St John's Paddington by Tom Mark Henry
Drawing inspiration from a New York loft, St John’s Paddington by Tom Mark Henry fuses heritage with the modern in the inherently bespoke home.
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Damian Bennett
Central to the floor plan, the petrol blue and Vagli marble kitchen embraces an aesthetic that sits harmoniously between the historic and contemporary elements. Photo: Damian Bennett
Tom Mark Henry ensures the building’s continued lineage carefully combines the old and new. Photo: Damian Bennett
Focusing on handcrafted elements, a distinct connection between the past and present honours the original makers of the structure. Photo: Damian Bennett
Taking cues from the effortless sophistication of a New York loft, St John’s Paddington, designed by Tom Mark Henry, celebrates the unique features of contemporary living while leaning into materials that gesture the home’s genesis to cultivate elegant modernity.
With a previous occupation as a place of worship, the home has been realigned to modern residential use. Retaining the heritage-listed façade, the interior was reworked to create a new series of spaces within its relatively smalll footprint.
The interior assumes an atmosphere of spatial luxury that is immediately signalled on arrival through a double-height entry space channelling the hospitable ambience of a hotel lobby and continues throughout meticulously edited layouts and interior design.
Within the lobby-like space, one is greeted by a curved velvet lounge, touch down joinery, feature lighting and artworks, which are all key considerations of the design.
Central to the floor plan, the petrol blue and Vagli marble kitchen embraces an aesthetic that sits harmoniously between the historic and contemporary elements. Creating a dynamic internal palette – the home is bathed in light, contrasting the use of deep blues and darker tones.
A nod to the loft aesthetic is evident in new finishes, furniture, lighting and joinery throughout, bringing the conversion of St John’s Paddington to the height of contemporary living standards.
A vintage circa 1940s Italian lounge chair produced by ISA Bergamo, Moroso Phoenix table and Eileen Gray Classicon Roattino lamp in the living space. Photo: Damian Bennett
Design details in the living space. Photo: Damian Bennett
“Maintaining a visual and textural connection to the original sandstone walls inspired an added depth and richness to the new spaces. ”
The bedroom features the Pierre Paulin Groovy chair and Trizo21 Austere floor light by Hans Verstuyft. Photo: Damian Bennett
A Zuster Profile bedside table with Marz Designs Attalos table lamp feature alongside a custom headboard and custom ottoman. Photo: Damian Bennett
Contemporary living features extend to the bathroom space. Photo: Damian Bennett
Bathroom details. Photo: Damian Bennett