A Masterclass in Spatial Geometry: How an Interior Designer Transformed a Quirky London Studio

For most people, browsing real-estate listings is a chore—a necessary evil to find a roof over one’s head. For interior designer Nicholas Hodson-Taylor, however, it is a genuine passion. “I’m obsessed!” he admits with a laugh. “I see it as an outlet for work. I’ll find something that’s a bit of a fantasy and print off the floor plans and see what I could do.”

This professional curiosity eventually led him to a serendipitous discovery: a former artist’s studio tucked away on a quiet street in west London. The building was an architectural curiosity, defined by its unconventional footprint. Measuring only eight feet wide at the front, the structure expanded into a quasi-triangular shape with a dramatic wedge at the rear. While many prospective buyers might have been intimidated by the lack of right angles and the unconventional dimensions, Hodson-Taylor saw potential.

He and his husband, James MacAuslan, a professional tailor, had been searching for a property that could serve a dual purpose: a home that functioned as a workspace, facilitating their plans to launch their own respective businesses. When Hodson-Taylor first presented the listing to MacAuslan, the response was one of skepticism. “I basically bought it in my head when I saw it online, but when I showed it to James, he was like, ‘Are you mad? This is ridiculous!’”

MacAuslan’s hesitation vanished the moment they stepped inside. He was immediately struck by the massive window in the eat-in kitchen, which promised the kind of natural light essential for their creative pursuits. Furthermore, the property’s history added a layer of confidence to their decision. For four decades, the studio had been the home and workspace of a music teacher, who had cleverly partitioned the rooms to accommodate both daily life and piano lessons. This established history confirmed to the couple that the 1,200-square-foot space possessed the fundamental infrastructure for a live-work lifestyle. Recognizing that the building needed a fresh injection of personality, the couple set out on a renovation journey designed to make the quirky structure fit for a new generation of creative professionals.

The Multi-Tasking Hallway

The transformation began with a bold structural decision: moving the front door from the side of the building to the street-facing elevation. This seemingly minor shift had a significant "domino effect" on the internal flow of the home. The area that previously served as the kitchen was repurposed into a versatile space that functions as an entry, a library, and a dining room.

“If I have client meetings, this is where we’ll gather,” Hodson-Taylor explains, gesturing to the round table that serves as both a formal meeting point and his primary workstation. The original front door was replaced with a set of French doors, creating a seamless connection between the interior and the lush, compact yard. High above, a subtle architectural detail remains: a notch in the ceiling, a vestige of the home’s past as an artist’s studio, once used to hoist large canvases up to the second floor.

The designer’s appreciation for Venetian architecture is evident in his choices, particularly in the library area. He introduced a touch of the Palazzo Fortuny by installing a canopy of sackcloth above his reading armchair. “When you’re reading, you want to feel a bit enveloped,” he says, highlighting the importance of creating intimacy within the home’s unusual geometry.

The Power of a Jib Door

Working with a space that lacks right angles requires a high degree of spatial creativity, a challenge that Hodson-Taylor clearly relished. To maintain visual cohesion in the open living and hallway areas, he utilized a skewed wall covered in floor-to-ceiling curtains. This clever solution hides a multitude of household necessities, including shoes, coats, and his collection of professional work swatches.

Opposite this feature, a jib door—a door designed to be flush with the wall—wrapped in undyed linen, provides access to MacAuslan’s 11-square-foot studio. The decision to disguise this entrance was born of necessity. “I was desperate for somewhere to close off all of his machinery and fabrics in the same way that I house a lot of my chaos behind the drapery,” Hodson-Taylor explains. Inside the small room, the efficiency of the design is maximized through the use of cork-lined walls for pinning inspiration and simple, streamlined white millwork.

The Guest-Friendly Living Area

The living room serves as a hub of activity for the couple. MacAuslan utilizes a high trestle table for cutting fabrics, while the adjacent banquette provides a comfortable, inviting spot for hosting clients. “We’ll also have a cup of tea or a martini there, depending on the time of day,” Hodson-Taylor notes.

The focal point of the room is a tall, striking fireplace, a new addition inspired by the opulent, palatial interior of the historic Leighton House nearby. Seeking to create an artistic centerpiece, Hodson-Taylor opted for teal tiles. He was so particular about the aesthetic outcome that he insisted on a dry-lay process to ensure the color variation was perfectly balanced. “We dry-laid them all to make sure it was right. It drove the tiler mad,” he admits with a grin.

The space also accommodates house guests, who sleep on the living room sofa. For their privacy, the couple installed a shower area accessible through a cleverly concealed door that resembles a tall kitchen cupboard, which also leads to a pantry. It is an element of surprise that defines the house’s character; as Hodson-Taylor observes, “It is a bit of a jaw-dropper. I don’t think anyone expects to see what’s here.”

The Savvy Alternative to Marble

When it came to the kitchen, Hodson-Taylor sought to balance cost-efficiency with a high-end look. He chose off-the-shelf cabinets from the retailer Howdens but avoided a "cookie-cutter" aesthetic by carefully curating the finishes. For the main run of counters, he selected Derbyshire fossil limestone. The island, which mirrors the room’s irregular, faceted shape, is topped with marble.

Because the project budget did not allow for a full wrap-around stone base for the island, Hodson-Taylor enlisted the help of decorative painter Will Foster. Using a fine paintbrush, Foster expertly mimicked the appearance of stone, creating a seamless and sophisticated finish that looks indistinguishable from the real material.

Suite Dreams

The renovation’s "spatial gymnastics" were most intense on the upper floor, where the couple created a primary suite. By dividing the triangular-shaped room, they carved out a bedroom that transitions into a private bathroom. The centerpiece of this space is a bathtub sunken into travertine steps, positioned directly beneath a large front window. “It’s not overlooked—you can be in the bath and count the stars,” says Hodson-Taylor.

The final touch in the suite was the transformation of a vintage architectural plan chest into a custom vanity. Working with a skilled millworker, the couple modified the drawers to ensure they were deep and functional rather than merely decorative. Additionally, an awkward, square-shaped nook was converted into a dedicated dressing room.

For the couple, this property has become more than just a renovation project; it is their permanent home. While Hodson-Taylor’s habit of scanning the real-estate market continues, he finds himself less inclined to wander. “There’s rarely anything that compares to here,” he concludes, reflecting on the home they have meticulously built together.