photography by French + Tye, courtesy of Bradley Van Der Straeten.
On the dreariest, palest winter days, might we suggest tuning into the work of Bradley Van Der Straeten in London?
From their saturated townhouse for a creative pair to a graphic designer’s redone Victorian, the firm’s balance of refinement and play—and, most of all, their deft and downright fun way with color—earned them a spot as one of our 20 Architects and Designers to Watch in 2023.
The home overlooks London Fields and had been vacant for half a decade.
After
In order to maintain the breathability of the cork wall, they have been finished with lime-based render and painted with clay based paints, which again are both toxin free.”
Glass doors bring much needed brightness into the newly redone ground floor—and connect the living spaces to the garden.
Downstairs, the floors are tiled in pink.
A garden-level room is reserved as an art and play space for the family’s two kids.
At the center of the three-story home, connecting each of the spaces, is a modern triple-height stairwell “that has been carved out of the heart of the building,” according to the architects.
“The bridge between the kitchen and lounge is my favorite spot of the house,” reports B-VDS co-founder Ewald Van Der Straeten.
Just off of the bridge is the bright kitchen and dining area.
The kitchen has wood-plank floors painted white and a deep coat of teal paint on cabinets and trim.
At left, a wall of built-in cabinetry provides ample storage.
The dining area just next to the kitchen overlooks the park.
On the second floor, the stairway turns more traditional.
The top floor, with a newly constructed light well.
A lavender doorway gives way to a blue-on-blue-on-blue bath.
The paints throughout are from Earthborn, Farrow & Ball, and Little Greene.
“What lots of people have said when they visit is that it’s a warm house, and that’s what I like best,” the client told B-VDS.
The incredibly cramped and worn-down kitchen, before.
Before
And the rather unsightly stair—now transformed.