Former photographer’s studio by the Thames is transformed by London-based designer Chiara Ferrari from a rough workspace, to a minimal contemporary apartment. When emerging designer Chiara Ferrari was invited to thoroughly redesign a spacious wharf interior off London’s Borough market into a modern 3-bed apartment, she did not think twice. The scheme – a commission for a private client - was completed in May 2011. The stunning new flat features contemporary design with a nod to its industrial past, combining new materials with the building’s original textures.

The layout is centred around the spacious main corridor that leads from the main entrance, to the flat’s focal point, the 130-sqm, bright and high-ceilinged open plan living and dining area that offers uninterrupted views of the river. A master bedroom with ensuite, two extra bedrooms, a bathroom and a study area, are cleverly designed to maximise space. The guest room is a clear example of this approach, where the designer made the most of the ceiling’s generous height by creating a discreet elevated sleeping area over the study.

Ferrari chose to reveal some of the building’s existing material and features, like the original brick walls, and offset them with a range of modern elements, such as the smooth Corian kitchen worktop, which features a bespoke curved splashback surface. The flat uses Danish Dinesen Douglas Fir flooring throughout – with the exception of the tiled bathrooms –creating a consistent warm, homely interior, without compromising quality or function.

“As soon as you enter the house and the corridor you can see straight into the living space and out towards the river through a large opening. This line of light and vistas reinforces and balances the geometry of the interior”, says Ferrari.