Houzz Tour: Former Squatters’ Unit Now a Handsome London Home
A blend of original and reclaimed features gives this two-story apartment a modern rustic look with timeless appeal
A trip to Brooklyn, New York, gave architectural technologist Joe Stewart and his wife the inspiration they needed to turn their dilapidated north London townhouse apartment, which had formerly been used by squatters, into a stylish home. “We’d recently visited Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and we loved the modern rustic look we saw there,” Stewart says. “So we tried to incorporate elements of that into the interior design of our home.”
“We stripped the whole property back to its bricks, which we then sandblasted and made a feature of in many areas of the house,” Stewart says.
The couple didn’t want to cover up too much of the original brickwork, so they opted for mainly low-level cabinets in the kitchen, giving the room a homey feel. The units are British Standard, which is kitchen manufacturer Plain English’s cheaper, no-frills brand. “It’s a modular system that you have to pick up and install yourself, but it looks good, and the cost works out to be pretty reasonable,” Stewart says.
Reclaimed bar stools from Architectural Forum and metal pendant lights add an industrial edge to the space.
Countertops: Ikea; range: Rangemaster; yellow Jackson pendant: Made
The couple didn’t want to cover up too much of the original brickwork, so they opted for mainly low-level cabinets in the kitchen, giving the room a homey feel. The units are British Standard, which is kitchen manufacturer Plain English’s cheaper, no-frills brand. “It’s a modular system that you have to pick up and install yourself, but it looks good, and the cost works out to be pretty reasonable,” Stewart says.
Reclaimed bar stools from Architectural Forum and metal pendant lights add an industrial edge to the space.
Countertops: Ikea; range: Rangemaster; yellow Jackson pendant: Made
Finding a one-compartment butler sink to fit neatly over this cabinet proved tricky. It has a rustic period look paired with the handy vintage plate rack, which makes quick work of putting away dishes.
Sink: Shaws; subway tile: Tons of Tiles
Sink: Shaws; subway tile: Tons of Tiles
The couple installed underfloor heating beneath the restored floorboards and inserted a wood-burning stove into the fireplace to cast a cozy glow on long winter days. “We use the stove all the time,” Stewart says. “It gives out an amazing heat.”
Hearth tiles add a little pattern to the decor. “We sent off the measurements of the hearth to a specialist hearth tile manufacturer, who sent back a ready-made plate of tiles, which you just slip into place,” Stewart says.
Stove: Esse; hearth tiles: 20th Century Fireplaces
Hearth tiles add a little pattern to the decor. “We sent off the measurements of the hearth to a specialist hearth tile manufacturer, who sent back a ready-made plate of tiles, which you just slip into place,” Stewart says.
Stove: Esse; hearth tiles: 20th Century Fireplaces
With the arrival of their baby imminent, the couple raced against time to get their home finished.
In search of a sofa, they went to a Sofa.com store, but they couldn’t find anything suitable until a staff member advised them to check out its eBay store. “We discovered this gray sofa, at a bargain price, which teams perfectly with the exposed brick and timber,” Stewart says.
In search of a sofa, they went to a Sofa.com store, but they couldn’t find anything suitable until a staff member advised them to check out its eBay store. “We discovered this gray sofa, at a bargain price, which teams perfectly with the exposed brick and timber,” Stewart says.
With their home tight on space, they wanted to build in storage at every opportunity. These neatly filled floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in the living area provide color and interest, plus that all-important storage. The shelves also divide the kitchen and living area from the stairway.
The fireplace in the main bedroom remains in its original state and is a feature in itself. Smart shutters at the windows keep the look sleek and simple. “We opted for shutters that split in the middle,” Stewart says, “as they give you much more control over how you let the light filter into a room.”
Wardrobe: Ikea; bed: Sofa.com; bedding: John Lewis
Wardrobe: Ikea; bed: Sofa.com; bedding: John Lewis
The striking bathroom features reclaimed, homemade furniture and can be accessed from the main bedroom and hallway. The wooden sliding door was from Stewart’s great-grandmother’s house. “We actually used it as a backdrop for photos at our wedding,” he says, “so it was nice to find it a home here. I built the table for the sink out of scaffolding boards.”
Period-style hardware in the bathroom recalls the property’s historic past. “We also really liked the idea of a roll-top bath with free-standing taps,” Stewart says.
Bathtub and toilet: Victorian Plumbing
Bathtub and toilet: Victorian Plumbing
The wall between the bathroom, bedroom and hallway is constructed from microcement. “This is a fantastic material that’s waterproof and very flexible, so it won’t crack, allowing us to use it as the shower wall too,” Stewart says. “I was very keen to have a continuity of color from the outside to inside the shower. Plus, the wall goes well with the brickwork and gives a nice industrial feel.”
Black-and-white tree wallpaper creates a dreamy mood in the guest bedroom. To ensure that the wallpaper remains the focal point, the bed sports simple white bed linens, while unfussy shutters screen the windows.
Woods wallpaper: Cole & Son
Woods wallpaper: Cole & Son
This nook in the attic was always there, but Stewart made it more accessible and usable as a room by adding a staircase and balustrade up to it. It’s now a handy little study or reading room. With a newborn in the house, the couple were careful to limit the chemicals used in the build, and this room is covered in environmentally friendly Earthborn paint.
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Who lives here: Architectural technologist Joe Stewart, of HFM Architects, and his wife and baby
Location: North London
Size: Two bedrooms, one bathroom
The property was in a bad state of repair when Stewart and his wife took ownership, but this gave them the opportunity to strip it back to its bare bones and begin again. “We reconfigured the whole space and really opened it up downstairs to maximize the flow of light,” Stewart says. “At the same time, we tried to stay in keeping with the property’s historic Georgian roots.”