challenging and I think they did an outstanding job,” he says. “I veer more towards modern, Saliha is more rustic, so it was marrying up those two design ‘languages’ which they did really well.”
One of the main areas where Studio 8FOLD
were key was obtaining planning permission. “The planning rules are still a bit arcane around here,” Lorin says. “Hackney is one of the more flexible councils in London, but they were still a little disappointing in terms of the design restrictions they imposed.” The couple wanted full height glass on the loft conversion, intending to make that the master bedroom, but planning wouldn’t allow it. They also wanted to extend outwards in the bathroom and put the shower in a ‘box,’ but these ideas were also shut down by planning. “The architects were very helpful in steering the design towards something that could make it through planning,” explains Lorin. Overall they were most pleased with how the practice managed to achieve a sense of space that the house was previously lacking. “The house is not that big, but through the design – particularly in the loft, it feels super spacious, because of all the natural light,” Lorin says. One feature in particular that helps keep light flowing through the house is the open staircase in the extension, which features metal cut-out risers. Lorin and Saliha did agree that the main objective should be to create more space in the house. “I wanted to increase that as much as we could, as well as bring a lot of light in, and get another bathroom,” explains Saliha, adding, “We also wanted to make it homely for the
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family.” Having worked with children previously, she was confident she knew how to make the home comfortable as well as suitable for children – and since completing the house the couple have welcomed their first son. Throughout the project the couple faced a few further design challenges. The kitchen was one of the biggest, thanks in part to difficulties getting it through planning due to their intention to knock the walls down and create one large open space. “We played with a lot of different models – built into the dining area, an island, no island; in London you don’t have much space so you have to make sure it doesn’t feel too cramped or crowded,” explains Lorin. Originally, the kitchen door was planned to sit on the opposite side of the back wall to where it ended up – a change Saliha made midway through the project. “I said ‘I want to walk all the way through from the living room into the garden, let’s change it’,” she says. “So we had to change the design again, but it made more sense to me to do it that way. It’s okay to review things, if it’s still possible to change, go for it.” In the same vein, Saliha and Lorin changed their mind on paint colours halfway through painting – both internally and externally. “You don’t know what it’s going to look like,” Saliha says. “They thought I was crazy! But I need to look at it all day long so I’d rather have it the way I want!” Lorin concurs that choosing paint colours was one of the trickiest parts of the design process. “To try and make them flow is not easy,” Saliha adds. “But we managed, and it’s fun now.”
LORIN & SALIHA’S TOP TIPS
Work with architects that understand your design philosophy and your
expectations, and are willing to guide you in a realistic way on costs and timeframe
Find a reliable contractor – it saved this project for us. Find someone honest who won’t waste your time or try to jack up the bill for no reason
Whatever your budget is, times it by two!
Prepare yourself emotionally,
particularly when you do it with a partner – it puts a lot of strain on your relationship
If you can, get the washing machine away from the living space!
nov/dec 2021
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