After revealing us around his remodelled Edwardian home in south London, designer Mat Barnes shares his home design.
You’re happiest in the house when …
Sat in the extension, enjoying the wildlife in the garden.
The terrific aspect of glazing most of the extension is that when you are beinged in it dealing with the garden, you feel completely immersed in the plant. We are fortunate that we are not ignored and the surrounding gardens have great deals of tree cover so although we’re completely open up to the garden, it still feels personal. No matter the weather condition there is constantly some wildlife to see. I understand this ages me enormously however being in the armchair enjoying the birds is my response! This might alter when we can begin welcoming individuals around for celebrations and summer season Barbeques.
How would you explain the interiors of your home?
An accident of textures colours and concepts.
Downstairs we desired the architecture and the surfaces to offer character and interest to the area, rather of the typical white walls/interesting art method. The contrasting textures of the cooking area (exposed brickwork) dining location (textured concrete) and extension (chequerboard tiling) paired with the various colours produces an area with boundless interest, one that alters throughout the day as the light walk around your house and the shadows alter.
The living-room is created to counter this light textural sensation by producing a dark monochrome area. It returns the age of your house with a minor twist, as architectural aspects are organized over the walls as if it were a museum.
Upstairs the white walls/interesting art method suitabled for the calmer area we wished to develop. The ceiling has actually been raised in the corridor and it is now lit with a rooflight. Splashes of colour and patterns separate the whitewash.
If you could just conserve something, what would it be?
A pushed glass milk container.
Among numerous majorly ugly ceramics and glassware my granny left me (she understood nobody else would desire them). It’s an extremely terribly made reproduction of an elaborate container however in brilliant blue pushed glass. Useless however irreplaceable!
What was the last thing you purchased for your house?
The big tapestry in the dining location.
We desired a wall hanging to include some softness to the area to combat the difficult surface areas. The tapestry is from problem fabrics and is based upon the visual output of computer system problems. We believed it looked rather landscape-y and echoed the mountain on the extension.
Leading 3 coffee table books?
Practical Clock Fixing, Crap Hound Vols 1-6 and John Hoyland– Power Stations.
If cash was no item, what modifications would you make?
This is a hard one as I feel we have actually accomplished whatever with your house we wished to. The apparent response would be a loft extension however I feel that would unbalance the existing home, and although it would develop more area it would be destructive to the external look. A workshop structure in the garden would be the only thing I believe I wish to include even more.
You’re having individuals over for supper: what do you prepare?
What an odd principle!
Ideally we’ll have the ability to do this in the not so long run and to commemorate it would most likely be a huge spread for all the household. My better half is the cook and she’s rather into Middle Eastern food. We created the cooking area and table to host a big celebration easily so the day we in fact get to do this will be truly unique.
What does a Sunday here appear like?
Not lazy enough.
With 2 young kids, regrettably it does not include a lie-in, however we would typically make something unique for breakfast like pancakes or French toast and after that go out to a regional park, coming house to play video games in the extension and prepare a roast.
What are the very best features of the area?
The green area.
We’re truly fortunate to have an entertainment ground actually on our doorstep, and Crystal Palace Park with its history, dinosaurs and Sunday Market is a 15-minute leave.
For how long will you be here for?
Unless another task emerges, for rather a long time.
It would be great to see the kids mature here however I am never ever completely near a brand-new task– some land for a brand-new develop home would be best.
