Our brief was to transform this late Victorian townhouse in southwest London through a whole-house refurbishment, rear extension and loft conversion, creating a generous five-bedroom family home. The ground floor extension is defined by a Corten steel surround whose angular folds recall a pressed ribbon, simultaneously delicate and strong. It frames full-height sliding doors that open onto the garden, its rusted texture introducing the earthy natural palette carried throughout the interior.
Inside, the open-plan living space is anchored by floor-to-ceiling joinery in a soft green. Earthy tones balance the greens and timber: a backdrop of vertical terracotta tiles lines the rear wall, while a concealed pantry continues the same tone across walls and cabinetry. At the heart of the kitchen, a slatted oak island brings warmth and tactility.
Vertical fins articulate the rhythm of the panelling, while oak inserts punctuate the sequence to define different zones. An oak-lined recess frames the living area; another, with glazed doors, displays the family’s tableware and defines the space. Above, a square rooflight over the sitting area and a long linear rooflight across the dining and kitchen flood the interior with daylight, animating the oak joists in light and shadow.
Elsewhere, original Victorian features were carefully reinstated – cornicing, skirtings and ceiling roses reproduced to match their historic profiles – and set alongside bespoke contemporary joinery, including a green library wall concealing a speakeasy bar.
In the loft extension, we introduced two children’s bedrooms, dedicating the whole floor to their sole use.
