What used to be a commercial showroom has now been transformed into a warm family home in central London. Welcome to Danish Mews House, the brainchild of London architect and residential project maestro Neil Dusheiko. And while mews houses are traditionally small in size, meaning they can end up feeling cramped and dark, this contemporary mews renovation has resulted in a flowing, open and light-filled home with a range of social spaces to boot – responding directly to the owners’ needs and desire for a base that is ‘perfect for entertaining, relaxing and cooking’.
The project occupies a corner of a cul-de-sac and was historically used as the coach house to Georgian properties behind, set within the capital’s Bayswater Conservation Area. Sitting, quite literally, in the shadow of nearby taller structures, the compact building felt restricted – both in natural light and footprint. Dusheiko and his team addressed this by inserting a central staircase at the building’s heart, set behind glazing and featuring a skylight at the top. This helps daylight travel through all levels. Six new dormers on the very top floor create a bright master bedroom with a private terrace for the owners.
The sense of family warmth this home exudes is also a result of the masterful use of wood throughout – from the built-in planters, timber battens and exposed Douglas fir beams, to the wealth of finishes sourced from Denmark, creating a palette of natural, sustainable materials. A furniture selection, including pieces by Montana, Carl Hansen, and Hans J Wegner, and lights by Louis Poulsen, complete the mews house’s soft Danish theme – a response to the owners’ roots. The overall composition feels organic and gentle, but also refreshingly uncluttered, nodding towards modern minimalist architecture.
Combining style with substance, the design is also planned with the long term in mind, the architects explain: ‘The home is future-proofed for the elderly clients. At entry level, a lift has been provided to create easy access to the upper floors. An accessible bedroom with easy access to a small kitchenette has also been provided on the ground floor, which will double as a guest bedroom in the short term.’
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