How Bold Design Turned a Tiny Coach House into a Dream Family Home

Eleanor and Dominic Charles had a typical city dweller's wishlist: outdoor space, a house rather than a flat, and character. But they went bolder than most, snapping up a run-down 19th-century coach house in Camberwell, south London. The tiny space, with its cottage-like features, was barely wide enough for a single room downstairs and a lean-to toilet. Undeterred, they bid online from abroad and won.

They hired period restoration specialist Anthony Kyrke-Smith for a sensitive two-storey rear extension and mansard loft conversion. The semi-circular window nods to Camberwell's arched glazing. But the real challenge was transforming the tight space into a home for their growing family. They turned to District, an architecture and contracting firm, to rethink the interiors.

The staircase became both a space-saving element and a signature design piece. A floating metal structure in striking pink reduces its footprint to a minimum. It hovers above the dining area, creating an intimate nook for family meals. The vintage table extends twice, and bench storage hides crafts and toys.

The unassuming kitchen hides clever features: an induction hob with integrated extractor, a boiling water tap, and a midway shelf for everyday essentials. The living space is a separate snug with an internal window for light. A mid-century shelving unit from Eleanor's grandmother stores books, while two second-hand Ikea sofas fit perfectly. A step down makes it feel like a sunken conversation pit.

Sliding pocket doors are used throughout, especially in tight upstairs bedrooms. The shared children's room fits a single bunk-bed; the second bedroom doubles as an office with a fold-out daybed. The family bathroom lacks a window, so District created a lightwell above. In the couple's en suite, arched glazing takes centre stage with a deep bathtub.

The rich colour and material palette—buttery yellow, grassy green, blush pink, raw timber, cork flooring—adds warmth and cosiness. As Michael Rees of District says, "It's a real success story that demonstrates how clever design and bold interior choices can transform a tiny, purely functional space into something quite special."