KENSAL RISE, LONDON

A creative studio space in a London mews.

A former carpenter’s workshop, this studio is a long linear space flooded with natural light from the original glass roof. The walls, floors and ceilings are finished with hand-trowelled concrete render to give a utilitarian, industrial feel, and the space is framed with black stained oak. The large central front area houses a long ash studio table flanked by bespoke ash desks. Further spaces at the rear are more domestic for informal meetings, with a kitchen, fire and comfortable sofas.

The desks, tables, chairs and benches were designed by Spencer and handmade in ash. The glass-fronted ash cabinets were designed by him to display a collection of materials and samples. The stainless steel table is an example of Spencer’s early furniture and is formed from a whole steel plate bent into shape, with square tubular steel legs.