ISLINGTON TOWNHOUSE
Photographer: Paul Raeside
A Luxurious Bohemian Restoration in Islington
Set within a grand mid-Victorian terrace in one of Islington's conservation areas, this project was a meticulous restoration and transformation of a locally listed home. The owners, a judge, her international mediator husband and their two young children, cherished the house and wanted to rejuvenate it while preserving its original character. Their vision was to create a light, airy and elegant home with ample storage, seamlessly blending historic details with a bold and sophisticated design.
Over time, many of the home’s original features had been lost. Fireplaces had been blocked, original doors removed and modern coving installed. The timber floors had sagged with age. Yet beautiful remnants remained, including the ornate cornicing in the entrance hall, a stunning stained-glass window overlooking the garden and the gracious proportions of the original layout. These features were carefully restored to their former glory.
To accommodate the growing family, the attic was converted into a habitable space with a dormer extension. The new loft bedroom, designed for the couple’s book-loving eight-year-old, was conceived as a library that could also be slept in. A hanging chair and a generous window bench offered inviting reading nooks with views across London’s rooftops, while a large square roof light allowed for stargazing at night. A traditionally detailed timber staircase led to this serene retreat, illuminated by a dramatic linear roof light that flooded the stairwell with natural daylight.
The interiors embraced a bold yet refined palette of rich greens, soft pinks, dramatic veined marbles and pale oak chevron parquet flooring. The design was intentionally non-formulaic, providing a sophisticated backdrop for the owners’ cherished pieces. Key artworks, heirlooms and sentimental furniture, including a 1930s Shanghai chest of drawers, were seamlessly integrated into the scheme.
Storage was a key element of the refurbishment. The master bedroom featured a bespoke full-height wardrobe wall, meticulously planned to accommodate the couple’s extensive clothing and shoe collection. Thoughtful internal organisation, with custom shelving, drawers and hanging space, ensured everything had its place.
Sustainability was prioritised throughout. The loft incorporated high-performance insulation for exceptional thermal efficiency, while double-glazed sash windows and roof lights minimised heat loss. Existing materials, such as reclaimed floorboards, were donated to timber merchants for reuse, reducing landfill waste. The structural design carefully minimised the use of steel, lowering the carbon footprint of the build
Rather than imposing a fixed aesthetic, the design allowed the house to evolve with its owners. It provided a carefully considered framework where architectural heritage and contemporary living coexisted, giving space for new layers of history to be added over time.
