The Penthouse of a Converted Industrial Building in London Gets a Gorgeous Update

Project by: Callender Howorth
Location: Shoreditch, London

It takes a certain special someone to see the potential in an out-of-date building. In this instance, that special someone was London-based designer Callender Howorth. A former telephone exchange building in Shoreditch, London had long ago been converted into a penthouse apartment by his client. Antiquated furnishings and fixtures necessitated a refresh of the home, so he turned to Callender to bring the space up-to-date and give it a clean slate for the modern day.

From Callender:

“The original brief was to simply update the apartment with a new kitchen and bathroom and decorate throughout. It was to be rented out again, but by updating the basic features the return on rental could be increased and bring it into line with newer rental properties in the area. However, upon viewing the apartment, we instantly spotted the potential it had and decided to make it a much more special place with a distinctive loft-style feel.”

Callender faced two dilemmas during the renovation: how to maximize the space of the apartment and how to imbue each room with a feeling of lightness. Here’s how the design plan unfolded and how he tackled those challenges:

The designer set the scene for the entire apartment with the spare, yet striking entry. A statement room all on its own, he decided to raise the ceiling height and style the area with a gorgeous console table, simple accessories, and eye-catching artwork by Rupert Record.

Bathed in natural light, wide-planked timber flooring quietly flows throughout the home from entry to living spaces where Callender decided to utilize a wall of reclaimed London brick to add an industrial feel to the apartment. A super-plush sofa and accent furnishings maintain a minimalistic look, yet thanks to Callender’s fabric choices and tactile rug underfoot, there is just the right touch of warmth and softness in the room.

Another feature the brief called for was the addition of industrial-style glazed steel-framed doors and partitions in the main areas of the apartment. In the dining space, Workstead’s industrial chandelier is poised overhead a crisp white N.E.T. table from Denmark-based MA/U Studio and adjacent to the table, the art looks equally chic leaning against the wall as it would have if hung.

Tucked against the back of the living and dining space, the kitchen doesn’t compete with the rest of the open room thanks to its muted materials of stainless steel and veneered cabinetry.

The master bedroom was transformed into a cloud-like haven of sorts where a striking, sculptural side chair and wall sconces add just the right touch of color to the serene space.

Callender reshaped the master ensuite to twice its original size by taking out a corridor of cupboards and utilizing large scale tiles and mirrors to give the illusion of an even more spacious bath. The sink is outfitted with super sleek stainless steel faucets and an open-plan shower features a rain shower overhead.

Thanks for sharing your project with us Callender!

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