Houzz Tour: An Inviting New-build Townhouse in the Heart of London
A mix of classic and contemporary furnishings and accessories breathe life and vitality into this brand-new home
As soon as the homeowners got their hands on the keys to this new-build townhouse, they couldn’t wait to decorate and furnish it, and basically stamp their personalities on the space. ‘Newly built homes are great and a lot of thought has generally gone into the layout and design, but they have no personal touches – they are a blank canvas,’ says Clare Morton, who helped the owners add character to their home. ‘The new owners had recently moved to London with their work and they were short on time, but they wanted the house turned into a home as quickly as possible.’
As is typical of most townhouses, this property is long, thin and tall, so it lent itself to a galley-style kitchen. As the only light coming into the cooking space was from the patio doors at the rear, simple, off-white, glossy units topped with Corian worktops were chosen to keep this area bright and airy. Wall units run along one side of the kitchen only, to allow in maximum light and to make the area feel as spacious as possible.
The reflective qualities of the mirrored splashback also help to bounce light around the kitchen and push out the walls to make it appear larger, while the engineered oak floor adds warmth to the room.
All appliances, Miele.
The reflective qualities of the mirrored splashback also help to bounce light around the kitchen and push out the walls to make it appear larger, while the engineered oak floor adds warmth to the room.
All appliances, Miele.
‘I’ve worked on a lot of new builds,’ reveals Morton, ‘and this may sound strange, but I always try to work not with them, but against them. You tend to find the newly installed fixtures and fittings are neutral, so what I do is inject life and personality into the space, but in such a way that it complements what’s already there and makes it feel warm and welcoming.’
The owners brought their table with them, so Morton chose rounded Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner to soften its angles. She avoided adding any furniture above waist level, so as not to block the view of the little courtyard garden.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner, available at Ferrious. Cabinet, Maisons du Monde.
The owners brought their table with them, so Morton chose rounded Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner to soften its angles. She avoided adding any furniture above waist level, so as not to block the view of the little courtyard garden.
Walls painted in Cornforth White, Farrow & Ball. Wishbone chairs by Hans J Wegner, available at Ferrious. Cabinet, Maisons du Monde.
There’s a small, paved courtyard at the back of the house that leads on to a communal garden. Morton used clever styling to make this little suntrap a very private space that naturally flows out from the kitchen-diner. ‘I tried to use furniture similar to what you’d find inside for this little garden,’ she explains.
Starry Skies block print cushion, Molly Mahon.
See how to make the most of a pocket patio
Starry Skies block print cushion, Molly Mahon.
See how to make the most of a pocket patio
At one time, this area of London was full of Victorian industrial buildings, some of which remain and have been renovated. ‘The owners were interested in linking the home to the history of the surrounding area,’ says Morton, ‘so I tried to include some metal and industrial-style furniture, vintage accessories and pieces from local artists, so you get a real feel for the new and the old around you.’
Sofa, Sofa.com. Coffee table, Maisons du Monde. Ring-top curtains, John Lewis.
Sofa, Sofa.com. Coffee table, Maisons du Monde. Ring-top curtains, John Lewis.
The owners wanted their home to be a haven away from the bustle of central London, which is on its doorstep. They were also keen that the living area would feel relaxing – a place in which they could unwind and have fun. Morton found the apple green, bird-shaped shelf to add that tongue-in-cheek feel and to help the room exude an informal air.
Bird wall shelf, Rockett St George. Grey throw; side table, both Habitat. Table lamp, B&Q. Printed square cushions, H&M. Green Dog on Guard cushion, Ben de Lisi at Debenhams.
Bird wall shelf, Rockett St George. Grey throw; side table, both Habitat. Table lamp, B&Q. Printed square cushions, H&M. Green Dog on Guard cushion, Ben de Lisi at Debenhams.
As two sofas facing each other would have looked too formal, Morton chose two laid-back armchairs as additional seating in the living room. Three traditional, Victorian-style botanical prints add interest to the walls, while the vintage chest offers useful extra storage.
Butterfly prints, Rockett St George. Santiago leather armchair in camel, Maisons du Monde.
Butterfly prints, Rockett St George. Santiago leather armchair in camel, Maisons du Monde.
The owners wanted the master bedroom to feel like an inner sanctuary to which they could retreat at the end of a busy day. ‘The idea was to make it feel that little bit more special in here,’ says Morton. ‘That’s why I chose the high-backed, buttoned headboard and dressed the bed with plump cushions and a throw to make it the real focus of the room.’
Vintage-style metal cabinet, Rockett St George. Anglepoise Duo table lamp with coloured flex, Anglepoise. Lambswool throw, John Lewis.
Vintage-style metal cabinet, Rockett St George. Anglepoise Duo table lamp with coloured flex, Anglepoise. Lambswool throw, John Lewis.
Morton finds that many of her clients no longer use dressing tables, preferring to get ready in the bathroom, but the owner was keen to have a small dressing table and stool in the master bedroom to take advantage of the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. This one is by Conran for M&S.
Laundry basket, Catalan.
Check out 10 ways to fit a dressing table into a bedroom
Laundry basket, Catalan.
Check out 10 ways to fit a dressing table into a bedroom
As the newly built bathroom came with luxury fixtures and fittings, the owners were happy to leave them as they found them. Morton did, however, use art to inject some personality into the room.
Sanitaryware, Villeroy & Boch.
Sanitaryware, Villeroy & Boch.
As the owners are from abroad, they often have family and friends to stay, which is why Morton worked hard to make the guest rooms feel just as inviting as the rest of the house.
‘The idea was to make the extra bedrooms very cosy, to create that home-from-home feel and also to ensure they followed the interior theme of the rest of the house. So the emphasis again is on the bed, which I’ve dressed with lots of pillows and a throw, plus little industrial touches. To finish it off, I added the armchair by the window.’
Botanist bed, John Lewis. Chest of drawers, Rockett St George. Bed linen, H&M. Try Grant Featherstone for a similar chair and ottoman.
Discover how to lux up your guest room
‘The idea was to make the extra bedrooms very cosy, to create that home-from-home feel and also to ensure they followed the interior theme of the rest of the house. So the emphasis again is on the bed, which I’ve dressed with lots of pillows and a throw, plus little industrial touches. To finish it off, I added the armchair by the window.’
Botanist bed, John Lewis. Chest of drawers, Rockett St George. Bed linen, H&M. Try Grant Featherstone for a similar chair and ottoman.
Discover how to lux up your guest room
Morton says she’s been surprised to find how good B&Q’s lighting department has become recently, and she picked up these little side lamps from there.
Side tables, John Lewis. Lamps, B&Q. Hare- and heart-shaped cushions, Debenhams. Pig and Rabbit prints, Ham.
Side tables, John Lewis. Lamps, B&Q. Hare- and heart-shaped cushions, Debenhams. Pig and Rabbit prints, Ham.
The house has a roof terrace on the top floor with views across London.
Although the roof terrace is a long way from the kitchen, the owners were keen there should be a table up here, because rarely are you afforded the opportunity to be so close to the centre of a city and yet have your own little urban oasis amid the rooftops.
TELL US…
Have you injected your personality into a new-build home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
TELL US…
Have you injected your personality into a new-build home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Who lives here A professional couple who’ve recently moved from Paris to London
Location Bermondsey, south London
Size 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, over four floors
Designer Clare Morton of Studio Morton
Clare Morton had worked on a number of similar projects in the area and one of her other clients put her in touch with the owners of this new townhouse. ‘It was a real challenge,’ laughs Clare. ‘Although they weren’t planning on changing any of the main fixtures and fittings, such as the bathroom suites or kitchen, they wanted me to furnish and fully decorate the place very quickly! I worked on everything from the furniture to the bed linen.’