The Art of Design Issue 19 2016 | Page 7

Apartments 1 and 2, are housed within the historic old dining rooms. The ornate array of plasterwork and timber detailing, had to be carefully brought back to life. It was a pleasant surprise when the entrance stairs were uncovered to reveal white marble. Painted timber kitchens were installed, and Versailles style parquet flooring laid. Bathrooms continued the aesthetics of the front rooms, by using traditional details, mixed with more eccentric marble and tiles. Apartment 3 is housed in a smaller mansard extension above the Nell Gwynn pub, behind the main building. The old rafters were reused in the living space, and a more industrial look was used, reminiscent of the ‘back of house’ facilities it would have had, back in its restaurant days. It has reclaimed style timber floors, and brick tiles mixed with concrete hue stone in the shower rooms. Apartment 4 inhabits the new roof top extension, and is the largest of the apartments. The circulation spaces are generous, and a new black metal and glass stair leads up to the opening plan living spaces. The dark blue of the kitchen, contrasts with the golden brass worktop of the island. Weathered style chevron floors offer up a soft surface underfoot, and the large sliding doors give long reaching views up and down The Strand. From a historical perspective the development represents a true success story. The quality of the development has ensured the retention and future safe keeping of the historic building fabric, and the result is a resplendent property, a veritable haven on one of London’s most historical streets. Architecture and Interior Design by Georgina Turvey of PEEK Architecture & Design 12-13 Poland Street, Soho, London, W1F 8QB [email protected] www.peekarchitecture.co.uk