Inside The Mid-Century Pine Grove House
An accomplished balance of light, material and proportion, and interplays of exquisite interior and exterior attention, are defining features of this superb renovation of a four-bedroom house in sought-after Totteridge Village. The design, by renowned international agency Brinkworth, takes a refined, mid-century modern palette and applies it with the most delicate of contemporary touches. The result is a 4,000 sq ft home of calming sensibility, enhanced by its breathtaking views onto enchanting and productive private gardens, designed by Arne Maynard.
Tour Of Pine Grove House
Undulating topiary envelopes the trunks of a row of pleached trees that give cover the wonderfully humble Arts and Crafts façade, all that remains, in fact, of the original house. An arched portico, shaded by the dappling foliage of a camelia tree, leads through an arched hardwood doorway, giving entry to a large hallway laid with large-format quarry tiles. A wall of Crittall lies ahead, with panels of reeded glass inviting a distorted light from the southern façade.
Beyond lies a dramatic open plan space, its exposed steel structure permitting a 14 metre expanse. Oak floorboards run underfoot, as they do in much of the house with the exception of the kitchen and bathrooms. Underfloor heating is present throughout. A wall of window, contained by the barely-there profiles of Fineline glazed sliding doors, frames the rear garden and vivifies the room like a life-sized artwork that changes through the seasons.
To the right, a wall of painted exposed brick contains within it a recessed fireplace in dark engineered brick, a material datum that continues from the font porch and into the external rear elevation. Behind it is a cove for records and intimate listening. A living room occupies the centre of the room and transitions from dining to kitchen via a massive kitchen island.
The kitchen is custom-designed with stainless steel worktops and appliances by Gaggenau. Carcassing is in birch ply and white cabinetry is set against panelling in Douglas fir. Quarry tiles run underfoot and the space is lit from above by a series of roof lights resting on exposed beams. The kitchen has its own glazed door to the garden. Behind the Douglas fir panelling is a utility room, and beyond that is a plant/boiler room with its own access from the front driveway, and a guest WC. At the front of the plan, behind a wall of reeded Crittall, is a fantastic study space that could also be used as a more intimate sitting room or media space.
From the entrance hall, an open-tread steel staircase with oak treads rises from a concrete plinth against a wall of painted brick. It reaches up to the first floor, where the house's bedrooms lie. The principal suite is situated at the rear and pitches Douglas fir panelling against oak joinery; in the en suite, the pairing is of light-grey Carrara marble and Corian. The other two bedrooms on this level both have built-in wardrobes. One has an en suite shower room, the other with the sole use of a shower room on the landing space.
The second floor is reached via an oak staircase with birch ply balustrade and marine ply slatted panelling. This level is given to a massive bedroom within the vaulted loft space. It has its own bathroom with a freestanding Corian bath, set behind beautifully crafted glazed doors with Iroko frames. Opposite the bathroom, Iroko-framed doors also open to a decked terrace with a westerly outlook for evening sun and sunset.
Pine Grove House Garden
The front and rear gardens were designed by the acclaimed garden designer, Arne Maynard. The front section is a sumptuous accompaniment to the modesty of the façade; a light mask of privacy, and yet a subtle nod to the curation within.
At the rear, the enormity of space allows Maynard’s designs even more ambition. Here, large interlocking CorTen steel forms a series of raised beds, creating the sense of a contemporary parterre or terraces, softened in their edges by meadow planting.
The base of the planting scheme is of violets and wild strawberries, out of which, in the spring, burst a wonderful array of tulips and associated spring bulbs. In the summer it is suffused with lupins, peonies and aconitum which become the second wave, flooding through and enveloping the entire central section.
The garden is punctuated with topiary and held in at the edges by lovely, loose cloud hedges of yew. Pleached pears provide fruit and further enclosure for the garden at a higher level. The garden rises gently from the terrace by the house to the greenhouse, lawn and enclosing hedge at the rear.
Brinkworth Architects
Brinkworth is a London-based design consultancy renowned for its innovative approach to architecture, interior, and experiential design. Established in 1990 by Adam Brinkworth, the firm has grown significantly over the past three decades, expanding its reach globally and opening a second office in New York in 2017.
The company's portfolio is extensive, encompassing over 2,500 projects across 80 countries. Their work spans various sectors, including retail, hospitality, workplace, and residential design. Brinkworth's philosophy centers on creating spaces that foster a sense of community and belonging, transforming physical environments into immersive brand experiences. One of Brinkworth's most notable collaborations is with the fashion brand Supreme. Over a decade-long partnership, they have developed innovative retail concepts worldwide. A standout project is the Supreme store in San Francisco, featuring an indoor skate bowl constructed from timber and suspended from a mezzanine, exemplifying Brinkworth's commitment to blending functionality with experiential design.
In the realm of hospitality, Brinkworth has made significant contributions. Their design for the Diesel Village in London showcases their ability to create dynamic environments that reflect brand identity while offering unique customer experiences. Brinkworth's approach is deeply rooted in material experimentation and prototyping. Originating from a background in design and build projects, the firm maintains an in-house workshop where ideas are tested and refined. This hands-on methodology ensures that each project is not only conceptually sound but also practically viable, with meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship.
The firm's commitment to fostering collaborative relationships with clients has been a cornerstone of their sustained excellence. By engaging clients throughout the design process, Brinkworth ensures that the final product resonates with the intended audience and stands the test of time. In summary, Brinkworth's innovative design solutions, global reach, and dedication to quality have solidified their reputation as a leading design consultancy. Their work continues to shape the landscape of contemporary design, creating spaces that are both functional and inspiring
Architects: Brinkworth Architects
External Words, Source: The Modern House