“I used to be able to see my classroom from my bedroom window,” smiles Cobbie Yates. “I’d wish that I had a slide so I could zip straight across.” For many of us, our childhood homes bear the hallmarks of our past. But not for Cobbie. When the costume designer was presented with the rare opportunity to buy the modest flat he grew up in from his mother, he accepted the offer and overhauled the interiors, adding space-saving storage systems and creating a scheme that he and his partner, textile buyer Joseph Hyland, can call their own.

Having been born and raised in this corner of the capital, at 17 Cobbie decided it was time to spread his wings. The budding costume designer (whose portfolio of work now includes dressing Letitia Wright and the rest of the cast of The Silent Twins, as well as Reggie Yates’ debut film, Pirates) spent many years “renting and bouncing” around east London, while his family moved to Shooters Hill, south-east London, leaving tenants to take over this flat. It was his mother, though, who eventually suggested that Cobbie should purchase it from her. Situated within an ex-council block, the humble two-bed was more affordable than most – but it came at a different price: “We knew immediately we would have to transform it quite significantly,” says Cobbie.

There were three boxes in particular that Cobbie and Joseph wanted to tick: to maximise space, increase storage and make the interiors more “pleasing”. Given their demanding jobs, which require a lot of travel, the couple wanted to create a sanctuary that could also accommodate friends for the occasional dinner party. (We suspect this is when one of Joseph’s family heirlooms, a thrifted karaoke machine, comes into its own). The small but impactful hotel rooms the couple has stayed in around the world have also greatly inspired them aesthetically. “There are loads of small spaces that are gorgeous,” Cobbie explains. As Joseph adds: “We knew that its size didn’t mean the flat couldn’t be special.”

Watch the film now to discover the couple’s clever storage units, their flexible approach to furniture and to hear Cobbie share charming anecdotes from his upbringing. Enjoy! And remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss an episode.