BASSETT ROAD | DE ROSEE SA

Bespoke carpentry and shifting walls allow light to pierce the heart of this two-­bed Victorian conversion following refurbishment by De Rosee Sa architects. Shortly after buying this Bassett Road property in London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the young owners set local architecture practice, De Rosee Sa, the brief of illuminating its drab interior. The clients wanted a fun mix of classic and contemporary design and a bright open-­plan living space that reflected their love of entertaining. The formerly lowered ceiling cramped proportions throughout the flat. With only one main bathroom and a traditional but worn interior the space was unsympathetic to the new owners lifestyle. Aside from the need for a radical facelift, the main design challenge was to bring light into a boxed-­in, windowless lobby that formed the core of the apartment. “We wanted to eliminate dark corridors, maximise space, and retain the traditional proportions of the flat,” said Sanchia Stowe, De Rosee Sa project architect at Bassett Road. “Permeable panelled joinery allows light from the south facing windows into the heart of the apartment. It creates a contemporary and versatile space.” By opening or shutting the sculptural joinery the client can transform the lobby and directly control the privacy element of the apartment when entertaining guests. The project demanded careful spatial planning and a creative approach to turn the dark rooms into light and airy interiors. The flat now consists of an open-­plan living and kitchen area, a south‐facing master suite (including en-­suite shower room and walk-­through dressing room), a guest bedroom, main bathroom and utility storage area. Engineered oak parquet adds depth to the floor of the main living area. The tone of the Bianco Gioia marble surfaces create a dramatic contrast, and paired with oak veneer cupboards, ties the two sections of the space together. Other built in features, such as a wooden banquette, LED backlit bookshelf and raised stone hearth, add a sense of personality to this eclectic home.