How Sara Mungeam Transformed an Awkward London Plot

Aug 14
4 min read

https://youtu.be/6Sk875JLku4

Set on an unusually angled plot in Southeast London, Ripple House transforms a collection of tired flats and a small studio into three larger homes. Across the development, Sara Mungeam focuses on natural light, practical planning and carefully chosen materials, creating contemporary interiors with a strong character. “I’m all about storage” she says, but her approach goes further, using colour, texture, lighting and joinery to give each space its own identity.

DESIGNER

Sara Mungeam

TYPE

Family Residence

LOCATION

Peckham, London

SERVICES

Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok

PRESENTED BY

Sara Mungeam

Bright modern living room with curved brown sofa, wood sideboard, paper lantern, plants, and dining area by large windows.

Sunlit modern living-dining room with beige sofa, round table, plants, framed art, and warm wood floors in a calm, airy space

A Light-Filled Living Space

The ground-floor apartment centres on an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area arranged around a central courtyard. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a large roof light bring daylight into the space, while a mix of lighting adds interest after dark. An engineered wood floor emphasises the modern Scandinavian feel, while carefully selected fittings, including an &Tradition FlowerPot light and black marble wall light, add personality and complement the architecture.

Sunlit modern kitchen with wood cabinets, red lower drawers, skylit beams, black-framed glass doors, and a potted tree.

Modern kitchen with marble counter, sink, wood cabinets, orange drawers, and potted plants in warm sunlight.

A Kitchen with a Lighter Touch

Birch plywood cabinetry is paired with touches of Tuscan red and green, creating a warm palette. Despite having plenty of storage, Sara chose not to fill the walls with cupboards, instead using open shelving to keep the kitchen feeling lighter. “If you can, some open shelving just keeps the kitchen feeling more open” she explains.

Wooden ceiling beams framing a skylight view of a modern building, with soft daylight and clean architectural lines

Exposed joists and a tongue-and-groove ceiling add texture to the newly built section.

Bright modern kitchen-dining room with large black-framed glass doors, potted tree, wood table, rust chairs, and skylights.

Top-down view of a modern courtyard with gray geometric buildings, a small planted patio, and sunlit shadows on pavement

A Courtyard at the Heart of the Home

The central courtyard is a defining feature of the ground-floor apartment, connecting several rooms with the outdoors and bringing natural light into the interior. The office, kitchen and bedroom all have views or access to the courtyard, creating continuity. Sara describes herself as a fan of courtyards and wanted to create a private outdoor space that would also help fill the apartment with light.

Minimalist room with open door, olive-green cabinet, wicker chair with striped pillow, and large black-and-white abstract art on white wall

Narrow hallway with large brown closet doors, wood floor, and a glimpse of a lit bathroom with striped tiles and sink.

Sunlit modern room with rattan chairs, red patterned rug, green cabinet, abstract wall art, and flowers on a black side table.

Cozy bedroom with orange bedspread, purple lamp, framed art, rocking chair, and gray door in a bright minimalist room.

Practical Storage with a Bespoke Feel

Storage is neatly integrated into the bedrooms, where standard IKEA PAX wardrobes are given bespoke fronts and colour finishes. Sage green joinery adds character to one bedroom, while Nether Red brings warmth to the principal bedroom and walk-in wardrobe. Sara considers storage from the earliest stages of planning, explaining, “It’s no accident.” This strategy ensures practical elements fit naturally into the architecture.

Stylish beige-and-white bathroom with striped tiled vanity, wooden mirror, shower, towels, and decor in a calm, modern setting

Modern bathroom with sage-green tile, terrazzo tub, wood vanity, bamboo ladder, and window light; calm, clean, spa-like feel

Bathrooms Defined by Colour and Detail

The bathrooms use simple layouts with colour, joinery and carefully chosen fittings providing the visual interest. Green tiles, birch plywood storage and roof lights create a fresh, cohesive feel in the shared bathroom, while the ensuite introduces striped tiles, black fittings and an arched recess. Sarah also prioritises practical details, from integrated storage to generous shower screens, believing that “extra bits of joinery” and intelligent design can make a property stand out.

Bright minimalist bedroom with a patterned bed, potted plant, black radiator, and large window in a calm, warm-toned room.

A Bedroom Wrapped in Texture

The principal bedroom takes a softer approach, with limewash covering the walls and ceiling to create a textured, cocooning finish. The tall Victorian ceiling gives the room volume, while new timber sash windows retain a connection to the building's character.

Narrow hallway with tall wooden closet doors, a full-length mirror, and a glimpse of a bedroom reflected in warm light.

A walk-in wardrobe maximises the available space without compromising the calm feel of the room.

Bright pastel bathroom with wall sink, toilet, glass shower, window, and potted plant by a tiled wall.

Speckled gray tiled floor with a drain beside pale blue wall tiles and a black cable, in a clean empty bathroom-like space

Dark green Meraki pump soap bottle on a white tiled shower shelf, minimalist bathroom scene.

A Principal Ensuite with a Softer Palette

The principal ensuite in the loft apartment takes a softer, more decorative approach, with green terrazzo tiles continuing from the floor into the shower to create a more seamless feel. An arched recess and matching mirror introduce gentle curves, while soft brass fittings add warmth against the green tile. Sarah also considers the practical details, including wall lights positioned at face height and a generous shower screen to reduce splashing. A recessed nook provides useful space for toiletries, keeping the compact bathroom both elegant and functional.

Sunlit modern living room with cream sofa, wood cabinet, cowhide rug, and large windows overlooking brick houses outside.

Sunlit modern dining room with tan walls, black-framed windows, round table, art prints, and city view.

A Loft Interior with an Expressive Character

At the top of the development, exposed plaster walls and reclaimed Victorian floorboards give the loft apartment a more distinctive character. The boards were sanded and finished with limewash, creating what Sara describes as a “Scandi but slightly rustic kind of vibe.” Full-height windows and the changing daylight allow the materials themselves to become part of the decoration.

Modern beige kitchen with skylights, white cabinets, wood counters, oven, sink, and gray rug in a calm, airy loft.

A Kitchen Designed to Make the Most of Space

The loft kitchen combines IKEA carcasses with bespoke handleless fronts, while a long open shelf provides storage beneath the sloping ceiling. Sara considers furniture placement, lighting and electrical points early in the design process, making sure the room works as a practical kitchen and part of the wider living space. Recessed curtain tracks and ventilation also help manage the strong sunlight from the south-facing windows.

Aerial view of a modern black-and-brick house among older row homes on a quiet residential street.

Designing for Everyday Living

Throughout Ripple House, Sara combines visual restraint with careful consideration of how each home will actually be used. Furniture, storage, lighting and door openings are planned early, while styling helps communicate the lifestyle of each property. “Showcasing the kind of lifestyle, how it will feel as a home with all the furniture in it really helps to sell a property” she says. Practical decisions and thoughtful design work closely together throughout the interiors.

Follow Sara on Instagram: @houseobsessed Learn more about Ripple House here.

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