This project involved the amalgamation of the ground and first floor flats and a small rear addition at a Victorian townhouse in Notting Hill. The brief included opening-up the ground floor reception rooms so as to increase the illusion of space and light, and to fully benefit from the view of the landscaped communal garden beyond. The living room is located at the front and the kitchen/dining room at the rear. These rooms are connected via new central opening with pocket sliding doors, which aligns with the rear window. Having reviewed a number of first floor layouts, we soon realised that the new staircase would need to be located at one end of the living room. It would therefore need to be interesting and sculptural, and not overly dominant in the space. The property had been 'chopped and changed' over the years resulting in the loss of some of the original features. Many have been reintroduced as part of the project, including the cornices and ceiling roses, fireplaces and hearths and parquet flooring. The original window shutters, sash windows and architraves have been refurbished.