A typical London terraced house has undergone a total makeover by Studio McW. Its design transformed a neglected 19th-century Victorian property into a place conducive to hospitality and living in beautiful surroundings. The owners, Charlie and Joshua Karlsen of catering company Opus 11, needed a space with a clear layout that would keep pace with their lifestyle of regular meetings. The remodelling of the house resulted in a large ground floor, and the chaotic layout of the rooms was transformed into a functional plan with an additional level in the attic.
London terraced house after changes
The house was previously divided into three small flats. The refurbishment began by removing all partitions and bringing the property up to the shell and then rebuilding walls where needed. As part of the work, the historic front elevation was retained and protected from the inside. On the ground floor of the terraced house, a completely new open-plan space was created with a kitchen, dining area and business meeting area. Studio McW radically changed the layout of the traditional 19th-century house, creating a guest area in the centre, with the living room located at the front of the house. The interiors have been structured with a sequence of soft arches and clearly defined passageways.
Modernisation of a 19th century house
Extending the house with a side wing allowed the full width of the plot to be used, allowing for a dining table for 12 and a comfortable bench in the dining room. A one-metre extension was added to the rear, bringing more light into the kitchen through high glazing and a curved skylight. A central courtyard brings light into the central part of the house and creates an airy space, while a large window from the garden enhances the feeling of being open to the world. The interior dining room gently filters light through the glazing fixed into the oak beams.
Details and materials
The connection between the new parts was achieved through a curved section of brick wall. This treatment made the massing perceived as lighter and the visibility of the structure from neighbouring properties becomes limited. The light-coloured bricks were laid in two types of bond, reinforcing the surface rhythm of the new walls. The ground floor is filled with a kitchen in tarred oak and Violetta marble, with a sculptural island and a large alcove with a marble backdrop. Hand-crafted woodwork introduces warmth, while concealed appliances ensure that the entire development is aesthetically pleasing and unified. Materials throughout the house blend together through the juxtaposition of wood, marble, concrete and limestone shell.
Private area on the first floor of the house
The upper levels of the house have retained a division close to the original. The staircase opens into a high space with a skylight, while the corridors are finished in natural plaster with rounded edges. One floor houses the master suite with a dressing room made of oak and a hidden bathroom. The bedroom has lime-painted walls, a soft headboard and curtains, and an open turret area adds to its elegance. An alcove with a gentle curve echoes the motifs present in the living area. The next levels include a pink guest room, a family bathroom and a loft room with an additional private bathroom.
London terraced house and its new atmosphere
The overall design has been created so that the space of the house is conducive to gatherings and everyday use. The integrated audio system and the well-planned flow of the rooms are a real convenience, especially when hosting parties. Greg Walton of Studio McW emphasises the role of curves, courtyards and varying heights in shaping the successive zones of the house. The owners ensure that the project has become the full realisation of their dream of a place to suit their lifestyle, love of natural materials and planned family expansion.
Project: Studio McW
Area: 196 sq m.
Photography: Lorenzo Zandri
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