As architects, Man Luo and Yuyan Zhang are used to designing homes for other people – but rarely do they get a chance to build anything for themselves. So when a neglected Victorian terraced house came up for sale in 2018, they finally had the freedom to create their own. The interiors may have been shabby but with its pleasing period proportions and south-facing garden, its potential was instantly apparent to the pair. “We knew that a good redesign would transform it into a lovely home,” says Man. And, as the founder of her own practice, Manyu Architects, she and Yuyan were well-equipped for the challenge.

After an 18-month renovation, the house took on a new identity. By reorganising the dysfunctional ground floor, the couple have designed a bright, connected and spacious home, which “boosts our creativity on a daily basis,” says Yuyan. “That was really important for us and if we’ve achieved that, then I think we can say that the project has been successful.” As their home comes on the market, we speak to the couple about their design decisions, the joys of hidden storage and the thinking behind their “disappearing bathroom”.

Yuyan: “We first saw our house in the summer of 2018. We could tell straight away that it had huge potential. We love period buildings with tall ceilings and sash windows – and we could see that this could become a bright and open home.”

Man: “The interiors had been completely neglected by the previous owner. It had been rented out for years, so everything was dated and the layout didn’t work at all. It was a classic Victorian terraced house with a central staircase that separated the living and dining room. There was a small kitchen and bathroom at the back and two bedrooms upstairs. There was also no connection with the south-facing garden. We knew that a good redesign would transform it into a lovely home.”

Yuyan: “We also really loved the area. Wanstead Flats is a three-minute walk away, there are great transport links into the City and there’s a creative community here: a lot of designers, artists and architects have moved to the area, as well as young families.”

Man: “We bought the house in July and moved in 18 months later. I project-managed the renovation alongside running my practice, Manyu Architects.”

Yuyan: “It was a super-busy period for us, but we were so lucky with the timing – we moved in just before the first lockdown. We spent the next two years working from home, so we were able to fully enjoy every space in the house.

“The first structural change we made was to move the staircase to one side. This enabled us to open up the ground floor and create a seamless, open-plan living area that leads directly into the kitchen, which connects to the bathroom. In here, we replaced a small, frosted window with full-height glazing in order to maximise the views of the garden.”

Man: “We wanted to be able to walk into the house and see right through into the greenery, so we designed a four-panel stable-style door on the bathroom. We normally keep the bottom two panels closed and the top two open, so you’re able to see the garden without seeing the bathroom. That’s why we named it the Disappearing Bathroom Project. If you need privacy, you can just close the top two panels on the door.”

Yuyan: “It’s definitely a new experience. I think the bathroom reflects Man Luo’s personality. She’s an avant-garde designer and has created a room that can be either sociable or private.”

Man: “I like having a bath in the evening, lying back and watching the sky while still being able to have a conversation with Yuyan if she’s sitting on the sofa. Maybe it’s not for everyone, but we love it.

“Upstairs, the front bedroom has become my office space. By removing the partition wall, we’ve made the top floor and staircase much lighter and more spacious.”

Yuyan: “For visual interest, we’ve designed some display shelving on the stairs. That’s where our cats love to hang out. Behind that is built-in office storage.

“There is bespoke storage throughout the house and garden. We love working with different materials, so we’ve used Valchromat for most of the joinery. It’s a sheet material like MDF but it’s much more hardwearing because it’s heavily compressed. It’s also more sustainable because it’s made with less adhesive and it comes in lovely textures and colours.”

Man: “The staircase and the kitchen are also built in Valchromat. In the kitchen, the worktop has been lacquered and the backsplash is microcement which complements the raw plaster next to it. The floors are light grey Marmoleum, which is among most sustainable flooring products on the market.

“The bathroom walls are polished Venetian plaster – another natural product – which is finished with Marseille soap. It’s a beautiful rich green that brings the outside in. Upstairs in the bedroom, we’ve chosen plywood for the joinery because we wanted something softer than the orange Valchromat.”

Yuyan: “We’ve really enjoyed working with dynamic colours. The orange is cheerful and we’ve paired it with pistachio green on the stairs because we wanted it to be quite playful.”

Man: “When the sun shines through the window at the foot of the stairs, the orange is reflected across the entire space. For me, bringing light and warmth into the interiors was an essential part of the design process.”

Yuyan: “Externally, we have re-covered the kitchen and bathroom with thermal timber cladding. The design incorporates storage, outdoor shelving and a planter, so it’s functional and beautiful.”

Man: “Each morning, before I start work, I have a cup of tea outside on the bench and enjoy the garden. It’s a very zen place to be.”

Yuyan: “We designed a garden studio at the same time as the main house, so it feels considered and connected. It has a shower and a toilet and a concealed shed at the back. It’s a multifunctional space.”

Man: “In the summer, the studio becomes my office, which is lovely. It’s north-facing, so it stays cool. I often have the door fully open to the garden so I can listen to the birdsong. At the end of the day, I come inside to cook or watch a movie – there is total separation.”

Yuyan: “When we first moved in, we bought a few key pieces for the house: the Saarinen dining table, the sofa, the lighting and most of the artwork was all bought specifically for this space.”

Man: “The three screenprints in the living room are called Balance 1, 2 and 3 and are by Tom Pigeon. Beneath these is a selection of ceramic and Perspex vessels. As designers, we try to surround ourselves with colours, shapes and materials that will inspire us.“

Yuyan: “The decision to move has been difficult because we’ve enjoyed living in the space so much. We also love the neighbourhood. There’s a street party on our road every summer and the railway arches on Winchelsea Road are nearby, which are home to a range of independent businesses including a microbrewery, a wine bar and a craft beer and arts venue called The Wanstead Tap. It’s really thriving.”

Man: “We’ve debated the move for more than a year now and we’ve decided it’s the right decision for us.”

Yuyan: “We’re going to be looking for a similar period property in south London. We decided that, if we have to move, at least we’ll get another opportunity to create something new for ourselves, something that truly represents our personality in the same way this house does.”