Minimalist interiors revive this neglected Islington home
Period Islington house receives a modern overhaul and minimalist interiors by Edwards Rensen Architects, bringing it into the 21st century

Two years ago this terrace in Islington was a neglected four-storey building with the ground-floor living spaces made up of small, cellular rooms. And although the dilapidated Victorian house would require a host of interventions and a clear design vision, the double-aspect rooms, unusually large windows and the wide, west-facing garden immediately sold it to the current owners. They enlisted local architects Edwards Rensen to help them reorganise the internal spaces and transform the ground floor, creating sleek, minimalist interiors with a large open plan kitchen-living-dining area at their heart. This calming space connects directly to a lush, tropical garden space outside.
Key improvements have been made to the thermal efficiency of the house by upgrading all the single-glazed sash windows to double-glazed, enhancing its sustainability credentials. For further comfort, work was undertaken to insulate the ground floor and the roof. Energy efficiency also includes the installation of new low-energy lighting throughout, and a boiler system that responds to changes in outside temperature and significantly reduces gas consumption.
Aesthetics were important in creating the right atmosphere, so a clean overall look and predominantly monochromatic surfaces were promoted throughout. The large-format tiles in the lower-ground floor were chosen not only for their beauty, but their non-slip quality and compatibility with the underfloor heating. The round columns provide structural support, but also help to divide zones, while a wall of glazed sliding panels provides the all-important link to the outdoor urban jungle.
The design of the new stairway accommodates a fire curtain, which slices through it to protect the main stair on the upper-ground floor – the escape route for all rooms above it. If any of the smoke alarms around the house, or the heat alarm in the kitchen, goes off, the fire curtain slides across the stair opening, closing the lower-ground floor off from the rest of the house.
The pared-down aesthetic of these minimalist interiors is cleverly matched with sustainable and smart interventions throughout, making this home a perfect balance of looks and functionality.
INFORMATION
edwards-rensen-architects.co.uk
- Adelina IlievPhotography
-
Last chance to see: Sharjah Biennial 15, ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’
Built on the vision of late curator Okwui Enwezor, the Sharjah Biennial 15: ‘Thinking Historically in the Present’ offers a critical reframing of postcolonial narratives through major new commissions
By Amah-Rose Abrams • Published
-
For London Gallery Weekend 2023, the mood is hardcore
With London Gallery Weekend 2023 almost upon us (2 – 4 June), here’s our list of must-see art exhibitions
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith • Published
-
Birkenstock celebrates its most memorable styles with colourful capsule (and matching socks)
Birkenstock marks the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Gizeh, Arizona and Madrid sandals, respectively, with limited-edition versions
By Jack Moss • Published
-
The Arbor House brings quiet minimalism to a suburban Aberdeen site
The Arbor House by Brown & Brown is a low-energy home in suburban Aberdeen that brings calm and minimalism to its sloped site
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
LFA 2023 kicks off, celebrating togetherness and common ground
The London Festival of Architecture (LFA) 2023 is launched today, putting the spotlight on its theme, 'In common'
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
New Practice’s architecture draws on kindness and collaboration
New Practice co-founders Becca Thomas and Marc Cairns talk us through their Glasgow- and London-based studio’s ethos, projects and plans for the future
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Don’t Move, Improve 2023: discover house of the year and London’s best homes
The Don’t Move Improve 2023 winners have been revealed, chosen from a refined selection of 15 homes, as the judges announced the Home of the Year alongside seven more category gongs
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
A Mayfair coach house reborn through warmth and craftsmanship
A Mayfair coach house is transformed through colour and light by Studio QD and Holloway Li
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
2023 British Pavilion offers diverse and dynamic installation at the 2023 Venice Biennale
The 2023 British Pavilion, 'Dancing Before the Moon,' contributes a triumphant blend of ritual, music, and cross-cultural pollination to the biennale’s ‘laboratory of the future’
By Jonathan Bell • Published
-
Riverstone elevates retirement living through design
Riverstone launches its Fulham outpost in London, celebrating a blend of design, care and culture in retirement living
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
The finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond
For some of the world's finest brutalist architecture in London and beyond, scroll below. Can’t get enough of brutalism? Neither can we.
By Jonathan Bell • Published