Beautifully BESPOKE

An eye for detail and smart design transformed this former bachelor pad into a modern sanctuary

After living in seven different homes in as many years, Laura and Simon Cooper decided to buy the rented flat in north London they were living in. ‘It was bit of a bachelor pad,’ says Laura, ‘but we love the quiet, residential area, so we went for it.’ Having lived in the flat for a year already, Laura had formed ideas of what she’d like to do with it. ‘It hadn’t been renovated since the early 2000s so it needed modernising and some TLC. It’s frustrating as a renter – there’s always a wall you’d like to paint or a window to replace.’ Once they’d bought the flat, they were able to make it their own, and to help shape their vision of how they wanted to live in it, they enlisted the help of interior designer Claudia Dorsch.

The design process was collaborative. Laura presented moodboards with her ideas to Claudia, who in turn used her knowledge and expertise to come up with schemes for each room. Claudia was also able to source furniture, paints and fabrics. ‘I had strong ideas about the colour palette but wasn’t sure how to bring it to life,’ says Laura. ‘Claudia just knew how to implement my ideas and was familiar with all the products.’ Claudia then came up with shortlist of ideas from which Laura and Simon could make the final decisions.

Over the course of five months, the apartment was almost completely gutted and rebuilt. Most of the flooring was taken up to install underfloor heating, and the parquet floor in the living room was restored and treated to withstand scratches from their Labrador Amber. To create a sense of cohesion throughout the apartment, Claudia continued the deep walnut flooring of the living room into the bedrooms.

The kitchen was reconfigured to form an open-plan space – something Laura was keen on. ‘We also wanted to make the inside-outside area feel continuous,’ Claudia says. They raised the floor level of the balcony and lowered the tread of the patio doors, using the same stone across the balcony, kitchen and hallway for a seamless flow.

In the living room, Laura wanted a space that would work for relaxing, dining, entertaining and working. ‘Multipurpose rooms have been a

theme in my projects for years,’ says Claudia, ‘and creating zones is key.’ She designed two bespoke units that sit in the alcoves – one housing the TV and the other containing wine, glassware and dining essentials. A vintage writing desk offers a space to work and is paired with a leather Vitra chair that can also be used elsewhere around the apartment. ‘It’s so important to have furniture that’s flexible in multipurpose spaces, such as a chair that can work at a desk, for reading or as a dining chair.’

Creating more storage was key for Laura and Simon; there were no proper wardrobes in either of the bedrooms and only basic storage around the rest of the apartment. Claudia rectified this by designing bespoke joinery for each room. ‘I hate it when space is wasted,’ she says. ‘I’m obsessed with designing good storage.’ In the main bedroom, the ensuite was made smaller to allow for the inclusion of a dressing area, while space-saving sliding doors give access to every corner of the wardrobe. The spare bedroom is also multipurpose as it serves as both an office and a guest room. ‘We had a cupboard built for hanging clothes, and another behind the door provides space for work files.’

Laura and Simon wanted the apartment to feel sophisticated and luxurious while suiting their down-to-earth lifestyle. ‘We started off with quite a neutral palette,’ says Claudia, ‘then started to bring in more colour.’ The north-facing living room was painted in a soft pink to brighten it up, while the deep blue in the bedroom creates a cosy atmosphere. Moroccan elements, influenced by Laura and Simon’s love of travel, are woven throughout the flat, coming to the fore in the ensuite bathroom with Zellige tiles and curved mirrors.

The final result is a perfectly equipped apartment, where every room has a purpose, ‘I just love that we’ve managed to get the most out of every space,’ says Laura.

‘We WANTED the apartment to feel SOPHISTICATED, while suiting our DOWN-TOEARTH lifestyle’