Clapton Warehouse Conversion by Sadie Snelson Architects.

I have a soft spot for warehouse conversions. I know they’re commonplace but when I was young I would dream up the craziest things that would feature in my very own warehouse home. I envisioned cargo nets, slides, indoor pools and of course a giant waterbed. Ahh waterbeds, what on earth were we thinking? Groovy in theory but such a bad, bad idea! Anyway, I digress…

Sadie Snelson’s Clapton warehouse is anything but crazy. This living and working space is sophisticated, laid back and simply stunning. The architects have used a refined material palette of steel, timber, concrete and pale lime washed walls. The combination is spot on and the result is a home that feels cohesive and inviting.

Steel is used throughout to differentiate space. Huge existing steel columns break up the large open plan while steel panels encase the mezzanine level above. Steel doors and windows allow light to stream in and are also used internally to accommodate the quieter areas such as the study, bedrooms and bathrooms.

The folded steel stair with its delicately thin balustrade is primo and hands down my favourite element in the entire home. Crisp, understated and very well done.

Touches of concrete are used throughout the warehouse to further articulate space. The kitchen bench tops which were cast by the client themselves contrast beautifully with the sleek steel and white tiled wall. The shower is concrete heaven. It’s a beautiful moment of material immersion and rare compression in a house that is so open and spacious. Sometimes when there’s oodles of space to work with there’s a temptation to overcomplicate things. But Clapton warehouse feels uncluttered and a sense of human scale isn’t lost.

It may not match my childhood fantasies, but adult me (with somewhat evolved design desires) would live here in a heartbeat!

[Images © Sadie Snelson Architects. Photography by Rory Gardiner.]