Modern Twist

Photography by Anna Batchelor

Spanish interior designer Sara Leonor transformed a three-storey Victorian building located on Upper Street, Islington’s main throughfare, London, into her home and studio.

Sara Leonor has completely renovated this 150 m² property that was in a very poor state of repair and substantial changes to the layout and finishings were required. The house’s original façade was restored, which had been painted light blue by the previous owners. Sara helped return it to a more natural, traditional tone, aligning it with the classic architecture of London’s urban landscape.

The compact, ten-square-metre studio provides a dedicated workspace, allowing Sara to maintain a balance between work and family life, while also serving as a welcoming spot for neighbours, students, and potential clients. Rachel Thomas, a window dresser, adapted the studio’s graphic image using acrylic and 3D materials, bringing light into the space while maintaining privacy. Inside, the designer has a broad array of materials, project designs, plans, and moodboards, adding bursts of colour to the otherwise neutral surroundings. Sound-absorbing felt panels line the walls, providing an easy way for Sara to attach and remove work materials as needed.

We had been living in this area for 17 years when this house came up for sale. But inside, it was a complete wreck, with sloping floors. We had to redo everything, even between the second and third floors, leaving only the beams.

The renovation makes full use of the space. As you enter the first floor from the staircase, one of Leonor's designs, the Gogo chair, is prominently displayed alongside a discreet coat storage area. The first level features a spacious living room, with smart storage built beneath panels and under a five-metre-long sofa. The design had to work around both the fireplace and a beam that were protected by heritage regulations. One striking decorative element is a colorful fabricprinted drawing that enlivens the wall where the family projects audiovisual content. Behind the sofa, an adaptation of a Joan Miró piece adds an artistic touch. Much of the furniture, including coffee tables, chairs, and stools are designed by Sara and handcrafted locally. Beyond the sofa sits the family piano and a bookcase.

The house had a 30-centimetre slope from one side to the other. Victorian homes move, and rigid surfaces would crack. That’s why we used wood, which absorbs the movement of older buildings.

The former terrace was partially enclosed to create a kitchen and unify the day area on one level.

The kitchen features an extendable aluminum table designed by Sander Nevejans and produced in Belgium which, when opened, can seat up to 15 people. Other elements of the kitchen include paintings by Virginia Frieyro, handmade ceramics by Nathalie Loubert and a lamp by Norman Copenhagen. The entire kitchen is bespoke; with grey cork flooring chosen to mimic concrete - an alternative that wasn’t technically feasible for this Victorian building.

The first floor houses the children’s bedroom, once the location of the kitchen, along with a playroom and shared bathroom. Custom-designed shelves provide hidden storage spaces. The chairs, also designed by Sara Leonor, are made of iron with colorful acrylics that can be swapped out for different aesthetics.

In my design work, I use a lot of colour, but for my own home, I prefer a neutral palette of wood, iron, cement, and white tones. We add colour through decorative details like textiles.

The top floor contains the master bedroom, a guest room, and a third bathroom. The original flooring was removed during renovations and later reinstalled to maintain the historic charm. At the foot of the bed is a bench, an evolution of one Rietveld’s Red Blue Chair. The room is completed by a large double bed, a three-metre-long wardrobe, and one of Sara Leonor’s HI chairs.