How We Let The Light Into A West London House_
Our latest Space Shack client is a family with three children who asked us to renovate, extend, and style their London residence in Ealing, West London. Our client has lived all over the world, living in Switzerland and then the Middle East for years, before finally settling in London and buying their first house late last year, with a vision to transform it into the family home they had always dreamed of owning.
Images: Space Shack
The extensive client brief meant the Victorian house with six bedrooms needed to be completely gutted and opened up, along with building an extension to the back of the entire house which would add 75 square metres of additional space. A functional layout was vital, as they are a busy household, so it was decided the kitchen/living room area needed to be the focal point of the home, capitalising on the newly added space. Yet it was essential to retain a sense of individual identity for each room. Having children of various ages meant the new living area needed to allow our homeowners to socialise, entertain guests, but also keep an eye on the young children as they watched television or did their homework.
Images: Space Shack / 82mm Photography
Kitchen / Dining Area
Due to the direction of the building, we also wanted to maximise the natural sunlight available by extending the house, so we installed large patio doors along with electric blinds to maintain an element of privacy. We introduced beautiful taupe shaker-styled wooden cabinetry from Kutchenhaus, which would also help brighten the room along with the natural light. A Siemens refrigerator and freezer, Miele integrated oven/microwave with warming drawer were incorporated at a more ergonomically friendly height for various family members; so anyone no matter how tall or short, could prepare and cook food more efficiently. We installed a pocket door between the kitchen and utility room to help with the cooking smell and separate the two spaces.
Images: Space Shack / 82mm Photography
Water underfloor heating by Wunda was installed underneath the kitchen and living room area. This energy efficient system reduces the carbon footprint and cuts traditional fuel bills by around 25%. We completed the interiors by using herringbone engineered oak flooring by Xylo Belgravia in a smoky greyish brown tone in keeping with the entire scheme.
For the kitchen dining area, we sourced a stunning Eichholtz Remmington dining table and completed this look by adding Beetle dining chairs by Gubi. The Audrey wall-mounted desk from West Elm was the perfect for the children to do homework under the watchful eye of their parents, and extended this look by also adding the Audrey Dining Buffet to house the television and the kids' games consoles while providing essential extra storage space. A West Elm planter and sofa side tables were used to offset the Fargo Boconcept sofa, which was draped in a throw and cushions from Anthropology and West Elm, along with a Mad Men rug designed by Louis Depoortere. A delicate West Elm pendant light and fresh flowers from Galton Flowers completed the interior styling to help it become the relaxing, neutral living space needed by the family.
Ground Floor
Images: Space Shack / 82mm Photography
Once we completed the extension to the back of the house, we relocated the original living room entrance to create more space for a downstairs bedroom. As part of the replacement, we added glazed french doors by Todd Doors sprayed with Farrow & Ball Lamp Room Grey. This helped bring natural light from the front to the back of the house into the hallway along with wall lights sourced from Flos. We decided to keep the entrance itself uncluttered, only adding a small console table from Houseology and a Kartel wall mirror, using a grey bordered runner on the main staircase and continued this with muted grey bedroom carpets throughout the home from Abbotts Flooring.
Master Bedroom
Image: Space Shack / 82mm Photography
New storage was a number one priority for the master bedroom, so we installed a Hulsta fitted wardrobe, bed, bedside tables, and chest of drawers. We wanted to add some richness to the room, so we bought deep blue cushions from Habitat and a turmeric throw and suede waffled bedspread from Dorma. To complete this look, we mounted some abstract wall art from The Sofa & Chair Company above the headboard, and to add some much-needed sophistication, we installed a pair of Tom Dixon ‘Smoke’ Melt lights. These gorgeous items are created through a process of blow moulding and vacuum metallisation. We loved how these metal orbs add a dramatic luminosity to any room. We finished the bedroom interior with bespoke curtains from Wemyss and Silhouette blinds.
Master Bathroom
Images: Space Shack / 82mm Photography
The main feature of this bathroom was the large porcelain marble book-match slabs that were installed behind the walk-in shower. These sophisticated slabs became the focal point of this bathroom and influenced the final look. Unlike the kitchen, we installed electric underfloor heating for all the upstairs bathrooms which could be controlled by individual thermostats. A walk-in shower with a rain shower head and water jets, along with a built-in seat decorated with hexagonal mosaic tiles turned a standard shower room into something quite dramatic and eye-catching. Opposite the shower area, we added a 'his and hers' double sink vanity glass unit from Artelinear. Additional storage was created by using built-in mirror cabinets with LED lighting. To finish off, we added a touch of glam and luxury with a dusty pink pouffe from Made.com and similar toned Kartel wall mirror.
If you have any queries about this project and want to find out more information, please get in touch as we’d be happy to help!
Love Omar x
To contact us or find out more about Space Shack arrange your Design Discovery Call or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
With thanks to Malcolm at 82mm Photography.