Designing a contemporary Hampstead hideaway

Hampstead, London
Photography by Ben Sage

View from the lounge through to the open plan kitchen and dining area

Modern kitchen with blue lower cabinets, light wood upper cabinets, beige countertops, stainless steel faucet, white vases, and a built-in oven.

Project Delivery

A priority for this client was to open up and brighten the ground floor which had fairly low ceilings, not a huge amount of natural light and dark flooring. This would include replacing the existing, quite dated, kitchen with something of a better quality, and with a layout that worked for the space, making the most of the view over the terrace.

The first-floor bathroom became the new guest WC so needed to be a wow moment. Both offices were a great size, with stunning views but needed to be transformed into work spaces that felt practical, inspirational and enjoyable to spend time in.

The primary suite needed the biggest transformation with a focus on a new, more practical layout - a space to relax in, and an extension of the beautiful new master bedroom.

Project Delivery

To open up the ground floor we removed a small WC and instead built a compact bespoke cloakroom. We updated the wood flooring to a lighter tone, designed a two tone kitchen with light oak wall mounted cabinets and chose pieces of furniture that were lower to the ground. These choices created fewer barriers to the natural light, and gave the illusion of higher ceilings.

We used calm, earthy colours and organic shapes throughout the ground floor with lots of blues, greens, greys and browns - highlighted with pops of colour in the artwork and accessories. The rugs, dining chairs and table, armoire, lighting and coffee table all share the same soft curves to create a beautiful flow through the space.

Cozy living room corner with light gray sofa, round beige coffee table holding a green book and candle, wooden shelving unit with books and decor, and framed art of a large wave on the wall.

Modern bathroom with a dark free-standing bathtub, botanical wallpaper, hanging glass pendant lights, wooden stool with a lit candle, and a bamboo towel ladder.

Project Delivery

The first floor guest WC was the perfect place to add lots of colour (always recommended!) with a floral wallpaper and pink sink, a big contrast to the calm feel of the first floor shower room.

The primary suite was possibly the biggest transformation as we changed the layout and added fluted glass doors to a new spa like en-suite with free standing bathtub and soft pendant lights, designed to encourage rest and relaxation. The study on the other hand is bold and playful, intended to be an inspirational place to work and create!

Modern kitchen island with blue cabinets and stovetop, overlooking a cozy living room with neutral sofa and large potted plants.

Modern dining area featuring a round wooden table with four upholstered chairs on a light gray rug, a white pendant light above, and a black arched cabinet with glass doors in the background.

Cozy beige armchair with wooden legs next to a decorative floor lamp, a small wooden side table with a coffee cup and glasses, and a green potted plant in a minimalist living room corner.

Modern living room with beige sectional sofa, colorful cushions, round coffee table, wooden bookshelf, indoor plants, and framed wave artwork on wall.

View through a hallway into a bedroom with a white bed, abstract pendant light, white wardrobes, and a beige cushioned bench.

Minimalist bedroom corner with white bed linens, beige headboard, round bedside table with marble top and modern spherical lamp, and light wood paneled walls.

Minimalist bedroom with a large bed, white bedding, built-in wardrobe with black handles, wooden floor, and a modern pendant light.

Modern bathroom with a gray freestanding tub, floating wooden vanity with towels, round mirror, glass shower, and patterned wallpaper.

Cozy dressing room with a white plush bench, white sheepskin rug, and a window with white plantation shutters.

Modern bathroom with beige stone sink, wall-mounted faucet, geometric patterned tiled shower wall, and a window.

Cozy reading nook with a red cushioned lounge chair, blue wall shelves filled with books and model ships, and a hanging monkey lamp with a trailing plant.

Home office with blue walls, a wooden desk with laptop, a black office chair, built-in blue bookshelf with books and plants, and a white marble fireplace with astronaut figurines.

Eclectic bathroom corner with floral wallpaper, pink sink with gold faucet, green towel, and potted plant on wooden stand.

Bright living room with a pink sofa, beige abstract side table holding candles, a tall beige floor lamp, green plant, and a large window with white blinds.

Smiling woman in floral robe sitting on a pink sofa by a window with white shutters and a beige lamp and abstract pink stool nearby.

We had a wonderful time working with you and we'd do it again! We learned a lot along the way as we were first time home buyers so we walked in pretty naïve. I think the best review I can give is the project got delivered pretty much on time and at a really great quality. I don't think that would have happened without you.

Carolin & John

Client