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My Houzz: Eclectic East London Victorian
A bathtub reminiscent of an apple, a backyard hot tub and hand-crafted touches show a couple's sophisticated yet accessible design style
I'm a creative photographer who shoots interiors, events, people and more. I also produce photo art prints on request.
I love space and colour, and excellent design, and am inspired by music and nature.
I am friendly and dedicated, and like creating.
I'm a creative photographer who shoots interiors, events, people and more.... More »
A stunning garden, a rustic hot tub, a colorful master bath and a handcrafted interior have made this Victorian terrace home an urban oasis for Tracey Bendrien and Lawrence Friesen. Although the Canadian couple initially moved to London for its urban lifestyle, they found themselves wanting the ability to retreat from the hustle and bustle.
Friesen, an architect, set to work right away. The couple wanted to modernize the space but still retain the home's original structure and features. The result is a colorful, eclectic and contemporary take on a beautiful Victorian home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Tracey Bendrien and Lawrence Friesen
Location: Hackney, East London, United Kingdom
Size: 1,400 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Friesen, an architect, set to work right away. The couple wanted to modernize the space but still retain the home's original structure and features. The result is a colorful, eclectic and contemporary take on a beautiful Victorian home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Tracey Bendrien and Lawrence Friesen
Location: Hackney, East London, United Kingdom
Size: 1,400 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
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| The garden is the first part of the property the couple designed. They dug out the pond themselves, and Friesen created this concrete bridge to span across the water area and lead to the rest of the garden, where there's seating for two. |
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| Friesen and Bendrien knew they'd install a hot tub as soon as they bought the house. They see the garden as one of the most important spaces in their home. It took them a few years to find a tub that was just right for them, this one from a homeowner in London. The tub replaced an existing shed, and they planted overhanging foliage for privacy. |
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The couple combined the master bathroom with the closet and a dressing area to save space. They fell in love with this cheeky candy-apple-red bathtub, made out of recycled plastic by Swedish manufacturer Durat.
Painting: Will Alsop
Painting: Will Alsop
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| Friesen built a glossy red closet to match the bathtub. "Having the dressing room where you get ready for your day and end your day just made sense to us," he says. He left the doors off the closet for an open feel. |
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Skylights in the closet area of the bathroom keep the room naturally well lit and uplifting. Friesen built the floating bathroom countertop from leftover American black walnut floorboards. The rest of the wood is made of the same floorboards to keep the material palette consistent and use what was available.
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A wet-room-style shower with a waterfall showerhead sits in one corner of the bathroom. The gray tiles are Portland blue limestone. A sturdy shelf runs the length of the room, providing convenient seating and a place for toiletries.
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| Friesen designed and installed these stairs, hand-crafted by their favorite Suffolk specialist, Bob Pendred. When the couple opened up the kitchen and hall space, they retained the front rooms but removed the hall door and installed this staircase. “The focus is on a central organization, structured by the staircase as it moves through the house — the idea being to ascend to the top of the house and reach the sky," Friesen says. "As you move vertically, the concept is that you become both more private and expressive.” |
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| The open dining room and kitchen space is flooded with natural light. The couple opened up the two spaces to each other and built a bespoke large door to the garden. Hanging over the dining table is a shell pendant light by Scabetti. "We love things that are crafted, and we hope that those who design them can make viable livelihoods out of their craft," Friesen says. "Lights in our sitting rooms and kitchen are products of this ethos." |
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| The kitchen floor tiles are the same as those used on the floors and backsplashes throughout the entire house. The kitchen cabinetry was designed and built by Friesen. |
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| Friesen and craftsman Bob Pendred designed and installed this massive window door. This second exit creates an easy flow to the garden from the kitchen. "When the door is left open, it feels like a wall has been taken away," Bendrien says. |
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| A wood-burning stove and open shelves with trinkets provide a homey touch. Friesen designed and installed this custom sideboard, including a rack to store up to 96 wine bottles. Since it's a Victorian house, meaning limited storage, this was a great addition. |
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| The master bedroom is painted a beautiful deep plum. The black cabinet was found at Broadway market in the popular bohemian area of Hackney. |
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| Bendrien designed the guest bedroom with a feminine look, using bright magenta accents and girly accessories. An ornate fireplace matches the vibrant wallpaper pattern. |
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| Boldly painted walls complement the wallpaper, the lower trim and the pink accents of the bedding and pendant lampshade. |
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| Calming colors, such as this guacamole hue, in the main living spaces provide a backdrop to dramatic furniture pieces. The stylish hanging light is an original Mark Bickers design. |
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| The homeowners like to support British designers and bought these sofas by Naughtone from 100% Design. The artwork trio is by artist and architect Will Alsop. |
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| The couple designed a relaxed workspace in the front reception room. A custom glass door leads out to the garden. The ornate office desk is a replica Criterion that the couple bought from an auction house. It was originally meant to go in the bedroom upstairs, but they couldn’t get it to fit through. Houzz call: Do you live in a creative, eclectic house? Show us your home and it could be featured on Houzz! |
Comments
near north interiors Oh my, what a gorgeous space. Special attention to the lighting and the garden makes it really special. Very nice.
12 months ago · Like
Janet Paik Would love to soak in both the apple tub and garden hot tub. What a charming place for Tracey and Lawrence to call home. Thanks for sharing, Beccy!
12 months ago · Like
the_misfit I think we need to know where to get a tub LIKE their hot tub :). Surely the other homeowner got it from somewhere...
12 months ago · Like
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Cathy Lara Great light fixtures all around in this home. And the red tub is a star! Thanks for the tour, Beccy!
12 months ago · Like
allcingi eccentric and personal decor. this cannot be done by some sterile architects on Houzz.com. It has to be E. London hippy chic style, so regional, so rich!
12 months ago · Like
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patricia beharry did the exact thing when I custom built my bathroom. left the doors off the closets, i even put a sofa in there, where i sometimes take a nap when i want to get away from it all. everyone says 'go take a look at the bathroom" then they sit and have a drink, and i cant get them out.
12 months ago · Like
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michaelag What a beautiful home. The guest bedroom is so fun!
12 months ago · Like
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Rosalie Katzman_Wieldt i couldn't stay in that swirly wall room; the rest of the house is fine; they;re not afraid of color!
12 months ago · Like
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nibbler Great funky element; has a real touch of Britishness about it too somehow. Love the bath/dressing room (though what about moisture troubling clothing?)
12 months ago · Like
Lena Alexandrou Overall they have done a fabulous job with their house! They have so many great features like the bathtub in the bathroom, the only thing that I don't like is that the wardrobe is open! Like someone else said the clothes will be full of wet and not to mention the germs from the toilet! Otherwise love the whole result, for the stove: what kind of wood do you use? Enjoy your house guys!!
12 months ago · Like
unku where can I get a similar hot tub? I hate those naff fibreglass one!
12 months ago · Like
Cindy Strobel Love the unique lamps the red tub, the unique mirror and use of mirror, and the outside paces. It reads like a comfortable houzz 
12 months ago · Like
Street Want to trade houses for a week or so for the Palm Spring area :) Very nice looking life :D
10 months ago · Like
Beccy Smart Photography I will try and get in touch with them to let them know you'd be keen for a swap!
10 months ago · Like
Julie Kummer_Freeman Wow, what a truly fantastic house! A question for Tracey and Lawrence: how did they get away with Building Regulations on the open staircase? I'm trying to plan the same in London (open staircase from an open plan kitchen/diner/lounge) but been told that when there's an upstairs bedroom, the staircase has to be enclosed all the way to the main entrance (ie not reachable if a fire starts in the kitchen) in order to provide a safe fire escape route. It would be great to know how they did it with regards to building planning authorities. Many thanks
9 months ago · Like
Jacqueline Puff Can you please reveal that gorgeous plum paint colour!?
10 days ago · Like
Ideabook published on June 1, 2012.
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