HAMPSTEAD RESIDENCE, LONDON

Full renovation of a Grade II listed property

Designer – Noriko Sawayama BIID, The Director of NSDA

Minako Bryson worked as freelance designer for NSDA London

NSDA’s clients bought this property because of they fell in love with the architectural heritage and quality of the spaces. It would give them each a home office, a large space to host events and meetings for the charity they run and be a comfortable family home. The generous budget allowed NSDA to retain and repair much of the original architecture and detail, as well as refurbish quality finishes like the timber floors which were sanded and oiled rather than stripped out and new ones laid.

The building had not been touched for many years and was in a bad state of repair with serious damp issues throughout. It needed major restoration requiring a total strip out and redesign of all services including all existing electrics, plumbing and heating, along with a high specification for insulation and energy performance. New bespoke bathrooms and a kitchen to suit modern life and our client’s need for entertaining large numbers of guests were designed. Original features were retained where possible, all of which required major renovation – for example more than 120 window frames were stripped, restored and repainted by specialists. 

The existing conservatory required a new roof and is now used as a grand meeting space and function room. The client’s extensive art collection provided colour and texture inspiration for the decoration of each room which is complemented by contemporary furniture, allowing the original architectural heritage of the building to come fully into focus.  

Minako has contributed to the following roles as a chief assistant interior designer including: 

• Working to build a design concept and visualizing the concept into a presentation
• Creating scope of works and schedules
• Sourcing materials and furniture for hallway, reception room, conservatory, study/office, dining room and living room
• Design drawings of joinery for hallway cupboard, conservatory cupboard, desk and bookcase units for the study
• Creating FF+E schedules
• Processing orders to suppliers and monitoring delivery schedules
• Liaising with the clients and other professional teams
• Finishing touches and photo shoot