Omar Bhatti of Space Shack redesigned the entire interior of this new build two-bed basement apartment overlooking St George’s Garden on Russell Square, London WC1.
The overall aim was to improve the flow of the space, create more storage and source furniture that would reflect the lifestyle of the owner. We worked closely with Omar to create furniture that was tailored to his client and their new home.
OVERVIEW:
3D modelling and design, bespoke joinery and upholstery
FINISHES:
Dark wood stain, 10% dead matte finishes and natural Oak
KEY BESPOKE DETAILS:
Suspended stepped oak shelving, seven-seater corner sofa, dramatic curved mirror with floating dressing table
IMAGE CREDIT:
Chris Snook
Despite being at basement level, the apartment benefits from generous natural light and private outdoor space. The pale brand-new interiors needed softening with plants, natural materials and a warmer colour palette, and the transition between the interior and exterior spaces needed improving.
Omar worked closely with the owner to understand their lifestyle and then set about reworking the flow of the space, redecorating and sourcing furniture. Our challenge was to create furniture that would match the clients’ existing furniture and help Omar make the most of the available space by providing ample storage.
The large open-plan living space included the kitchen, dining and lounge areas which all look out onto private gardens near Russell Square. Omar wanted furniture that would enhance the connection between the interior and exterior, and create a gentle flow between the different zones. Comfortable seating was needed for the lounge area as well as shelving for studio pottery, plants and books. A turntable, vinyl records, sound system and a home cinema projector also required storage.
With Omar we designed a contemporary seven-seater corner sofa with a built-in oak coffee table at one end. Our upholstery team covered the sofa and cushions in a textured oatmeal fabric.
For the lounge area, we designed and built a low-level storage unit in oak which fitted in part behind the sofa and continued along the wall and turned into the corner. The section behind the sofa acts as a shelf for books, plants and decorative items whilst the end section includes two sets of drawers to house the owner’s vinyl collection and sound system. We designed the corner section as an extra deep set of drawers for a home cinema projector. The bottom drawer can be smoothly and easily pulled out on wheels to position the projector for use.
Above the built-in storage unit, we manufactured and installed a series of stepped oak shelves to mirror the geometric lines and shapes in Omar’s interior design scheme. As Omar wanted the shelving to look lightweight and airy, we designed the shelving to look delicate and give the illusion of being suspended from the ceiling. However, the shelving is cleverly secured to the wall spreading the weight of the load across the whole wall. All the shelves work together to create the support required for items to be displayed on it without concern.
To tie everything together in this Russell Square apartment, we upholstered seat cushions for the client’s existing dining chairs and bench. We also resprayed their dining bench, chairs and table to match the oak finish on the new shelving and storage.
To make the most of the available space in the master bedroom, we designed, crafted and installed a bespoke upholstered headboard with useful floating shelves set above integrated bedside tables. The floating shelves are incredibly handy for a book, phone, watch and other small items. Both the shelves and the bedside tables were made in dark stained oak with a matte finish and set deeply into the padding of the headboard. Light switches and charging sockets were cleverly positioned into the side of the bedside tables, allowing ease of access when in bed. Omar added smoked glass pendant lights above the bedside tables to save space and leave the valuable bedside table space clutter free.
We added a frame in dark stained oak into the recess above the headboard to accentuate the geometric lines and draw the eye upwards. The frame mirrors the dark coloured bi-fold door frames and emphasises the connection between the bedroom and the large, paved courtyard garden outside.
To add an element of drama, we created a large arched leaner mirror with a floating dressing table for the master bedroom. The mirror is stabilised and secured to the wall at the top but looks as if it is gently leaning against the wall. We used a dark stained oak in a matte finish for the dressing table to match the existing fitted wardrobes and the upholstered headboard.
“The Origins Design team understood my minimalist aesthetic straight away. Each piece they created was carefully crafted from the natural materials selected by my client and I, and to our exact specifications. We are both delighted with the crisp and contemporary furnishings they have made. They fit perfectly with all the existing furniture.”
Omar Bhatti
