My Houzz: White and Bright Transformation of a Central London Loft
See how this architect-photographer couple transformed their family’s home into an airy, contemporary space
Esther Hershcovich
June 18, 2016
Houzz Contributor. I am very inspired by anything design. I live in Montreal and feel that our city is unique in its strong sense of art and culture.
Houzz Contributor. I am very inspired by anything design. I live in Montreal and... More
The special quality of light inside was what drew photographer Kelly Hill and architect Michael Pawlyn of Exploration Architecture to buy their home in a building in central London more than two decades ago. The unit, a derelict shell that had previously belonged to another photographer, needed quite a bit of work. It had not been updated in years, and the only bathrooms were for the public.
Before moving in, Hill and Pawlyn gutted the space and did a full remodel, adding an entry, kitchen, private bathroom and bedroom. The renovation took about eight months, and toward the end they decided it would be more fun to be living on the site rather than checking in after work. So they put up some dust sheets at one end of the loft, set up a futon and a light and moved in. The once-neglected space is now a thoughtfully modern and functional home for a family of four.
Before moving in, Hill and Pawlyn gutted the space and did a full remodel, adding an entry, kitchen, private bathroom and bedroom. The renovation took about eight months, and toward the end they decided it would be more fun to be living on the site rather than checking in after work. So they put up some dust sheets at one end of the loft, set up a futon and a light and moved in. The once-neglected space is now a thoughtfully modern and functional home for a family of four.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Kelly Hill and Michael Pawlyn, teenage daughter, Umi, and teenage son, Sol, and their dog, Daisy
Location: Shoreditch area of London
Size: 1,184 square feet (110 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
A small entrance room leads into the open-layout space. The couple used mostly recessed lighting to accentuate the architectural elements and give their home a soft glow in the evenings.
Since moving to their home in 1996, the couple has seen their Shoreditch neighborhood develop from mostly live-work spaces into one of London’s most trendy areas. “I think my kids have really benefited from living in central London and being able to walk around and explore and have the city as their garden,” says Hill, pictured at their dining table.
Who lives here: Kelly Hill and Michael Pawlyn, teenage daughter, Umi, and teenage son, Sol, and their dog, Daisy
Location: Shoreditch area of London
Size: 1,184 square feet (110 square meters); two bedrooms, one bathroom
A small entrance room leads into the open-layout space. The couple used mostly recessed lighting to accentuate the architectural elements and give their home a soft glow in the evenings.
Since moving to their home in 1996, the couple has seen their Shoreditch neighborhood develop from mostly live-work spaces into one of London’s most trendy areas. “I think my kids have really benefited from living in central London and being able to walk around and explore and have the city as their garden,” says Hill, pictured at their dining table.
AFTER: Sunlight pours into their bright home through large windows that line their living area. During the gut, the couple were pleased to find wood boards under the linoleum. They pulled out all the pieces and flipped and reset them. To insulate the space properly, they removed the ceiling and added insulation. They raised the floor and added insulation there as well. A sound expert recently visited the couple and complimented them on the acoustics of their home.
Couch: Karoac by Matthew Hilton, SCP
Couch: Karoac by Matthew Hilton, SCP
BEFORE: In the apartment’s original state, uneven linoleum covered the floor, paint was peeling off the ceiling and walls, and there was no private bathroom.
When their daughter was born, she slept in what they called the “Moving Umi Unit,” a room-bed on wheels. After the birth of their son, the couple designed and built a bunk bed room, pictured here, as their children’s sleeping space. It can easily be closed with a sliding wall.
The permanent wall that separates the bunk room from the living room includes a hide-and-seek tunnel, lower right, and a tropical fish tank that sits above a cabinet.
In 2006, they remodeled the kitchen in a simple style that blends in with the rest of the loft. It serves as a sculptural piece as well as a kitchen.
The island is made of solid ash with a stainless steel top and stainless steel cabinet doors.
A dining area is next to the kitchen area. The couple made the table from wood found in a trash bin.
Hill and Palwyn display a small collection of photography and architecture books on the wall behind the table. The shelves they sit on are supported by three threaded steel rods suspended from the timber joists and run through the shelves.
BEFORE: The couple negotiated the home’s purchase to include what had been the public hallway and bathrooms on their floor of the building. It contains their foyer and a long hallway that leads to what is now their private bathroom.
The foyer is a glass cube with doors to both the main living area and the hallway to the bathroom. The glass walls increase the flow of light throughout the space.
The right wall is lined with floor-to-ceiling cabinets that provide loads of storage.
The right wall is lined with floor-to-ceiling cabinets that provide loads of storage.
They built a bookshelf into the back of the glass foyer. A glass sliding door opens up to the master suite.
A small open study area was placed in the master suite, close to the doors. Behind it, in the hallway leading to the bathroom, a row of wall-like wooden panels conceal floor-to-ceiling closet space.
The couple’s bedroom is minimalist to match the rest of the space. The couple kept the original heater.
They added custom closets to the bathroom.
The bathtub is a vintage piece bought for $70 from Lassco, the London Architectural Salvage and Supply Co. It used to be located in a church nearby. It served as a beer tub for the couple’s first party. They had wooden legs put on it temporarily and then left it as is.
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses |Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
See more photos of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses |Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Related Stories
Bathroom Design
6 Beautiful Master Bathrooms With Double-Vanity Setups
By Janet Paik
Geometric tile, a claw-foot tub and shiplap walls are some of the standout details in these renovated master bathrooms
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Soothing Blues and Whites in a Virginia New Build
By Sarah Lyon
Clean coastal-inspired style, statement wallpaper and custom woodwork mark the home of a decorator and a contractor
Full Story
Transitional Homes
New Layout and Function for a Chicago Family Home
By Julie Sheer
The challenges of a 110-year-old foursquare are met with thoughtful updates that add comfort and preserve character
Full Story
Transitional Homes
Color, Heirlooms and Artwork Refresh a Kansas City Home
By Julie Sheer
See how this 1922 Colonial Revival house got a bright update
Full Story
Christmas
Sweet Christmas Charm in a Renovated 1949 Home in California
By Janet Paik
Splashes of cheery sunshine yellow and shiplap walls are a backdrop to holiday decor in this decorator’s forever home
Full Story
Holidays
Tour 7 Homes With Fresh and Cheery Holiday Decor
By Janet Paik
Festive place settings, garlands and trees personalize these warm and inviting homes for the Christmas season
Full Story
Trending Now
5 Reader-Favorite Home Tours From 2019
By Janet Paik
See the bright and personalized design details that feature in the most popular homes from our My Houzz series
Full Story
Transitional Homes
New Tudor-Inspired Family Home in Chicago
By Julie Sheer
See how a couple worked with their builder to mix traditional and modern elements for a comfortable and chic home
Full Story
Small Homes
Stylish 800-Square-Foot Home Brimming With Personality
By Julie Sheer
See how the head of merchandising at Palecek transformed his rental apartment with paint, lighting and decor
Full Story
Houzz Call
Homeowners, Share Your Home With Us!
By Janet Paik
We want to hear about your recent remodel or update. You and your home could be featured on Houzz
Full Story
wow its amazing
Those old wooden beams give off an aura of a home with the beach inside. Add a bit of sand on the floor and you have a tropical feel that is priceless.
Teens sharing a room.? One tiny bathroom and tiny basin for four people. Ok to each his own