Venturing into this enchanting North London residence resembles tumbling through the rabbit hole
In the heart of North London's De Beauvoir, a unique residence named "OntheSq" stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of historical aesthetics and contemporary design. This Neo Jacobean home, meticulously renovated by Irenie Cossey and her studio, Irenie Studio, offers an innovative take on the traditional Jacobean style.
OntheSq is a spatial playground that reimagines the past in a modern context. The house features intricate brickwork, ornamental detailing, and gables, yet breaks the mould with eclectic scales, thresholds, and illusions. This blend of classical elements and modern reinterpretations creates a residential environment that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking architectural ideas.
The interior of OntheSq is a vibrant tapestry of contributions from various designers, makers, and artists. J. Hill's Standard glass vessels, reminiscent of glassware discovered during excavations, are scattered throughout the house. The Upside Down Chair, a collaboration between Michael Murphy (Muck) and Kasia Kempa, is suspended upside down in the tradition of Irish kitchens.
Artwork curated by Dee Morgan-Smyth showcases the work of Irish artists including John Kingerlee, Fergal Styles, Ronan Dillon, and Doreen Kilfeather. The house also features a patchwork of Tomoyo Tsurumi's textiles, used as wall hangings, dividers, and curtains, made from old curtains torn into ribbons and woven together with Kvadrat fabrics.
The colors used in OntheSq are as diverse as the contributions. Vintage Peony and Marram Grass, a dark-but-vivid green, bring warmth to the space, while a fairytale green called Curioser and Curioser was mixed specially for the house. A custom shade called Rosa Red was created, inspired by the rose garden in De Beauvoir Square.
Flavia Brändle's fine grass hand broom, based on her YBriger brush project, adds a touch of whimsy to the house. The house's centerpiece, however, is Rio Kobayashi's dining table, made of doors found on the site.
Irenie Cossey describes OntheSq as a 'living wonderland', inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This eclectic Neo Jacobean home will be open for open days and events for six weeks before going on the market. For those who appreciate the fusion of tradition and innovation, OntheSq offers a chance to step into a world of enchantment and creativity.
In the vibrant interior of OntheSq, various designers and artists collaborate to create a residential environment that embodies an enchanting fusion of historical aesthetics and modern interpretations, aligning it with a contemporary lifestyle. The house's color palette, featuring shades like Vintage Peony, Marram Grass, Curioser and Curioser, and Rosa Red, immerses visitors in a whimsical wonderland that merges tradition with innovation, mirroring the narrative of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
