Mid-Century London House Gets Transformed Into A Modern And Vibrant Apartment

What was originally a typical mid-century house in London, United Kingdom was very recently transformed into a vibrant and modern efficiency apartment type of home which takes advantage of previously ignored features. The conversion was a project completed in 2019 by architecture studio Gruff.

The kitchen and by extension the living area open onto the garden and enjoy a nice connection to the outdoors
The kitchen and by extension the living area open onto the garden and enjoy a nice connection to the outdoors

The house dates back to the 1930s and in 2006 it got an outbuilding addition which is now serving as a home office. The studio used a nice combination of apartment decorating techniques to give the new home a modern vibe while also allowing some of the original charm and character to seep through the new design.

For the most part, the interior design is defined by neutral colors and materials, wood being a major component
For the most part, the interior design is defined by neutral colors and materials, wood being a major component
A modular storage unit stretches across the entire wall in the living and dining area, incorporating lots of features
A modular storage unit stretches across the entire wall in the living and dining area, incorporating lots of features

Obviously, the original floor plan and overall internal organization of the house didn’t suit the owners’ new vision for the place so a lot of structural changes had to be made. The most important one of all was a complete remodel of the ground floor. The initial room arrangements had to be replaced with an open plan area which includes the usual living room, dining room and kitchen combo. The rear of the structure was also modified to seamlessly be connected to the garden which got a revamp as well.

The kids' bedroom has two sections that mirror each other, a perfect design for the twins
The kids’ bedroom has two sections that mirror each other, a perfect design for the twins
The windows form cozy seating nooks with comfortable benches and they give the bedroom a very inviting look
The windows form cozy seating nooks with comfortable benches and they give the bedroom a very inviting look

For the interior design, the studio chose a neutral palette of materials for the main fabric of the spaces, with a few contrasting surfaces specifically designed to serve as focal points: the concrete floor tiles, gray stairs and bright yellow kitchen cabinets.

The existing outbuilding was preserved and turned into what is now a separate home office
The existing outbuilding was preserved and turned into what is now a separate home office
Although the interior design is mostly neutral, each room has its own character and its own way of standing out
Although the interior design is mostly neutral, each room has its own character and its own way of standing out
A variety of clever storage solutions were employed throughout the home, including these hidden shelves
A variety of clever storage solutions were employed throughout the home, including these hidden shelves
The en-suite bathroom plays with the classic black and white combo and manages to look spacious in spite of its size
The en-suite bathroom plays with the classic black and white combo and manages to look spacious in spite of its size
From the living room area there's a clear view towards the outbuilding, with a courtyard in between
From the living room area there’s a clear view towards the outbuilding, with a courtyard in between