British Houzz: A London Loft Embraces the Feminine Touch
This converted warehouse’s industrial features mix with fresh style to create a unique family home
Once a Pirelli tyre factory, interior designer Nia Morris’s loft apartment in north-west London is now a light, bright, flexible home. When she bought it two years ago, the decor was dated and the layout almost completely open plan, but with her trained eye, Morris saw it could be reconfigured to suit life with her partner, Paul, and daughter Millie.
When it came to the interior design, Morris was influenced by the bones of the space. “The building did dictate the style,” she says. “I wanted to keep the loft aesthetic, but didn’t want it to be masculine.” Now, a warm wooden floor, antique mirrors, silvery wallpaper and bold artworks steer this loft away from a purely industrial look towards something more eclectic and feminine.
When it came to the interior design, Morris was influenced by the bones of the space. “The building did dictate the style,” she says. “I wanted to keep the loft aesthetic, but didn’t want it to be masculine.” Now, a warm wooden floor, antique mirrors, silvery wallpaper and bold artworks steer this loft away from a purely industrial look towards something more eclectic and feminine.
The loft is furnished with a mix of contemporary pieces, vintage finds and antiques. This old plan chest now holds the sketches, plans and drawings relating to the interiors projects Morris is working on. “There’s one drawer for each current client,” she says.
Picasso sofa: The Sofa & Chair Company
Picasso sofa: The Sofa & Chair Company
After buying the loft, Morris spent around two months meticulously planning its re-design. “I planned it all to the last detail in advance, so when it came to the work, the builders knew exactly what we were doing,” she says. “I didn’t change my mind on anything. There were no surprises!”
Morris was keen to make sure the central areas worked in harmony together. “The kitchen is in the living area, so it had to work in the space. I kept it quite sculptural and discreet,” she says. “I quite like lots of open storage in a kitchen, but it was not appropriate to do that here. You don’t want all that stuff on view when you’re relaxing in the living area.”
Kitchen: Bulthaup
Morris was keen to make sure the central areas worked in harmony together. “The kitchen is in the living area, so it had to work in the space. I kept it quite sculptural and discreet,” she says. “I quite like lots of open storage in a kitchen, but it was not appropriate to do that here. You don’t want all that stuff on view when you’re relaxing in the living area.”
Kitchen: Bulthaup
Morris enjoys entertaining, and the loft’s central London location makes it easy for friends to drop in. “We often have people over to supper, so I had to factor in a kitchen large enough to cook for friends and a table that could happily seat eight,” she says.
In addition to the Bulthaup kitchen, the wide floorboards were a key investment for the loft. “I wanted a hard floor and used the same throughout to make it feel consistent, which is important in a space that isn’t too huge,” says Morris. The natural grain and knots give the boards warmth and detail. “I was trying to soften the space and create a nice balance with the concrete ceiling above,” she says.
Bermuda dining table: Asplund; floorboards: Dinesen
In addition to the Bulthaup kitchen, the wide floorboards were a key investment for the loft. “I wanted a hard floor and used the same throughout to make it feel consistent, which is important in a space that isn’t too huge,” says Morris. The natural grain and knots give the boards warmth and detail. “I was trying to soften the space and create a nice balance with the concrete ceiling above,” she says.
Bermuda dining table: Asplund; floorboards: Dinesen
Although the original, almost completely open-plan layout wasn’t suitable for family living and needed redesigning, Morris did preserve the large reception space.
“That was key,” she says. “I liked the openness of how the loft was before. The new configuration had to be practical and about how we lived, but while retaining that sense of space. So I kept a large open living area, and then put all the other rooms around the edges.”
“That was key,” she says. “I liked the openness of how the loft was before. The new configuration had to be practical and about how we lived, but while retaining that sense of space. So I kept a large open living area, and then put all the other rooms around the edges.”
Work on the loft took a speedy three-and-a-half months, thanks to Morris’s careful planning. All the windows were replaced, two new bathrooms and a new kitchen were installed, and a utility room was added. Morris also fitted new lighting and underfloor heating. “We completely gutted it,” she says.
Large wooden hooks and a bench that Morris had built provide lots of useful storage in the entrance hall.
Dots hooks: Lars Tornøe for Muuto
Dots hooks: Lars Tornøe for Muuto
Statement lighting adds unique character to the loft. Two large pendants hang above the living area. “You notice them when you walk in,” says Morris. “It’s quite important that you have one or two pieces you really notice in an open-plan space.” These lights define the seating area, while the smaller lights over the table define the dining area. “They divide up the space without the need for walls,” she says.
The two large pendant lights are by Dutch company Ay Illuminate. “They are huge – over a metre tall,” says Morris. “At first I thought I would hang one, then I thought it might be nice to have two. I didn’t want a conventional chandelier – I was after something more interesting.”
The two large pendant lights are by Dutch company Ay Illuminate. “They are huge – over a metre tall,” says Morris. “At first I thought I would hang one, then I thought it might be nice to have two. I didn’t want a conventional chandelier – I was after something more interesting.”
While planning the renovation work, Morris was eager to preserve the unique features of the loft, such as the concrete ceiling and Crittall windows. “I could have added a new ceiling below the original concrete one and then fitted lights into it, but I wanted to keep the loft aesthetic,” she says.
Drilling into solid concrete would have been too difficult, so instead Morris used exposed galvanised conduits to cover the electric cables. “None of the lights are flush fitted and I think that was the right thing to do,” she says. “There are various pillars and beams that could have been covered up too, but I didn’t want to lose the things I’d originally liked about the space.”
Drilling into solid concrete would have been too difficult, so instead Morris used exposed galvanised conduits to cover the electric cables. “None of the lights are flush fitted and I think that was the right thing to do,” she says. “There are various pillars and beams that could have been covered up too, but I didn’t want to lose the things I’d originally liked about the space.”
Morris has office space in one corner of the main living area, with a desk flanked by a storage system and shelves fitted along one wall.
Storage system: Vitsoe
Storage system: Vitsoe
Bookcases from a previous home fit nicely by the pillars. “There isn’t much wall space because of the windows on two sides, the kitchen, and my office on the fourth wall,” says Morris. “It made sense to make use of the pillars.” An internal window allows light into the second bedroom.
Ptolomeo bookcases: The Conran Shop
Ptolomeo bookcases: The Conran Shop
Windows facing south and east flood the loft with light, which can be dazzling. “I sometimes can’t see my computer screen,” says Morris. She fitted simple linen blinds to help control the brightness.
Ball light flex pendants: Michael Anastassiades
Ball light flex pendants: Michael Anastassiades
In the hallway, Morris has designed a neat, wall-mounted storage unit that’s just the right size to hold a folding bike.
The master bedroom features more statement lighting. “I’m not sure these lights are meant for bedrooms, but I really wanted to use them,” Morris says. “I had thought about putting them in the main room. It’s slightly crazy having them here.”
The lights each have their own hook, so they can be arranged in any number of ways. “You can spend many a happy hour adjusting the length of the wires,” she says. “You can hang them however you like.”
Flos AIM pendant lights: Made in Design; mirrored dressing table: B&T Antiques
The lights each have their own hook, so they can be arranged in any number of ways. “You can spend many a happy hour adjusting the length of the wires,” she says. “You can hang them however you like.”
Flos AIM pendant lights: Made in Design; mirrored dressing table: B&T Antiques
The master bedroom has a silvery paper on the walls. “I’ve looked for ways to soften the masculine feel of the loft,” says Morris. “Once I’d hung the lights, I decided they made the space feel slightly too industrial, so I added the silver wallpaper.” It has a pattern of giant lizards on it. “It’s quite weird, but quite subtle,” she adds.
Iguana wallpaper: Timorous Beasties
Iguana wallpaper: Timorous Beasties
Morris designed a huge wall of wardrobes for the master bedroom, which provides most of the loft’s storage.
This beautiful antique mirror, one of a pair hanging in the bedroom, is an early 19th century French piece. “They are both slightly falling apart, but I’ve brought them with me over the years from previous homes and really love them,” says Morris. “I wasn’t sure whether they’d work in a very industrial space, but I think they do.” The mirrored side table adds a further glamorous, light-reflecting touch.
Side table: Minotti; Ro Chair by Jaime Hayon: Aram
Side table: Minotti; Ro Chair by Jaime Hayon: Aram
Glass doors, which lead onto a Juliet balcony, allow lots of light into the master bedroom.
Morris created two bathrooms in the loft, including this ensuite. A spacious shower is fitted with white subway tiles, while patterned tiles in various designs cover the floor.
Floor tiles: Surface
Floor tiles: Surface
“Millie wanted a double bed,” explains Morris, “but without creating a really big room for her – which would have compromised the living area – the only way was to put it up high.” The room is 7 square metres, but with a 3.5-metre-high ceiling there was lots of vertical space to exploit. “It doesn’t feel oppressive when you’re in bed,” she adds. “There’s still another metre above you.”
Morris slotted a desk beneath and also designed a little alcove in the wall near the bed, with sockets in it so Millie has power for her phone or laptop. “It’s like a little built-in bedside table,” she says.
Morris slotted a desk beneath and also designed a little alcove in the wall near the bed, with sockets in it so Millie has power for her phone or laptop. “It’s like a little built-in bedside table,” she says.
This bathroom is accessed from the main living space. The same subway wall tiles and patterned floor tiles create consistency with the ensuite, and the green cabinet adds a splash of colour.
This is Morris’s first foray into loft living and she’s enjoying the experience. “Our previous house was on several levels and each floor was quite small,” she says. Once her two older sons had left home, those levels became underused, so a switch to lateral, open-plan living made sense. “This is a good way to live once the children have moved on,” she says. “It’s been an exciting change. It’s nice to try something new.”
This is Morris’s first foray into loft living and she’s enjoying the experience. “Our previous house was on several levels and each floor was quite small,” she says. Once her two older sons had left home, those levels became underused, so a switch to lateral, open-plan living made sense. “This is a good way to live once the children have moved on,” she says. “It’s been an exciting change. It’s nice to try something new.”
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Nia Morris, co-founder of Cloud Studios, her partner Paul Baines, a paediatrician, and daughter Millie
Location: Central London, UK
Size: Just over 100 square metres; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Designer: Nia Morris
It was love at first sight when Nia Morris came to view this loft, despite its dated appearance and open configuration. “I loved the fact it had a corner position, with windows on two sides and lots of natural light,” she says. “I could see I’d be able to create two bedrooms and two bathrooms here. I didn’t know exactly how I was going to do it, but I felt it was possible.”