At a collector's house
Sweetness and light
Home where the art is
Do try this at home
How to turn an Edwardian house into something much more 21st century.
Childhood holidays in Ireland are what started Philip Narine's interest
in buildings and decoration. "In the late seventies I went to stay
with a friend of my mum's in a run-down country manor in the south of
Ireland. The place was full of mad colours and battered antiques." When
Narine bought his current home in North London, he set aside a year to
undertake its renovation. Some of the works were dramatic, such as
opening up the lower back of the house and putting in three concertinaed
glass doors. He also removed the roof to rebuild the attic, making it
into a spacious, split-level bedroom with sitting area that has a
splendid view of Alexandra Palace. The effect of Narine's childhood
holidays in Ireland is clear to see. His house has plenty of character, a
strong dose of chic and just a hint of comfortable shabbiness in the
mottled mirrors and aged leather armchairs... view featureThe King has now left the building
"We've approached the work on our own apartment as a professional
project, but one where we can experiment and take anything we like, 'all
the way". By doing so, newlyweds Andreas Joyce Nygaard and his wife
Heidi Pettersvold have been their own ideal clients. They both work for
the prestigious Oslo and New York based architectural firm Snohetta, and
this wonderfully orange, perfectly patched work of art is now their own
home. The classical turn of the century apartment has been
rehabilitated to show off their work, but more than that, it challenges
how far interior design actually can be taken in a home environment. And
it works!! On the wall in their bright kitchen thrones the King
himself. Elvis has been reformatted and framed so everyone can catch a
glimpse of him. In an adjacent corner hangs a lightbox fitted with an
x-ray of Heidi's rib-cage. The apartment is testimony to the challenge
they put to themselves: how to combine the apartments' original features
with the constantly expanding framework of their main objective, which
is treating spaces as rooms. Every single choice they've made concerning
pallette, materials, tactility and form reflect their constant drive to
push their own boundaries... view featureV for the View
One of Ørestaden’s landmarks, ‘V’ the house stands erect with its high
geometric construction and distinctive balconies. Climbing up the yellow
staircase to 9 Sal (owned by fashion designer Camilla Kurdahl and her
family) and out onto the wedge-shaped balcony, can only be likened to
standing on a ship. One is very much tempted to spread their arms and
shout "I'm King of the World", for it is the feeling you get when you
stand on the outermost point and feel the rush! When the couple first
read about the fascinating housing project of architect Bjarke Ingels,
they promptly fell in love with the idea to become holders of one of the
coveted apartments. However there was the challenge that they should
have enough space for their 3 children. Inside the apartment leaves you
in awe of its cathedral like size, yet is bursting with light from its
white interior that contrasts perfectly with the dark oak floor.. view feature 
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