Studio McW turns London home into a "space primed for hosting"

Open-plan entertaining spaces equipped with a marble kitchen island and skylit dining table occupy the heart of this London home renovated by Studio McW for the founders of a luxury catering company.

Named Sobremesa after the Spanish tradition of socialising around the table after a meal, the Victorian terrace in south west London was updated for Opus 11 founders Charlie and Joshua Karlsen to be a "space primed for hosting."

Previously divided into three bedsit flats, local practice Studio McW united and expanded the home with side, rear and attic extensions, allowing the dwelling's ground floor to be opened-up into a space for gatherings flanked by a small courtyard and garden.

"The spatial organisation of the house was conceived to serve both the rhythms of everyday family life and the clients' love of entertaining," studio director Greg Walton told Dezeen.

"The layout gently choreographs movement through the home: guests are welcomed directly into the reception room, ideal for drinks and conversation," he continued.

"From there, the plan steps down into a generous dining area, strategically positioned and framed by two courtyards with soft, dappled light filtering from above."

Varied floor finishes and large thresholds demarcate the movement between spaces, with oak floors in the front lounge and reception areas leading to a concrete floor in the dining area and a paved floor that blends into an external patio in the rear extension.

A large marble kitchen island divides the kitchen area from the dining table, with bench seating positioned along the side extension's wall where it sits beneath a timber-framed skylight.

The marble island is mirrored by a large splashback in the kitchen, framed by a curved alcove surrounded by built-in oak joinery fabricated by Idle Furniture.

Timber-framed glass doors lead into the home's hard landscaped garden. Alongside, a curved section of brick wall unites the rear and side extensions, hugging a small planter and concrete bench overlooked by the dining area.

"We aimed high with our inspiration – the curved brick form drew inspiration from Lewerentz's St Mark's Church, where the architecture almost feels carved rather than constructed," said Walton.

"Victorian archways and plaster details were also referenced from the existing property, subtly informing the extension curves and arches," he added.

The first floor of the home contains the main bedroom with walk-in wardrobe alongside a TV room and en-suite bedroom, while above the attic conversion contains a further two en-suite guest bedrooms.

Continuing the natural, textured palette of the ground floor, the bedrooms have been finished with lime plastered walls in cream and dusky pink, complemented by marble and terracotta tiled bathrooms.

Previous residential projects by Studio McW include a series of stone and timber-clad additions to a large 18th-century home in Cambridgeshire, and an extension in London divided by bespoke timber joinery.

The photography is by Lorenzo Zandri.

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