NEW SCHOOL RESIDENCE
2021 | The Hague, The Netherlands
A former ballet school turned townhouse nestled in the heart of The Hague, this historical residence was renovated in its entirety and brought slowly and lovingly back to life for our British expat clients, in collaboration with build team Euroconstruct and Foam Architects.
On the ground floor, flagstones quarried in southern France set the tone for tradition and history whilst providing the open plan space with warm tones and texture underfoot. A generously proportioned, semi-custom walnut kitchen in the traditional English shaker style features crystal marble worktops and an unassuming wrap-around breakfast bar. An Obelisco travertine clad fireplace rises from the limestone floors; the two materials momentarily coexist and contrast the archetypal wall panelling that was introduced during the design journey. Olive green velvet sofas offset by Avenue Design Studio’s Gyazā slatted coffee table in whitened pine add a humble, mid-century sensibility to the living space. A dining table sits, exuding presence at the rear of the space alongside a set of Charlotte Perriand Dordogne chairs, was made from reclaimed pitch pine beams which, in an earlier life, were housed in the country kitchen of the owners former Peak District residence.
This narrative of scale and tactility, amongst a family of artefacts pieced together from all corners of the globe continues to the first floor, where we welcome a feeling of humble opulence, set against the property’s period character. Here, the reintroduction of partition doors restore the original intention of two adjoining spaces, creating a master suite and evening living space. Custom fitted cabinetry frames the partition on two sides, bringing together smoked mirror, Vienna white marble, and brass detailing to create an understated bar cabinet. A pair of Ole Wanscher Colonial chairs from the 1920s and brass wrapped coffee table meet with sculptural ceramics and contemporary abstract art that offer a momentary break from the lustrous surfaces. The bones of this space, the ceiling height and classic features tell tales of grandeur; in response we introduced new materials; brass, marble, wool, papercord and boucle to take the space from day to night.
