Islington House, Highbury, London

Islington House, Highbury, London

The Islington House, London

Once run-down and structurally unsound, this Victorian terrace was transformed for Damien, Natasha, and their three children through a bold vision focused on social connection, daylight, and robust family living. Over eight weeks, early collaboration paved the way for ambitious planning approval, allowing the home to be radically opened up.

The interior of the existing ground floor has been completely gutted and re-imagined as a sequence of spaces connecting living, kitchen and dining through changes in section. The kitchen forms the fulcrum and heart of the house with views to the living room on the upper level and to the dining room on the lower level, which also connects to the garden. Extensive use of skylights brings the sunlight deep into the heart of the house. The white box of the extension floats on a single exposed column and the existing staircase lining forms a faceted geometrical connection allowing inside and out side to blend seamlessly through an angled skylight above the kitchen. Bespoke western red cedar shutters deal with privacy while providing warmth to the flank façade.

The material palette has been kept to a few simple elements: walnut parquet flooring defines the zone of the living room while vertical iroko boards bring warmth to the kitchen and hidden behind the wall are the storage units, pantry and guest bathroom. The kitchen is constructed out of Atlantic Lava Stone, which is extremely durable. The dining room floor is polished concrete, which retains the warmth of the underfloor heating system for long periods.

A narrow and tall ensuite bathroom has been fitted into the tight space between the upper landing and existing main bedroom, which is completely lit by skylights. Walls are cranked and faceted as much as possible to bring views of the surrounding park into the house.

Working closely, Neil Dusheiko Architects and the family rebuilt and expanded the home in every way. The street’s missing bay window was reinstated, and the ground floor was gutted to create one generous, flexible space with kitchen, dining, living, and garden interconnected. Large angled skylights draw sunlight deep into the plan, and a palette of polished concrete, iroko slatting, and lava stone brings warmth and durability. Bespoke joinery—cedar shutters, integrated storage, and adaptable lighting—ensures every corner feels personal and practical.

Daily life now unfolds in the open, light-filled heart of the home. Children move freely between indoors and outdoors while Natasha connects with family at a glance from the kitchen. The master bedroom and bathrooms, flooded with natural light and sky views, underline the sense of calm and safety. A home that is restful, social, and robust—an adaptable retreat for this growing family.

Damien and Natasha’s home shows what’s possible when family life, technical ingenuity, and personal connection drive every design decision—a place where light, openness, and comfort foster togetherness, resilience, and joy for years to come