The architects came up with this cubist style timber extension which contrasts the old with the new. As well as this, the timber framework of the extension to the Georgian home is entirely reversible and thus can be removed quickly and easily at a future date, perhaps when it is sold on.

Environmental factors were a priority in the construction of this contemporary timber extension as well as care regarding the historical age and look of the property. Dry construction methods as well as good thermal insulation were designed during the planning of the architecture work. Due to the more traditional methods of woodwork and construction, trained craftsmen took on the role of building the timber extension.

Due to planning permission regulations, windows were to be a problem. Therefore the designs came up with a timber construction that was windowless but which still allowed light in and out. Sanded Perspex boards were used and these blended into the woodwork which gave the impression of a homogeneously clad timber box. Many of the timber boards were also painted in different colors thereby hiding the locations of the perspex boards except at night when the inner lights shone through.

As well as the three bathroom interiors there are also a complex system of piping inside the timber box extension to the Georgian house. A 150mm full width service duct runs down through the inside of the building to the ground level and below. Inside of this are the sewage, water and rainwater down pipes as well as electrical wiring, toilet cisterns and mechanical ventilation. This meant the outer façades of the timber box extension were left free of pipes which thus added to the overall aesthetics of the building.

You can see more pictures of this contemporary wooden extension building by visiting the arcitect’s website which can be found here: Henning Stummel Architects.

By the way, apparently this won the RIBA London Region Building of the Year award in 2005. RIBA being the Royal Institute of British Architects.

H/T: Contemporist.

The square where the house is situated was originally built in the 1840′s but part of it then collapsed twenty years later when a tunnel being dug beneath the site gave way. Their side was rebuilt, first being used as industrial space, then as a series of squalid bed-sits which it remained for a number of decades. More recently, the house was repaired and given a new façade in keeping with the rest of the square.

Antoni Burakowski and his partner moved into the house four years ago. At that time it had no electricity, bathrooms or details from the original period. It was basically an empty shell. That said, the proportions and structure were in relatively good shape and provided a backdrop from which to work on. Luckily, the pair were not under any time restraints and worked on the house with care and consideration.

Many people in Britain jokes about the influx of Polish immigrants over the last decade, especially Polish builders and plumbers. This recent tradition was carried on when Burakowski’s elderly Polish father, a builder of 87, came over to help with the refurbishment. Most of the plastered walls were left as they were without added paint, so they would match the interior style Antoni wanted. The floorboards were however stripped.

The pair are fascinated by the history of the location and have preserved as much of the original building and decor as possible. An example is in the entrance hall where a large brick wall is visible. This is part of the original structure from the 1840′s that survived the tunnel collapse.

Antoni and his partner have also taken unwanted items from around England to add to their home. These include the doors with a fanlight seen in the hallway which come from an old Yorkshire wool factory. Beside these is a bamboo side table which originates from the 1920s and was used in Stanley Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut.

Knowing where to find quality second hand items for the home is an important aspect of decorating interiors. Owing to Burakowski’s design connections this has been easier for him than most. In the bathroom the tiles on the wall are made by the company that supplies the tiling for the walls on the London Underground railway. The yellow bath and the green basin, made in the 1930s and 1950s respectively, are from an old sanitary-ware maker and were originally used as display examples.

The sitting room is also filled with remarkable collections, many of which are located in display cabinets from the Oxford-based Ashmolean museum. These collections include Clarice Cliff ceramics, Brentleigh Ware and beautifully colourful Murano vases. On a nearby Danish teak sideboard stand lamps from Los Angeles and vases from Hungary. A curly gilded metal table with matching chairs, made in the 1940′s, is also present.

More tiles from the London Underground firm can be found in the basement kitchen. Here Antoni has painted unused floorboards a variety of bright colors and created storage units out of them. A huge Georgian dresser stands nearby on which is a large collection of 1940s Beryl Ware china. This amazing collection of china was acquired from a Women’s Institute in the North of England.

One might notice in the dining room, some cream wooden panelled walls. These are in fact the above dresser’s back panels which have been used to adorn the walls. In the foreground are four Eames DSR fibreglass chairs which surround an old refectory table dating back all the way to the 1890′s. In the corner of the same room is a wonderfully bulky 1820′s corner cupboard from Sweden. Antoni Burakowski and his partner stripped the white gloss a previous owner had covered it with, to reveal the original look. Inside is a collection of glass jugs.

These are just a few of the rooms in the fascinating home of Antoni Burakowski who is one half of the famous London fashion duo Antoni and Alison.

The interior design pictures below show this beautiful rustic old building which I believe used to be a warehouse. One can see from many of the pictures, distinctive architectural clues to its previous use. The reason I like the images so much is due to the wonderfully charming interior shots of old London rustic charm. Older features have been left intact and even enhanced whilst the décor schemes have been worked so that they highlight the proud history of the property.

I think the pictures speak for themselves and so I will leave you with a selection of my favorites from the collection I found.

What do you think of these rustic interior designs? Which one is your favorite?

You can see many more interior design picture collections from where these came from here: Oak Management.

Interesting, the family home which is situated in Notting Hill, has been dug 22 feet into the ground and rises no higher than 6 feet above ground level. This is due to the local council imposing a rule that any building in the then derelict piece of land could not rise above a certain height. Whether Michaelis knew of this caveat when he spent £750,000 on the plot is unknown. However, by putting his architectural skills into motion, he was able to come up with a solution and built a stylish home that family and friends enjoy, particularly children.

You can read more about Alex Michaelis and his stylish home in this Telegraph article from 2005.

If you were wondering what to do with your extra wide staircase then you might consider adding a slide like this one. Whether you have children or not, there are bound to be family members and guests who will enjoy sliding down your staircase. I wish I had one just so I could slide my cat down it.

A word of warning, don’t fit a slide instead of a stair lift for your granny. She won’t take too kindly to being hauled up and dropped down this type of staircase slide.

H/T: Designer Friend

I’ve been to both London and Paris multiple times and have enjoyed their unique natures tremendously. The scenes on these photo shower curtains are extremely realistic and remind me of my time in both cities. I stayed in roof apartments that had views just like the Paris shower curtain that looked onto the iconic Eiffel Tower and typical Parisian streets.

Anyone who has been to London will immediately recognise the lion from Trafalgar Square with a view towards Big Ben which is part of the British Houses of Parliament. The London look is complete with the lamp posts, tall buildings and even the appearance of clouds in the background, a sure sign rain is never too far away.

Whether you want to give these photo shower curtains as a gift to a loved one or friend, or buy them for yourself and family, they will provide both a functioning and artistic addition to your bathroom. They measure 72″ x 72″ and are made from 100% Vinyl.

These theme shower curtains will make wonderful presents for any Anglophile or Francophile that you may know.

Click here to buy the London Photo Shower Curtain

Click here to buy the Paris Photo Shower Curtain

Price: $31