Strip out, repair and redecorate a 3 bedroom 200 sqm period property, situated in a prime London location, to create a contemporary luxury apartment for occupation by high-end rental tenants and occasionally the owners. The brief was to keep as many of its original period features while offering a modern living environment with all comforts and amenities, down to appliances, bedding and cutlery.
A modern classic home interior with comfortable timeless elegance. Embracing the best of both worlds, we preserved the subtle classic details and introduced a modern design within a concise colour palette, to create a warm and spacious environment. The property was completed to a high standard with premium finishes, high-calibre construction, and exquisite furnishings.
With neutral yet stylish decor, functional spaces and luxury home amenities, the property was able to achieve a 50% increase in rental value and a noticeable increase in occupancy and inquiries. The substantial upgrade to the apartment’s finishes, installations, light fittings and appliances have ensured improved levels of safety, durability and sustainability, providing a significant drop in maintenance, repair, and running costs.
Renovation projects do not start with a blank sheet of paper and therefore offer a number of complexities. This particular property had suffered severe damages from external leaks which affected ceilings, walls, floors and woodwork in extensive areas. Additionally, the previous use of carpeting, wallpaper, and heavy fabric curtains had proved to be problematic for the owners in terms of cleaning, repairs and lifespan.
Our concept incorporated a unique marriage of resilient materials, fabrics and finishes, consisting of engineered oak floors, plantation shutters, statement rugs and signature light fixtures. A neutral colour palette of greige was selected for the walls, providing a subtle background for contemporary furniture, geometric artwork, and gold accents. Classic references are brought in through ornamental motifs found on a pixel designed rug by Moooi and a white lacquered sideboard.
We zoned the large double reception room into a free-flowing living and dining area. With an emphasis on forms and texture, the clean lines of the modern furnishings create a sophisticated atmosphere with clutter-free simplicity. All the original details, such as the traditional period mouldings, decorative ceilings, Georgian doors and window trims, were professionally restored to maintain the period property’s character. The 6 panel doors, made of varying wood species resembling a Mahogany colour, were bleached to remove the redness before being treated in a dark stain and finished with French polishing.
The project included a turn-key furniture, fixture and equipment (FFE) package in order to hand over a completely functional property. Details such as a fully-equipped kitchen, marble countertops, Miele/Bosch appliances, entertainment systems, a bioethanol fireplace, ample storage, and homey accessories, are all critical ingredients in this luxury home recipe. Additionally, electrical wiring was brought up to date and suspended ceilings with energy efficient LED lighting were installed in all corridors and rooms, bathing the once dark property in an abundance of light.
From taupe carpeting, to grey woodwork, silver bedding and a charcoal Eero Saarinen Womb Chair, the monochrome scheme of the master bedroom creates a peaceful minimalist environment. A custom-made sideboard in grey stained oak serves as a dressing table and TV unit. The floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobe is designed with vertical matte lacquered panels which create a feature wall while effectively concealing the door to the ensuite bathroom.
An equally soothing but warmer colour scheme is carried through the remaining two bedrooms. Custom designed furniture, comprising bedside tables, fitted wardrobes, dressing tables, and storage sideboards, finished in matte lacquers and wood veneers, were manufactured and shipped from Italy. Other touches of luxury include Kartell Bougie table lamps, hand sketched artwork and opulent bedding with organic cottons, velvets, satins and linens.
Once we started removing the wallpaper and lining, we began uncovering a legacy of hidden problems commonly found in old properties. Multiple wallpaper and paint layers, mould, uneven surfaces, cracks and crumbling plaster, were all issues that needed to be addressed. General plaster repairs were initially carried out before applying a fiberglass rendering mesh to reinforce the newly plastered walls and prevent future cracking. Finally 3 coats of skim plaster were applied and sanded down. The result was a flawlessly even and sturdy wall finish throughout.
