OPEN SPACE Bare brick walls and an open-plan setting bring a warehouse look to a Victorian maisonette
This cleverly extended maisonette brings the best elements of warehouse living into a Victorian setting
When Carrie and Eoin Hegan first lived together it was in a converted factory space in east London. And when the couple decided to move on and buy a home together, it made more sense to look to the area’s wealth of Victorian townhouses that were more suitable for family life. But they never quite forgot their first love – relaxed open-plan living. ‘When we moved here, the first floor was three rooms, but it was always our intention to knock them into one large space,’ says Carrie. ‘We had got used to the feel and style of warehouse living, so we decided to recreate it here in a more refined way.’
Now their living and dining space flows into the kitchen; their son’s bedroom and the bathroom are refurbished and an extension created a cool main bedroom suite in the loft space. Throughout, urban elements such as bare brick walls, wooden flooring and old-school brassware are set against shapely mid-century furniture, artworks and statement lighting.
As the new bedroom suite was created from scratch, it was relatively straightforward to plan out, and it benefits from floor-to-ceiling bifolds across the back wall. But reworking the main living space proved to be more of a challenge. ‘This floorplan used to be a skinny kitchen and a dining room at the front of the house, overlooking a park, and a seldom-used living room at the back,’ remembers Carrie. Tom Phillips, head designer at Phillips Design Studio helped the couple imagine this floor and suggested moving the kitchen to the back of the house, where light floods in through the high window.
‘We hadn’t considered switching things around, but Tom’s ideas opened up a completely fresh floor plan,’ says Carrie. ‘The kitchen now gets loads of natural light, which is really practical, while the living room and new dining area have views over a park at the front.’
The kitchen was bespoke by Phillips Design Studio, but Carrie sourced all the finishing touches, from reconditioned vintage taps to
brass bar stools, which are perfect for breakfast or drinks with friends. The separate dining area is close enough to be practical, but also feels as though it occupies its own zone, alongside an exposed brick wall. ‘This spot is where the old kitchen used to be,’ explains Carrie, ‘but it works far better as a dining space.’
By the time the extension and renovations started, Carrie was pregnant with their son, Ethan. Inevitably, the work over-ran, so Carrie’s first weeks of maternity leave were far from the relaxing break she’d envisaged. ‘Instead of pampering myself, I got woken up early every day by the builders and then headed out for most of the day to escape the dust and banging,’ she says.
A few weeks after Ethan was born, the loft was finished and they could head up to their new escapist bedroom as a family of three. ‘Even in winter, this is a really bright and light room,’ says Carrie. ‘On a weekend morning, it’s a great feeling to wake up here and look out at the sky.’
Carrie’s style evolved as the renovation progressed. ‘I love how you are exposed to all kinds of inspiration in London,’ she says. ‘I get ideas from trips to the city’s flea markets, art exhibitions, cafes and bars.’
The lights over the kitchen island are a case in point. ‘Eoin and I got chatting to a coffee shop owner in Soho and I asked her where she’d bought her lights, so she put me on to her supplier. The people you meet can be a fantastic source of inspiration, alongside interiors magazines and Pinterest.’
Art and photography also add plenty of character, from classic
Slim Aarons photographs they bought in New York to limited edition prints by contemporary artists such as Dan Hillier. Even their son Ethan’s room has its fair share of interesting artworks, with cute but
‘I get IDEAS from trips to FLEA MARKETS, art EXHIBITIONS, cafes and bars’
cool animal prints. Carrie is a self-confessed bargain hunter and a favourite find is the vintage Pierre Vandel coffee table she found on Ebay. ‘A glass coffee table wouldn’t be everyone’s perfect choice with a toddler, but so far both have survived!’ she jokes. There are plenty more mid-century shapes in this space, including a sideboard, now placed between the living room and the kitchen – a perfect place to store all of Eoin’s old vinyl records.
The rosewood dining table and vintage Kai Kristiansen dining chairs are also pieces that Carrie sourced from online vintage sellers. ‘When I look around our home, there’s a satisfaction in knowing where I tracked down each item,’ she says. Several pieces were bought abroad: ‘The living room rug was haggled for in Morocco and my favourite vintage jar in the kitchen was bought in a French market on our honeymoon,’ she adds. ‘The memories make them feel all the more special.’
cot ensure Ethan’s room is a delight. The quilted blanket is from Ferm Living Left Bright pops of colour brighten the space. Eoin worked on the animation for the Lego-produced Nexo Knights, so the Eiffel tower Lego was a must
FOR STORE DETAILS SEE
WHERE TO BUY PAGE