Architectural studio Originate has carried out a refurbishment of one of the most beautiful 1850s townhouses, located on Drayton Gardens in London’s Chelsea area. The reconstruction of the house was carried out carefully and carefully. In the past, it was repeatedly altered, which violated the harmony of the architecture of the historical period.
The firm first reached out to professionals working with architectural heritage to restore the original layout of the rooms – while still opening them as much as possible to create contemporary living spaces. The house itself is tall and narrow in plan, so the living areas are formally on the second floor, and the kitchen and dining room are on the first. The basement was very dark – but the architects managed to get permission to remove the gate in the courtyard.
This brought more natural light into the area. The house is designed to visually expand the space and create a logical connection with the garden above. The bedrooms are on the third and fourth floors and the attic has been converted into a children’s playroom. Historical details have been restored wherever possible, but the palette of colors and materials is simple and modern.
The interiors are painted in white or pale gray, and the floor is tiled in new light oak herringbone. The kitchen and the built-in structures are made of dark oak – this way the contrast with light colors is better emphasized. The furnishings and artwork were chosen to reflect the Japanese-Indian history of the client’s family.