Park House

The design brief was to add space and value to this much-loved family home, while creating a relaxed London retreat with a cosmopolitan feel.

Planning permission was challenging in this conservation area, but the sensitive approach taken by The Vawdrey House secured approval for extensions to the rear, side return and roof, plus a two-storey 'Coach House' on the side.

The Coach House has been designed with traditional proportions and materials to the street façade.

The rear of the property contrasts with sharp detailing and hexagonal slate cladding to both the side and the rear extensions.

Winner - Best Interior Design

British Homes Awards 2021

Scope

Conservation area

Victorian end of terrace refurbishment

Two storey side extension

Loft conversion & side return extension

Size

Before 202 sq m

After 286 sq m

7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

Services

Architecture

Interior design

Landscape design

Project management

'A wonderful interior scheme that just keeps giving elements of surprise and interest. The creative blend of Victorian architecture mixed with Parisian bistros and New York loft style interiors provides an eclectic fusion of moods and ambience in each zone of the spaces.'
BHA Judges comments

Park House now offers seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, large flexible living spaces and the potential for self-contained guest accommodation in the Coach House.

The interior reflects the client’s eclectic tastes with inspiration from Parisian bistros and New York lofts blending with both classic Victorian townhouse and mid century vibes.

Brass, marble and battered leathers, set against a deep palette of paint colours and quirky lighting, ensure a relaxed, welcoming and luxurious feel throughout.

In the kitchen, vintage balcony ironwork forms the bar and a backdrop of brass-riveted stainless steel panels create an industrial feel with a refined edge.

The central island incorporates a leather booth with a marble table on industrial salvage legs. Your morning coffee feels like a glamorous brunch here.

Decorative beading has been applied to the satin finish ceiling and the kitchen is defined by an inset panel of mosaic tiling.

Hexagonal slate cladding glitters in the sun and sets off the black limestone and hardwood decking of the rear garden.

Steel framed doors and corner glazing flood the new kitchen/living space at the rear with light from three sides, and a patent glazed roof to the side return above the kitchen fits well with the urban setting.

Upstairs there are six bedrooms and four bathrooms with a further guest suite in the Coach House.

The master suite features a classic marble and brass bathroom, with roll top bath and steel framed shower and toilet cubicles.

The new top floor has a true lofty feel with timber lined eaves, and dramatic views across west London. A steel framed box divides off the staircase and allows light to pass through.

'The Coach House has created the perfect bolt hole for us, all the luxuries of a full sized house in a tiny compact gift box. All this in a space only 2.7m wide'

The Coach House took on its own identity as a self contained pied-a-terre.

The main house had a rare, wider than usual, gap to the side before the next terrace began, and we designed the Coach House here which can function as additional ground and first floor space for the main house, or be used as a self contained, compact, one bedroom house.

The coach house doors can fold right back, mews style, to connect the studio room with the little courtyard garden in front.

The flank wall of the main house is exposed as painted brick throughout the Coach House, and the joists of the first floor are left exposed – this gives the building the feel of a refurbishment rather than an extension.

The kitchen has everything you could want, in miniature, including a La Canche range cooker.

The brass splashback turns from cooks dream into drinks cabinet from day to night.

The leather banquette offers true comfort and glamour to the tiny vintage marble bistro table, all with kitchen storage beneath it.

The compact staircase winds up to the top floor, with a laundry cupboard concealed below the stairs, and a bijoux home office at the top. This double height space is flooded by light from the entrance doors, first floor window and roof light.

Beyond the stairwell is a shower room, dressing area and bedroom. Just big enough for a superking bed with concealed storage below. One entire wall of curtain keeps this room cosy at night, and the exposed brick continues the urban feel.

The compact staircase winds up to the top floor, with a laundry cupboard concealed below the stairs, and a bijoux home office at the top. This double height space is flooded by light from the entrance doors, first floor window and roof light.

Beyond the stairwell is a shower room, dressing area and bedroom. Just big enough for a superking bed with concealed storage below. One entire wall of curtain keeps this room cosy at night, and the exposed brick continues the urban feel.

'The house is totally transformed, and the new kitchen extension feels like a treat to spend time in. I love the way the light plays in there as it moves around. The spaces are so flexible and we have not lost the period feel to the house either, despite how much has changed.'