The designers gave the first level an open-plan layout, which offers a clear line of sight to the rear garden and maximises the internal floor area with the extensions. This floor had previously featured a maze of low-ceilinged corridors and rooms; the firm stripped out all the internal walls to carve out more space and brighten the area. This expansive zone now incorporates the living area, kitchen, laundry room, dining area and a playroom. The walls here are painted in Wevet, a delicate white hue from Farrow & Ball, for its light refraction capabilities. A new hallway with built-in floor-to- ceiling cupboards ensure ample storage, while underfoot, poured concrete unifies the entire first level; underfloor heating ensures the concrete never feels cold.

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In the elegant, light-filled living room, furnishings in earthy hues channel a mid-century modern feel and mirror the verdant greenery outside. The plush furnishings here include a large curved sofa, Rondo armchairs in tan leather from The Conran Shop, a vintage Romeo Rega coffee table from the 1970s and a rug from Zara Home, while a custom artwork by American painter William McLure adds a personalised touch. “Quality over mass production was key, with pieces from artisanal designers adding to the elegance and richness of the space,” says Rutt.

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The kitchen is the heart of the home; this area is awash in materials such as oak and marble. A sizeable island takes pride of place in this space, incorporating a hob and storage as well as space for seating. Fluted timber fittings add craftsmanship and visual interest. Calacatta marble with characterful veins was chosen for the worktop, as well as the backsplash nearby. Appliances and fixtures from Miele, Hafele, Blum, Franke and Quooker lend sleekness and practicality. The home features two dining spaces: a cosy spot for casual meals adjacent to the kitchen, and a more formal area with lovely views of the front garden. 

Also on the first floor is the guest bathroom, a stunning space with a black WC and shower room, vanity unit in ebony-hued Nero Marquina marble, monochromatic terrazzo tiles and brushed brass fittings. “We wanted something that would fully contrast against the white and open living space and really delight guests, so we committed to a fully dark theme,” says Rutt.

A curved staircase designed by TR Studio leads to the second level, its sculptural form an exciting addition to the otherwise “square”-shaped ground floor. Overhead, a large skylight floods the stairwell with natural illumination, and highlights the marquetry on the oak boards on the second-level staircase landing directly beneath it. 

The second floor itself had most of its old partition walls removed to house four double bedrooms, a large shared family bathroom and two ensuite bathrooms. The master bedroom features a large designated dressing area in oak with plenty of display and storage space. In the ensuite bathroom, chrome fittings, white sanitaryware and a Calacatta marble-clad floor, bath and shower stall create a classic, stylish tableau.

Other highlights on this level include a bright and airy guest bedroom with ensuite clad in béton ciré plaster and brass fixtures, two large children’s bedrooms with customised built-in storage, special play areas and zones for drawing and reading, and a family bathroom with a large bath and shower area and geometric floor tiles.

Completed in May 2020, the project gave the home a much-needed revival with voluminous, good-looking and functional spaces that augment their occupants’ lives. Rutt describes the homeowners as “really pleased” with their refreshed abode, especially the living spaces and the kitchen where they spend a lot of time. “Refitting the original modernist principles of the house 50 years later to work with a new family felt like we were working in a continuum of the original modernist ideals,” he says. 

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