Living with colour – London
In a mindful colourful overhaul of this period house in Tooting, south London, 2LG Studio has added dusky pink walls, blue tile-work and coral-orange cabinetry. Louisville Road house falls under the Heaver Estate conservation area – a series of period properties that were constructed between 1888 and 1910 in south London’s Balham and Tooting neighbourhoods. The house belongs to a couple with a young child who, over the past few years, had restored the house to good condition, but felt that it still lacked a cohesive aesthetic.
When 2LG Studio was brought on board, it was decided to add colour to every living space which was directed from beautiful vintage pieces that the family had previously acquired over time. The most work was required in the living room, which the clients said was largely being used as a thoroughfare rather than a place to sit and relax. Walls are now painted dusky pink, drawing upon the pink detailing that can be seen on the room’s pre-existing stone fireplace. In the middle of the space is a deep-purple rug with wobbly edges. On top perches a Melting Pot coffee table by Dutch designer Dirk Vander Kooij, which is made from multicoloured pieces of discarded plastic.
Left-behind stickers and barcode labels are still visible in translucent areas of the table which elevates plastic into something highly desirable.
Tiered white lights offer a minimal take on the traditional chandelier hangs from the ceiling in both areas. A set of doors in the full-height fitted wardrobes can be drawn back to unexpectedly reveal en-suite wash facilities, a feature the studio included to bring “an element of wonder” to the bedroom. The bathroom’s walls are clad with pale marble, while baby-blue tiles cover the floor.
This same shade of blue features for the taps and the bordering around the fluted-glass shower screen. Under the bathroom mirror sits a bespoke coral-orange vanity unit with fluted, lacquer-coated doors. Baby blue tiles and a coral basin stand similarly feature in the guest shower room, which has also been updated by the studio.
