You Have to See This Studio’s Glass-Bottomed Sleeping Loft
A smart use of space and modern design transform a 700-square-foot London apartment
Sometimes small spaces provide the best inspiration for creating an ingenious and jaw-droppingly gorgeous home. That’s certainly the case with this compact yet cool and well-thought-out studio apartment in London.
The owner called in interior design and architecture firm Ensoul to ensure that she made the most of the 700-square-foot space. The result? An apartment with an envy-inducing kitchen, spectacular glass bedroom and clever storage. “We had just three months to design, get on site and transform the apartment into her finished home,” says Viki Lander, creative director of Ensoul.
The owner called in interior design and architecture firm Ensoul to ensure that she made the most of the 700-square-foot space. The result? An apartment with an envy-inducing kitchen, spectacular glass bedroom and clever storage. “We had just three months to design, get on site and transform the apartment into her finished home,” says Viki Lander, creative director of Ensoul.
The key to this project’s success is that the design team obtained a detailed understanding of how their client lives and then worked up a plan that would utilize every last inch of the space.
“On the lower level, we designed a double-height kitchen to maximize storage, a dining area for four, a sitting room with sofa bed for guests, a built-in study area for our client to work at home and a [powder room] so you don’t have to go upstairs,” Lander says.
“Upstairs” is the mezzanine level. “On the existing glass-floored mezzanine, we designed a bedroom, en suite with shower, mirrored wardrobe area and a dressing table feature with storage. That’s the art of space planning, which we love doing,” Lander says.
Stockholm sofa bed: BoConcept
“On the lower level, we designed a double-height kitchen to maximize storage, a dining area for four, a sitting room with sofa bed for guests, a built-in study area for our client to work at home and a [powder room] so you don’t have to go upstairs,” Lander says.
“Upstairs” is the mezzanine level. “On the existing glass-floored mezzanine, we designed a bedroom, en suite with shower, mirrored wardrobe area and a dressing table feature with storage. That’s the art of space planning, which we love doing,” Lander says.
Stockholm sofa bed: BoConcept
The studio had been one big space but had no real kitchen to speak of — just a single block under the stairs with a tiny kitchenette.
“Part of the reason we moved the kitchen was the bad feng shui that a kitchen underneath a bed poses,” Lander says. “This was an important factor for our client.”
The solution? A spectacular double-height kitchen complete with a rolling library ladder to access the top storage.
“This is the star feature of the apartment and the single biggest investment of the entire project,” Lander says. “We’re really thrilled with the aesthetic and also the practicality of providing so much storage.”
“Part of the reason we moved the kitchen was the bad feng shui that a kitchen underneath a bed poses,” Lander says. “This was an important factor for our client.”
The solution? A spectacular double-height kitchen complete with a rolling library ladder to access the top storage.
“This is the star feature of the apartment and the single biggest investment of the entire project,” Lander says. “We’re really thrilled with the aesthetic and also the practicality of providing so much storage.”
To make the kitchen look more like a living space, a shelving unit was incorporated, and the red background makes it stand out.
“I wanted to inject a strong color not only to add contrast, richness and warmth, but also to link the kitchen with other areas of the apartment,” Lander says. LED lighting enriches the red accents around the space. The red backdrop is even used in the floor-to-ceiling unit, which cleverly hides the sink to keep the kitchen streamlined.
Bar stools: Bluesuntree
“I wanted to inject a strong color not only to add contrast, richness and warmth, but also to link the kitchen with other areas of the apartment,” Lander says. LED lighting enriches the red accents around the space. The red backdrop is even used in the floor-to-ceiling unit, which cleverly hides the sink to keep the kitchen streamlined.
Bar stools: Bluesuntree
The steel library ladder is a key part of the kitchen design.
“We needed to create a means of accessing a double-height kitchen but wanted to make a contemporary feature of it too,” Lander says. “So we specified a stainless steel rail and ladder with flat, square rungs and had it made…. It was a very tricky piece of engineering to get right.”
Aim High: What to Know About Adding a Library Ladder
“We needed to create a means of accessing a double-height kitchen but wanted to make a contemporary feature of it too,” Lander says. “So we specified a stainless steel rail and ladder with flat, square rungs and had it made…. It was a very tricky piece of engineering to get right.”
Aim High: What to Know About Adding a Library Ladder
The contemporary kitchen sits comfortably alongside the original French doors and shutters for a successful blend of old and new.
“We inherited and redecorated three sets of beautiful French doors and shutters, which provide a real elegance and grandeur to the space,” Lander says.
But she did add a modern touch. “Above each one sits electric blackout roller blinds, which can be operated from anywhere in the apartment.”
“We inherited and redecorated three sets of beautiful French doors and shutters, which provide a real elegance and grandeur to the space,” Lander says.
But she did add a modern touch. “Above each one sits electric blackout roller blinds, which can be operated from anywhere in the apartment.”
In a studio, where space is limited, items that have more than one function are a wise choice. The open shelves in the kitchen not only provide storage, but also create a quirky feature.
“The open shelving is playful and was chosen to show off shoes, handbags and decorative objects — things that are fun and interesting, rather than the usual glassware and china displayed in a kitchen area,” Lander says.
“The open shelving is playful and was chosen to show off shoes, handbags and decorative objects — things that are fun and interesting, rather than the usual glassware and china displayed in a kitchen area,” Lander says.
The island helps separate the kitchen and living areas. It’s packed with appliances (including a space-saving downdraft exhaust fan) and storage. It even acts as a dining table.
Oven: Siemens; induction cooktop: Miele; exhaust fan: Falmec; Piatra Gray countertop: Caesarstone
Oven: Siemens; induction cooktop: Miele; exhaust fan: Falmec; Piatra Gray countertop: Caesarstone
Beautiful engineered oak flooring unifies the open-plan studio.
“The red statement chair links with the red accents in the kitchen, and the sofa bed provides extra accommodation for visitors,” Lander says.
Imola chair: BoConcept; flooring: Lamett
“The red statement chair links with the red accents in the kitchen, and the sofa bed provides extra accommodation for visitors,” Lander says.
Imola chair: BoConcept; flooring: Lamett
A deep yellow sideboard adds a surprising color contrast. “We chose it for its warmth and richness, and it is great paired up with the deep red,” Lander says. “It also adds another pop of color to this side of the apartment.”
The owner filled the double-height wall with pop art.
The owner filled the double-height wall with pop art.
The “floating” cantilevered staircase and built-in desk create a light and airy work hub, with plenty of room for two monitors. Since the staircase was a pre-existing structure, it didn’t require a balustrade, according to the design company.
“We’ve done a few cantilevered staircases — they’re absolutely beautiful and provide a really clean, contemporary solution,” Lander says. “The dark-stained oak brings it together to become a highly sculptural corner of this luxury apartment.”
“We’ve done a few cantilevered staircases — they’re absolutely beautiful and provide a really clean, contemporary solution,” Lander says. “The dark-stained oak brings it together to become a highly sculptural corner of this luxury apartment.”
The staircase and desk underneath are well-thought-out.
“We loved the idea of architecting in the desk to look like it was a continuation of the staircase and floating underneath,” Lander says. “In fact, there is a small gap between the tread and the desk to allow the tread to flex.”
Another clever feature is lighting. Recessed in the wall are slim slot lights, which shine across the stair treads.
“We loved the idea of architecting in the desk to look like it was a continuation of the staircase and floating underneath,” Lander says. “In fact, there is a small gap between the tread and the desk to allow the tread to flex.”
Another clever feature is lighting. Recessed in the wall are slim slot lights, which shine across the stair treads.
Sculptural pendant lights create visual impact both on the lower level and the mezzanine.
“These are interspersed with architectural spotlights from Kreon for task lighting on the island in the kitchen and for illuminating interesting objects in the open shelving,” Lander adds.
Random lights: Moooi
“These are interspersed with architectural spotlights from Kreon for task lighting on the island in the kitchen and for illuminating interesting objects in the open shelving,” Lander adds.
Random lights: Moooi
The glass-floored mezzanine bedroom overlooking the lower level was here before the transformation, but Lander added custom closets and a makeup station.
“Mezzanines are brilliant for providing an additional living area where ceiling height permits,” Lander says. “By using glass, this mezzanine creates an openness and connection with the lower space.
The glass balustrade offers visibility and safety.
A doorway to the left leads to the en suite, and the walkway to the right, with a mirror at the end, is where the new closets are.
“Mezzanines are brilliant for providing an additional living area where ceiling height permits,” Lander says. “By using glass, this mezzanine creates an openness and connection with the lower space.
The glass balustrade offers visibility and safety.
A doorway to the left leads to the en suite, and the walkway to the right, with a mirror at the end, is where the new closets are.
The custom headboard is made of individual acoustic panels, which provide sound absorption — ideal for an open mezzanine bedroom.
The bedroom’s makeup table has drawers to boost storage and a Hollywood mirror to up the glam factor.
Dressing table: Jesse; mirror: Illuminated Mirrors
Dressing table: Jesse; mirror: Illuminated Mirrors
A compact yet contemporary and elegant shower room lies directly off the bedroom.
“A low-profile shower tray creates a wet-room feel,” Lander says. “We kept the look calm and neutral but utilized glass mosaic tiles as a feature wall for texture and interest.”
Tile: Topps Tiles
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“A low-profile shower tray creates a wet-room feel,” Lander says. “We kept the look calm and neutral but utilized glass mosaic tiles as a feature wall for texture and interest.”
Tile: Topps Tiles
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 woman who works in the fashion industry
Location: Earl’s Court, London
Size: 700 square feet (65 square meters)
Designers: Viki Lander, creative director, and Philip Rogerson, design director, both of Ensoul Interior Architecture
This project is all about smart space planning and beautiful interior design. These two elements transformed what was a tired and dated apartment into an amazing first home for the owner.
“The apartment needed to be contemporary and suit our client, who is in her early 20s,” Lander says. “She definitely didn’t want it too grown-up in style. It also needed to provide additional space for parents and relatives who visit regularly from Asia.”
Space wasn’t the only pressing issue. “There was no kitchen storage or wardrobes. Our client is very interested in fashion and has lots of clothes, makeup and shoes to store.”