Room Tour: A Small New Build Apartment Has a Clever Redesign
This elegant open-plan living space in the city makes the most of every inch – thanks to a triangular island
New-build flats have mushroomed all over the UK’s towns and cities, but they can sometimes be a little challenging to decorate. As designer Olga Alexeeva, of Black & Milk Interior Design, says, “They tend not to be massive. And if you’re not careful, contemporary can be a little soulless and cold.”
Not so this this brand new flat, high up in a “very shiny” luxury development near London’s Old Street. Thanks to Black & Milk’s beautiful design, it’s warm, timeless and elegant without ever being bland
Not so this this brand new flat, high up in a “very shiny” luxury development near London’s Old Street. Thanks to Black & Milk’s beautiful design, it’s warm, timeless and elegant without ever being bland
The kitchen was already in situ when the flat was purchased. But there was was one big problem…
“When the owner bought the flat, there was a massive island parallel to the kitchen units. The room was basically just like a massive kitchen, with only a tiny area for a sofa!” says Alexeeva.
To help the room feel more balanced, and spacious, the team came up with an ingenious solution, a triangular island that mirrors the shape of the room. This still has storage, a breakfast bar and worktop space for prepping. “But now it isn’t obtrusive, and doesn’t eat up the room too much.”
Black & Milk recycled elements of the original kitchen to build the island, adding in chic new ones, too, such as the panel of walnut veneer at the rear. The white worktop is hard-working Corian, to match the rest of the existing units.
“When the owner bought the flat, there was a massive island parallel to the kitchen units. The room was basically just like a massive kitchen, with only a tiny area for a sofa!” says Alexeeva.
To help the room feel more balanced, and spacious, the team came up with an ingenious solution, a triangular island that mirrors the shape of the room. This still has storage, a breakfast bar and worktop space for prepping. “But now it isn’t obtrusive, and doesn’t eat up the room too much.”
Black & Milk recycled elements of the original kitchen to build the island, adding in chic new ones, too, such as the panel of walnut veneer at the rear. The white worktop is hard-working Corian, to match the rest of the existing units.
While it may not be the largest space in the world, one thing this all-purpose room doesn’t suffer from is lack of light, thanks to big windows and the 17th-floor aspect.
A palette of calming neutrals gives that all-important air of grown-up glamour. “The owner definitely didn’t want any bright colours,” says Alexeeva.
Central to the colour scheme, she says, was this cosy Calvin Klein rug, featuring a blend of warm taupes and caramel.
Cushions, John Lewis. Rug, Calvin Klein.
Discover inspiring new ways to do neutrals
A palette of calming neutrals gives that all-important air of grown-up glamour. “The owner definitely didn’t want any bright colours,” says Alexeeva.
Central to the colour scheme, she says, was this cosy Calvin Klein rug, featuring a blend of warm taupes and caramel.
Cushions, John Lewis. Rug, Calvin Klein.
Discover inspiring new ways to do neutrals
“The owner likes to be comfortable,” says Alexeeva, so having a long sofa he could stretch out on was vital. Placing it at an angle also helps clearly demarcate eating, cooking and living zones – vital when space is tight.
The owner also loves having friends round, so finding room for a dining table was equally important, and is something the shape of the smart island now allows.
The under-unit lighting was already in place, and gives a moody ambience at night, as well as being practical for cooking.
The owner also loves having friends round, so finding room for a dining table was equally important, and is something the shape of the smart island now allows.
The under-unit lighting was already in place, and gives a moody ambience at night, as well as being practical for cooking.
“The round table was a space-saving solution and suited the shape of the room,” says Alexeeva.
The chairs mirror its curved lines, and together help the dining area feel like its own little dining capsule, along with the spangly ceiling lamp above. “This adds a nice mood light in the evening,” she says.
Albert chairs and table, The Sofa & Chair Company. Heracleum II light, Moooi.
The chairs mirror its curved lines, and together help the dining area feel like its own little dining capsule, along with the spangly ceiling lamp above. “This adds a nice mood light in the evening,” she says.
Albert chairs and table, The Sofa & Chair Company. Heracleum II light, Moooi.
The large bespoke display unit was designed to fill “a blank wall”.
It might seem counter-intuitive to have such a large piece of furniture in a small room, but in fact it helps define the lounging area. A smaller bookcase might have felt untidy.
“It makes the whole room feel warmer, more finished and more characterful,” says Alexeeva. “The idea was also not to make too much of a feature of the TV.”
The unit is made from walnut with marble shelves – to match the coffee table, also bespoke – while the pale panels are what Alexeeva terms “fabric imitation board”, designed to resemble soft, textured fabric. The top and bottom cupboards provide handy storage.
Marble-topped coffee table and shelving unit, both built bespoke by Black & Milk.
Find more shelving ideas on Houzz
It might seem counter-intuitive to have such a large piece of furniture in a small room, but in fact it helps define the lounging area. A smaller bookcase might have felt untidy.
“It makes the whole room feel warmer, more finished and more characterful,” says Alexeeva. “The idea was also not to make too much of a feature of the TV.”
The unit is made from walnut with marble shelves – to match the coffee table, also bespoke – while the pale panels are what Alexeeva terms “fabric imitation board”, designed to resemble soft, textured fabric. The top and bottom cupboards provide handy storage.
Marble-topped coffee table and shelving unit, both built bespoke by Black & Milk.
Find more shelving ideas on Houzz
A few well-placed ceramics, plants and other objects add a little quirky character.
The large potted plants add some welcome greenery – and were a considered part of the overall interior design. “I really like to use plants in interiors. They create a lovely feeling, especially in modern homes with no character or history,” says Alexeeva.
IC F1 floor lamp, Flos.
IC F1 floor lamp, Flos.
The room is flooded with light, thanks to an impressive bank of floor-to-ceiling windows. These also help the room feel bigger. Alexeeva decided on velvet curtains, hung on a hidden track, to add to the air of luxury.
Ara armchair, Porada.
Ara armchair, Porada.
The living room opens up onto a balcony with stunning views over the cityscape - and extended space for entertaining. A large outdoors rug helps it feel like an extension of the interior. And the bamboo gives a shot of lush leafiness – hard to believe that “it’s actually fake”, says Alexeeva.
The bedroom is a calm haven, with dark accents against off-white walls and neutral bed linen.
The second bedroom is currently used as a study. Box shelves on the wall provide useful storage, as well as an attractive feature.
Chair, Vitra.
What do you think of this city apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Chair, Vitra.
What do you think of this city apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Location Central London, between Angel and Old Street
Size Two bedroom flat
Design Black & Milk Interior Design
The main challenge in this apartment was to make the main open-plan space work as a kitchen, dining room and living room without feeling cramped or crowded. Not easy, as Alexeeva also points out, “As well as being fairly compact, it had a slightly weird, triangular shape.”
Pretty much a blank canvas when Black & Milk took over, the brief from the owner – a bachelor who works as a city trader – was simple. “He wanted understated luxury, not too traditional, but not ultra-modern, either, with some classical touches – and he didn’t want it to be too much of a bachelor pad.”
Sofa, Minotti.