The most transformative decision was relocating the kitchen—which was designed by Howark and built by Apron the kitchen – to lower-ground level, where it would have historically sat, a proposal that found immediate favor with planning inspectors. ‘We reopened the huge fireplace and created a room that didn’t really exist before. It’s a lovely kitchen you can eat in, which also connects to the garden,’ says James. Flagstones, exposed stonework and an off-white palette give the room a simple, almost rustic ease, while a wooden island and wood-burning stove add warmth. Saskia explains, ‘We didn’t use a lot of saturated color here because we wanted natural materials to sing. A particularly charming touch is the cozy banquette dining spot tucked into one corner. ‘You can seat four,’ she adds. ‘They’re not big entertainers and said that’s all they need.’
That honesty about his everyday life shaped the entire project. ‘Sometimes people wonder how they should live,’ says James. ‘But these clients were really clear about how they were going to use the house.’ On the ground floor, the former kitchen at the front of the house has become a flexible study-cum-spare room, while a day room offers space for reading, color and relax. ‘They wanted a beautiful receiving room that didn’t focus around the television,’ says Saskia.
The references to Constable, who drew inspiration from the home’s location for his famous paintings of Hampstead Heath, are subtle but deliberate. The decorative approach is soft, with a palette of blush and sage along with an ocher thread that runs through the house. ‘What we tried to do is have a looseness and a painterly quality,’ says Saskia. ‘Nothing is too strong – all kinds of things flow into each other.’
