Blithfield Street, Kensington
Completed in 2005 for Rafter Properties and Marden Developments, this project amalgamated two small Kensington mews houses into one large laterally converted home for development sale. The existing building was substantially rebuilt, with all interior floors and walls, the rear façade and the roof removed and replaced. The party wall was also fully removed between the old properties and a modern, unique and substantial five bedroom residence was created behind the retained period façade.
The ground floor accommodates a large open plan living and dining area with a bespoke kitchen and breakfast bar to one side, a unique centrepiece fireplace as a dividing element and a bespoke sliding timber and glass door, to afford views and access to the refurbished courtyard garden. The first floor provides a guest bedroom with dedicated bathroom and the large master suite with dressing area, bathroom and private living space. The second floor affords three further bedrooms and three bathrooms. The loft space – running across the foot print of both original houses – is the large study area.
The development project was published by Living Etc in 2008, focussing on its unique offset staircase between the second floor and loft level. The staircase was designed to dramatically contrast furniture quality construction against the bare stripped-brick of the party wall. This design minimises floor space loss at loft level, which is so critical when every square inch counts on a development project.
