Case studies On The Square
Creating stories around thresholds, scale, illusion & colour
A Living Story Told in Craft & Design
On The Square is a striking reimagining of a four-storey, neo-Jacobean home overlooking London’s historic de Beauvoir Square. Designed and developed by interior architect Irenie Cossey (Irenie Studio), the house has been sensitively restored and transformed into a living showcase of craftsmanship and design.
Combining her two decades of experience in architecture and interiors, Cossey has breathed new life into this once-overlooked property, carefully balancing original features with bold, contemporary interventions. The result is a home that honours its 1840s heritage while embracing a fresh, design-forward identity.
Photo by Ellen Christina Hancock
Porcelain Surfaces with Expressive Narrative
Domus was proud to support the project through the specification of Time, a porcelain tile collection designed by Barber & Osgerby for Mutina.
Cossey worked closely with the Time collection, having played a role in its original creative development, and selected it for its tactile qualities, subtle palette, and narrative potential.
Used across floors and thresholds on the lower ground and first floors, as well as in outdoor areas, Time plays with texture and tone to establish a dialogue between old and new. Cossey chose three of the eight available colours, in both rough and smooth finishes, combining them in two formats to create four distinct patterns.
“We were able to create stories around Thresholds, Scale, Illusion, Colour and Worn”, Cossey explains
“Each reveals unexpected moments, as the patterns and textures share a narrative about the house and how it is inhabited.”
Design That Bridges Past & Present
Cossey's approach was deeply rooted in materiality and meaning. The Time tiles became more than a surface solution; they helped articulate the home's flow and character, transitioning between spaces with nuance and visual rhythm. Their use evokes a sense of tactility and time-worn beauty that speaks to the home's history, while elevating it with a refined, contemporary finish.
A Collaboration Built on Expertise
The project also sits within a broader material story, surrounded by furniture, textiles, and design objects sourced from leading makers across Europe.
On The Square is more than a renovation. It's a richly layered design statement. It demonstrates how thoughtful material choices, collaborative partnerships, and a deep respect for history can bring a space to life in extraordinary ways.
Photos by Jim Stephenson
Watch
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In Conversation with Jay Osgerby and Irenie Cossey
We caught up with Jay and Irenie in the garden at On The Square. Enjoy their discussion about the creative process behind the Time collection, material storytelling, and the collaborative vision that shaped this unique home.
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