Location: Highgate, London
Interior architecture, design and styling: Black & Milk
Furnishings: &tradtion, Tacchini, Arflex, Cassina, Dedar, Vitra, PInch, Audo Copenhagen
Photos: Courtesy of Black & Milk
The architectural context is one of semi-detached Edwardian houses in the Highgate area of London, one that the design of Black & Milk has left practically unchanged in order to concentrate on the transformation of the interiors that the owners wanted to be more sophisticated and comfortable, a style that the architects call cosy luxury. After having totally overhauled the design of the lighting of all the spaces with a mix of architectural and decorative lights, the spaces were reworked mixing vintage and contemporary furniture, strong colours and soft shades, rugs, fabrics and textures also contrasting, sophisticated patterns and finishes.
An entrance corridor decorated with a floor in cementine with a multi-coloured star pattern separates two lounge areas on opposite sides with different atmospheres. “We saw this as an opportunity within the design to pay tribute to the traditional notions of a separate seating area and ‘His’ and ‘Her’ lounges were born”.
While the lounge ‘for her’ is a natural but extrovert space featuring a black fireplace and some splashes of colour in the fabrics of the chairs and the works of art on the walls, the room ‘for him’ is an introverted retreat painted blue, including the fireplace. Even more private is the cinema room where the protagonists are the fabrics, in the soft corner sofa, the rug and the tartan wall covering, a homage to the Scottish roots of the owners.
Bright and opening onto the back garden is an open-planned area with kitchen, island, breakfast area and living room in which the brick finish of the walls creates the backdrop for an eclectic combination of furniture, woods, colours, fabrics and accessories.
