints: Jaime Derringer, art.co.uk; black side lamp: RV Astley
Look carefully and you’ll spot some subtle — and extremely useful — built-in storage in this apartment. “It runs from the kitchen down the corridor to the front door,” Koball says.
The boxy, wine-colored armchair adds some welcome color. “It was added to inject some fun and warmth to an otherwise muted color palette,” Koball says.
Armchair: Made.com
The boxy, wine-colored armchair adds some welcome color. “It was added to inject some fun and warmth to an otherwise muted color palette,” Koball says.
Armchair: Made.com
The owners wanted to keep the apartment flexible, so while the area behind the sofa is styled as a study, it can also be used as a second bedroom.
Black accents throughout keep things looking ultra-smart and professional, and the classic Eames chair adds a high-end feel.
Black desk: Actona; tripod lamp: Made.com; Eames chair: Utility
Black accents throughout keep things looking ultra-smart and professional, and the classic Eames chair adds a high-end feel.
Black desk: Actona; tripod lamp: Made.com; Eames chair: Utility
Traditional parquet flooring gives the apartment a timeless feel, in line with the location and building. “The parquet’s pale tone makes the room feel light and spacious,” Koball says.
A transparent table, meanwhile, keeps things bright, light and fluid. “I chose glass, as the open-plan layout in the living area gives the room a great spacious feel,” the designer says. “I wanted to retain that.”
The strong black accents continue with the vintage-look radiators and the dining chairs, which are simple but smart — not too modern but not too traditional, either, which suits the vibe of this flat perfectly.
Table: Dwell; chairs: Atlantic Shopping
A transparent table, meanwhile, keeps things bright, light and fluid. “I chose glass, as the open-plan layout in the living area gives the room a great spacious feel,” the designer says. “I wanted to retain that.”
The strong black accents continue with the vintage-look radiators and the dining chairs, which are simple but smart — not too modern but not too traditional, either, which suits the vibe of this flat perfectly.
Table: Dwell; chairs: Atlantic Shopping
Kitchens can be tricky in multifunctional, open-plan rooms. Here, minimal white cabinets set neatly against one wall, teamed with a black backsplash, help the space recede into the far end of the space. The monochrome design also blends with the rest of the apartment. “The kitchen’s beautiful [backsplash] helps tie all the black accent pieces together,” Koball says.
Glass and black metal coffee table: Dwell; cream ceiling pendants: Dar Lighting
Glass and black metal coffee table: Dwell; cream ceiling pendants: Dar Lighting
“Sumptuous” is how Koball describes the bedroom. The bright space looks like your dream boutique hotel: a simple bed, padded headboard, coordinated throw pillows and tasteful prints.
Here the aubergine accents have disappeared and instead the color theme is a restful green. “Green is one of the most calming yet underutilized hues in interior design, and perfect for creating a quiet retreat,” Koball says. “It adds a natural, fresh feel to the bedroom and works well with the terra-cotta tones in the brickwork.”
Here the aubergine accents have disappeared and instead the color theme is a restful green. “Green is one of the most calming yet underutilized hues in interior design, and perfect for creating a quiet retreat,” Koball says. “It adds a natural, fresh feel to the bedroom and works well with the terra-cotta tones in the brickwork.”
The apartment looks directly onto other properties, so floor-length curtains in the bedroom were crucial. “Due to the heavily populated and overlooked location, privacy was key,” Koball says. “And to help avoid sleepless nights, we added blackout linings.”
A timeless dressing table and stool, complete with a glitzy circular mirror, are perfect for those London-meets-Hollywood moments.
Dressing table: Gilmore Space
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Dressing table: Gilmore Space
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQBj0OtuRqk
Disagree with misspeggy7 - I see a sleek home, well loved and enjoyed. Just one small comment - great pity about the curtains - beautiful shaped windows, high up, seems not overlooked - why curtains? Beautiful conversion.
Very very stylish & beautiful!!