Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous

Search

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous

February 21, 2013

Combining striking views of London with 1970s Brutalist architecture (lacking in warmth and personality for some) can pose an interesting design challenge. This English and Italian couple wanted their easily distracted guests to cease thinking of their apartment as a viewing platform; after all, this 29th floor flat in London's Barbican Center was their home.

Enter London’s most high-profile reclamation experts and designers, Retrouvius. Not only did they bring in their own mix of reworked materials and furniture, they also worked with the couple to highlight their personal artifacts; enabling them to ultimately reclaim their home.

Unless otherwise noted, photography by Tom Fallon for Retrouvius.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 3

Above: Retrouvius used the colored spines of the couple's antique books as a starting point in determining the palette of the soft furnishings. The custom upholstery of the sofa echoes the spines of the books.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 4

Above: Retrouvius used the graceful lines of the couple's existing standing Italian lamp to inform their choices of midcentury Italian furniture. Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 5

Above: At the beginning of the project, Retrouvius brought in a selection of midcentury pieces and arranged them in different configurations to understand the various ways in which the space could be used. Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 6

Above L: The colors of the large and small mosaic tiles in this 1950s boomerang-shaped coffee table inspired the tones of the upholstery in the living area of the flat. Above R: A more neutral palette sits in front of the sliding partition, made from reclaimed parquet flooring from the floor of a primary school.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 7

Above: The parquet partition breaks down the scale of the main space by dividing it into three interlinked sections while adding warmth and color through its reconditioned rich shades of aged tropical hardwood. Retrouvius created the partition with hardwood parquet pieces that were hand sanded and applied them to an existing sliding five meter partition panel. The partition houses heating as well as reflecting warm lighting tones into the room becoming a radiator both physically and visually.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 8

Above: The dining table was made with salvaged hardwoods that complement the tones of the parquet partition.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 9

Above: The deep red hue in a strip along the bottom of the wall cabinets in the kitchen is also used on the sliding doors of the dining room and inspired by the colors in the rug under the dining room table. To keep things from appearing too coordinated, Retrouvius upholstered the 1954 JL Moller Model 75 chairs with different materials; red leather salvaged from Dunhill and neutral linen. Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 10

Above: "Designing with salvaged materials requires vision," Retrouvius say. "What were once old scuffed floors have become a sculptural feature at the heart of a sophisticated apartment." Photograph by Debi Treloar for Ryland Peters & Small taken from Reclaiming Style by Retrouvius partners Maria Speake and Adam Hills.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 11

Above: Retrouvius reclaimed a Turkish flat weave rug by turning it into the headboard cover.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 12

Above: Retrouvius sourced an elegant 1950s sideboard and mirror for the clients.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 13

Above: The vintage Indian bedspread sets the tone and color palette of the guest bedroom.

A Barbican Flat Goes Glamorous portrait 14

Above L: The bathroom has been lined in reclaimed iroko hardwood and fossil limestone. Above R: The view of London that may not be so distracting anymore.

The owners of this flat are great book lovers whose collection of books were very influential in the design of this flat. See 382 images of how Books can influence the design of your home in our Gallery of rooms and spaces.

(Visited 507 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Product summary  

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0