The Househunter

I have reached that stage in the loft conversion where I feel like I’m making a huge decision every ten minutes and have no brain left over to decide whether to have cheese or ham in the lunch time sandwich. Not to mention spending money like it’s gone out of fashion. Someone once likened moving house to standing under the shower in a Chanel suit ripping up £50 notes. Building work is a bit like that. Yesterday I bought a stair runner (for an as yet non existent staircase) tiles (for a shell-like bathroom) that fabulous sofabed, a piece of laboratory worktop to serve as a desk on a wall that is yet to be built and a tuna sandwich.

I think for now we shall concentrate on looking around some houses that are done. Finished. Need nothing spending on them. Well, in theory anyway. Here’s the first. It’s a three bedroom flat in NW6 (that’s Queen’s Park very chichi) for £2,950,000 that’s on with Domus Nova. Perfect as money has no reality for me this week.

So this one is, in fact, a former armaments factory! Yes, that’s stopped you in your tracks hasn’t it? We’ve all seen the former sweet factories and piano warehouses but this is armaments. Not sure that matters really but worth a mention.

It is, otherwise, a fairly magnificent and newly developed loft-style apartment with a double-height studio space, private parking and a roof terrace.

There are three bedrooms and so much living space. I’m particularly keen on the marriage of stainless steel and marble in the kitchen as I have stainless steel and would like marble but it appears I can have both (as I said it’s all fantasy money this week). And for those of you who spotted the design classic Noguchi coffee table in the image above I refer you to this tumblr site which brings those of us who spend too much time in the design world right back down to earth.

I discovered this site shortly before the house was shot for Living Etc a couple of years ago. It was a slightly last minute thing and I think they wanted it for the kitchen and library. The sitting room clearly did not pass muster. “How charmingly vintage,” was the comment on the recce. Followed by: “Would you mind if we brought in a more contemporary sofa? This was then followed by…. yes a Noguchi coffee table. Reader, I nearly died of shame.

Anyway, I digress. When do I ever not? Worrabout this then? Is a modern house in Hampstead, north London that is on the market for four million quid *sighs*. It’s on with Savills if you’re thinking of making an inquiry.

It was created from three townhouses in the 1970s and is, accordingly to the brochure “bristling with technology”. Most of which I have no clue what it does. Lights and sound mostly.

This is the best room for my money as it has a bit of colour and personality. I mean a couple of Wassily chairs doesn’t hurt but the rug and velvet sofa really help this space out.

In the same way the vintage clock and retro box files give a bit more to this office space although I would struggle to work in there sitting down as the window is just out of reach. I think I would have built a higher desk and bought a stool. At least that way you can see out.