Trove
Flawk, NIKJOO
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Trove is a minimalist home located in London, United Kingdom, designed by Flawk with NIKJOO. Ashley Law, founder and director of Flawk, purchased the house as her permanent residence in November 2022. This personal project evolved into the formation of Flawk, a practice dedicated to transforming overlooked sites with sustainable and innovative design. The renovation of the Whitechapel house required addressing issues such as black mould, low ceilings, and a cramped layout. Flawk and NIKJOO collaborated closely to resolve these challenges, working within Permitted Development Rights to avoid lengthy planning processes. The renovation focused on maximizing space and natural light to create a serene environment.
Key architectural changes included constructing rear and dormer loft extensions and repositioning the central staircase to improve the layout. An open-plan kitchen and living area now spans the ground floor, with thermally upgraded roofs and floors and new timber frame, double glazed windows. A standout feature is the rear extension, characterized by a roughcast render mixed and tested on-site. This element serves as a contemporary design feature, with chamfered walls framing a concrete bench seat beneath tall bifolding windows. Internally, the home features open, light-filled spaces with materials like concrete, timber, aluminum, and brushed stainless steel used in unexpected finishes to encourage interaction and emotional response.
The design includes carefully placed elements like single concrete steps, a stainless steel chainmail curtain, and oak, pine, and cherry wood features. Law’s hands-on approach is evident in the custom aluminum window handles and a stainless steel balustrade extending over two floors. Flawk’s curation of objects and fittings reflects its commitment to local and emerging design, with pieces like James Shaw’s door handles and Lewis Kemmenoe’s lights adding joyful touches throughout the home. Repurposed materials, such as reclaimed aggregate and Breccia Pontificia marble off-cuts, were used wherever possible, adding a layer of history and texture to the house.