Peek inside a minimalist canal-side home

An ugly 1970s end-of-terrace house on a London canal has been transformed to create a minimalist family space. Since the house is relatively new, planning permission was not needed for a radical overhaul and contractors knocked down walls, enlarged windows and removed awkward corners to create a sense of movement between rooms and floors which echoed the flow of the water outside...

Waterside views

Standing on the terrace of this canal-side home, all is as peaceful as a scene from Wind in the Willows and there is barely a murmur of traffic. Ducks quack; an oar splashes the water; a flower-strewn barge chuffs past, rippling the green water...

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The threshold

The owners commissioned a local firm, Living in Space, to unlock the property’s potential. 'By then we knew what we wanted. A white cube: minimal, modern, filled with light and views of the water. Because the house was hideous, we could be ruthless; there was nothing we wanted to save.'

The key design elements were ‘fire, light and water’, and in the entrance a glazed panel by the specially commissioned front door allows for maximum illumination. The fireplace is sleek, flueless and strategically sited to lure you towards the canal. 'The fire in the entrance hall is directly echoed by the one on the terrace: you can’t resist being drawn towards it. Everything is designed to draw you to the water.'
Bespoke staircase

A specially commissioned gleaming oak staircase encased in glass appears to float skywards, leading up to the glazed landing above.
Poggenpohl kitchen

Floors were lowered and ceilings raised to create this open plan kitchen and dining area, where the Poggenpohl cabinetry was chosen for its deep cupboards for maximum hidden storage. The graceful Swiss Pro tap adds an architectural flourish and straight lines draw the eye towards the canal with its quiet traffic of barges and boats.
Study area

In this clever use of space, a ledge in the corner of the sitting room doubles as a handy workstation, positioned carefully to make the most of natural light in the day and a ceiling lamp at night. Treasured antiques sit happily in the Modernist setting.
Waterside dining

Like the canal, this is a house that flows quietly - an effect of the minimal architecture and the pared-down, unfussy decoration. The furniture is as versatile as the open-plan space and, like props in an avant-garde play, sets of furniture that can be moved from room to room are favoured. Pairs of milkmaid’s stools appear on each floor, and these white dining chairs are also found in a bedroom upstairs.

Folding doors lead seamlessly outside to the waterside terraced garden. Here too, nothing has escaped the architect’s eye; guests can perch by the gel fire, while the canopy provides year-round cover.
Living room

Upstairs in the first floor living room, where French windows lead onto another terrace. In another example of the free-flowing nature of the interior, the cube leather seating is replicated in a weatherproof version outside. A step on to the terrace has been extended to create a comfortable window seat, and one of the terrace walls has been glazed in order to maximise views of the canal.
Pebbles in the bathroom

A pebble-clad splashback adds texture to a compact shower room and enlivens a small space. Mirrored cabinets create a much needed extra dimension.
Teen's bedroom

Careful attention to detail is found throughout the design of the house and a teenage daughter’s bedroom is no exception, where clutter and a study area are niftily concealed in this tall capacious cupboard.
Master bedroom

The over-sized panelled headboard, so large it had to be inched inside the home, and bedside tables were specially commissioned for this peaceful top-floor main bedroom.

For more decorating ideas visit Housetohome.co.uk
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