3 BEDROOM SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE, NEW BUILT

COURTHOPE ROAD, HAMPSTEAD HEATH, NW3

The interior design of this compact but charming and curious house offered all kinds of challenges and opportunities!

My design direction for this house was quickly informed by its immediate proximity to the expansive green spaces of Hampstead Heath, but with an understanding that the finishing of this compact and somewhat enclosed house would need to be treated very carefully to evoke the open, airy spirit of the heath.

The house reveals its first surprise when the main entrance door to opens onto a double height courtyard light well, the only light source for the lower ground floor bedrooms. A glass bridge crossed the light well.

My key move here was to remove entirely the solid brick side wall, replacing it with full width glazing. This effectively gives the perception of a living room and light well as continuous space, dissolving the barrier between inside and outside. 

This was only possible because I started design work while the house was still under construction and I was able to influence the architectural design. This is why it is always my preference to be appointed early in then process.

The open air, green lightwell, liberally planted  with creepers, grasses and ferns, is effectively a private pocket garden, a small section of the Heath clipped out and transported to this house, changing hugely through the day as sun moves round the house.

To reinforce this continuity of the interior with the heath inspired pocket garden, a fresh and entirely natural palette of sage, moss and warm greys, with natural timber are introduced. Minimal, clean lines and

In the bathrooms, natural stone tiles and oxidised brass continue this understated and calming colour scheme.