BETTER AND BRIGHTER

The reconfiguration of a London apartment has optimised the light and space

Moving back to England after some years spent living in France and Spain meant Victoria and Angus Mcswiney had distinctly European tastes when it came to searching for a new home. ‘As soon as we saw it, we were drawn to the imposing Parisian feel of this period north London apartment,’ says Victoria. ‘We understood how the space could be revitalised and a third bedroom incorporated into the design.’

The couple were attracted to the work of Robinson van Noort (robinsonvannoort. com), an interior architecture and design practice co-founded by Alister Robinson with his wife Carolyn van Noort in 2001, and commissioned them to help achieve their aim. ‘The planned transformation involved stripping the single-floor, Victorian Villa conversion apartment back to its bare bones, ready to reconfigure and totally renovate,’ says Victoria.

Alister shared the couple’s passion for properties with tall ceilings and period features and inspired them to bring more natural light into their home. At the heart of the property an unused part of the central hallway was repurposed into a separate study-bedroom zone by installing a reclaimed 19th-century glazed screen, which also allows light to flood into the core of the building. In the master bedroom, a new statement glass partition affords the adjoining bathroom a natural source of daylight and outward view. Reflective surfaces including oversized period mirrors, Murano glass chandeliers, a colourful glass kitchen splashback and glazed display cupboards are used throughout.

‘Alister and Carolyn were brilliant at managing our complex project – from the

DINING ROOM A bench gets more people around the table. This space is almost open-plan to the kitchen thanks to a wide opening (right). The antique cabinet (also right) provides elegant storage.

SITTING ROOM Every piece was considered carefully – from the mirror that bounces light around to the armoire that hides the TV. Iggy sofa in Yoert by Designs of the Time, from £1,460, Sofa. com. Armchair (far left) reupholstered in Canvas, £62.50m, Kvadrat. Armchair (near window) upholstered in Sahco by Elemento with contrast piping, £1,550, The French House. Bespoke coffee table, Robinson van Noort. Rug, £384, Urbanara. Gustavian linen press, £3,000, Blanchard Collective. 1940s Murano chandelier, from a selection, The French House

Cabinet adapted from a British Library unit, £3,500, Lassco. Antique sideboard (above), £3,600, Sigmar. Dining Table Two, from £1,995, Another Country. Hans J Wegner Wishbone chairs, from £495 each, The Conran Shop. De La Espada bench with back in oak, £2,950, Studioilse