One of a kind

A well-thought-out reconfiguration of rooms has maximized light and space in Lisa and Jonathan's unusual period property in the heart of East London

- MARISHA TAYLOR

When Lisa O'Hagan and her husband, Jonathan, stumbled across their now home in the heart of East London back in 2018, it was the quirky shape and unconventional layout that caught their eye. The couple were living in a large flat a few minutes down the road and were casually searching for a property that presented a challenge, at an affordable price. 'We looked around a few other areas but kept coming back to Hackney,' says Lisa. “It has a vibrant community with marshlands, canals, and the River Lea a short walk away; there's an energy you can't help falling in love with!

This end-of-terrace property used to be a Georgian coach house, which had been converted into a large, ground-floor garage and studio, with a two-bedroom property spanning the two floors above. 'We were drawn to its unconventional feel, and it seemed to offer more than the average house, with three different outside spaces - a cobbled courtyard, roof terrace and a back garden,' says Lisa. “The end-of-terrace plot was wedge-shaped, narrowing almost to a point at the end of the garden. This gave the layout a unique charm. Rather than extending, we saw the potential to create something very special.'