On Darbourne and Darke’s Marquess Estate – a wonderful example of mid-century housing – lies this impeccably overhauled one-bedroom flat. It might be modest in size but its architect owner, founder of Built Works, has made the most of its footprint with a cleverly designed open-plan kitchen and living area. It has plenty of handy shelving and a terrazzo-topped island on wheels, which can be moved around the room as required. Materially speaking, along with the olive-green walls, things like the colourful terrazzo in the bathroom and the bespoke ply kitchen create a delightful home. We’re particularly keen on the resin floor, which is made from cork and natural oils and is as sustainable as it is smart, retaining heat naturally.

Just a five-minute walk from London Fields, with the restaurants and cafes of Wilton Way en route, this bright two-bedroom flat sits on the second floor of a beautiful Victorian terraced house. The thoughtful renovation is a lesson in simplicity, proof that not all projects need to make a statement to be sublime. It has been thoughtfully designed to maximise space and light, with clean white walls and an open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area. The entire space is a breeze to be in, thanks to the soft palette, engineered wooden floorboards and artful decoration. It has its own sun trap too, in the form of a south-facing terrace 

This meticulous home makeover is the result of a collaboration between the owners and London-based architecture firm Mike Tuck Studio. Establishing a good sense of flow was a significant part of the project, as was capitalising on the existing space and volume. Although contemporary in feel, the rear extension and loft conversion sit beautifully in tune with the existing architecture of the four-bedroom Victorian house. Natural, quality materials underpin the entire renovation, such as Douglas fir window frames, veined marble kitchen tops and birch-plywood cabinetry. The best bits, however, might just be the exposed beams and extensive glazing, which floods the space in light.

When it came to renovating their 1,100sq ft warehouse home in Shoreditch, architect and designer Juliano Cordano and his partner, Jose-Luiz Moura, counted Brazilian brutalism and the Memphis movement among their references. “There was a lot of sitting down and putting our brains together to come up with the concept,” Jose-Luiz told us when we visited. They conceived an imaginative redesign, with a hidden sleeping pod for guests, a plunge pool in the bathroom and a roof terrace with 360-degree views across the capital. “In the summer months, we have so many long lazy lunches up there,” he continues. “Our home becomes an urban oasis. Even though we are in a very industrial part of London, you don’t hear anything up here. Nothing beats an evening on the roof after a long day.”

If you need encouragement to depart from the original architectural style when renovating, this three-bedroom Victorian house in East Dulwich is just the ticket. It was transformed by Studio McLeod, who added a striking mid-century-inspired split-level extension that now accommodates the dining room. We might just have to crown it our favourite room here (although, the bright-blue living room and oak-lined bedroom are also lovely), it sets the tone for the entire house, with exposed brick walls and slate underfoot, which runs out to the garden to form the patio. Thoughtfully placed skylights punctuate the bare plaster ceiling above and create a wonderful sense of volume.

Creating a greener home was the priority for the owners of this 1870s terrace near St Johns station in south-east London. Yes, they made aesthetic improvements, namely with the open-plan living area, teal-blue Shaker-style kitchen and the polished concrete floor that unites the downstairs space. But we’re most impressed with the installation of an air-source heat pump, which provides energy for central heating, as well as the solar panels that produce 4.2kw energy for the house, heat its hot water and provide supplementary electricity. It is so efficient, in fact, that extra energy is even sold back to the grid.