- Interior
- Architecture & development
When two (interior) architects take on their own home, you can be sure that the result will be astonishing. Used to working on larger and more luxurious projects, Jonty Hallett and Madeleine Ike did not let the limitations of this project stop them, and they created a beautiful home that showcases their talents to great effect.
Hallett Ike is the London-based architecture and interior design studio of Jonty Hallett and Madeleine Ike. Both had already gained a great deal of experience in other renowned agencies when, in 2018, they set up their studio together with which they now realise high-quality residential projects in and near the British capital. One of those projects in ER Residence, their own home. Given the insight and skills you would expect from Hallett and Ike, the renovation of this small flat promised to deliver a unique result. Now, we can see with our own eyes that they indeed succeeded in doing so. 
The duo had big plans with a relatively small surface area.
Hallett and Ike bought this garden flat in North London a few years ago. It was not in a particularly good condition, but thanks to their training and experience as architects, they soon saw the potential. However, the rooms only underwent a few minor refurbishment works at first, as the architect duo were mainly busy establishing and expanding their own design studio. The one-bedroom apartment - ‘small, but well-proportioned’ according to the owners - in a Victorian terraced house has recently undergone a full update, a real total renovation, although there were some constraints that made the project all the more challenging. Jonty Hallett and Madeleine Ike set themselves a tight budget and yet they had big plans for the relatively small surface area: a thoughtful extension that would give the flat an extra bedroom, office space and dining room. 
What you see here is a fully-fledged two-bedroom apartment with a pleasant flow between the spaces and a lot of light, especially in the dining area. The rear rooms are also in direct contact with the cosy garden, giving a sense of calm. The colour and material palette certainly contributes to this. Hallett and Ike describe it as ‘neutral and classic’. There is the original wooden floor, which was sanded to reveal the natural grain. We also see the same stained wood (Douglas fir) throughout the house that brings the rooms together. ‘Terrazzo, present in both the kitchen and bathroom creates a seamless quality and uniformity that is clean, simple and timeless we hear from the architects. Various pieces of furniture and elements in black metal add depth,’ the designers explain. 
Jonty Hallett and Madeleine Ike started this project with the idea of doing small but strong interventions that would be applied throughout the rooms and really make it a well thought-out whole. They certainly succeeded in this and the result looks minimalist, refined and timeless, but also warm and cosy. Despite the limitations, they managed to deliver a great result and we are curious to see more projects by Studio Hallett Ike and to discover what they can achieve when they get to work on real high-end residential projects. 
Photography by Stale Eriksen