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Interior designer Adam Knight says a strict budget shaped the renovation of a four-storey Tufnell Park townhouse, despite its bespoke-looking finishes. The project retained much of the existing home, avoided structural work and electrical changes, and focused spending on selected features such as the kitchen.
Interior designer Adam Knight of Nefarious Interiors says a strict budget guided the redesign of a four-storey Tufnell Park townhouse, limiting structural changes while allowing spending on selected features, including a custom L-shaped kitchen island. The project shows how the home’s expensive-looking finishes were achieved without replacing everything or undertaking major work, according to a report by Livingetc.
Knight said the available budget was lower than the scale of the house might suggest. “For a house this size, there wasn’t as much money to play with as you might expect,” he told Livingetc. He said the kitchen was one of the areas where the clients chose to spend more, while the team aimed to be cost-effective elsewhere.
The designers retained elements from the home’s previous layout, avoided structural work and did not move electrical wiring, the report said. Existing sofas were reupholstered rather than replaced, and the project used custom cushions to change their appearance at a lower cost than buying new couches. Curtain fabric was purchased on sale at Ian Mankin for £19 per metre, Knight said.
In the kitchen, the previous large rectangular island was replaced with an L-shaped design. Knight said its shape offered more surface area and made it easier for people to gather around. A bench beside the dining table’s window side replaced matching chairs, which he said obstructed the view less and made it easier for children to get in and out.
Where the Renovation Budget Went
The project illustrates a practical distinction between visible design upgrades and expensive work behind the walls. By retaining the existing layout and furniture where possible, the team could direct a limited budget toward features with a strong effect on how the rooms look and function, including the kitchen, fabrics and cushions.
Those choices also responded to how the family uses the house. The owners like to entertain, so the design includes several places for people to gather, including a basement lounge and bar, the kitchen island and a window-side bench. An upstairs playroom sits near the formal living room, allowing children and adults to use separate spaces while remaining close, Knight told Livingetc.
The report does not provide a project total, a comparison with a typical renovation cost or a breakdown of savings. Its account is based on Knight’s description of the design decisions, rather than a cost audit. The project is therefore an example of budget-conscious choices, not evidence of a specific saving or a generally achievable price for similar work.
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A Mid-Century Look for the Family
The townhouse’s interiors draw on mid-century design and references supplied by the owners, which Knight described as having an American, or Californian, feel. Rich browns, olive greens and wood tones inform the rooms; the report says the owners selected one green because it recalled a jacket worn by the client’s father. Knight said the palette was intended to make frequently used rooms feel like the heart of the home.
The layout combines entertaining areas with family spaces across the four storeys. The basement has a lounge, dining area and bar, while the upper living room connects with a playroom. In a dressing area, a glass panel separates spaces without blocking light, the report said. Knight also described adding beading around a light switch to address its placement without relocating the electrical fitting.
Knight founded London-based Nefarious Interiors in 2020 after designing restaurant interiors for the Corbin & King Group. Livingetc also reported that he was included in the inaugural Next in Design cohort in 2025, selected by its sister publication, Homes & Gardens.
“For a house this size, there wasn’t as much money to play with as you might expect.”
— Adam Knight, founder of Nefarious Interiors, speaking to Livingetc
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Project Costs Remain Unpublished
Livingetc’s report does not disclose the overall budget, the final project cost or how much particular decisions saved. It also does not specify the construction schedule or provide an independent estimate of the home’s value. The phrase “strict budget” is Knight’s characterization; the report offers no figures against which readers can assess it.
The source describes design choices for this particular family and property. It does not establish whether the same approach would suit other homes, or whether retaining existing features would reduce costs in another renovation. No further details about the project’s completion date or subsequent changes to the home are given.
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No Further Project Update Given
The source presents the townhouse as a completed interior design project but does not announce a further construction phase, planned renovation or follow-up milestone. Knight’s account focuses on the choices made during the design, including the retained furniture, kitchen layout and finishes.
Readers seeking a full financial picture would need additional information from the designer or owners, including the total spend, the work included and any costs excluded from the design budget. Livingetc’s report does not say whether such a breakdown will be released.
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Key Questions
Where is the townhouse?
The home is a four-storey townhouse in Tufnell Park, in north London, according to Livingetc.
Who designed the interiors?
Adam Knight of Nefarious Interiors led the design, the report said. Knight founded the London-based studio in 2020.
How did the team work within the budget?
Knight said the project retained features from the previous home, avoided structural work and did not move electrical wiring. The team also reupholstered existing sofas, used custom cushions and bought discounted curtain fabric.
What was the main kitchen change?
The previous large rectangular island was replaced with a custom L-shaped island. Knight said the new shape provided more surface area for people to gather around.
How much did the renovation cost?
The report does not give a total project cost or detailed budget. Knight said the available budget was more limited than the size of the house might suggest, but no overall figure was published.
Source: rss
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