Lansdowne Road W11

Inside this family home in Notting Hill, a period framework was sensitively updated with inspiring contemporary interiors.

A collaboration between the homeowners and Michaelis Boyd Associates, the home’s heritage blueprint was retained whilst modern interventions were implemented for streamlined family life. Michaelis Boyd takes a modern approach, aiming to simplify the client brief and scheme designs. The practice works on a variety of projects – residential refurbishment and new build, restaurants, bars, hotels and offices – primarily in London, sometimes in the countryside and occasionally abroad. Alex Michaelis is well-known as Notting Hill’s coolest architect; his practice was behind the Electric’s rebuild as well as numerous other local outfits including Woody’s, Fresh & Wild, Melt, Mook and Cowshed.

The firm fulfilled the brief superbly by bringing in weathered stone floors heated by modern-day underfloor heating. The original panelling on the walls, the internal window shutters and the marble fireplaces were all preserved or carefully restored to create a unique interior. The result was no museum piece, though. The basement was fully excavated to create a magnificent family room in which a contemporary kitchen was added. A glass conservatory was built onto the rear of the house, affording spectacular views over the communal gardens.