The Black Mews: A Beautifully Renovated All Black Mews Home in Central London.
Produced & Written by Dan Burge | 11 February 2026
We were invited by homeowner Jules to film and feature her newly renovated Black Mews home in the heart of London. Originally one of the most rundown mews in the street, the property has been transformed into a sleek, moody, and highly functional residence that blends the history of Westminster with a distinctly modern, rock-and-roll sensibility.
Purchased in January 2020, the house required extensive renovation. Damp, cluttered with small rooms, and with a fragmented layout, the home was reimagined from the ground down. A new basement was created to maximise space, and over two years of meticulous planning, design iteration, and construction culminated in a home that is both dramatic and practical.”
The Story Behind The Black Mews
A Mews with History
Jules was drawn to Mews Street for its rare blend of village-like charm and central London convenience. Historically, the mews served as stables and carriage houses for the grand homes surrounding the area, catering to the middle and upper classes. “The purpose of the mews was to be the horse and carriage for the fancy houses around the corner,” Jules explains. “Now, they’re some of the most sought-after addresses in London.”
Mews Street also carries a story of resilience: part of the west side was damaged during the Second World War, yet it retains character and intimacy, with cobbled streets, small-scale charm, and a tight-knit community. Jules adds, “We sleep so well here. It’s so quiet, and our neighbours are fantastic—especially when the street comes together for events like the King’s inauguration.”
From Rundown to Refined
Purchased in January 2020, the house was in poor condition: damp, compartmentalised, and layered with outdated features. To make the most of the space, Jules decided to excavate a full basement. The renovation became a complex, multi-year project: one year for design, planning, and sourcing contractors, followed by two years of construction. “The high-level design we wanted, combined with the complexity of adding a basement, meant we had to take our time to get it right,” she explains.
Exterior Design & First Impressions
Preserving History in Westminster
Conservation rules in Westminster dictated that the building’s height and facade remain intact, including its traditional sash windows. Jules opted to brighten the exterior with a playful shade of green, keeping in step with the historical context while making a subtle modern statement. Cobblestones, once lost from the street, were reinstated, blending old fragments with new, while a bespoke garage door echoes the home’s equestrian past. “It’s an old stable door, but it gives a little peek into what’s happening inside,” Jules says.
Designing for Modern Living
Practicality Meets Design
Inside, every detail reflects careful planning. The entrance hall is designed for maximum storage, accommodating jackets, shoes, and swimming kit for Jules and her family. Cleverly concealed cupboards hide household essentials like vacuum cleaners, demonstrating a focus on real-life functionality.
Living Spaces That Work Hard and Play Hard
The open-plan living and kitchen areas were conceived with entertaining and everyday life in mind. Limited by the property’s footprint, Jules chose not to include a formal dining room. Instead, the kitchen and living space form a social hub where guests can gather around the fire while meals are prepared.
The interiors balance texture and warmth: herringbone oak flooring, exposed brick walls, and metal accents bring together the edgy, modern aesthetic that Jules describes as “rock and roll London pad.” Two B&B Italia sofas provide comfort without crowding the space, while black-and-white accents tie the living area back to the dramatic kitchen.
The Heart of the Home: The Kitchen
Described as the house’s centerpiece, the “rock ‘n’ roll kitchen” was where Jules’ passion for design truly came alive. Natural wood cabinets, a 50mm Panda quartz worktop, brass fixtures by Buster + Punch, and high-end appliances including a Bora induction hob and teppanyaki grill create a kitchen that is both functional and visually striking. A dumb waiter moves breakfast and laundry between floors, underscoring the clever integration of daily life into the design.
“From the kitchen, everything else fell into place,” Jules recalls. “Once I decided on black for the kitchen, it became the theme for the entire house. Even the light fixtures, vases, and candle holders are black—it really makes the home feel cohesive.”
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Architectural Features That Define the Home
Staircase as Sculpture
The central staircase connects the four levels and plays with vertical space, light, and material. Open to the roof light, it floods the home with natural illumination while linking the basement, living areas, and upper floors. Brick, wood, and metal echo throughout, unifying the house’s aesthetic. Jules explains, “The staircase isn’t just functional—it’s a design statement that brings light and drama into every floor.”
Basement Retreat
The basement is a favourite feature for visiting children. A cosy cinema room with a VETSACK couch, sliding doors to a wet room, and hidden utilities make it both practical and inviting. Even laundry has its own discreet space, integrated seamlessly into the layout and connected to the dumb waiter system. “Everything in this house has its place,” Jules says. “Even the smallest details, like towel storage in bathrooms, were carefully considered.”
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Upstairs Living & Private Spaces
Upstairs Living
The first floor features two micro bedrooms for children, with a shared bathroom finished in black microcement and bespoke storage. An adjoining office offers bright, quiet space, insulated with fire-grade glazing and soundproofed with layered panelling. Jules notes how the floating staircase and herringbone oak flooring tie the space together, maintaining visual continuity while supporting the home’s functional layout.
Rooftop Escape and Principle Suite
The home’s top floor includes a foldable staircase leading to a rooftop terrace—a rare outdoor space in central London. This social space enjoys sun and city views while cleverly integrating AC ducts and heating systems.
The principle suite continues the home’s dark, dramatic palette with black walls, bespoke wooden panelling, built-in beds with drawers, and integrated storage throughout. Curved walls and skirtings create a sense of flow, while electric blinds, smart lighting, and underfloor heating enhance comfort. The en-suite bathroom contrasts with white fixtures and a freestanding bath, adding a touch of surprise while maintaining cohesion with the home’s design ethos.
Sustainability & Smart Living
Sustainability and Comfort
Beneath its striking interiors, the Black Mews is a highly efficient home. A quiet 9 kWh air-source heat pump replaces the original gas system, while high levels of insulation and smart heating keep energy bills remarkably low, around £100–£150 per month. Multiple fireplaces, underfloor heating, and air conditioning ensure the house remains warm in winter and cool in summer.
Attention to Detail
From the carefully sourced materials to the integration of smart home technology, every element of the Black Muse reflects Jules’ obsessive attention to detail. Even seemingly minor choices—lighting, taps, door handles—were deliberately selected to echo the overall aesthetic. “Most of the investment isn’t in what you see,” Jules explains. “It’s in the things you don’t notice, like insulation, the air source heat pump, and smart systems. That’s what makes the house comfortable and sustainable.”
A Home with Personality
The Black Mews proves that even a modest mews property can be transformed into a home that balances history, modernity, and personality. Every corner tells a story—from the social kitchen to the rooftop terrace, the basement cinema, and the master suite’s dramatic interiors. It’s a house that embraces its location, its past, and the lifestyle of those who live there, proving that thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail can turn even the most overlooked property into a standout London home.
“This house is really the culmination of every little detail I could think of,” Jules reflects. “From the kitchen to the roof, every element has a purpose and a personality. I hope it inspires others to think creatively about their own spaces.”
Project Info
Location: Paddington, London
Filmed & Produced by HomeInspire
Photography by InspireMedia
Written by Dan Burge | Founder of HomeInspire
Video Statistics
YouTube Views: 65,000 +
YouTube Impressions: 600,000 +
Instagram & TikTok Views: 100,000 +
To see more, watch our full project tour on our YouTube channel!
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