Mosley Thorold's De Beauvoir Townhouse Renovation Prioritizes Garden

The Victorian residence in east London, known as De Beauvoir Townhouse, has been transformed and expanded by the architecture firm Mosley Thorold. The redesign focuses on enhancing the connection to the garden, featuring a rear extension and a staircase relocated to the back, allowing natural light from a full-height window next to a library with elevated ceilings. This extension includes a roomy kitchen and dining area, tailored for entertaining around a custom dining table crafted by Mosley Thorold, with folding doors made from reclaimed shutters leading to the garden patio. The design incorporates rough concrete, weathered metal frames, timber ceilings, and reclaimed cement tiles, all intended to develop a unique patina over time. Steel beams and columns, painted a deep reddish-brown, support the concrete walls without impacting the existing party wall. The upper levels showcase earthy wall colors, dark wooden floors, and concrete basins. The garden, designed in collaboration with Sophie Gordon, features a tiered layout with a lawn, salvaged brick planting beds, a natural swimming pool, sauna, and changing area, all finished in rough stone and black timber. Nathan Mosley, co-founder, highlighted the shift in focus from curb appeal to the garden as the central aspect. The project also draws inspiration from nearby works by Irenie Studio and Architecture For London. Photography by Ollie Tomlinson.