British Houzz: New York-Style Loft in the Heart of London
A Fitzrovia mews house gets a New York Loft-style makeover but keeps its British charm
This sophisticated live-work space is a far cry from the soulless office building that greeted architect and designer Thomas Griem when he first stepped over the threshold in 2012. The client – who works as a freelance photographer – was relocating from Notting Hill to the spiritual heart of London’s creative district in Fitzrovia, but while the location was perfect, the scale of the renovation was daunting.
“There were still desks in here when we started,” recalls Thomas. “But the brief was simple: the client wanted a comfortable, New York loft-style space with a touch of British charm. It also had to function as a studio for his work.”
During the six-month renovation process, Thomas completely gutted the interior – which is set over three floors – and reconfigured it to make way for a glorious open-plan living space, as well as extending a number of windows down to the floor to allow natural light to pour in and create the loft feel the client desired.
To achieve the open-plan space, Thomas managed to navigate tricky fire regulation requirements by using the very latest misting technology. “Luckily, this technology is now approved by building regulations, which meant we didn’t have to have a cumbersome escape staircase or fire doors,” he explains. “There are very few doors in the flat at all, which really enhances the sense of openness.”
For the interior, a pared-back colour scheme of cream and taupe was chosen to complement exposed brickwork, while touches of vibrant colour were introduced to add interest and depth to the scheme.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional photographer
Location: Fitzrovia, London
Year built: Rebuilt in the 1970s
Year renovated: Completed in 2013 after a six-month renovation
Designer: Thomas Griem of TG-Studio
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The building was previously used as an office
“There were still desks in here when we started,” recalls Thomas. “But the brief was simple: the client wanted a comfortable, New York loft-style space with a touch of British charm. It also had to function as a studio for his work.”
During the six-month renovation process, Thomas completely gutted the interior – which is set over three floors – and reconfigured it to make way for a glorious open-plan living space, as well as extending a number of windows down to the floor to allow natural light to pour in and create the loft feel the client desired.
To achieve the open-plan space, Thomas managed to navigate tricky fire regulation requirements by using the very latest misting technology. “Luckily, this technology is now approved by building regulations, which meant we didn’t have to have a cumbersome escape staircase or fire doors,” he explains. “There are very few doors in the flat at all, which really enhances the sense of openness.”
For the interior, a pared-back colour scheme of cream and taupe was chosen to complement exposed brickwork, while touches of vibrant colour were introduced to add interest and depth to the scheme.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A professional photographer
Location: Fitzrovia, London
Year built: Rebuilt in the 1970s
Year renovated: Completed in 2013 after a six-month renovation
Designer: Thomas Griem of TG-Studio
Size: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
That’s interesting: The building was previously used as an office
Thomas chose a neutral, warm palette of soft creams and browns to allow the owner’s art collection to shine, while brick slips were used on the outside-facing wall to create an industrial vibe.
To give the illusion of more space and higher ceilings, Thomas also played with the proportions of the flooring. “We ran the oak floorboards up the wall and then brought the wall above out a little so we could hide some LED lighting behind it. It enhances the height of the room, and also adds a touch of glamour to the space,” he explains.
Touches of vibrant colour, such as the green lacquered TV cabinet and turquoise armchair, add further depth and interest to the space.
Green lacquered TV cabinet: TG-Studio; rug: Jacaranda Carpets & Rugs; Araton timber footstool; and Milano sofa: both Flamant; Gala coffee table: Habitat; walls painted in ‘Elephant’s Breath’: Farrow & Ball
To give the illusion of more space and higher ceilings, Thomas also played with the proportions of the flooring. “We ran the oak floorboards up the wall and then brought the wall above out a little so we could hide some LED lighting behind it. It enhances the height of the room, and also adds a touch of glamour to the space,” he explains.
Touches of vibrant colour, such as the green lacquered TV cabinet and turquoise armchair, add further depth and interest to the space.
Green lacquered TV cabinet: TG-Studio; rug: Jacaranda Carpets & Rugs; Araton timber footstool; and Milano sofa: both Flamant; Gala coffee table: Habitat; walls painted in ‘Elephant’s Breath’: Farrow & Ball
The spacious, open-plan living area on the first floor features a pared-back kitchen, which Thomas has teamed with an arabascato marble splashback for a touch of glamour. “We wanted to allow the artwork to take centre stage, so we focused on texture to add interest to the scheme,” he explains. “The finish of the kitchen cabinets is a new matt finish that feels rather like gum to the touch. It looks fantastic, and it’s incredibly practical and hard wearing, too.”
To complete the kitchen, Thomas chose sandblasted granite for the worktops and island. “It’s very tactile, but the effect is very subtle and beautiful,” he says.
The black and white photograph on the far wall was taken in Africa by the owner.
Kitchen: Doca; leather armchair: Maisons du Monde; Max floor lamp: Flamant; dining table: Zeus; dining chairs: Billiani; Lampe de Marseille by Le Corbusier: Nemo
To complete the kitchen, Thomas chose sandblasted granite for the worktops and island. “It’s very tactile, but the effect is very subtle and beautiful,” he says.
The black and white photograph on the far wall was taken in Africa by the owner.
Kitchen: Doca; leather armchair: Maisons du Monde; Max floor lamp: Flamant; dining table: Zeus; dining chairs: Billiani; Lampe de Marseille by Le Corbusier: Nemo
A generously proportioned work studio on the ground floor is the perfect canvas for more of the owner’s stunning photographs. “He wanted a comfortable environment in which to work and see clients,” explains Thomas. “We’ve kept it very simple, but luxurious.”
Pimlico sofa; and Perf table lamp by Diesel with Foscarini: both The Conran Shop; Loop table by Hay: Made in Design; Cyborg Cozy armchair: Magis; Kubrik coffee table: Habitat; Black No 214 wall lamp: La Lampe Gras, available at Made In Design
Pimlico sofa; and Perf table lamp by Diesel with Foscarini: both The Conran Shop; Loop table by Hay: Made in Design; Cyborg Cozy armchair: Magis; Kubrik coffee table: Habitat; Black No 214 wall lamp: La Lampe Gras, available at Made In Design
The guest bedroom and ensuite bathroom are on the ground floor next to the work studio, and are decorated in the same calming, neutral palette as the rest of the home to enhance the sense of flow.
Taiga wardrobe: Maisons du Monde; Gervasoni Gray 45 bedside table: The Conran Shop; Binic bedside lamp: Foscarini
Taiga wardrobe: Maisons du Monde; Gervasoni Gray 45 bedside table: The Conran Shop; Binic bedside lamp: Foscarini
A bespoke bed – designed and made by TG-Studio – and more of the client’s artwork dominate the New York-style bedroom. “The brick slip wall adds another layer of interest in this room, but otherwise we’ve kept it simple, with just a few well-chosen pieces,” explains Thomas. A pair of vintage Cassina chairs, brought from the owner’s previous home, complete the sophisticated, grown-up look.
Hollo bedside table in Matt Gold: Petite Friture; wall lamp in Black and Gold by Orsjo Belysning: Nest
Hollo bedside table in Matt Gold: Petite Friture; wall lamp in Black and Gold by Orsjo Belysning: Nest
“The client wanted a walk-in closet incorporating into the master bedroom, so we created this space behind the wall where the bed is,” says Thomas. The 8m-long closet features bespoke oak fitted wardrobes and a deep-pile carpet for a luxurious feel.
“The spacious master bathroom feels like a bedroom in many ways,” says Thomas. “We’ve juxtaposed retro-style New York metro tiles on the walls with glamorous marble in the recesses, and created a sculptural feel with oak shelves and globe lights.”
The dark-stained timber floor and 1930s-style fixtures and fittings give the scheme a classic, masculine look, which is softened by pools of natural light pouring in from the large window by the freestanding bath.
Bath taps and shower: Lefroy Brooks
The dark-stained timber floor and 1930s-style fixtures and fittings give the scheme a classic, masculine look, which is softened by pools of natural light pouring in from the large window by the freestanding bath.
Bath taps and shower: Lefroy Brooks
Glamorous arabascato marble, matt black lacquer and grey basalt stone sit alongside the exposed brick wall next to the bath. “In many ways, there’s a lot going on in this room,” explains Thomas. “There are five different materials, but the focus is on texture, so the overall effect is very calming.”
Thomas decided to clad the cloakroom entirely in oak panelling to create a warm, cosy space. “Wood panelling really makes a small room much warmer and more interesting,” he explains. “It’s better to embrace the limitations of a space and work with it.”
Metal balustrades were then fitted to the exterior and painted in dark grey to give the property a more industrial vibe.
Balustrades painted in ‘Railings’: Farrow & Ball