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Houzz Tour: Warehouse Conversion in East London Sees Full Potential
Functional spaces, an open floor plan and optimized storage units transform this warehouse into an efficient small home
Most interior designers take in the entire space before focusing on the details of a project, but Cassidy Hughes just couldn't take her eyes off the floors of this warehouse in London's East End. Warped with deep indentations, the home's original wood floors show its age and history as both a millinery factory and textile warehouse. "There are a lot of unique grooves and nicks. You can spend hours imagining what caused them," says Hughes.
This industrial unit is situated smack dab in the middle of a tiny cobbled street dating back to 1866, surrounded by a hodgepodge of other small businesses and residential buildings, a pub and a school. Views in this part of east London are peppered with high rises, construction sites and large cranes, but Hughes loves that the neighborhood is in the midst of a transformation. "People are always shocked to see this unit's interior after walking through the disorder of the street below," she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An Italian businessman in his early 30s
Location: Whitechapel, East London, United Kingdom
Size: 700 square feet
This industrial unit is situated smack dab in the middle of a tiny cobbled street dating back to 1866, surrounded by a hodgepodge of other small businesses and residential buildings, a pub and a school. Views in this part of east London are peppered with high rises, construction sites and large cranes, but Hughes loves that the neighborhood is in the midst of a transformation. "People are always shocked to see this unit's interior after walking through the disorder of the street below," she says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: An Italian businessman in his early 30s
Location: Whitechapel, East London, United Kingdom
Size: 700 square feet
| AFTER: Hughes left the exposed red brick as is, removed existing floor varnishes and had them re-stained and refinished. She left all of the original floor's irregularities and indentations. "My client loves the original floor's warping and the flat's large original windows," she says. |
| BEFORE: The floor shows its age, and the white fuse box sticks out and takes our attention away from the original floors and exposed brick walls. In the remodel, Hughes and her team painted the fuse box with blackboard paint, allowing it to blend with the new kitchen appliances and dark cabinetry. |
| BEFORE: Prior to the remodel, the kitchen was a clashing medley: a green backsplash and blue cabinetry take away any of the original unit's charm and character. |
| AFTER: Industrial lighting, black cabinetry from Ikea and a range cooker in onyx give the kitchen a fresh, contemporary-industrial look. Hughes mixes old and new in the open plan kitchen, dining area and living room. She pairs a pre-loved German beer garden table and bench with vintage chairs found in Speedies Vintage. A lime green Ligne Roset Ruché sofa adds color and layers in more texture to the space. "Despite the open floor plan, my client still cooks and doesn't mind when smells waft to other parts of the home. He has a big range cooker and an American sized fridge. There is always some sort of activity happening in this area, whether it’s cooking or entertaining," says Hughes. Fridge: Gorenje; range cooker: Leisure; light pendants: Elemental Vintage |
String lights wrap around an electrical casing, and a cheeky print and an indoor potted plant warm up the entertaining spaces.
BEFORE: A bookshelf and outdated radiator made the narrow hallway feel claustrophobic.
AFTER: Hughes replaced the light fixtures with hanging lightbulbs, which extend the industrial spirit of the space. She also removed the bookshelves and radiator, letting the hallway expand. Hughes converted the space taken up by the shelving units to a hat and coat rack and a gallery wall in the making.
BEFORE: Hughes and her client just couldn't get past the blue toilet seat cover, the odd placement of a handle bar and drab tiling, so the designer remodeled the entire bath and went with a completely new and contemporary design.
AFTER: She loves the elegant and rich look of the bathroom, which has under-floor heating and updated fixtures. Large metallic floor tiles give a nod to the industrial heritage of the warehouse.
The designer discovered a wonderful surprise during the bathroom remodel. "We found the original wood flooring underneath the tile and used some of the floorboards as kitchen and guest bedroom shelving," says Hughes.
Floor tiles: cetate bronze natural metallic, Material Lab;
sink, mirror, shelving: Edwins Bathrooms; torch light: Established & Sons
The designer discovered a wonderful surprise during the bathroom remodel. "We found the original wood flooring underneath the tile and used some of the floorboards as kitchen and guest bedroom shelving," says Hughes.
Floor tiles: cetate bronze natural metallic, Material Lab;
sink, mirror, shelving: Edwins Bathrooms; torch light: Established & Sons
| |
The existing master bedroom didn't have exposed brick; Hughes suggested exposing the brick for more texture but needed to "balance the client's need for a clean, minimalist look" in the bedroom.
After exposing the brick, Hughes and her team painted the wall multiple times in varying shades of white to make it look like it was existing. The white walls and mirrored wardrobes create the illusion of a bigger space and a contemporary bed with built-in drawers gives the client more storage options.
What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick
Copper pendant: Tom Dixon; cushions: Jenni Desmond; bed: BoConcept
After exposing the brick, Hughes and her team painted the wall multiple times in varying shades of white to make it look like it was existing. The white walls and mirrored wardrobes create the illusion of a bigger space and a contemporary bed with built-in drawers gives the client more storage options.
What You Need to Know Before Painting Brick
Copper pendant: Tom Dixon; cushions: Jenni Desmond; bed: BoConcept
The spare bedroom challenged the designer the most. "Because of its odd shape and size, it was hard to make the guest bedroom a functional space. The room perplexed the previous owners so much that they just used it as a closet and dumping space," she says.
But her client had different ideas for the spare bedroom. He wanted a multi-purpose space that could morph into a guest bedroom but still have the daily functionality of a small small home office and storage area.
Hughes began the closet-bedroom's transformation by placing a small vintage desk in one corner, with overhead shelving built from the bathroom's salvaged floorboards for additional storage. She also installed a vintage factory wall sconce over the desk, maintaining the industrial look of the rest of the flat.
But her client had different ideas for the spare bedroom. He wanted a multi-purpose space that could morph into a guest bedroom but still have the daily functionality of a small small home office and storage area.
Hughes began the closet-bedroom's transformation by placing a small vintage desk in one corner, with overhead shelving built from the bathroom's salvaged floorboards for additional storage. She also installed a vintage factory wall sconce over the desk, maintaining the industrial look of the rest of the flat.
A midcentury inspired sofa bed in versatile and tailored gray transitions from sofa to a bed for two.
"My client and I always knew that his home had so much potential, but the end result far exceeded our expectations," says Hughes.
Sofa bed: Yoko, Made; desk and chair: Blitz Vintage; print: Shepard Fairey's "Obey," Nelly Duff Gallery; cushion: New York at Night, SCP
"My client and I always knew that his home had so much potential, but the end result far exceeded our expectations," says Hughes.
Sofa bed: Yoko, Made; desk and chair: Blitz Vintage; print: Shepard Fairey's "Obey," Nelly Duff Gallery; cushion: New York at Night, SCP
Comments
olldbobbi I love the floors and I love all the brick. I wish people would stop painting brick, and just enjoy it's natural beauty.
8 months ago · Like
· 10
10
Gretchen125 Anyone else bothered by that exposed cord stapled willy-nilly to the wall in the hallway? Why not shorten the cord or have an electrician hard wire it? Seems to distract your eye immediately upon entering and not in a good way! Otherwise, nicely done.
8 months ago · Like
· 5
5
Karen Pottruff Nice.
8 months ago · Like
krikitt Gretchen125, the cord is a 'trend', i have seen them tied into knots too so i am guessing it's meant to be like that.
8 months ago · Like
· 3
3
organicgrid Kill the "Obey" poster, yet another Shepard Fairey Rip-off piece!
8 months ago · Like
mrsben The windows, floors and brick walls are truly architectural treasures. Wonderful space!
8 months ago · Like
· 2
2
kbumgar Love that the original floor and brick were maintained. Beautiful and keeps the integrity of the original building... and a great way to save money too!
8 months ago · Like
· 1
1
fallenangel I for one could not stand cooking odors all over my house so I solved it with Air Purifying Systems from Miramar, Fl. My house always smells fresh as a daisy!
8 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER Brilliant!
8 months ago · Like
Katie Teo Wow, you did a terrific job. The kitchen is beautiful and it really fits into the theme now. What a change from before. Where did you get the dining table? My dining space is pretty narrow and I'd love to get that table. Thanks!
7 months ago · Like
ryanfish I really liked the overhaul done in the bathroom but I couldn't help but wonder where the bathtub went. With no shower or bath, where are you supposed to wash up?!
6 months ago · Like
DARKyellow It was a pleasure to work with Cassidy in that project, lovely ideas and very creative.
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Sept. 28, 2012.
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