This Ladbroke Grove flat sits a stone’s throw from the buzzy, bohemian vibe of Portobello Market and Westbourne Grove. It belongs to a family of five who used to live in a much larger six-bedroom house on Elgin Crescent, before relocating to West Palm Beach a few years ago, and after looking to find a designer locally to renovate their home, they entrusted the job to Hubert Zandberg.
When they started looking for a London bolthole to use as a base to visit friends and family, they knew Hubert would be able to help them again. And help was definitely needed; the three-bedroom flat had been stripped of any architectural character, felt dated and featured an awkward layout.
Hubert and his team were brought in to rethink the spatial planning, provide custom storage solutions and design bespoke joinery to create a home that would be both functional and comfortable for a young family. They undertook a complete modernisation, demolishing previous modern additions and reconfiguring nearly all the internal walls and doorways to achieve a more efficient and cohesive layout.
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‘Designing for a family of five within a limited footprint presented a unique challenge,’ recalls Hubert, adding ‘due to the limited space, functionality was a top priority from the outset.’ They maximised storage in the kitchen and bathrooms, ensuring that every inch was used efficiently. Bringing natural light in was also essential, so they carefully considered the flat’s orientation to create bright spaces that make the most of its aspects.
The kitchen posed a particular challenge because of its two windows, which, while providing much-needed natural light, significantly impacted the already limited layout. Despite the constraints, they managed to design a supremely practical space that maximises space, storage, and usability without compromising on aesthetics.
The family asked for that most prosaic yet essential of things: a utility room. Hubert managed to carve out a discreet space from the entrance hall, concealing it behind a jib door that seamlessly integrates into the wall panelling.
Another area that required careful consideration was the boys’ shared bedroom. Hubert devised a smart solution that provided both individual storage and a sense of separation – with built-in drawers beneath each bed and a central bookshelf accessible from both sides, acting as both divider and storage.
‘Aesthetically, the brief was for a fresh, contemporary feel layered with texture and an eclectic mix of furniture, art and objects. ‘The clients wanted a calm, cohesive flow from room to room,’ Hubert says. ‘I’d describe the style as “modernist contemporary” – a contemporary approach rooted in a strong modernist sensibility.’
A palette of fresh, natural tones with subtle injections of colour avoids a bland or overly neutral feel. There’s a thoughtful interplay between light, airy hues that suit summer use and warm terracotta accents that bring a sense of cosiness, depth, and atmosphere – especially in the evenings when entertaining.
Hubert mixed the client’s own pieces with carefully selected new additions, which the family embraced, choosing to keep everything exactly as he presented it to them. It might be their second home, but this custom-designed flat is packed with character and personal touches. hzinteriors.com
