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Before and After: An Abandoned House Redone—With Eco Materials and Plenty of Color

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Before and After: An Abandoned House Redone—With Eco Materials and Plenty of Color

February 19, 2024

On the dreariest, palest winter days, might we suggest tuning into the work of Bradley Van Der Straeten in London? From their saturated townhouse for a creative pair to a graphic designer’s redone Victorian, the firm’s balance of refinement and play—and, most of all, their deft and downright fun way with color—earned them a spot as one of our 20 Architects and Designers to Watch in 2023.

Today we’re chronicling a third project by B-VDS: Field House in central London, where candy-colored rooms—in shades of pink, lavender, pistachio, and deep green-blues—encircle an open, modern central staircase. “Before we started construction, this beautiful building had been empty for over five years and was in need of some TLC,” reports B-VDS, which was founded by friends George Bradley and Ewald Van Der Straeten. The Georgian home is double fronted, they note, “and is locally listed due to its historical interest.”

The team stepped in to shore up the badly neglected building (scroll down for evidence of its earlier state) and do what they do best: transform the interiors into a bright, colorful, laid-back space for a young family, taking cues from the homeowner’s childhood in Spain and centering it all on a new triple-height stairwell.

Join us for a look:

“After” photography by French + Tye, courtesy of Bradley Van Der Straeten.

After

the home overlooks london fields and had been vacant for half a decade. importa 17
Above: The home overlooks London Fields and had been vacant for half a decade. Importantly, Bradley Van Der Straeten took an eco approach to the restoration: “From an environmental perspective, the perimeter walls have been lined with natural cork insulation that allows the solid brick walls to breathe,” they write. “The cork is also a natural sound insulant and helps absorb airborne toxins. In order to maintain the breathability of the cork wall, they have been finished with lime-based render and painted with clay based paints, which again are both toxin free.”
glass doors bring much needed brightness into the newly redone ground floor 18
Above: Glass doors bring much needed brightness into the newly redone ground floor—and connect the living spaces to the garden.
downstairs, the floors are tiled in pink. 19
Above: Downstairs, the floors are tiled in pink.
a garden level room is reserved as an art and play space for the family&#8\ 20
Above: A garden-level room is reserved as an art and play space for the family’s two kids.
at the center of the three story home, connecting each of the spaces, is a mode 21
Above: At the center of the three-story home, connecting each of the spaces, is a modern triple-height stairwell “that has been carved out of the heart of the building,” according to the architects. Just across from one of the landings on the main floor is a new “bridge” that stretches across the front of the building and serves as an at-home workspace and “command center.”
&#8\2\20;the bridge between the kitchen and lounge is my favorite spot of t 22
Above: “The bridge between the kitchen and lounge is my favorite spot of the house,” reports B-VDS co-founder Ewald Van Der Straeten. “From the study space you see the garden, the front door, the living quarters, all in a prime spot with plenty of daylight. What could have been just a circulation space is now a lovely spot to sit, work, and take it all in.”
just off of the bridge is the bright kitchen and dining area. 23
Above: Just off of the bridge is the bright kitchen and dining area.
the kitchen has wood plank floors painted white and a deep coat of teal paint o 24
Above: The kitchen has wood-plank floors painted white and a deep coat of teal paint on cabinets and trim. The whole cook space was bespoke by carpenter and joiner Jai Brodie. Note, also, the surprise metallic glint under the island.
at left, a wall of built in cabinetry provides ample storage. 25
Above: At left, a wall of built-in cabinetry provides ample storage.
the dining area just next to the kitchen overlooks the park. 26
Above: The dining area just next to the kitchen overlooks the park.
on the second floor, the stairway turns more traditional. 27
Above: On the second floor, the stairway turns more traditional.
the top floor, with a newly constructed light well. 28
Above: The top floor, with a newly constructed light well.
a lavender doorway gives way to a blue on blue on blue bath. 29
Above: A lavender doorway gives way to a blue-on-blue-on-blue bath.
the paints throughout are from earthborn, farrow & ball, and little greene. 30
Above: The paints throughout are from Earthborn, Farrow & Ball, and Little Greene.
&#8\2\20;what lots of people have said when they visit is that it’s  31
Above: “What lots of people have said when they visit is that it’s a warm house, and that’s what I like best,” the client told B-VDS. :It’s a big house for London, and it is architect designed, but the outcome is friendly and beautiful, not intimidating and slick.” Here, the quiet main bedroom is painted a pale lavender and features plenty of storage.

Before

the incredibly cramped and worn down kitchen, before. 32
Above: The incredibly cramped and worn-down kitchen, before.
and the rather unsightly stair—now transformed. 33
Above: And the rather unsightly stair—now transformed.

For more modernized Georgians, might we suggest:

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