Cat and Tim, the owners of this house in Muswell Hill, lived in it for two years before embarking upon an ambitious redesign. They dreamed of updating the Edwardian terraced home in a way that respected its historic character while transforming it into a light-filled, energy-efficient space suited to their needs. To achieve that goal, they brought in Matthew Giles Architects.
‘When we first visited,’ recalls Matthew, ‘each room had been painted in vibrant colours, a playful decision made by the clients in anticipation of the major works to come. Combined with their carefully curated furniture, this made it clear from the outset that we would be able to design something special here.’
The couple approached the project with a strong design sensibility and a clear vision. Cat, a former vintage furniture dealer, brought an eclectic mix of pieces that span different eras. Now back at university while raising their children, she was especially engaged in shaping a home that could nurture both family life and her own academic pursuits. Their priorities were clear: maximise natural light, improve spatial flow and create a stronger connection between the interior and the garden – framing their beloved willow tree as the focal point.
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Rather than ironing out the home’s quirks, Matt and his team decided to embrace its split-level structure and complexity, using them to define a sequence of interconnected spaces. They sought to create a layered architectural narrative that celebrated the original features while introducing a bold, modern intervention.
To that end, the rear extension became a contemporary counterpoint to the Edwardian fabric of the original house: a composition of raw concrete, slender steel-framed glazing with minimalist interiors. This was a complete gut and restructure; floors were removed and reorganised to allow for a dramatic double-height dining space, which now forms the heart of the home.
The biggest challenge was navigating the house’s original split-level layout. ‘We overcame this by creating a central vista to the garden from the front door,’ explains Matt, ‘and by introducing the double-height living space, which links the various levels visually and spatially.’
The couple had a strong preference for an industrial aesthetic. With that as a starting point, the studio developed a palette centred on a raw concrete frame, paired with slender steel-framed glazing to maximise light. Matt explains how this robust materiality is offset by ‘delicate touches, soft curtains, carefully framed views and the retained period details. The result, he says, is a home that feels both grounded and ethereal’.
The clients are delighted, he adds, saying ‘they’ve enjoyed discovering the house’s new “surprises”, from the top-floor main suite with views across Alexandra Palace and mature treetops, to the calm, muted palette which has given them a sense of zen-like tranquillity compared to their home’s colourful beginnings.’
Over the past year, they’ve curated the interiors with new pieces of furniture that layer beautifully over this calm architectural backdrop, making the house uniquely theirs. As for Matt and his team, what continues to delight them is the quality of natural light throughout the day each time they visit the house. ‘The way the spaces transform with sudden shifts in London’s weather, from sunshine to storm, creates a theatrical play of light and shadow.’
The real showpiece is the double-height curtain wall to the rear garden, though. Watching the curtains open and close is like a stage set: the willow tree in the garden as the lead, with the ever-changing light as its backdrop. matthewgilesarchitects.com
