An apartment in the Islington area, north of London, was recently renovated by the studio Architecture For London founded by Ben Ridley.

The apartment, located in a Georgian building from 1860 like many other nearby buildings, was converted for residential use in the 1970s.

The project completely reconfigures the apartment located on the first floor. The clients are a young London couple with a limited budget; despite this and the small size—36 square meters—the studio managed to create an open-plan kitchen in the living room and a separate bedroom.

The low-quality 20th-century doors, shutters, and architraves were replaced with period paneling.

The spaces were decorated with high-quality materials such as Carrara marble used for the kitchen—on the countertop and coverings—and in the living room with a new fireplace.

The cornices were carefully repaired, and layers of paint applied over time were removed to reveal the original plaster detail.

The original floors, heavily painted and damaged, were sanded down to the “bare” wood and treated with soap to restore their original character.

Details that reference the building’s history blend well with the classic furnishings used to decorate the apartment.

In the bedroom, light wood floors are paired with dark walls and colorful textiles for a cozy and warm result.

The small bathroom is functional and clad with slate tiles arranged in a herringbone pattern for a truly scenic effect. The bathtub with bright yellow feet provides an incredible visual impact. Functional details such as underfloor heating and anti-fog mirrors have been added.