Houzz Tour: A Ballroom Becomes a Sleek, Modern Apartment
Some clever planning and a smart use of materials transform a neglected space into a home for entertaining
When the owners of this London apartment contacted designer Kia Stanford, their property had seen better days. Following its heyday as a grand Victorian ballroom, it had hardly been touched since the 1980s. “It was in a bad state of repair, with wasted space and dingy lighting,” Stanford says. The clients wanted to bring back its original beauty and create a comfortable home they could share with friends.
Stanford and her team had planned to rip out the original staircase and start again. However, it proved more cost-effective to revamp what was already there.
They added a dark stain to the wooden treads and painted the risers and sides white. They then brushed a layer of clear varnish over it all to prevent damage. The banister was replaced by reinforced-glass panels all the way up and along the mezzanine landing. “It completely transformed the staircase,” Stanford says.
They added a dark stain to the wooden treads and painted the risers and sides white. They then brushed a layer of clear varnish over it all to prevent damage. The banister was replaced by reinforced-glass panels all the way up and along the mezzanine landing. “It completely transformed the staircase,” Stanford says.
The space below the stairs had been boarded up. “We wanted to make more use of this area,” Stanford says. She designed a triangular bookcase and small desk in walnut. It fits perfectly into the space and makes a feature of it without being too complicated.
The artwork propped on the radiator is metal, so it won’t be damaged by the heat.
Chair: Andrew Martin
The artwork propped on the radiator is metal, so it won’t be damaged by the heat.
Chair: Andrew Martin
The sofa needed to be huge for such an expansive room, so Stanford and the owners chose this large, comfortable corner sofa. Its cotton-blend fabric and ample cushions make it a cozy spot in which to relax, while the rug adds another element of comfort.
There are four or five blues in the rug, which change color as you move around the room. “As the rest of the apartment is very slick and modern, adding texture with the rug and the sculpture in the corner gives the space more warmth and interest,” Stanford says.
There are four or five blues in the rug, which change color as you move around the room. “As the rest of the apartment is very slick and modern, adding texture with the rug and the sculpture in the corner gives the space more warmth and interest,” Stanford says.
The shutters and French windows that look out on the square below were already in place. “It was nice to be able to restore and keep them,” Stanford says.
The dining table, with walnut legs and a high-gloss surface, is surrounded by classic Philippe Starck chairs. Above are three beautiful copper lights that add glamour to the room and work well with the warm color scheme.
Masters dining chairs: Philippe Starck
The dining table, with walnut legs and a high-gloss surface, is surrounded by classic Philippe Starck chairs. Above are three beautiful copper lights that add glamour to the room and work well with the warm color scheme.
Masters dining chairs: Philippe Starck
The TV cabinet in the far corner was made by an Italian company. Stanford wanted to add a variety of woods to the apartment, so she chose cherry for the cabinet doors. The wood’s diagonal grains complement the parquet flooring.
The stone mantel was restored and gas logs installed inside the fireplace. Above is a huge mirror that ties in with the proportions of the sofa.
The stone mantel was restored and gas logs installed inside the fireplace. Above is a huge mirror that ties in with the proportions of the sofa.
One of the biggest challenges was the kitchen area, as the difference in ceiling heights required careful planning. The owners had been struggling with the proportions and how to bridge the gap between the kitchen and living spaces.
Stanford used the whole of the back wall for storage, with two separate pantry areas and built-in appliances. The walnut breakfast bar and wooden stools bring the room into the living area and make it a sociable place in which to cook.
Stanford used the whole of the back wall for storage, with two separate pantry areas and built-in appliances. The walnut breakfast bar and wooden stools bring the room into the living area and make it a sociable place in which to cook.
At the far end of the breakfast bar is storage that can be accessed from the living room side. It’s a fantastic feature for entertaining, as it allows the owners to grab a glass or a drink for their guests with ease.
On the other side are the dishwasher, sink and cooktop, as well as a pullout drawer that houses the trash bins. Storage is vital in an open space like this, as you can’t just shut things away in another room.
On the other side are the dishwasher, sink and cooktop, as well as a pullout drawer that houses the trash bins. Storage is vital in an open space like this, as you can’t just shut things away in another room.
The owners wanted a separate shower, so they decided to make this the main focus of the bathroom. Stanford had a custom shower door designed, and covered the back wall with marble mosaic tile. The rest of the room is simple, with warm colors that give it a spa-like feel.
Stanford rearranged the layout to fit in a bathtub and two sinks. The tiles are porcelain and easy to keep clean; the vanity unit drawers are made of dark walnut. The recessed shelf provides a place to keep toiletries away from the sink.
Stanford rearranged the layout to fit in a bathtub and two sinks. The tiles are porcelain and easy to keep clean; the vanity unit drawers are made of dark walnut. The recessed shelf provides a place to keep toiletries away from the sink.
The bedroom is a calm retreat, clear of all distractions. Behind the bed is a cracked-plaster wall covered with a metallic finish. Stanford complemented the shiny wall with a headboard of soft linen.
The space was quite tight, so Stanford chose sconces rather than table lamps. They create an open feel and don’t take up space on the tabletops.
The owners’ chair works perfectly here as a place to sit and put on shoes without crumpling a freshly made bed. The circular rug adds a cozy feel and softens some of the hard edges.
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The space was quite tight, so Stanford chose sconces rather than table lamps. They create an open feel and don’t take up space on the tabletops.
The owners’ chair works perfectly here as a place to sit and put on shoes without crumpling a freshly made bed. The circular rug adds a cozy feel and softens some of the hard edges.
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
Who lives here: A professional couple
Location: Earl’s Court, London
Size: One bedroom, one bathroom
Designer: Kia Stanford of Kia Designs
The floor and color scheme were the starting points for this design. The space is so large that panels of normal wood flooring could have looked too short and messy. “My clients were keen to try herringbone parquet,” designer Kia Stanford says, “but they weren’t sure how it would look.” They found a manufacturer who supplied the right-sized blocks, and the result is wonderfully soft and elegant.
Stanford chose a color palette of blues and coppers. The tones add a warm element to the otherwise minimalist space.
Sofa: BoConcept; rug: Stepevi; copper lights: Tom Dixon