We were delighted to be appointed by this young and dynamic couple to carry out the design and complete refurbishment of their 2138 square foot duplex apartment in Belsize Park. As a blank canvas, the property already demonstrated a spectacular foundation from which to start; with its extraordinary high ceilings, curved walls and door to the Drawing Room, elaborate original cornicing and enormous windows flooding the rooms with light. This stunning backdrop coupled with the client’s international influences, allowed us to produce a stunning architectural space; modern yet classic and with a focus on rich texture and ambient lighting. Through the use of raw and textured timbers, bronze, antiqued brass and copper, marbles and a monochromatic palette a truly beautiful and welcoming space was created for the client to call home.
We were contacted by a young, professional and international couple with regard to their 4 bedroom duplex apartment in Belsize Park, North West London.
The property already demonstrated a spectacular foundation from which to start, with its extraordinarily high ceilings and wealth of stunning period features as well as tall windows flooding the rooms with light.
Our clients were looking for a modern apartment design to be created against this classic back-drop. They did not want to lose any of the period features, but rather enhance them and create an interior which was entirely contemporary and yet complemented the traditional architectural features.
The apartment was to be entirely stripped out and re-furbished and a new staircase put in. The brief included under-floor heating, new plumbing and electrics, a new kitchen and new bathrooms, all new finishes, lighting and furniture as well as an integrated sound system. Being a young couple, they did not want anything fussy or traditional but rather a mixture between classic and contemporary. They were also keen, however, on the apartment being comfortable and functional.
After presenting them with a choice of design studio, they instructed one of our North London design studios to carry out the work from design through to installation and styling. Our designer was excited to work on a building with such a beautiful bone structure and at the prospect of injecting it with a contemporary, edge.
The result is a period home in a decidedly modern style where the classical elements have been highlighted rather than hushed up. With a focus on rich texture, high-end finishes and ambient lighting design, the effect is seamless blend of classic and contemporary and glamorous. The interior design is deceptively simple. The kitchen is modern and paired back but uses finishes in a blend of raw and textured timber, bronze and marble creating a luxurious, layered feel. The monochrome palette is softened by the warmer hues from the bronze, copper and antiqued brass used throughout. There are playful elements such as the bespoke, banquette seating nook in the kitchen which has been upholstered in a bold black and white striped fabric and the exquisite, plastered ceiling rose which now houses an ultra modern chandelier.
This project won two awards at the prestigious 2017 KBB Review Awards.