Domestic space has to work hard for a living these days, and a home that can change décor to fit the mood is a real turn-on to 21st century style.

Building versatility into the fabric of a home can be a clever way of personalising it – and great fun too. Paul Taylor enjoys contemporary design and entertaining friends so coming the two was definitely high on his priority list when he moved into his Cambridge riverside apartment.

He works in a highly specialised sector of sound technology and wanted the place to work efficiently as a low maintenance bachelor pad but flick into party mode at a moments notice.

By starting with a monochrome scheme and adding a sophisticated lighting system, he can now alter not only the intensity of lighting from calm and subdued, just right for silent reading, through the spectrum to a very coloured private clubbing atmosphere.

There is hardly a light fitting on show. Low density up-lighters and down lighters are hidden in roof panels and fitted flush into the deep window ledges, while a bespoke light box is built behind an etched glass kitchen wall which glows through a rainbow of shades from magenta to orange, blue to green. The lighting changes are controlled from a small panel between the open plan area and a compact utility space sectioned off in the corner.

Paul knew he liked the idea of pared down and sleek, uncomplicated lines, invisible storage and absolutely no trimmings. What he wasn’t so sure about was how to achieve the look, especially as he was busy writing a book about speech synthesis. So he contacted Cambridge interior designer Cate Burren.

“I had always been interested in modern architecture and furniture, but had no real experience of how to go about it. To be honest, I didn’t really know what an interior designer was, but when I met Cate she instantly got what I was trying to do.”

Paul had previously lived in a Georgian building in the fashionable New Town area of Edinburgh with classic proportions and 12ft high ceilings. “While it was beautiful, I had a longing for something really modern and minimal,” he said.

The opportunity came when he sold his business and one of the conditions of the takeover was that he did not work commercially in the same field for two years. He had lectured in Scotland and an opportunity came up to move to Cambridge, where he got a position with the university as a visitor.

“I started off in university accommodation but after a few months began to look for a place – and being Cambridge thought it would be nice to live near the river.” He found an apartment which was in a block under construction and fell in love with the location. Because the apartment was still a shell he was able to finish it to his own specification (“I knew I wanted a black floor but not how to construct one”). Cate stepped in with practical solutions. She cancelled an island kitchen unit, ordered different base units from Pepper Kitchens of St Ives and swept them all back again the far walls of the apartment. Dark granite tops came from Ivett and Reed, Cambridge and GlassWorld also in the city built the large glass light box for the lighting system across one wall.

Even skirting boards were discarded to keep the overall look clean and sharp. Then she ordered contemporary primary coloured seating and tables from the French designers Ligne Roset and Jan Cavelle of Haverhill to set before the expansive windows.

“I love the green chair – it looks so avant garde, but is also very comfortable. I’ve never seen anything like it, so it feels unique to me.” Paul is also impressed with the walk-in wardrobe. “It is simple but looks so neat and is a great way to store clothes.”

With such wide open wall space in the living room, Cate suggested that Paul might like to commission a piece of art and introduced him to the work of Cambridgeshire-based artist, Charlotte Cornish. “When I saw her work I just loved it. It was just like when I saw the flat itself – it only took me seconds to decide. I explained I had a whole wall to fill and worried that this might sound too crass, basically asking her to work by the square foot. But she called round measured the space and asked me what I liked and what I didn’t.”

Charlotte created three panels in primary colours to hang like a contemporary triptych on the largest, start white wall. “After talking with Charlotte I left it to her and I am glad I did as it gave her more freedom. The result is amazing; it is a great painting,” said Paul, who is now enjoying every moment he spends at home.

“I am delighted with the end result. It’s far better than I could have achieved on my own, but still feels mine,” says Paul.

Original article featured in Style Magazine January 2009.
Image credits: Mark Box www.markboxphoto.co.uk