The Collector’s Period Home
hampstead, london
The Collector’s Home. A Grade II Listed Refurbishment in Hampstead. The client, a passionate art collector, wanted a neutral backdrop that would allow their collection to shine.
The Collector’s Period Home hampstead, london
Where art takes center stage and architecture steps back.
MWAI was commissioned to transform a dark and convoluted five-storey Neo-Georgian Victorian house in Hampstead into a light-filled, minimal family home. The Grade II listed property was reconfigured through subtle architectural interventions that opened up the ground floor and restored a natural flow between rooms.
The client—a passionate art collector—wanted a neutral backdrop that would allow their collection to shine. MWAI responded with a palette of natural materials and textures, reflective architraves that bounce light between rooms, and concealed storage throughout. Bespoke joinery was used to create hidden compartments disguised as walls, stairs and even a polished plaster TV unit.
The kitchen, designed by MWAI and crafted by Jack Trench, sits at the heart of the home, with a rich walnut island contrasting against Corian fronts. In the dining room, a stained oak unit wraps the space and forms a staircase to the basement. Bathrooms were designed with both utility and pleasure in mind—twin rooms with contrasting finishes for the master suite and family use.
Colour is used sparingly. Instead, the house is defined by materiality and light—spaces that feel simple, but are rich in depth and detail. This is a home where architecture quietly supports the rhythm of family life and the presence of art.
The client—a passionate art collector—wanted a neutral backdrop that would allow their collection to shine. MWAI responded with a palette of natural materials and textures, reflective architraves that bounce light between rooms, and concealed storage throughout. Bespoke joinery was used to create hidden compartments disguised as walls, stairs and even a polished plaster TV unit.
The kitchen, designed by MWAI and crafted by Jack Trench, sits at the heart of the home, with a rich walnut island contrasting against Corian fronts. In the dining room, a stained oak unit wraps the space and forms a staircase to the basement. Bathrooms were designed with both utility and pleasure in mind—twin rooms with contrasting finishes for the master suite and family use.
Colour is used sparingly. Instead, the house is defined by materiality and light—spaces that feel simple, but are rich in depth and detail. This is a home where architecture quietly supports the rhythm of family life and the presence of art.