House Style with architect Mat Barnes
After showing us around his renovated Edwardian house in south London, architect Mat Barnes shares his house style.
You’re happiest at home when…
Sat in the extension, watching the wildlife in the garden.
The great thing about glazing the majority of the extension is that when you are sat in it facing the garden, you feel fully immersed in the greenery. We are lucky that we are not overlooked and the surrounding gardens have lots of tree cover so although we’re totally open to the garden, it still feels private. No matter the weather there is always some wildlife to watch. I realise this ages me massively but sitting in the armchair watching the birds is my answer! This may change when we can start inviting people around for parties and summertime BBQs.
How would you describe the interiors of your house?
A collision of textures colours and ideas.
Downstairs we wanted the architecture and the finishes to provide character and interest to the space, instead of the usual white walls/interesting art approach. The contrasting textures of the kitchen (exposed brickwork) dining area (textured concrete) and extension (chequerboard tiling) coupled with the numerous colours creates a space with infinite interest, one that changes throughout the day as the light moves around the house and the shadows change.
The living room is designed to counter this light textural feeling by creating a dark monochrome space. It harks back to the age of the house with a slight twist, as architectural elements are arranged over the walls as if it were a museum.
Upstairs the white walls/interesting art approach fitted for the calmer space we wanted to create. The ceiling has been raised in the hallway and it is now lit with a rooflight. Splashes of colour and patterns break up the whitewash.
If you could only save one thing, what would it be?
A pressed glass milk jug.
One of many majorly tacky ceramics and glassware my grandmother left me (she knew no one else would want them). It’s a very badly made replica of an ornate jug but in bright blue pressed glass. Worthless but irreplaceable!
What was the last thing you bought for the house?
The large tapestry in the dining area.
We wanted a wall hanging to add some softness to the space to counteract the hard surfaces. The tapestry is from glitch textiles and is based on the visual output of computer glitches. We thought it looked quite landscape-y and echoed the mountain on the extension.
Top three coffee table books?
Practical Clock Repairing, Crap Hound Vols 1-6 and John Hoyland – Power Stations.
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
This is a tough one as I feel we’ve achieved everything with the house we wanted to. The obvious answer would be a loft extension but I feel that would unbalance the existing house, and although it would create more space it would be detrimental to the external appearance. A workshop building in the garden would be the only thing I think I’d like to add further.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
What a strange concept!
Hopefully we’ll be able to do this in the not so distant future and to celebrate it would probably be a big spread for all the family. My wife is the cook and she’s quite into Middle Eastern food. We designed the kitchen and dining table to host a large party comfortably so the day we actually get to do this will be really special.
What does a Sunday here look like?
Not lazy enough.
With two young kids, unfortunately it doesn’t involve a lie-in, but we would generally make something special for breakfast like pancakes or French toast and then head out to a local park, coming home to play games in the extension and cook a roast.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
The green space.
We’re really lucky to have a recreation ground literally on our doorstep, and Crystal Palace Park with its history, dinosaurs and Sunday Market is a 15-minute walk away.
How long will you be here for?
Unless another project presents itself, for quite some time.
It would be nice to see the kids grow up here but I am never totally closed to a new project – some land for a new build house would be perfect.
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