The designer: Linsey Skepper at Muchmore Design

The photographer: Chris Snook

The story:  Muchmore Design were approached to reimagine a restrictive and dated SE1 studio apartment in a Victorian warehouse near London Bridge. The brief was to create a contemporary, uplifting one-bed home. The project was introduced to the team by its architect partners, Resi and Design Squared Architects. They felt the project needed interior design expertise to optimise the limited footprint and propose creative solutions.

Designer Q&A:

Q) What was your brief from the client?

“Make the most of the space I have.” That was the client’s main instruction to us. Her ultimate desire was to create a contemporary and considered space that she could enjoy for years to come. The key objectives were to reconfigure the interior architecture and layouts to create an improved flow, while maximising every available square foot to provide storage and accommodate furniture. An additional challenge would be to propose a multifunctional design for the main living space that would be ideal for both working and unwinding.

Q) How did you answer that brief?

Although small, the semi open-plan living area was one of the biggest design challenges. The room had to be multifunctional to meet our client’s various needs throughout the day. Working from home, dining, relaxing and entertaining all had to be made possible. This was achieved through a mix of smart storage solutions that transform the room’s function at any given time.

We used the same mix of warm and dark tones found in the kitchen for the joinery behind the sofa, giving a grounding, darker contrast to the space. The panoramic horizontal mirror bounces light around the room and gives a sense of depth and a place to add styling items, breaking up the joinery.  We also came up with a compact, foldable dining table that could be aesthetically pleasing when not in use. The artwork frame drops down and becomes the table legs for when the client has a guest over for dinner. By adding these clever storage solutions, we maximised the floor space.

Q) Which products did you use and why?

Due to the awkward and challenging nature of the space, we opted for a fully bespoke kitchen. We appointed our joiner Jonathan to manufacture and install all the fitted furniture, including the kitchen. This helped minimise the number of tradespeople working in the limited space.

As with every design, the kitchen started with concepts to help direct the look and feel. We designed a galley-style kitchen with tall, reduced-depth cupboards in an off-white finish to make it feel lighter. Meanwhile, nickel handles added interest and tall cabinets allowed us to house plug sockets and a charging port for a cordless vacuum cleaner.

We then added walnut-effect open shelving to display glassware. One of our favourite additions were the feature wall lights by Spark & Bell made from recycled plastic. Their marble effect and opal globe draw the eye through the galley kitchen into the living room. The goal was to create a sleek and functional space, incorporating as much storage as possible.

Q) And the colour scheme?

We introduced a mix of walnut wood and Wimborne White by Farrow & Ball to keep the design feeling grounded but still airy at head height. We also specified a warm, taupe-coloured microtopping worktop, which we continued up the back wall for a splashback, giving the counter a seamless look. Importantly, the fitted furniture throughout the apartment was made from the same walnut finish found on the cabinets, helping to achieve a consistent look and feel from the moment one enters.

Q) Tell us about the secret office space

We wanted the secret office and TV area to feel bright and airy, contrasting with the cosier seating side. We also used De Nimes by Farrow & Ball to inject a splash of colour into the desk area, bringing added interest. We then designed the secret office unit to be concealed with pocket doors, which hides the desk area when not in use. This saves the client packing up her desk at the end of each day.

Q) What did the client think of the end result?

The client said, “The final outcome is exactly what I wanted but I would not have been able to achieve it without Muchmore Design’s help. There is no wasted space. Every item belongs where it is and there is plenty of storage. Also, all the colours work really well together. Now individual activities have their own space, which makes the flat feel so much bigger. The new layout makes it easier to separate work from life, which is so helpful.”

The details:

Bespoke kitchen and apartment design by Muchmore Design

Wall lights by Spark & Bell

Handles by Hendel & Hendel

Tap by Quooker

Oven by Miele

Ceiling lights by Lights 2 Go

Hayley loves: how the clever and considered design makes this galley kitchen feel light and airy