VAREY Transforms Victorian London Flat: Experience Serene, Gallery-Like Elegance!

Architect Nick Varey faced an unusual request when tasked with designing the Moraine House. His clients, a couple who primarily lived outside of Cambridge, only used their two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat in Marylebone a couple of nights each week for work-related stays. Situated in a historical building from the 1890s owned by the Portman Estate, they believed a kitchen was redundant due to their frequent dining out in the city. This concept initially took Varey by surprise.

After several discussions, Varey persuaded the clients to consider the needs of visiting family and friends who might appreciate the option to cook. He integrated the kitchen seamlessly into the living area, designing it to resemble more of a piece of furniture than a typical kitchen. A continuous line of sleek, handleless cabinets aligned with the appliances, and the counters matched in color, creating a subtle presence. An art piece placed above the kitchen area helped to further blend it into the decor.

The renovation focused more on removing elements rather than adding them. The flat had remained unchanged since the couple purchased it 23 years prior. Each room was isolated, and the hallways were cramped and dimly lit. The primary goal, aside from addressing the kitchen, was to create a suitable environment to display their carefully curated art collection, which had been accumulating over the years without a proper place to be showcased. “They always saw it as a future project,” mentions Varey, the head of the VAREY studio. “It turned out to be a 23-year wait.”

The redesign meticulously enhanced the flat’s flow and brightness. The entrance hallway was expanded to allow more light and included a coat closet and a small laundry area, both featuring stepped oak millwork that continued throughout the residence. A wide sliding door at the end of the hall opened up to the living area, drawing light into the entryway and visually extending the space. “The hallway almost vanishes,” Varey describes. Belgian parquet flooring stretched from the entrance to the living area, guiding the eye through the space without interruption.

Positioned almost opposite the hallway door, an original, circular, ship-style window dominates the living room. Varey designed a custom bookshelf nook under this window, enhancing its double-glazed feature while creating a cozy reading spot. On the opposite wall, where there once was a fireplace, a new stone feature was installed, reestablishing it as a focal point of the room. “The space is open yet subtly divided,” Varey notes, emphasizing the home’s cohesive and thoughtful design.

A panel of fluted glass now separates the master bedroom from the ensuite, allowing light from the bedroom windows to soften and illuminate the relocated bathroom.

A surprising discovery was made during the demolition of the original bathroom: a window, long concealed behind plasterboard and bricks, was found perfectly preserved. “The external joint lines were painted so finely they were invisible,” Varey recalls. This window, once hidden, now provides a view to the internal courtyard.

Varey’s design philosophy is one of restrained intention. “Our architectural and material choices create the backdrop, while the clients personalize the space with their art and furniture,” he explains. The walls are coated with limewash, enhancing the breathability of the old brick while providing a subtle texture that complements the art. Belgian parquet continues underfoot, with large-format, textured porcelain tiles in the family bathroom and a slate-style finish in the ensuite.

The art collection, featuring a mix of figurative and abstract paintings, still lifes, and a striking geometric panel, is spaciously hung, allowing each piece to stand out against the limewash backdrop. A specialized lighting scheme highlights each artwork. The oak millwork extends from the entryway through every interior doorway and bed frame, culminating in a custom-built oak frame that perfectly accommodates a geometric metal sculpture. This piece, dynamic from every angle, has finally found its rightful place. Moraine House is designed to not compete with but to complement and enhance the artwork it houses.