It was proposed by the architect to the client that prior to spending a rather substantial sum on a total rennovation, they might want to spend a little time getting to know their newly acquired house. Thus in the time required to obtain the various permissions the client lived for 6 months in the "Lite House": a temporary or 'meanwhile' refurbishment which used 5% of the total budget as a mechanism to better inform the brief for the phase 2 works. The house already had a legacy of theatre scenography having featured in the feature film Notting Hill Story when Hugh Grant takes his movie star girlfriend (julie Roberts) to dinner.

The house features a number of innovations and bespoke details which reflect the client's refined and particular taste. Embossed bedroom doors crafted from goat leather by Parisian artisans, a bianca carrara hamam bathroom, light fittings by Beirut designers CAI including the deer head Trophee light, ethnic african boubou wax print curtains sourced across town in Dalston, a hand-printed throne toilet, a female urinal...