My Modern House: fashion editor Holly Swayne on small-space living in Stoke Newington

Gibson Gardens
GibsonGardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens
Gibson Gardens

“You have to be ruthless when you live in a small place. Moving into a small contemporary period conversion has made me reassess my possessions and what I actually use and truly like. We did a huge cull of unnecessary clutter when we moved. For me, that was mainly clothes.

“Now I have a relatively small wardrobe (for someone who works in fashion a lot!) and I much prefer it – it’s edited to the more classic pieces I really love.

“My boyfriend, George, and I have lived here for seven months, having bought the place from The Modern House in 2017. We’d been renting around the corner and looking for somewhere for over a year with not much luck, but as soon as we walked into this flat it felt like home.

“I always love walking into our road. It’s a set of Victorian mansion blocks on a really quaint cobbled street with lamp posts and shared gardens.

“Our flat is four storeys up on the top floor, with lots of bright natural light – it feels like a real hideaway from the world.

“It’s been great to move into a place that didn’t need any renovation work. We immediately loved the aesthetic the previous owners, Emil Eve Architects, created.

“They reconfigured and designed the flat to make the best possible use of space. They added a new kitchen with a white Corian worktop, bespoke ash shelving, tiles in the hallway and a bathroom with underfloor heating and lots of clever storage to make the most of the space – it’s only 45 square metres but feels far bigger.

“George’s mum is an interior stylist and I think he has absorbed a lot of her knowledge. He’s got a really good eye for interiors, and we have very similar taste which makes things easy.

“The plant shelves are a favourite; a good friend of mine runs Still Life Flowers and she helped me source all the pots and plants that fill the ash shelves in one corner of the living room – with strict instructions on how to keep them alive!

I’m a freelance writer and content editor so I spend half my time working from home. I think I would go a bit mad if I was in the house the whole time, but I really enjoy the balance.

“During the day, my kitchen table doubles as my office and I get to cook for myself. It’s a lot nicer than having to rush out to Pret for a sandwich. It’s a lovely setting to work in because there is lots of natural light and it’s very quiet.

“George is an advertising creative and photographer, and a lot of the prints in the flat are his pictures from trips we’ve been on together – the pink Muralla Roja building in Spain, the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and San Juan in Puerto Rico. His style is minimalist and abstract, but often with beautifully vivid colours that brighten up the flat’s otherwise pared-back style.

“When we’re at home, we spend most of our time in the living area – relaxing, cooking, having friends and family over. Because it’s a small space, we keep it very casual.  It requires a bit of furniture moving to fit everyone in but we make the most of the space we have.

“Although I got rid of a lot of clothes, I still use the second bedroom as a wardrobe. We added shelves to an alcove in the wall for shoes, then I had a white powder-coated clothes rail made bespoke by Brighton-based Little Deer.

“Having lived in various rentals in Stoke Newington over the past six years, I know and love the area so was really happy to be able to buy my first home here. Church Street has always has been a favourite for its great boutiques, restaurants and pubs. But the less-popular High Street is becoming increasingly attractive. We’re also on the doorstep of Abney Park – a pretty spectacular cemetery and nature reserve that’s good to get lost in.”

Holly, if you moved, what would be the first thing you’d take with you?
“The art and prints that we’ve collected. They’re the most precious pieces.”

What do you think it means to live in a modern way?
“Moving into a small flat meant we had to get rid of a lot of things. That process made me really appreciate fewer things that I really love and will use forever. So for me, modern living is all about quality over quantity.”

Is there a property on The Modern House website that’s caught your eye?
Sandy Rendel Architects’ house in Lewes would make a dream countryside home. I love the light and riverside views.”

Explore our Old Meets New collection to view similar properties to Holly’s.

Read more: Fashion House: Seven architectural fashion-show locations

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