Irish designer Irenie Cossey transformed a rundown Neo-Jacobean townhouse on London’s De Beauvoir Square into a 21st-century wonderland. The four-story, Grade II-listed property was in disrepair when Cossey purchased it in July 2023.
Cossey, founder of interiors firm Irenie Studio, saw the potential in the derelict house despite its state of decay. She spent 18 months renovating the property, which included installing a temporary water supply and electrical outlet to get started.
The designer’s first major reference point for the redesign was the original oriel windows, dating from the house’s construction in 1840. Cossey based her restoration on British author Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass.”
Cossey created a sense of wonder and whimsy by playing with pattern and scale, using original tiles to create unique patterns that play with “scale, threshold, and illusion.” She also preserved and reused original materials, such as pine floors, marble, and mahogany balustrades.
The renovation included a new kitchen extension, lantern skylight, and patio and garden designed by award-winning designer Peter Beardsley. The interior design incorporated soft curves and exposed original beams to create more space and light.
Cossey’s attention to detail and commitment to sustainability are evident in her use of reclaimed wood from old shipping containers and repurposed materials like emerald green doors and Iroko wood from old chemistry labs. The result is a unique and captivating space that feels both nostalgic and modern.
The property, currently on sale for £3 million (US$3.9 million), has become an inspiration to several artists and designers, with one exhibition held in the empty space before its renovation.
Source: https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/islington-london-neojacobean-modern-reno-855e6003