My Modern House: Della Burnside unveils David Adjaye’s light and colour-filled Fog House in Clerkenwell
Stepping up to and into David Adjaye’s Fog House is the architectural equivalent of finding that a rather reserved and sombre old man is, once you crack the exterior, rather more cheery. Sitting on a quiet pedestrianised cul-de-sac in a quiet corner of Clerkenwell, the all-black facade of the former brick warehouse appears out of the labyrinthine streets with a somewhat dour presence but, inside, a riot of colour, light-filled spaces and unexpected details await.
Since 2016, when it was sold through The Modern House, the house has been owned by lawyer and investor Della Burnside, who found the airy spaces and modern layout she was after in Fog House, and moved a close distance from her former house on Britton Street (she’s a long-term resident of the area). Here, in a revisited version of our My Modern House series, we check in to hear how Della’s enjoying her home.
Della: “In this house, everything is geared around brightness and light. Glass opens up the spaces on each floor and on the top floor there is glazing on three sides and the best views of the park from the rooftop terrace. And, I think the bold colour palette of purple, green, orange and blue really enhances the light here and gives the house a sense of fun.
“I live on every floor and utilise all of it. That’s because of the large open spaces; they aren’t split into lots of small rooms. The configuration of the kitchen up on the top floor means I have to interact with each floor of the house to get up there, and that no space is left closed off.
“It’s a complete contrast to my previous home on Britton Street, where I lived in a late-Victorian house. The previous owners had designed the interior to fit the era of the building; it was beautiful but quite imposing and masculine. It was the same size as this, but it was lacking in light, and I wasn’t using the space as much.
“I was looking for a property with more light, a modern layout, outdoor spaces, and a house that could accommodate my dogs. Finding that all in Clerkenwell was hard, especially because there aren’t many places with outside space. Coming here and having the large balconies and being near the park was mindblowing – I didn’t think I would be able to find something like this.
“Here, on every floor, and especially on the top floor, there are great views that open the house up to its context. During the day you look out straight onto greenery, and at night you can see the rooftops.
“The architectural importance of this house fascinated me. For someone who doesn’t have any particular architectural knowledge, I thought it was an amazing idea to create spaces that are so about the view out onto the church, and this is achieved at every level of the house.
“The difference between the interior and exterior is deliberately in contrast so you don’t know what to expect from outside. When people come to visit for the first time, I always tell them that it is the one that looks like a prison! But when people come in, they tell me how it looks so different from what they expected.
“The house blends in well with the area and, from the park, you don’t even notice the house, really. There is a great sense of privacy because I can see clearly into the park but I don’t feel overlooked either from the park or surrounding buildings. I remember looking at other places in Clerkenwell with balconies, but they are all completely overlooked by offices.
“I spend my time between here and Gloucestershire, where my partner lives most of the time. I like the contrast between the typical Cotswold stone, rolling countryside, and then here, in the centre of London. I probably struggle more with the in-betweenness of the suburbs. This house is not necessarily a child-friendly place, but my dogs, Percy and Arthur have great fun racing around the open spaces here. It’s also very teenage-friendly, and my nieces and nephew love it, and they come to stay a lot.
“I’m a lawyer and partner in the private client law firm, The Burnside Partnership. I also invest in and advise some diverse start-up businesses, including Inavya, a med-tech start-up and Harth. With Harth, I really like the potential of being able to swap art and have big statement pieces in your home that you appreciate, hence why I ended up with some of the art and the feather light by A Modern Grand Tour.
“I wouldn’t work unless I enjoy it, and I really do enjoy it, so work merges completely with my life. I don’t really want to and don’t need to switch off – my work is my passion and given that I’m involved in such different businesses, I’m always meeting very interesting and varied people which I enjoy greatly.
“I work down in the study a lot – it’s a really pleasurable space. I can open the door and see the trees and the church; it’s really nice and calming.
“Whilst a large house, my partner and I feel like we inhabit the whole place. It’s a great space for one or two people, but it is also a friendly house and a great party space. I had one party here for over 100 people. It spilt across all the floors and it was wonderful– I put champagne in the bath in my bedroom!
“This side of Clerkenwell has more of a sense of community, especially with Exmouth Market up the road. I love sitting at the bar in Moro – the staff are friendly and know me there. It’s such an institution, having been around for over 20 years. I also go to Granger & Co, I love St. John and Zetter Townhouse is really atmospheric and my favourite place for a cocktail. I don’t do a lot of cooking here in London, but I do enjoy cooking on an Aga in Gloucestershire, so there are so many contrasts in my life.
“I think when you have dogs you get to interact with more people and recognise friendly faces in a neighbourhood. So, I don’t find living so central comes at the sacrifice of a feeling of community. Well, it’s kind of an urban community, not a country one!”
Della, how do you define modern living?
Della: “I define modern living as living within an environment that has been designed around the lifestyle of its inhabitants, whether that’s catering for the person who enjoys entertaining, or someone who works from home, or someone who sees their home as their sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of city living: their home should fit comfortably with and accommodate their everyday life.”
Is there a home for sale on The Modern House website that has caught your eye?
“I like St Anne’s Court. I love Soho and St Anne’s Court, which is quietly and discreetly tucked away. I’m also drawn to houses configured over a number of floors like my own – it’s a good way of keeping fit going up and down the stairs! St Anne’s Court has a delightful Georgian exterior but has managed to create an interior that’s more open, which is very clever. It seems a tranquil place.”
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