Leighton Gardens NW10

Material creativity plays out across this four-bedroom home. A lesson in clean-lined simplicity, reimagined by Andy Martin Architecture. 

From the outside, this 1930s house offers few clues as to what awaits behind its unassuming façade. Inside, however, the interiors have been completely transformed and extended upwards and outwards to create voluminous living spaces attuned to family life. 

Off-white walls and Dinesen wooden floors set a calming, organic feel in motion in the first of two reception spaces, currently styled as a snug. An inviting window seat fitted into the deep curve of its bow window adds to the cosy, laid-back atmosphere. 

Poured concrete injects a more industrial aesthetic into the second sitting room, where floor-to-ceiling glass slides open onto an internal courtyard. Contrasting white and black tones have been used to cinematic effect. Black veneer cabinetry – complete with a bespoke bar – pops against a light backdrop, while a white tiled log burner is finished with a dark flue. 

A corridor lined with fitted storage flows into a showstopping kitchen, crowned with an oculus roof light. Exposed wooden ceiling struts soften the rays, producing a diaphanous effect. Two walls of glass – one framing a view to the internal courtyard, another which opens onto the garden – blur the boundaries between inside and out. A restrained palette of materials ties the space together. Cabinets finished in a mixture of black and white veneer and untreated wood are grounded by a monolithic stone worktop and splashback that adds a touch of drama. 

Outside, a generous south-west facing lawn leads to a garden studio, currently set up as a gym, and covered in brise soleil for privacy. It also features a convenient shower room, study and sauna. Plus, a terrace at the rear with a cedar hot tub. 

Three bedrooms are arranged over the first floor, all of which share the same understated aesthetic, with in-built storage and workspaces. The family shower room is a masterclass in minimalism, with a trough sink integrated into a sleek white vanity unit. Upstairs, the principal suite occupies its own floor. Expansive windows create a soothing atmosphere, accentuated by the freestanding deep cedar tub. The en suite bathroom next door comes complete with a mirrored splashback and streamlined finishes.