CITY SLICKER
Being a collector of mid-century furniture, Keith Burns was at an advantage when turning a dated warehouse into a fabulous urban oasis
Mid-century furniture provides star quality to this converted warehouse in the capital
Spending so much time at home this past year has given Keith Burns and his partner Bobby a whole new appreciation for their late Victorian warehouse conversion in the heart of bustling Clerkenwell. ‘Home has become such a focal point since lockdown so it needs to be more beautiful than ever,’ says Keith. ‘It feels so relaxed here and despite our central location, and with the benefit of the spacious courtyard, it’s been an oasis of calm.’
Living in the area for 20 years, Keith had been aware of the sprawling former smokehouse, which was originally used by nearby Smithfield Market for smoking meat and fish, but never expected to live there. ‘When I first viewed the apartment, it was very dated inside but I loved the character and history, and of course the location,’ he explains. Having decided to go ahead, the renovation took about nine months and included new electrics and plumbing, and the restoration of the original doors. ‘They’re such a beautiful feature and were originally used for bringing in fuel to the smokehouse.’
With a careful eye on every detail and a passion for mid-century design, Keith project-managed all the work with helpful input from Bobby. ‘The exposed brickwork and beams were in good repair and we added the mezzanine to create a quiet space where we can sit in the mornings when the light is most beautiful,’ says Keith. As the apartment is so spacious, they chose a dark kitchen and paint palette as a good contrast to the brick. They also changed the dark wooden floor for much lighter, long oak boards to maximise the feeling of space.
The luxurious interior of the apartment has been created by Keith’s impressive collection of mid-century furniture, which started with his love of Danish designer Finn Juhl. ‘I’ve been collecting for a long time and it’s become a bit of an addiction,’ confesses Keith. ‘One designer leads to another and before you realise, you’re purchasing lots of beautiful pieces.’
The kitchen was another important factor in the planning of the apartment as there was limited space and both Keith and Bobby were keen on a streamlined look. ‘The fire door by the kitchen had to stay so we fitted the kitchen around it and made it part of the design,’ he explains. ‘The kitchen is incredibly functional with lots of cupboard space and we love to congregate around the island when friends and family visit.’
The main bedroom is equally impressive with a handcrafted desk by Italian furniture designer Paolo Buffa, a pair of elegant Fontana Arte sconces and Italian ISA chairs covered in Italian velvet fabric. ‘The bedroom needed a lot of work as the walls were completely covered so we were delighted when we finally revealed more exposed brickwork underneath,’ remembers Keith. ‘After it was cleaned, some of the original paint in green and black was still embedded in the brick but we actually like it as it feels authentic.‘
There’s no doubt that Keith and Bobby are enjoying the benefits of their labours especially when the sun shines. ‘We throw open the doors and the light streams in and it feels like our own little oasis in the middle of the city.’