This award winning one bedroom apartment, designed by Christian Brailey Architects, is a unique home where minimalist design meets cutting-edge sustainability.
It is a masterclass in modern living, offering light-filled social spaces, smart storage solutions and a generous private garden. This is a rare opportunity to live in one of London’s most desirable areas, Muswell Hill, boasting all the benefits of London-living with the addition of abundant green spaces and a charming community feel.
The apartment, known as ‘Douglas fir House’, was featured in Grand Designs Magazine, The Evening Standard, The Metro, Enki Magazine and Dwell Magazine. It was longlisted for the Dezeen Awards and Don't Move! Improve Awards and was the winner of the best Small Project at The Wood Awards 2022.
THE APARTMENT
This 675 square foot, one-bedroom apartment brings together the best of two worlds, combining a classic Edwardian property with a Scandinavian new build extension and renovation. The apartment has sole ownership and use of the 1000 square foot rear garden, which is a delightfully landscaped space.
The apartment is accessed via an internal front door within the elegant tiled hallway of an attractive and substantial Edwardian red brick house, the penultimate property in the terrace. On opening the apartment you move down a short flight of stairs to a utility and storage space, large enough to include a washing machine, underfloor storage and room for a wall hung bike. Moving on from this space into the living area reveals breathtaking views through the lounge and straight out to the vibrant garden.
Stepping down into the living area, you are immediately aware of the natural light and spaciousness offered by the monastic ceiling heights and the wrap around garden. The 3.5m tall window and glazed door opens onto the lush garden. The minimalist open plan living space is a large L-shaped room, with living space, kitchen and dining zones divided by different levels and ceiling design, making it ideal for socialising. Picture windows create a seamless connection to the outside and generous skylights flood the kitchen and dining areas with daylight. Polished concrete floors and smooth lime plaster walls are the perfect backdrop for the warm Douglas fir carpentry, which includes kitchen cabinets housing new, integrated appliances.
The double bedroom is tucked away at the rear of the property, enveloped by greenery. Compared to the grand proportions of the living space, this has the cosy, snug feeling of a cabin hideaway. It boasts an extra-deep window seat with no overlooking, built in storage and a secret electronic blind. Fitted wardrobes provide ample storage space and keep the room uncluttered. A private door opens onto the secluded garden straight from the bedroom.
The bathroom is a serene space with smooth plaster walls that complement the tiled bath and rain shower and a wall hung washbasin and WC. The frosted window provides plentiful natural light and ventilation. The mirror hides a bathroom cupboard, whilst a shelving niche within the shower offers another tucked away storage solution.
The property has been finished to an extremely high specification throughout and goes above and beyond current Building Regulations for insulating elements. Underfloor heating within the polished concrete floor stores warmth in the winter which leads to minimal heating costs. Smart thermostats in each room can be operated whilst away. MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) runs throughout the apartment, providing each space with fresh, filtered air without wasting heat by opening windows in winter. The apartment has been fully insulated with recycled wood fibre and all windows and doors feature high-performance double glazing, minimising heat loss as well as your carbon footprint. Designer light fittings are carefully positioned to offer a soft, even light which bounces off the smooth plaster walls. Further details are provided in the Spec List below.
The apartment layout is also future-proofed with the ability to add a second children’s bedroom designed as a timber ‘pod’ that replaces the existing dining room, which moves up to the raised living area.
THE GARDEN
The garden is a wildlife haven, with a limestone gravelled path that winds through a rich mix of perennial flowers, grasses, herbs and shrubs. Carefully selected specimen trees add interest and dappled shade to the open seating areas. Large polished concrete paving slabs allow barefoot walking amongst the Japanese courtyard style garden that is enhanced at night with subtle lighting. A Wi-Fi controlled irrigation system has been installed and can be controlled from anywhere in the world or manually on the outside tap. This is positioned beside an external power socket, embracing outdoor living.
Planning permission has been granted for a 14sqm eco garden room at the rear of the garden for a home office, studio or gym.