A wall of iroko cladding in the hall mirrors the iroko cladding used for the exterior of the building. It also serves the purpose of concealing the entrance to a guest cloakroom. A matte finish, bespoke designed terrazzo style poured resin floor continues from this area into the living spaces. With a background of pale agate grey, flecked with soft brown, black and chalky white it compliments the chestnut tones in the exterior iroko overhangs.

A double-height landing washed gently with daylight from above. Light filters down through the stair, softening the space and drawing the eye toward the bathroom beyond. Oak balustrade and joinery bring warmth and continuity, turning a moment of transition into a calm, quiet pause within the home.

A tired, small 1970's house was refurbished and extended to become a modern, light-filled, sunny family home. The original house didn't take advantage of its leafy, expansive site, so the extension pushed north and opened up to the sun and outdoors. Living areas flow onto spacious, sunny outdoor areas to the north, and a generous hallway flows through to a new pool and the mature, leafy trees of the neighbouring park. A strong, geometric form sits wide on the site and its pitched roof creates open, airy, light-filled interior spaces. High windows give glimpses of the sky and surrounding trees, and side windows provide a green, leafy outlook to the reserve next door. A muted but rich finishes palette and carefully designed cabinetry complement the lofty architecture. This busy young family can now live and thrive in their beautifully spacious, well-functioning home.

A neutrally decorated hallway with pops of red black. White painted stairs with a neutral stair runner taped with red/cream striped border. Spindles are painted black with a wooden handrail. An arrangement of white hydrangeas stands on a black chest of drawers with two large red lamps and white pleated lampshades.

Like many 1920s houses, this double-fronted home in Muswell Hill had been extended haphazardly over the years, preventing any natural flow and blocking light from a large part of the footprint. Our clients wanted more space – and better space – for their family. Our first move was to unlock the ground floor by clearing two sight lines. One leads straight through the house from the front door to the bottom of the garden, and the second looks up – with the help of a new galleried staircase – though the upper storeys to the sky. Inspired by Horace Gifford’s airy east-coast beach houses, we allowed the extended open-plan living areas to link and overlap, giving room to circulate without compromising on space. We’d already set out these core moves when our clients asked us to push the project further. Could we add a basement too? Our response was to challenge them back: what exactly would they use the space for, and how would the extra area justify the considerable expense? Having tested a few different scenarios we all agreed that this was a great opportunity to embed social sustainability into the design. We could future-proof the house so Nicola and Stanford, and their extended family, can continue to live in it indefinitely no matter how their lifestyle might change. The new basement, although it’s currently used as a gym, screening room and bar, can potentially become a self-contained apartment in the future, allowing multiple generations to live under the same roof. It has its own bathroom and, via a sunken courtyard garden sandwiched between the original house and timber-framed extension, outside space and plenty of natural light. And, as the couple’s sons gain more independence, a pair of self-contained bedrooms inserted into the second-floor loft space offer a similar degree of privacy.

A traditional Villa hallway with paneled walls and lead light doors.

Twelve Black is a contemporary family home designed for comfort, function and quiet drama. The design centres around a refined black palette, softened by natural light and grounded in durable, low-maintenance materials—ideal for a busy family lifestyle. Open-plan living spaces connect seamlessly to the outdoors, with a functional layout that balances communal areas and private retreat zones. Thoughtfully detailed joinery, built-in storage and a flexible kitchen and dining hub support modern day-to-day living. While bold in appearance, the home’s simplicity allows family life to take centre stage.

This image presents a beautifully resolved under-stair storage solution that elevates an otherwise awkward transitional space. A full-height, custom joinery unit in rich walnut veneer integrates seamlessly beneath the angled ceiling, with flush-set doors and recessed handles contributing to its minimal, clean-lined character. The warm timber contrasts gently with the pale tiled flooring and white walls, while the adjacent glass balustrade keeps the landing light and open. A discrete spot downlight enhances both function and focus on craftsmanship.

A whimsical mural creates a brightness and charm to this hallway. Plush wool carpet meets herringbone timber.

The main aim was to brighten up the space and have a “wow” effect for guests. The final design combined both modern and classic styles with a simple monochrome palette. The Hallway became a beautiful walk-in gallery rather than just an entrance.

Verbindungstunnel zum Altbau (Fotograf: Marcus Ebener, Berlin)