Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire (9,278 sq/ft)
Once a Victorian villa, this impressive modern home boasts an abundance of open space with high ceilings and plenty of natural light not to mention spectacular views over London.
The building, as a whole is sympathetic to the leafy, suburban locale. The front exterior entrance is suitably commanding: a glass façade and heavy wooden door. Behind this, the hallway is so wide as to be a room in its own right, with an impressive double height ceiling.
On the ground floor, there is a conspicuous absence of solid doors, with areas divided by colour, purpose, furniture or height levelling. The main open plan living area at the rear of the property needed to serve many purposes and be something of a chameleon space: a welcoming room for family gatherings as well as a cosy retreat for quiet nights in. It was also expected to serve as a full-time office. This was achieved thanks to floor-to-ceiling pocket doors - which disappear behind the ribbon fire place – creating a small, private work space.
The family wanted to capitalise on the property’s exceptional views so we increased the roof height to emphasise the size of the windows and ceiling heights on the second floor. Now, the light floods in and the awesome vistas are highlighted. This is perhaps most evident in the principle bedroom suite which now boasts a panoramic window spanning the full width of the house.
Quirky pieces punctuate the home – from antique drinks trolleys to the bespoke Iksel wallpaper. Described as being an “idealized landscape in with the improbable flirts with the impossible”, this creates a lively scene in the dining room. With a mixture of the use of a grand solid wood dining table, a high gloss vellum sideboard and a gilded pendant – the impossible really does become possible in this space.
