Take one traditional childhood home, deconstruct it, then add delicious curves to whip up a stunning property for chef Andrew Wong and his family.
TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES JAMES MCDONALD
British-born chef Andrew Wong grew up in the same Pimlico end-terrace house where he lives today with his wife Nathalie and their two children, aged 11 and nine. “This part of London has always been home,” he says. “My parents used their life savings to buy this house in 1989, but there was very little money left over to do any work, so it was quite dated and rundown.”
As a chef, Andrew has been immersed in the world of restaurants since childhood. His father was the first Chinese publican in the UK and later opened a Cantonese restaurant in Pimlico, now the location of Andrew’s own celebrated restaurant, A.Wong – the first Chinese restaurant outside Asia to be awarded two Michelin stars.
“We had gutted and rebuilt restaurants before, but never a house,” says Andrew, who previously lived with his wife and children in a small Pimlico flat. “When my mum moved back to Hong Kong I started thinking about selling our old family home but walking around the building with architect Alex Michaelis completely changed my mind, as memories of wonderful times there came flooding back.”
The resulting extreme makeover is testimony to the talents of architecture and design studio Michaelis Boyd and to Nathalie Wong’s minimalist vision. Windows that had once been blocked up to evade the window tax were reinstated and the building’s tapering corner footprint presented a unique opportunity to create unusually shaped bathrooms at the narrow end.
A pivotal architectural decision was to relocate the staircase from the corner to the centre of the house. This sculptural feature spirals elegantly from basement to attic, crowned by a skylight that floods the vertical core with daylight.
“We stayed living in our flat during the build, which was all organised by our architect. The entire place was gutted, and all the floors have been recalibrated to create enough head height in the loft for our son’s bedroom,” says Andrew. “We work 16-hour days in the restaurant business, but Nathalie somehow found time to source curved furniture and light fittings to complement the design.”
The family sitting room is situated in the basement and opens onto two small courtyard areas, while the original chimney wall now contains a bespoke fireplace and fitted cabinetry, with the dramatic staircase cascading down to create a focal point.
“After living in a flat, it feels strange walking downstairs to the living room,” says Andrew. Light oak flooring and underfloor heating create a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the neutral palette enhances the sculptural quality of the space.
Step down into the building’s original vaults to find a laundry room and library storage for Andrew’s thousands of cookbooks. “The vaults were always outside, so incorporating them into the house has given us additional usable space,” he explains. Once cold and unused, these compact chambers now contain a Belfast sink, fitted cabinetry and shelving designed to make every inch functional.
Adjacent to the sitting room, a guest room offers a bright retreat with its own ensuite bathroom, while at the front of the house a bold boot room – painted deep blue – provides a striking contrast to the soft, natural colour palette used elsewhere.
The ground floor kitchen and dining space form the family’s main hub, with dark wood cabinetry, topped with cool-toned marble quartzite counters, creating a sleek and functional setting for both family life and filming cookery videos.
“I wanted a room where I could cook, research recipes, listen to music and enjoy spending time,” says Andrew. “Having enough storage and work surfaces was obviously important, with a burner for a wok, and now our daughter has started baking so she’s often working in the kitchen, too.”
A bespoke leather banquette seating area curves around the table beside the kitchen, echoing the home’s architectural theme. “We came from a small flat with no room for a dining table, so it’s great to be able to sit together now to eat,” says Andrew.
The master suite benefits from bespoke joinery, a dressing room, and dual-aspect windows offering striking contrasts between views of contemporary and historic London. “I grew up looking out at Battersea Power Station, so it’s an important landmark for me,” says Andrew. A built-in dressing table follows the curved theme seen throughout, while carefully chosen furniture maintains the soft, understated aesthetic.
The master bathroom occupies the narrowest point of the property, where its shape has been used to full advantage. White walls contrast with warm oak cabinetry, and a freestanding bath serves as the focal point. “My two requests were for super-power showers and a Japanese toilet,” Andrew explains.
On the upper levels, the children’s bedrooms each reflect the same attention to form and function. “Originally, we planned for both children to sleep on the second floor, but now our son is at the top of the house in the converted attic,” says Andrew.
New skylights frame views of the neighbouring chimney tops, and bespoke cabinetry provides storage within the apex-shaped room. On the floor below, their daughter’s bedroom also overlooks Battersea Power Station, now a shopping and leisure destination, and includes a custom-designed desk area.
It took 16 months to complete the extensive remodelling project ready for the family to take up residence. “We left all our old belongings behind, and it felt like moving into a chic hotel,” recalls Andrew.
For Andrew and Nathalie, the transformation has created a light, connected home that retains the warmth of Andrew’s memories while functioning for a busy family life. Every space, from the sweeping staircase to the smallest alcove, reflects careful design and a personal story. “It’s been so special giving my old family home a new life,” says Andrew. “The house still feels familiar, but now it finally works for how we live.”