Clapham Old Town: Reimagining a London townhouse

What happens when a once-grand London townhouse is split into flats and loses its character?

 For this five-storey property in Clapham Old Town, Cochrane Design was tasked with restoring flow, elegance, and personality, transforming it back into a single family home with a sense of balance between comfort, luxury, and architectural drama.

Reconnecting the Home

The house had been divided into multiple flats, leaving each level feeling isolated. The first step was to completely reconfigure the structure, reintroducing vertical flow and a sense of openness.

A section of the lower ground floor ceiling was removed, creating a double-height living space that links the ground floor to the garden level below. This new spatial connection brought in natural light and gave the home a renewed sense of scale, something rarely seen in traditional London terraces.

Balancing Heritage and Modernity

Respecting the home’s architectural integrity was key. The design team retained the property’s period charm but introduced new structural steels to allow for open-plan living and a vaulted ceiling in the master suite. 

The result is a home that feels timeless yet entirely modern, where classical detailing meets clean architectural lines.

A Master Suite with Height and Light

One of the project’s highlights is the master suite, where the vaulted ceiling and steel-framed glazed doors amplify light and create a subtle rhythm throughout the space.

Mirrored panels bounce light deep into the room, while dark joinery and soft textiles add depth and contrast. The palette remains restrained, allowing architectural features, such as the fireplace and glazing, to take centre stage.

Bespoke Joinery and Tailored Finishes

Cochrane Design’s in-house joinery team crafted everything from the kitchen cabinetry to the wardrobe doors and wall panelling, ensuring cohesion throughout.

Each material was chosen for its tactile quality and timeless appea, painted timber, natural marble, and rich metals, creating a home that feels both bespoke and liveable.

Everyday Luxury

A key request from the client, Mark, was that the home should feel comfortable but with an edge. This balance was achieved through thoughtful detailing: a Carrara marble spa with integrated TV, layered lighting, and practical design solutions concealed within luxurious finishes.

Every feature reflects how the family lives, proving that luxury design works best when tailored to daily life.

The Result

The Clapham Old Town project is a masterclass in spatial reinvention. What was once a series of disconnected flats is now a cohesive family home, defined by proportion, light, and considered detailing.

 By blending structure, texture, and craftsmanship, Cochrane Design created a space that feels both grounded and aspirational, a home ready for modern London living

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Takeaways

• Reconfiguring layouts can completely redefine a home’s flow and connection between floors.

• Retaining period features while introducing modern structure keeps design character intact.

• The right materials and joinery bring consistency and warmth to every space.

• True luxury design supports daily living while maintaining individuality.