Bedford Park

Bedford Park

One of the finest houses in Bedford Park, this Grade II listed detached house was originally designed by Norman Shaw and built in 1879 for Jonathan Carr, Bedford Park’s founder.

Last decorated by its previous owners in the eighties. Our intention was to allow the architecture of this beautiful Grade II listed house to once again become visible whilst also ensuring that this large, imposing house became a harmonious, welcoming and comfortable space.

Its refurbishment was an epic two year undertaking that included reconfiguring the layout of the ground and first floors and converting an indoor swimming pool into a large light filled kitchen/ dining room overlooking the courtyard East facing garden. The house was stripped back to its bare bones, architectural details and original features replaced or lovingly restored, redundant guest bedrooms converted into generous bathrooms. Every detail was carefully considered, storage and layout meticulously planned from to transform it into an intimate, generous and nurturing home.

Photographed here shortly after we ‘finished it’ the space was designed to be ‘completed’ by the family. Every room was conceived as a strong architectural space ready to be brought to life by the character and interests of its inhabitants.

A beautiful light and airy open space – that was the client’s brief and the ultimate goal to be kept in mind during the refurbishment of the house. Just as important was to honour the house’s history – to update it without interruption, concealment or adornment – whilst addressing the needs, sensibilities and life style of a large, modern family.
Using the house’s wealth of original features and beautiful detailing as a starting point, we sought to take the house back to its bones and restore a sense of calm and timelessness to the house as a whole.

Aged limestone flags in the hallway and oiled oak parquet flooring throughout the rest of the ground floor will improve with age and become more beautiful with time.

In keeping with its Arts and Crafts heritage, Tamsin viewed the house as a totality – designing the joinery specifically to match the architectural details of the building including a bespoke kitchen.

With a large family and frequent house guests, the large open plan kitchen is designed for socialising. Simple and functional in appearance the joinery is transformed by the subtlety of its detailing.
The sink looks out onto a courtyard rose garden. Conservation rooflights above the aga ensure the east facing room is bathed in natural light throughout the day.

Meticulously planned, careful consideration was given to every aspect of its design. The curve on the cabinetry echoes the curve of the listed windows synonymous with Norman Shaw’s designs for all the houses in Bedford Park.

A large double reception room was divided in two through placement of furniture and joinery. In keeping with their Scandi roots the clients wished to keep windows free of any blinds or curtains. The house with its emphasis on space, light and honest decoration, feels clean, fresh and simple.

The reconfigured layout means that each room now has a real use and purpose – the interiors have a robust quality that is made for real family life. Whilst it is beautiful, it is also spacious and comfortable and nothing is too precious.

The TV room (previously the kitchen) conveys a feeling of calm. Panelled walls conceal hidden storage which was integrated into the original structure of the building – maximising space and reducing clutter. A drop down screen is hidden behind the cornice above the fireplace. The house is lightly peppered with design classics and antiques – a sofa by Arketipo upholstered in a luxuriously textured wool, a mid century floor lamp, a Windsor chair. The cushions are made from a remnant of vintage fabric from Fortuny.

From beneath layers of grime and paint, the house was painstakingly brought back to its original beauty. Rejoicing in its newly plain surfaces and unadorned beauty the new owners were keen to keep the furnishings as simple and natural as possible. In what is now the study, book-filled shelves line the walls. The rich tones and texture of the intricately patterned Persian rug and the warm glow cast by a striking mid-century lamp on the desk are all that is necessary to ensure the room feels comfortable and inviting on even the gloomiest winter afternoon.

Tucked away under the eaves on the second floor, the master bedroom enjoys magnificent views over Bedford Park. Stripped down and entirely devoid of clutter the room is furnished very simply – antique rugs on the floor, vintage lighting, a Victorian arm chair and a beautifully inlaid marquetry mirror are all that is needed to create interest and add warmth

Beside the bed in the master bedroom a vintage studio pottery lamp sits atop a travel chest which doubles as a side table.

The master bedroom, although small, feels calm and uncluttered thanks to an elegant muted colour scheme and simple utilitarian aesthetic and panelling, which conceals a wall of wardrobes opposite the bed. The original windows were replaced with French doors looking out onto a new roof terrace, which we built above the kitchen and planted with lavender and olive trees for screening throughout the year. A little Arts and Crafts table outside makes it a wonderful spot to enjoy a coffee or soak up the sun in the summer.

Attention to detail and layout, a focus on craftsmanship and comfort rather than show, and dispensing with any unnecessary clutter, the house embodies all the basic Arts and Crafts tenets marrying the best of 1879 with 2020 to create a truly 21st Century Arts and Crafts house.