Mark Lewis began his career as a costume designer; he then segued into set design before becoming an in-demand London interior designer—all of which explains his ease at referencing the past, thinking on both a sweeping and a microscopic scale, and staying mindful of budget. Leave the details to him.
For a young family of four, Lewis introduced an addition to the back of a North London Victorian that serves as kitchen, dining space, back entry, home office, and more. Lewis’s client came to him with five-year-old magazine clippings of his work and a request to replace the worn-out Ikea kitchen in her family’s quarters with something multipurpose and expansive. Join us for a tour of Lewis’s design, including a look at his use of characterful materials and finishes: Many are surprisingly economical, and all look both at home and of the moment in this new stage set for daily life.
Photography by Rory Gardiner, courtesy of Mark Lewis Interior Design.
The Kitchen Extension
![the addition links the kitchen to the garden and features wood framed french do 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-new-extension-1-733x412.jpg)
The resulting space, approximately 45 square meters (484 square feet), is double the size of what had been there and required inserting steel supports—”to hold up the chimney and the WC wall”—in the interior. Lewis says permitting wasn’t an issue: “In the UK, we have a committed development rule: You’re allowed to add fifty cubic meters, or 1,765 cubic feet, if you own the house, and don’t have to apply for permission.”
![lewis has an aversion to \2\20;fitted kitchens\2\2\1; and wheneve 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-in-new-extension-2-733x550.jpg)
The sink is set in an antique pot cupboard from John Cornall Antiques of Warwick, and the adjoining drawers are made of old pine floorboards. Lewis used the client’s existing range—”It’s going to carry on for another ten years, so why change it?”—and inserted a wall-mounted Smeg hood. (Browse our Hoods & Vents posts for ideas.)
![the butler sink is a rak gourmet double bowl and lewis\2\17;s go to 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-in-new-extension-3-733x977.jpg)
![tricks of the trade: to accentuate the graining on the drawers, the wood was &a 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-whitewashed-wood-drawers-4-733x977.jpg)
Kitchen Details
![lewis lines his kitchen drawers with leftover wallpaper: \2\20;we stick 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-whitewashed-wood-drawers-4a-733x977.jpg)
The cast bronze pulls are Jake Handles; £15 ($19.80) each, which Lewis also makes in cast iron and brass.
![how to light the work area immediately under the skylights? lewis inserted copp 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-tile-wall-hanging-flex-cord-lights-4b-733x977.jpg)
![the open shelves are whitewashed floorboards supported by strong boy cast 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-open-shelves-5-733x977.jpg)
![all of lewis\2\17;s hardware is hand cast in england. 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-brass-shelf-brackets-6-733x550.jpg)
![antique brass colanders hang from a cast bronze pan rack; £95 (\$\1\25.38) 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-brass-pot-rail-7-733x977.jpg)
![lewis dressed up the family\2\17;s english farmhouse table by painting t 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-farmhouse-dining-table-and-bench-8-733x977.jpg)
![the tabletop is fuss free and can also be used for food prep. 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-farmhouse-dining-tabletop-still-life-8a-733x977.jpg)
![double doors open to the backyard. the top half of the windows open and there a 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-french-doors-9-733x977.jpg)
![lewis left the ceiling framework exposed and whitewashed. next to the back entr 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-french-doors-entry-area-9a-733x977.jpg)
The bronze-finished sconces are Maria Wall Lights; £103.32 ($136.78) from Urban Cottage Industries.
![the new, old fashioned cast iron radiators are the radiator company\2\17 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-caste-iron-radiators-10-733x977.jpg)
Workspace
![lewis used an existing alcove in the back of the kitchen to create a built in d 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-built-in-desk-in-kitchen-alcove-11-733x977.jpg)
In lieu of baseboards, Lewis inserted a 35mm (1.3-inch) shadow gap for a contemporary twist: “You need a balance between old and new.”
![the wall has tongue and groove paneling in elephant\2\17;s breath from f 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-built-in-desk-in-kitchen-alcove-12-733x977.jpg)
Utility Room
![a back corner contains a utility room and wallpapered wc. 35](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-wallpapered-powder-room-in-kitchen-extension-16-733x977.jpg)
![cast bronze jamie coat hooks, £\26 (\$34.44), are mounted on an old floorb 36](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-kitchen-entry-coat-rack-9a-733x977.jpg)
![the utility room is used for \2\20;practical tasks, like washing childre 37](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-brick-walled-pantry-in-new-kitchen-13-733x550.jpg)
The exposed brick wall is original and had been hidden behind plaster. A compact Belfast Sink by Twyford sits on a counter made from salvaged Swedish pine: “It’s very thick, so it’s great for a worktop.” A washer-dryer and the boiler are tucked below, and the fuse box is hidden behind the wooden doors.
![lewis\2\17;s plumber made the copper piping faucet on site. for more lik 38](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-pantry-farmhouse-sink-and-diy-copper-faucet-14-733x977.jpg)
![strong boy aged cast iron brackets, £35 (\$46.\23), support the 39](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-brick-walled-open-pantry-shelves-15-733x977.jpg)
![reclaimed welsh quarry tiles—\2\2\1;originally made for schools, 40](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-powder-room-stone-floor-18-733x977.jpg)
Powder Room
![lewis salvaged the stained glass rose from a window in the back of the ho 41](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-stained-glassed-outside-wallpapered-powder-room-16a-733x977.jpg)
![the ebonized wooden toilet seat and cover, £\173.93 (\$\2\29.7\1), is from 42](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/mark-lewis-wallpapered-powder-room-toilet-with-wood-seat-17-733x977.jpg)
![the utility room and wc were slotted into the back of the kitchen. the design a 43](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/london-kitchen-extension-by-mark-lewis-interior-design-733x679.png)
Here are two more Mark Lewis projects:
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