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A Modernist Legacy, Reimagined by Daytrip
Located in leafy North London, this exceptional mid-century house was designed by Patrick Gwynne, one of Britain’s most influential modernist architects – best known for The Homewood, a touchstone for Daytrip’s founders.
A central tenet for Daytrip in each residential project is to create homes that bring together the needs of the client and respect the existing architecture; to create spaces with atmosphere, that feel calm, grounded and emotionally resonant, but equally functional. 'We are always interested in what already exists and how we can build on that rather than overwrite it. That often means working with materials that feel honest, tactile and lasting, and finding the right balance between restraint and warmth.' adds Iwan Halstead, co-founder of Daytrip alongside Emily Potter.
Their approach was one of quiet dialogue rather than reinvention: studying Gwynne's command of geometry and material to shape a home suited to contemporary family life. 'The house carries so much of Gwynne’s original thinking through its openness, materiality and connection to the landscape. Our role was less about reinvention and more about careful stewardship, preserving what made it special while introducing a softness and ease for a new chapter of living. Daytrip added tactile layers throughout from upholstered joinery, a refined selection of vintage furniture pieces, through to textured custom wool and silk rugs over timber floors' shares Halstead.
Christopher Farr textured solid colour rugs were specially commissioned to sit within the strong identity of the 1960s modernist architecture, and alongside modern classics and collectible designs by Charlotte Perriand, Angelo Mangiarotti, and Bruno Mathsson, as well as contemporary works from Max Radford Gallery. In the living room, a sumptuous dark fawn handmade rug by Christopher Farr adds to the tactile richness throughout, working within the soft muted tones and warm palette. Preserving the original timber joinery in the studio, Daytrip paired new rosewood cabinetry with a Lozenge rug design by Michael Boyd, in hand knotted, handspun wool, custom made by Christopher Farr.
To learn more on Patrick Gwynne, fellow associate and friend of Denys Lasdun while both working at Wells Coates, visit Homewood, the only other pre-war modernist house acquired by The National Trust complete with its original contents.
Daytrip is a London based design studio specialising in architecture and interiors, known for their intelligent use of materials, and attention to detail and awareness of style.
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Photography Genevieve Lutkin