Back in May I visited architect Laura Clark’s extraordinary home in South London, which I mentioned briefly in this post, promising an update as soon as it had been published. Here it is, in all its glory, as it appeared the Telegraph Magazine two weekends ago.
If you click on the images they will enlarge so that you can read the feature properly.
I am a fantastically nosy person and never happier than when poking around someone else’s house. Rather convenient then that my work as an interiors journalist allows me to do this rather a lot. Over the years I have visited many hundreds of homes ranging from country houses with vast estates to council-owned flats on vast estates. I’ve seen church conversions, pub conversions, but I have to say that this loo was a first.
Despite the misgivings of all my friends when I told them what I was writing about – their biggest concerns being that it might smell or be dank or dark or poky, or all of these things - I was completely won over by Laura’s home, particularly by the amazing light which floods into the space through the little glass bricks set into the pavement overhead.
I would be lying if I said that I loved each and every one of the places I’ve written about, but I can truthfully say that I have been inspired by all of them in one way or another: the clever use of space, the canny use of cheap and simple materials, or maybe a fresh and unusual take on something ubiquitous like an Ikea bookcase or a length of ticking. But what always impresses me, regardless of whether or not the interior is to my personal taste, is the way in which these homes so clearly reflect the personalities of their creators.
In the case of Laura’s house (which, incidentally, I do love), it’s her sense of humour that shines through, and nowhere more than her wonderfully kitsch and risqué 70s porn wall in the walk-in wardrobe.
You can see Laura’s home as it was when she first started work on her blog, Crystal Palace Toilets, and more fabulous photographs of the interior as it is today on James Balston’s blog.
Laura’s house will also be featured in George Clarke’s new series Micro Designs which starts on Channel 4 some time in November.
