Project: Sterndale Road Victorian Terrace
Architects: The Vawdrey House
Location: London, W14
Photography: Siobhan Doran
Our clients originally approached us to help them with a basement project, wishing to add additional bedroom and living space to their Victorian terrace with much needed utility and storage space included. As the design developed the brief grew with it to encompass the entire house – refurbishing the existing bedroom levels and completely remodelling the ground floor and rear facade too.
The Sterndale Road Victorian Terrace now provides 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, a study, a wine room plus lots of clever storage and utility spaces.
The design of the Sterndale Road Victorian Terrace almost has two faces – smart period rooms at the front with their expansive bay windows flooding the spaces with light, featuring traditional proportions and deep and enveloping colour schemes – linking through to striking new contemporary areas in the ground floor rear kitchen, garden and newly excavated basement.
Strong black textures and highlights run throughout the Sterndale Road Victorian Terrace, and delicate accents of metallic copper and brass run from area to area – linking the house together as a complete composition such as the ironmongery on the rear glazing to the light fittings in the front reception room.
Our clients, from the fashion and financial industries, were already design savvy and wanted the best of contemporary style and quality for their new spaces. They were keen to remain involved throughout the design process and ensure they were making the right choices and spending their money in the right places.
‘From the start, the decision-making was made easy – funnelled from broad to detailed, and there was always room for personal input and preferences. The Vawdrey House’s professional insight has been a great asset throughout the process.’ says Helene.
By closing off the original living room door from the hall, and adding pocket sliding doors to the dining room, we have opened up the space, and provided a more coherent flow to the house.
The old living room door alcove as been utilised for clever hallway storage and a recessed radiator – ensuring the full width of the hall can be enjoyed on entering.
We were keen to retain the original panelling under the staircase, but wanted to introduce more light to the new basement stair – so have infilled the panels with fire rated glass. This, coupled with a hidden pocket door, ensures the fire strategy for the building is met, while maintaining the most light and open plan feel.
At the rear of the ground floor the feel changes as you step down onto polished concrete and enter the sleek, monochrome kitchen.
Bespoke Corian cabinetry is set against sandblasted black stained timber cladding and a pale limed oak joinery box acts as the centre point to the space. Black polished plaster forms the splashback and light fittings by Moooi, Flos and Gubi punctuate the space.
The courtyard garden is a perfect example of what is possible to achieve within a tight urban space. The sweet chestnut cladding of the rear facade continues round to become the fence – making a sleek outdoor room. The industrial style glazing enhances the urban feel, and offsets the sleek white Corian and polished concrete within.
The landscaping of the garden itself was designed by the client, and softens the architectural elements beautifully.
Down the bespoke oak staircase into the new basement, a back-lit handrail promises something special.
These bold and monochromatic spaces are complete with polished concrete flooring, sandblasted black stained oak panelling, white Corian, white walls and clever lighting features throughout.
The stairs open out into the sleek lobby area – which conceals a multitude of storage and utilities for family life.
Every convenience is included in the new utility and basement storage area – but all cleverly concealed behind flush spray finish cupboards, and within the central island unit – so guests are not privy to the inner workings of the household.
Beyond a flush hidden door lies a separate suite for a nanny or guests – complete with dressing room and ensuite, coupled with full height bay windows into a tiled and decked light well.
The striking charcoal timber lined corridor links the utility lobby and the main basement reception room – adding to the drama as you journey from one brightly lit space to another – flooding with daylight from the full width rooflight at the end of the basement.
The corridor panelling conceals a glamorous guest shower room, a sumptuous red and black wine rooms and yet more storage offering the equivalent of the loft and garden sheds you are so often left without in these urban terraces.
The main reception room offers both guest accommodation and a family home cinema room – and of course offering the eponymous teenage hang out according to need.
The master suite has been given a luxe upgrade and the palette of black timbers carried on with a bespoke headboard and glamorous master bathroom. A dressing area has been created within the previous bathroom space and a mix of vintage tiles and textures combine with crisp clean lines to ensure a relaxed but high end feel.
A well planned study has been created within one of the upper floors for Helene to run her own landscape design business, offering felt pin up wall, and bespoke shelving with access out onto a decked roof terrace for inspiration.
On the higher levels of the Sterndale Road Victorian Terrace the quirky loft spaces have been maximised, and plenty of clever, compact bathrooms fitted in – to accommodate the family, and their three children. A simple palette of polished Mortex plaster and vintage style Belgian tiles runs through all the bathrooms, reflecting the crisp concrete floors of the ground floor and basement.
Built in storage and fun design touches ensure the bedrooms will grow with the children for years to come.
