This attractive red-brick detached property in Willesden Junction, North London featured a substantial amount of elegant period ornamentation that both the client and ourselves were keen to retain using it as a subtle backdrop for a more contemporary interior look. The project included the full refurbishment and extension to the family home and involved the complete revamp of the ground and first floor and the opening up and reconfiguration of the key living spaces to suit the young family responding to how they like to entertain, cook, dine and relax. Where requested we have combined these uses in the form of an open, but responsive layout. Existing doors were retained to allow for privacy and heat control when required, openings created to link the new side extension, daylight controlled with the careful siting of the rooflight directly above the dining flooding light deep in the the kitchen which is positioned centrally as the hub of this house.

Locating the kitchen in the middle of the plan gives those using the kitchen a double-aspect and the ability to interact with guests whilst entertaining – overlooking the large rear garden as well as the formal reception room to the front  Unifying these spaces are wide, solid whitened Douglas Fir floor boards running from front to back accentuating the depth of the space and adding to its light and airy feel. A separate utility space running parallel to the kitchen is concealed from the entrance hallway allowing washing, coats and storage to be out of view when required.

Structural modifications were also made to the first floor to enable the creation of a master suite to the front of the property. An integrated dressing room fully lined in walnut and a spacious master ensuite are flooded with early afternoon sun complementing the light palette of Corian, concrete tiles and the existing pine boards painted light grey contrasting subtly with the range of white and grey wall tones.

 Other finishes and surfaces include terrazzo, black timber bi-fold doors, concrete floor tiles, a 6m long glazed rooflight, bespoke joinery finished in matt, gloss and timber veneer and an interesting array of feature pendant lighting.

Completed. December 2014

Photography. Whitaker Studio

Materials list:

Douglas Fir Flooring - Dinesen

Kitchen - Roundhouse

Floor Tiles - Bernard Arnull / Imola

Wall Tiles - Tower Ceramics

Bespoke Joinery  - Neatsmith

On-site joinery- Satio 180

Corian - Solidity

Column Radiators - Apollo Radiators

Bathroom sanitaryware - Vola / Duravit

Lighting - Tom Dixon / Urban Cottage Industries / Tinsmiths  / Wever & Ducre

Roller Blinds - ACE Contracts

Furniture - B+B Italia

Children's furniture - Kalon Studios / Nubie

Electrical fittings - Schneider Electric

 Contractor - Satio 180 (http://www.satio180.com/)

Photos - Whitaker Studio