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The Househunter 1/4/16

Starting off this week’s viewings with a look at this converted Art Deco warehouse in Hackney, east London. This is on the market for £645,000 via The Modern House and consists of  two bedrooms in a split level apartment.

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Formerly a clothing factory, it has been divided into 89 units and this one has been completely refurbished by the owners.
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The wow factor is the double height reception room with full length glass doors that open onto a roof terrace. The upstairs mezzanine has been converted into one bedroom and, currently, one study but you could use it as a second bedroom if you fancied.
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The light and space are wonderful aren’t they. I’d lay down a few rugs but I could happily spend time in this one, what about you?

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Where shall we go next? Shall we stick with the converted factory/warehouse theme? This one is in Fulham, west London, and is on the market for £2,500,000 also with The Modern House.

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Now, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about this when I first saw it but as I went round (virtually obvs) I noticed some clever tricks and decided that I was quite keen after all.

Firstly I like the unusual colour on the walls, which has been carried through the main living area, including the kitchen.

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Secondly, I like these two huge mirror panels and spent some time thinking that they were actually doorways to the back of the apartment. In addition, the way they have been framed stops them looking like fitted wardrobes from the 1980s so if you’re thinking of going big with the mirror then bear that in mind as a tip.

Using mirrors as large as this gives the impression that it’s an internal window, another of my favourite things as regular readers will know. In fact, I would be tempted to paint the frames black to really, erm, frame the view.

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This colour works really well in the kitchen too doesn’t it? It’s just a bit more interesting than white, and I’m sitting in a white kitchen as I speak/type.

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This room also really speaks to me. I’m definitely starting to wonder about the dark stained wooden floorboards thing at the moment. They look amazing with the pale grey walls and cupboards. It’s the opposite of what I have now which is pale floors and dark walls and I really don’t have the strength to start again…oh God….

Finally though I wanted to show you the mirror trick again, this time in the bathroom, which is clearly quite a small space but looks much large and lighter for this.

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So there you have it, two converted warehouses this week. Which one do you fancy?

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.

5 Comments

  1. I like the feeling of space and light in the first one, though have an issue with the empty shelves, which as a book lover I like to see filled.

    My favourite is the second, chiefly for the colour on the walls, which I hazard is almost a pale mint, my favourite colour.

    Cheers
    Lorrie

  2. bathroom and large mirror really does work. i definitely thought it was a double sink bathroom going on and like the hint re ‘framing’ them to look a bit less 1980’s

  3. The first one is all windows while the second one doesn’t seem to have any windows at all. I see no windows in the living room, apart from the skylight. Interesting way to use interior space in a large industrial building, but not sure it would be my choice.

  4. Hi Kate,
    I like the second one and the use of mirriors. This property has some interesting outside space that could be exploited much more.
    Have a nice day and a great WE!
    Maria

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