 
	See This Family Home Inspired By Stylish Members’ Clubs
        
                  
            The Brief
Set within the historic Lion Houses of London’s Peterborough Estate, this elegant Victorian home has been thoughtfully reimagined by Project London for a young, design-conscious family, blending classic architecture with contemporary charm and playful practicality.
As the only home on the block with a full roof terrace, the property presented a unique opportunity to create a truly special surprise on the top level. The brief was to make the home feel open, connected, and full of life, with a particular focus on linking the ground and lower ground floors so that no room felt cut off. Internal windows, strategic openings and a uniquely positioned staircase in the kitchen created sightlines between all key living spaces, encouraging interaction, sociability and flow.
Reflecting the clients’ Mediterranean roots, the interiors are grounded in natural materials and sun-warmed textures, including marble, solid woods, polished concrete, clay plaster, steel, solid timber, and limewash paint. These tactile surfaces are balanced by bold accents and cheerful pops of colour, which bring a sense of fun and creativity to the family-focused layout. Some areas feature wall panelling, decorative cornices, and reinstated ceiling roses, reintroducing the home’s original period character. The overall scheme is a considered blend of modern tactility and traditional detailing – robust yet beautiful, ensuring the house could meet the demands of daily family life while remaining visually elegant and refined.
The lower ground floor was excavated and transformed into a spacious, light-filled guest suite with its own access, offering flexibility for visiting family or future use. The level also includes an open play area for the kids, a cinema room, and a gym, creating a multifunctional space for both relaxation and recreation. Upstairs, bedrooms were designed with adaptability in mind, and the principal suite located on the top floor opens out onto a private rooftop terrace, complete with skyline views and a bespoke bar.
LET'S TAKE THE TOUR
The Kitchen
The generous 11m -long kitchen is the heart of the home, a multifunctional space designed for cooking, dining, relaxing and gathering. With three young children, the brief was to create a space that could support the pace of daily family life while still feeling elegant, inviting and connected to the architecture of the house.
Working with bespoke kitchen specialists Cor Domi, the design took full advantage of the house’s unusually long footprint. A micro-shaker style was chosen for the cabinetry, finished in a soft spray-painted tone with fluted oak detailing for warmth and texture. A walk-in pantry, oak dresser, bar and banquette seating were all seamlessly integrated, creating a sense of rhythm and purpose throughout the space. The kitchen was designed to be hardworking and generous, with double dishwashers, hidden appliances and ample storage, all subtly concealed behind beautifully crafted joinery. The layout also accommodates a comfortable snug area, offering a cosy corner to relax, read or watch TV.
At the centre of the room sits a dramatic three-metre island topped in Breccia Capraia marble, a standout material sourced from Tuscany, known for its striking green, gold and blue veining. This stone wraps across all surfaces, from worktops to a floating marble shelf along the sink run, adding movement, richness and a sense of quiet luxury.
Natural materials and Mediterranean tones echo the client’s inspiration and underpin the palette: polished concrete floors run throughout the space, grounding it with durability and depth; clay-plastered walls lend softness and tactility; a slim steel staircase adds an architectural edge while visually connecting the space to the lower ground floor. Floor-to-ceiling glazing opens directly onto the west-facing garden, creating a fluid connection between indoors and out.
Bespoke touches, like the concealed air-conditioning unit tucked beneath the oak banquette, or the integrated media wall designed for family downtime, speak to the thoughtfulness of the design. The result is a kitchen that feels timeless, personal and quietly indulgent, a true family hub where beauty and function go hand in hand.
Bar Stools: Soho Home 
Dining Chairs: Bukowski 
Dining Table: Crafty Creations 
Sheer Curtains: Andrew Martin 
Polished Concrete: Lazenby 
Clay Plaster Walls: Claybrook 
Kitchen & Bespoke Joinery: Cor Domi
Sofa: Soho Home
Plaster Light Fittings: The Lamp Workshop Store 
The Snug
The open-plan snug is a masterclass in balancing light, function and atmosphere within a traditional London terrace layout. As is typical with these homes, the middle room lacked direct natural light but smart design interventions turned it into a warm, cocooning retreat that still feels visually connected to the rest of the home.
An internal window beside the kitchen borrows light from the west-facing garden and large kitchen rooflight, while also framing views through to the front study via the central staircase. This clever layering of internal glazing creates continuous sightlines from the front to back, drawing light through the full depth of the house and giving the snug a sense of openness and calm.
Material and colour choices add richness and detail. Rather than fight the lack of light, we embraced it with a rich green-blue wall colour that enhances the room’s cosy, restful quality. Walls, ceilings and joinery are all painted in softly reflective Farrow & Ball eggshell finishes, which give a subtle shimmer and pick out the panelling and ornate cornicing beautifully. A bespoke L-shaped sofa in a fun red stripe adds character and comfort, while a scalloped-edge pink rug brings softness and playfulness, beautifully complementing the deep-toned walls. The panelling was also carefully designed to house the client’s Tree of Life artwork, intentionally placed in this family-focused space to celebrate connection and togetherness. Soft pops of colour add character without overpowering the room, lending a sense of personality and ease., such as the pink cherry blossom in the artwork
Sofa: Love Your Home 
Rug: Layered 
Wall Lights: Jimmy Raiden 
Pendant Light: Soho Home
Tree Of Life Artwork: Jack Frame
Hardware: Armac Martin 
Floor: Trunk 
The Office
Flooded with morning light and positioned near the front door for easy access, this home office blends serene sophistication with clever functionality. A black arched Crittall style door delivers instant wow-factor, its soft silhouette offering privacy while staying connected to the rest of this family-focused home.
At the centre, a sculptural wood pedestal desk topped in Emperador marble brings weight and presence, contrasting beautifully with light-painted bespoke joinery featuring fluted details and textured wallpaper back panels. Though the space is undeniably modern, period flourishes, like a floral ceiling rose and classic cornicing, anchor it with timeless elegance.
Desk Chair: Eichholtz 
Lamps: Bert Frank 
Side Table: Tom Faulkner 
Joinery Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries 
Study Cabinetry: Cor Domi
Pendant: Soho Home
The Basement Annex
Tucked away on the lower ground floor, this self-contained suite offers a serene and beautifully detailed retreat, perfect for guests or even future Airbnb use. Accessed via a private entrance, the space has been carefully designed to feel both independent and deeply connected to the overall style of the home.
A neutral, Mediterranean-inspired palette runs throughout, with soft limewashed walls, brass accents, and natural textures creating a calming, sun-warmed atmosphere. The oak-framed bed and rattan-inset cabinetry bring a tactile, artisanal feel, while layers of cream tones, brushed metals and marble details add refinement. Rust velvet curtains and peach-coloured bedding introduce a soft richness and subtle contrast, creating a welcoming, restful environment with a touch of understated luxury.
The en-suite bathroom is a true sanctuary. Wrapped from wall to ceiling in warm-toned micro cement, it has a seamless, sculptural quality that instantly soothes. Terracotta floor tiles add texture and tactility underfoot, enhancing the room’s earthy, grounded feel.
Bed: Soho Home
Bed Throw: Villa Nova 
Joinery Wallpaper: Elitis 
Curtains: Gotain 
Bespoke Joinery: Cor Domi
The Basement
At the heart of the lower ground floor lies a trio of beautifully crafted spaces: a cinema room, a home gym, and a playroom, each designed to serve a different facet of family life yet connected by a cohesive design language of texture and flow. Light pours in from above, thanks to the central steel staircase and an open void at the rear of the kitchen, an architectural decision that allows borrowed light to filter down through the heart of the home.
The cinema room is cocooning and atmospheric, wrapped in midnight blue limewash across walls and ceilings for a soft, velvety finish. Framed by plush velvet curtains, the space can be fully enclosed or opened up to the adjacent playroom, creating either a secluded movie den or a more open-plan family zone.
Just beyond, the gym offers a refined counterpoint. Framed by steel-framed Crittall-style doors, it’s a space designed for focus and retreat. The midnight blue limewash wall finish continues from the cinema, yet the space feels entirely different thanks to the abundance of natural light. Thoughtful details like recessed weight storage and minimalist joinery keep the space clutter-free and considered.
The playroom, sits directly beneath the kitchen, positioned intentionally so that parents can easily keep an eye, and ear, on the children while preparing meals or entertaining upstairs. Thanks to the open central staircase and the architectural void at the rear, there’s a clear visual and auditory connection between the two floors.
Sofa: Sofa.com
Wall Lights: Soho Home
Joinery Wallpaper: Arte 
Floor: Trunk 
Bespoke Joinery: Cor Domi
Limewash Wall Finish: Bauwerk 
The Kids' Wing
The first floor has been thoughtfully designed as a dedicated children’s wing, a joyful, personal space that balances whimsy with longevity. Taking full advantage of the home’s extended layout, this floor includes three similarly sized bedrooms and a bathroom, all conceived with flexibility and future growth in mind.
Each bedroom is full of charm, from jungle-themed touches to bespoke joinery details like bamboo shoot wardrobe handles. While designed for little ones now, two of the bedrooms have been sized to accommodate double beds later, allowing the layout to evolve as the children grow. The nursery, currently a cosy, nurturing space with stormy clouds ceiling wallpaper, can easily transition into a study or guest room when needed. At the heart of the floor is a playful, light-filled bathroom, wrapped in hot air balloon wallpaper, with yellow scalloped details that nod to vintage fairgrounds.
Behind the fun lies thoughtful practicality. Hidden within the bespoke joinery are cleverly integrated solutions: air conditioning units, the Lutron lighting riser, and even a suitcase store all discreetly tucked away without compromising on style.
Wallpaper Boy’s Room: Munks and Me
Wallpaper Bathroom: Graham & Brown
Wall Lamp Shades: Birdie Fortescue
Handles: Matilda Goad 
Joinery Wallpaper: Elitis 
Bathroom Floor Tiles: Starel Stones
Green Concrete Sink: The Poured Project
The Penthouse Suite
Crowning Lion House is a truly exceptional second-floor suite, a penthouse-style sanctuary that brings together indulgent materials, clever spatial planning, and Mediterranean-inspired serenity. Designed as an adult retreat, the space blends comfort, privacy and cinematic style, complete with its own rooftop bar and wraparound terrace.
Accessed via a discreet wardrobe-lined walkway, with hidden doors leading to the marble-clad ensuite, the layout offers a sequence of moments: dressing room, bedroom, rooftop lounge, and private terrace. The atmosphere is quietly luxurious, with solid oak joinery, limewash walls and ceilings, and oak flooring underfoot. A bespoke headboard, upholstered in linen and slightly higher than standard, acts as a subtle room divider between the bed and the walk-in wardrobe. Wiggly bedside tables add a playful note, while plush forest green curtains provide full blackout. Delicate embroidered sheers sit behind glazed internal windows, enhancing the suite-like elegance reminiscent of a boutique hotel.
The standout feature is the rooftop terrace – inspired by Soho House Rome, the design layers olive-green trelliswork, cream decking, and rich red wall tiles to evoke a warm, Mediterranean mood.
The adjoining en-suite is just as considered, lined with Viola marble across vanity tops and shelving niches. The centrepiece is a double shower, set beneath a new rooflight that floods the room with natural light and offers an unexpectedly dramatic, sky-facing showering experience. A final touch of ingenuity: a four-storey laundry chute, concealed behind bespoke joinery, running from the second floor to the utility space below, an elegant solution for busy family life that’s as practical as it is discreet.
Floor & Bedside Lamps: Oscar Piccolo 
Wall Lights: Simone & Marcel
Sofa: Soho Home
Armchair: Eichholtz
Cushions: Colours of Arley 
Bespoke Joinery: Cor Domi
Rug: Layered 
Bar Artwork: Andrew Martin Wonderful World
The Utility Room
Far from an afterthought, the utility room at Lion House is a quietly luxurious, highly functional space, designed in real collaboration with bespoke joinery specialists, Cor Domi. Tailored to meet the needs of a busy family of five, this space pairs thoughtful detailing with elegant materials, making the practical feel effortlessly polished.
Pale blue bespoke cabinetry, sets a calm and refined tone, finished with brass trims and hardware that bring warmth and subtle glamour. A generous Arabescato marble worktop runs the length of the room, paired with a classic Belfast sink, offering durability without compromising on style. Every inch of storage is designed with purpose: pull-out drying racks and slide-out timber shelves allow for resting baskets, while deep drawers and cabinetry house everyday essentials with ease.
A four-storey laundry chute drops directly into the space from the floors above, a clever family-focused feature that keeps daily life flowing seamlessly. Dual washers and dryers are concealed beneath the counter, set against practical pink tiles laid underfoot in that zone, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding oak timber floor.
From the wicker laundry baskets to the cabinetry proportions and hidden detailing, every element has been fine-tuned in collaboration with Cor Domi, turning this utility room into a space that supports the rhythm of family life with real elegance.
Bespoke Joinery: Cor Domi
Floor Tiles: Claybrook 
Handles: Armac Martin 
The Guest Suite
Occupying the front of the house and where you would usually find the designated main bedroom, this elegant suite has been thoughtfully reimagined as a luxurious guest retreat. Designed to rival a boutique hotel, it offers visiting friends and family a stay wrapped in comfort.
The walk-in wardrobe was custom-built, drawing inspiration from the refined aesthetic of Varley’s women’s store on the King’s Road. The en-suite bathroom is a true sanctuary. Marble chequerboard flooring sets a timeless foundation, complemented by a bespoke timber and marble vanity, a freestanding bath, and a generous walk-in shower adorned with unlacquered brassware.
Headboard: Andrew Martin 
Bedside Tables: Olivia's
Bedside Shades: Birdie Fortescue 
Cushions: Birdie Fortescue
Joinery: Cor Domi
Floor Tiles: Mandarin Stone 
Wall Tiles: Claybrook 
Brassware: Cast Iron Bath Company  
Vanity: Lusso Stone 
Visit PROJECTLONDON.CO.UK & CORDOMI.CO.UK
Photography: Aaron Hargreaves
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