Tag: London

Luxury Interior Design: Mayfair

This elegant residence, finished in marble and gold leaf, set a new standard for luxury interior design in London’s Mayfair district. The exceptionally refurbished apartment is located on the city’s largest and oldest garden Square, Grosvenor Square.

Grosvenor Square is the centerpiece of the Mayfair property developed by the Duke of Westminster in the 1700’s. The area was designed to serve as residences for the fashionable elite of its time. Today, with three centuries of distinguished aristocratic history behind it, Grosvenor Square remains synonymous with style and luxury design.

This apartment is the creation of super-prime developer AION who brought in luxury interior design specialists 1508 London and Taylor Howes to complete the interior design and specification. It is ideally situated on the fourth floor with expansive views overlooking the garden. The 3,500 square-foot home features bespoke designs of the highest quality and fine attention to detail. The interiors combine clean, contemporary design with an understated classical elegance for a timeless mix of exquisite detailing and modern sophistication.

LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN INSPIRATION

The home’s double volume reception room spans 42 feet wide and boasts five south facing windows providing panoramic views. Here and throughout all the principal rooms, the white wall paneling and moldings feature hand-gilding with a gold leaf. A herringbone pattern completes the hand-laid solid oak floors. A full-height polished marble fireplace punctuates the room at both ends for balance. The spacious room holds both the formal living and dining spaces. A bespoke designed rosewood partition with antiqued bronze trim separates the two. On the living room side, leather inserts create bookshelves. Contemporary furnishings, upholstered in soft, neutral shades gather symmetrically on the custom silk and wool rug for a serene setting. I like this look a lot.

The formal dining area includes a bespoke dining table that seats 10-12 comfortably with plush upholstered chairs arranged on a pale, cream-colored custom rug. On this side of the rosewood partition, antiqued mirror backing, and lower cabinets create a full bar feature wall.

The entrance hall’s luxury interior design provides a stunning first impression for visitors. The spacious passageway radiates out from a central bespoke cube which the design team had entirely clad in antiqued mirror; laser etched with a diamond pattern for added interest. The mirrored cube captures and reflects the natural light from the reception room throughout the center of the home. The coffered ceilings, here and in all the principal rooms, glow from within with bespoke LED lighting features. Low-level runway lighting creates a dramatic effect as it shines across the honed marble Serpeggiante floors. Gilded French salon chairs pair with an ebony console to emphasize the timeless appeal. The look is high gloss and glamorous.

The residence features a very sleek, custom-designed Modulnova kitchen with an eat-in breakfast area. Naturally, only the best-integrated appliances from Gaggenau and Miele complete this kitchen including a wine refrigerator, plate and food warming drawers, and soft touch controls. The marble floors continue from the hall in here with Silestone Quartz on the counter tops and backsplash. Without a doubt, this is a seriously stylish kitchen.

The 19-foot-long master bedroom suite includes a large bedroom, a dressing room with floor-to-ceiling, hand-crafted, leather fronted wardrobes and the master bathroom. The entire suite features classical proportions complete with specialist materials of the finest quality and a bespoke lighting scheme. The same serene color palette established in the formal reception room continues in here. Of course, the upholstered walls and deep pile carpet render the suite a tranquil cocoon.

The spacious master bathroom’s luxury interior design features book-matched, polished statuary marble on the floors and the full height of the walls. The bespoke designed marble double vanity unit with high gloss oak fronting includes THG faucets. Very handsome indeed!

The residence includes four bedrooms, each with an en-suite marble bath and custom created dressing areas. Our last photo shows one of the guest suites with its bespoke headboard reaching the full height of the room. All of the bedrooms are supremely comfortable due to their customization and expert space planning.

The apartment also includes a private screening room. A secluded little pocket theater, located adjacent to the reception room and kitchen area, provides a comfy spot just for relaxing and catching up on the latest shows.

Once on the market with its record-breaking asking price, the agents described it as a “jewel box” of perfection and luxury interior design. This description found agreement, as did the price, for the home quickly sold.

That concludes our design inspiration for today.

I hope you enjoyed the luxury interior design details of this apartment on one of London’s finest garden squares in Mayfair. Be inspired by the incredible transformation of this historic apartment into a sleek contemporary-classic home. One perfectly equipped with the best for today’s modern luxury lifestyle.

For another inspiring Mayfair Luxury estate, be sure to see:

Classic Mayfair Penthouse: Oro Bianco

Alexander McQueen Penthouse: Style Homage

Mayfair Luxury Interior Design

Residential Development: AION

Interior Design:

1508 London

Taylor Howes

Thank you so much for reading along with me. Let me hear from you in the comments. What do you think of today’s Luxury Interior Design in Mayfair?

Have a wonderful day!

June 25, 2016
Contemporary Regency Design in Belgravia

Today’s design inspiration comes from a supremely elegant, ground and garden level duplex apartment located in the heart of London’s exclusive Belgravia district. The four-bedroom Regency period residence has been recently redesigned and impeccably refurbished by the multidisciplinary luxury design practice 1508 London. The design team has sensitively restored and enhanced the classical period details while also integrating cutting edge technology and modern luxury features for a contemporary Regency design. The apartment combines exceptional bespoke materials and meticulous craftsmanship. The results are both fresh and timeless!

The beautifully proportioned rooms and soaring ceilings lend a sense of grandeur and scale to the property. A mix of antique and contemporary pieces furnish the interiors.

The home’s exceptional formal reception room, which holds the formal living and dining areas, features high ceilings and huge windows that flood the space with natural light. The design team fully restored the Regency period architectural features including the ornate decorative ceiling, intricate cornice, and the full-height paneled walls. The floors are solid French oak in a chevron design with a high gloss finish.

The sitting area arranges in the center of the room using the fireplace as the focal point to build around. The elegant furnishings gather neatly together on a rug beneath the glow of the beautiful 24-arm silver and crystal-dripping Marie Therese chandelier. The dining table and its eight chairs occupy the front of the room.

Balance and symmetry create perfect classical order, and the restrained use of color allows the contemporary Regency design details to shine. Look at how nice this looks! Old and new seamlessly mix and combine. A small traditional portrait painting hangs above the hand-carved polished Statuario marble fireplace while an abstract artwork balances it on the opposite wall. The room also includes a pair of Victorian giltwood oval mirrors. The layering of neutral fabrics, textures, and accessories creates a cohesive, sophisticated look that enhances the luxurious feel of the residence.

The reception room opens to the limed-oak-paneled library, and it’s more casual sitting space. The bespoke finished paneled walls include full height shelves with integral LED lighting. The French oak floors and ornate ceilings continue into this room. The comfortable traditional style furnishings gather on a contemporary design geometric rug from Stark. The rooms customization includes a large television with a full dynamic surround sound system. The library offers a more relaxed ambiance for a less formal living style.

The impressive entrance hall into this luxurious apartment is light and spacious. The floor design includes a combination of Bardiglio and Statuario marble in gray and white, laid in a subtle chevron pattern. Moiré silk adds subtle texture and sheen to the walls above the lower paneling. A fabulous giltwood Chinoiserie mirror hangs above a handmade console table. Above it all, an ornate French birdcage chandelier sparkles like a crown jewel. From the moment you arrive, the traditional and new flawlessly present together creating brilliant and very contemporary Regency design. I adore this space. I love the floors that to me feel like a modern version of those in the grand stairway hall in the Petite Trianon at Versailles. The large window adds to that effect. Classic styling for a fabulous modern lifestyle.

202 Design created the custom finished kitchen. Bardiglio marble surfaces and the same light colors used throughout the home create a streamlined, contemporary aesthetic here. Classic and traditional are lovely in every room except the ones you most want to function: kitchen, bathrooms, and such. The sleek Silestone central island is spacious enough to allow for casual breakfast bar seating. The handcrafted ceiling-height cabinets make full use of the space which also includes an extensive range of Miele, Wolf, and Sub-Zero appliances. The pendant lighting and the large painting add warmth and character.

The 1508 team created an elegant, sophisticated design for the powder room. Bardiglio marble, gray linen wall coverings, ornate gold and fluted-glass taps from THG Paris and a walnut-framed mirror from British-based design brand Pinch. Very handsome indeed!

An impressive cantilevered carved Portland stone staircase leads down to the lower garden level bedrooms. Drawing influence from traditional stairways, this impressive structure makes a real statement. Behind it, a double-height antiqued mirrored wall adds further drama. The floors are high gloss French oak.

The light-filled master bedroom suite opens up onto a landscaped garden. The bespoke upholstered headboard, designed by the 1508 team, anchors an antiqued mirrored wall that further enhances the feeling of light and space. I’ve seldom encountered a mirrored wall that didn’t like. Love this contemporary Regency design! Striking pieces of art, hand-selected by the design team echos the color palette throughout the property. Luxury deep pile carpet covers the floors. Leading from the master bedroom is the dressing room, with full-width, custom-made wardrobes in the same limed oak as in the library, this time featuring inset leather panels.

The master bathroom is sublime. I love it! Polished Statuario marble envelopes the entire room. There is a large soaking tub as well as a separate large walk-in rain-shower. Nickel trim highlights the bespoke marble and limed oak double vanity unit complete with faucets from THG Paris. I seriously like the lighting under the vanity.

Two more en-suite bedrooms, a study/fourth bedroom, and a utility room complete the garden level. The materials and finishes used in the master bedroom suite echo through every room, creating a sense of continuity and harmony while also allowing each room its individuality.

The design brief for this residence centered around the restoration of the period architectural details and the introduction of fresh, modern materials and a controlled color palette to create a contemporary Regency design. The design studio 1508 London has more than met the brief with a sophisticated design of superior excellence.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend!

To see another beautiful Belgravia residence, be sure to check out:

Contemporary Mews House: Belgravia

Bespoke Luxury Design: Chester Square

1508 London’s Contemporary Regency Design

1508 London is a London-based interior and architecture design studio that creates exceptional spaces worldwide. The designs they produce are not formulaic or style driven but derived from measured principles, inspired by history, geography, and the architectural vernacular, creating designs of incomparable value.

Interior Design: 1508 London

photography: Richard Waite

Thanks so much for reading along with me today. Let me hear from you in the comments! What did you think of this beautiful contemporary Regency design?

Have a great day!!

June 3, 2016
Boscolo: Contemporary Luxury Design

Boscolo is a multiple award-winning, high-end interior design and architectural practice based in London. For our design inspiration today, we are taking a look at the firm’s stunning Contemporary Luxury Design work. The design firm only recently came to my attention, and I am in love with what I see. It’s like sexy tailored menswear: clean lines, classical architecture, sophisticated use of a limited range of color, sumptuous fabrics, and luxurious finishes.

The company provides a complete, tailored service covering every aspect of the project. The design firm prides itself on its ability to create successful and impressive homes through their critical attention to detail, an empathetic understanding of their clients’ tastes and ambitions, and a precise awareness of timescale and budget.

I’ve put together a selection of rooms from four different residences for you to see. You are sure to be inspired!

Knightsbridge Contemporary Luxury Design

First we have Boscolo’s sexy, bachelor-style apartment located in the center of London’s prestigious Knightsbridge. The design team fully renovated the two-bedroom residence and completed it with a contemporary luxury design for a culinary client. The large, open plan spaces give themselves effortlessly to the regular entertaining of guests. Boscolo finished the home with a muted color palette that emphasizes black, gray, and antique bronze with finishes inspired by Japanese design. The sleek, contemporary kitchen serves as a key focal point in this residence. It functions perfectly for both live display cooking and prepping for dinner parties. The hip and urbane composition provides an ideal backdrop for an exciting lifestyle.

“At Boscolo we are committed to developing luxurious spaces that complement our client’s dreams and desires. We believe that every inch of a property is precious and needs to be treated with a deft touch to best reflect this.”

Ferncroft Avenue, Hampstead Apartment

Next, we have the Ferncroft Avenue first-floor apartment in a grand Victorian townhouse in charming Hampstead. A luxury development company commissioned Boscolo to completely refurbish the three-bedroom property for the purpose of increasing the net value. The design team architecturally restructured the property to adapt the spaces for modern life. While retaining as many of the original features as possible, the design group completed the home with a contemporary luxury design that would appeal to the international market. Sticking to a smart color scheme of whites, blacks, and metals ensured a polished feel in every room. Luxurious finishes and beautiful furnishings create a tangible luxury that transcends cultures and has a global appeal.

“Over the years, our multi-award-winning interior design team have worked across a wide variety of prestigious projects, from luxurious apartments and heritage buildings in some of London’s most sought-after postcodes.”

Hampstead Private Residence

“The serenity and stillness of this home were the perfect backdrops for works embodying humanity and vitality. Here you see hanging on the wall a piece which carries motion and grace within it; for us, it is reminiscent of dance. Complementing it is the sculpture on the cabinet, which materializes gravitas and austerity”

Here we have a large private family residence located in a private gated community in the heart of Hampstead. The home features classic clean lines which Boscolo accentuated to create a contemporary luxury design. Every setting throughout observes symmetry to create balance. To keep the space from looking too predictable, the designers used texture and pattern: luxurious rugs made of natural hides, velvet and silk pillows, marble side tables, metallic forms and lamps with sculptural metal bases.

“Grey is an incredibly exquisite, attenuated shade. Neutral, yet one with depth and softness; it adds subtlety anywhere you may choose to use it.”

Upper Park Family Residence

“We created a bespoke piece of artwork as a focal point for the dining area. Depicting a stark and barren landscape with intercrossing roads, it represents the journey of life and the choices one must make, whilst also delivering a sense of peace and calm.”

For our final residence, we have a five-bedroom, detached house located in Upper Park, just outside of London. The owners are followers of a spiritual movement with which came certain strictures. Boscolo created a home which exudes contemporary luxury design and a sense of zen, without any degree of ostentation. Beautiful and harmonious shades of white and gray complete the serene interiors with an elegant finish. The bespoke designed furniture and the quality finishes create the luxurious feel, without being too showy.

That completes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more contemporary luxury design, be sure to see:

Timeless Interior Design: Boscolo.

Contemporary Luxury Design: Hyde Park

Boscolo’s Contemporary Luxury Design Inspiration

UPDATE: Boscolo is now Bailey London Interior Design

Bailey is a London based interior architecture and luxury interior design studio specializing in delivering meticulously tailored residential and commercial projects. The studio’s high-end design services are tailored to meet each client’s needs that encompass total turnkey solutions for their client’s homes, delivering singular and distinctive designs which reflect their values of thoughtful design.

Contemporary Luxury Design: Boscolo – Bailey London

Photography: Christina Bull

Thank you so much for reading along with me! I hope you found today’s post educational and inspirational. Be sure to let me hear from you in the comments. What did you think of Boscolo’s Contemporary Luxury design?

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

May 20, 2016
Contemporary Luxury Design: Hyde Park

The exquisite tailoring of this chic London apartment is a testimony to contemporary luxury design in the historic city. The residence is set within a grand, iconic mansion block in Bayswater with beautiful views over Hyde Park. Chelsea-based luxury interior design studio Elicyon has transformed this four-bedroom residence into an exceptional home finished to superlative standards.

The design studio restored many of the home’s original architectural features while completing it with a polished contemporary luxury design for elegant modern living. Renowned for their turnkey lifestyle design, Elicyon expertly managed the entire process from conception through to completion. The results are quite remarkable. Come see for yourself!

BAYWATERS MANSION CONTEMPORARY LUXURY

The living room features a sophisticated neutral color palette of creams and grays, highlighted with a layering of metallic hues. Two gray sofas and a pair of quilted armchairs anchor the furniture arrangement around a two-stepped coffee table on a graphically carved silk rug, all from the iconic luxury brand Fendi Casa. The entire home has a sophisticated air with contemporary glamorous interiors.

A large bespoke artwork by the art studio Based Upon, acts as the room’s focal point with its prominent position located above the center sofa. On either side of the bronze-and-brass work is a custom display cabinet. The home’s design notes every detail. Almond cream leather with brass trim fronts the cabinets and drawers beneath the display shelves complete with lacquered inner sides. A structured tiered chandelier echoes the design of the room perfectly. Silk draperies and luxurious cushions in an array of shimmering and textured silk, satin, velvet, and suede create a soft balance for this very luxe rendition of an inspired industrial space.

The elegant and refined entrance hall welcomes visitors with soft pleasing colors, clean lines, and an array of rich touchable textures. The far feature wall functions as a complete work of art. A pair of basket-weave lighting sconces flank the bronze antiqued diamond-pattern mirrors with bronze framing. A sculpture by Lorenzo Quin, Give and Take III centers the scene.

A custom rug runs the length of the hall, while a custom Murano glass chandelier illuminates the space from above. A crocodile leather Fendi Casa console and mirror position across from a contemporary luxury low-profile sofa layered with indulgently soft, silk cushions. The designers had the oil painting above the sofa, like all of the paintings throughout the residence, custom created specifically to complement the color palette around it.

The formal dining room is gracious and glamorous. A custom dining table composed of a walnut tabletop on a brass sled base groups with ten button-tufted velvet dining chairs gathered on a custom silk rug with another structured faceted crystal chandelier sparkling above. Sleek walnut side pieces with brass detailing echo the table’s design creating an Art Deco feel. A pair of brass sculptural light sconces flanks an octagonal shagreen mirror above the buffet.

The look is both classic in its design and very now. The room’s location right beyond the living room makes for an easy flow when entertaining. The luxurious, sophisticated design of this entire apartment demands the return of the “cocktail hour” before dinner. How would you like your drink tonight dear?

The master bedroom features a custom silk-upholstered and grid-designed mirror headboard. Golden yellow accents kick up the soft glistening color palette. Custom upholstered chairs fit into and soften the corners of the room. Crown molding along the ceiling line conceals the window drapery panel’s fittings for a smooth, flawless finish. The beautiful fabrics here and throughout the apartment are sublime in their design simplicity, yet rich in texture and supreme softness. Nothing is plain and ordinary. The combination of the finest materials and iconic luxury brand furnishings mixed with bespoke pieces creates an entirely contemporary and custom luxury experience without being loud or showy. The effect is smart, serene, and very inviting.

The following photos show the remaining bedroom’s rich features. The same level of detail and care used in the rest of the house continue throughout.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend. I hope you enjoyed this exquisitely tailored London apartment and its contemporary luxury design. Bespoke cabinetry, Fendi Casa, crystal-dripping chandeliers, luxurious fabrics, and plenty of mirrors; This is an exciting interior design that I applaud! Let’s amp up the glamour in our homes today!

To see another fabulous residence completed by this award-winning design studio, be sure to see:

Glamorous Luxury Design: Elicyon

To see more contemporary Luxury, be sure to see:

Bespoke Design: Contemporary Luxury

Manhattan Contemporary Luxury Apartment

ELICYON’S CONTEMPORARY LUXURY DESIGN

Elicyon is a luxury design studio based in Chelsea, London. The studio creates unique and exclusive environments, tailored with precision, care, and meticulous attention to detail. The professional and sophisticated design team at Elicyon discover and bring to fruition the vision of their clients. The design team ensures that every project is perfectly tailored to the client’s needs, personal taste, and lifestyle.

Interior Design: Elicyon

Photography: Elicyon

Thanks so much for reading along with me today! Let me hear from you. Please share in the comments some ways you create glamour in your home. We want to share the experience with you.

Have a great day!

May 13, 2016
Contemporary Mews House: Belgravia

Today’s design inspiration comes from a Contemporary mews house located on a quiet mews row in the heart of London’s exclusive Belgravia district. This residence underwent a comprehensive redevelopment by London-based property developer Residence One. A reconfigured floorplan and modest basement extension increased the overall living space greatly. Interior design firm Laura Hammett completed the interiors giving them a fully bespoke turn-key design. The firm selected every architectural detail and finish, and custom designed every piece of furniture exclusively for this home. The completed mews now provides the ultimate in contemporary design and luxury bespoke specification. Let’s take a little tour!

The 2,200 square-foot, three-bedroom residence arranges over three floors finished to the highest levels of specifications. It includes everything one would expect from a luxury home in this highly sought after location, which is, after all, one of the wealthiest districts in the world. The bespoke designed furnishings are hand-made. Even the door handles, and lighting fixtures are custom created for a true one-of-a-kind luxurious home.

In the opening photo, we see the ground floor entrance into the home with its Carrera marble flooring with Nero Marquina marble inlay. The entrance space gives access to the elegant helical stairs which provide access to the upper floor and the basement level below. The custom designed staircase includes Carrera marble steps with recessed LED lighting and beveled mirrored walls that extend all three floors. A twenty-three-foot bespoke designed Serip Chandelier suspends down through the center of the staircase with its light reflected through the entire house. Natural sources of light were not in abundance, so such creative solutions address the issue quite well.

CONTEMPORARY MEWS HOUSE DESIGN

Just off of the entrance hall is the smart and sublimely chic living area. The ceilings have a specialized high gloss finish that mirrors the marble floors below and has the added benefit of catching and reflecting light. The softly upholstered walls soften and absorb the effect. Custom shelves and cabinetry created with fumed eucalyptus and mirrored inserts form a feature wall. A bronze-framed bioethanol fireplace serves as the rooms focal point. A pair of facing custom contemporary sofas centered by a pair of cocktail tables gather on a bespoke inlaid rug to create the main conversation zone.

The Carrera marble floors and the high gloss ceilings continue here in the formal dining room. A dramatic, darker shade of upholstery covers the walls to create a more intimate setting. The custom created contemporary furnishings ensure a perfect fit and full control over the ambiance.

The sleek and sophisticated kitchen is even glossier still. The marble flooring continues, along with the high gloss on the ceiling. A large skylight forms a portion of the ceiling as another means of allowing light into the home. It remotely changes from clear to opaque. Handmade high-polished bronzed cabinets with walnut interiors pair with book-matched Carrera marble worktops and mirrored back-splashes. The full range of appliances is Gaggenau, of course. The marble island includes a breakfast bar.

The master bedroom is plush and inviting. A deep pile carpet covers the floors. Luscious layers of soft luxe fabrics; silk drapes, mohair upholstered headboard, exquisite bedding, etc., create a perfect haven for dreaming. The chest at the foot of the bed conceals the pop-up television. A pair of mirrored pocket doors separates the bedroom from its marble bathroom which includes a walk-in shower and a separate soaking tub. The fixtures are Samuel Heath and the mirrors have auto demisters.

A second, equally comfortable and stylish bedroom with its bath shares the upper floor. The third bedroom and its adjoining bathroom are down on the basement level.

The second bedroom upstairs opens to this terrace with cedar decking and trellis. The walk-on glass floor forms the skylight noted earlier in the kitchen.

To complete our tour, we have the home theater located down on the bottom level along with the third bedroom. There is also a powder room down on this level. The walls of the theater room are composed of upholstered louvered wall panels with full LED lighting. A black glass wall surround envelopes the 80″ cinema projector screen. The audio and visual equipment masterfully integrates cleverly out of sight. The recreational space includes a marble top bar area and a drinks fridge as well.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more beautiful residences completed by this designer, be sure to see:

London Georgian Townhouse Renewal.

Classic Contemporary Design: Laura Hammett

CONTEMPORARY MEWS HOUSE DESIGN INSPIRATION

Laura Hammett is a London-based interior design and interior architecture practice specializing in high-end, luxury residential projects. The multi-award-winning firm has quickly become an industry highlight offering highly personalized bespoke design services for developers and private clients. Their work combines a meticulously detailed approach with their signature timeless classic contemporary style tailored to meet the individual needs of each client.

Property Development: Residence One

Interior Design: Laura Hammett

Thank you all so very much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed this Contemporary mews house. I hope you found some wonderful ideas for your projects today. Let me hear from you all in the comments!

Have a great day!!!

April 13, 2016
St Saviours Mansion: Church Conversion

St. Saviours is a former church that has been converted into a glorious private mansion in the heart of Knightsbridge, London’s prime residential neighborhood. This award-winning church conversion is the product of the collaborative talents assembled by the super-prime property developers, Rigby & Rigby, paired with the very esteemed international luxury interior design studio, Taylor Howes.

The home’s owners were international clients who lived abroad but were clear in their brief: create a chic, understated design while retaining the building’s original features. Ultimately, a neighboring mews house was also obtained and linked to the residence at ground and basement level in order to add additional bedroom suites to the existing five created in the main house, as well as to create an even larger basement level of living area. The addition brought the total to 11,500 square-feet of luxurious interiors completed with calm neutrals and custom detailing, all finished to the highest standards. This property really caught my attention when I initially came across it, and I immediately knew you would find it informative too. So, that is what makes this church conversion our design inspiration for today.

CHURCH CONVERSION DESIGN INSPIRATION

The entrance hall welcomes visitors with polished plaster walls with bronze inserts and marble floors. The ceiling above features a round coffered design which has been finished with platinum leaf, from which a platinized silver contemporary design chandelier is suspended.

To one side of the entrance hall is the comfy sitting/waiting room. If you must wait, this is a perfect place to do so. The glass wall before it is made with “electromagnetic” privacy glass which can change from clear to opaque at the touch of a button for those occasions when your visiting guest are super high-profile, and they don’t want the help to see them. The custom furnishings are smart with clean lines and neutral earthy shades including the mahogany cabinet which holds a pop-up television that disappears when not in use. The crocodile leather upholstered ottoman clearly is the star in this arrangement, after the painting whose colors defined those in the room.

Forward from the entry hall, the space opens wide in all directions. The central open locations of the former church are now the wide, open-plan drawing room that is the heart of the home. The room boasts 42′ vaulted ceilings with the original beams and stone pillars. A glass elevator of bespoke design rises through the center of the helical stone staircase that serves all four floors. The massive space is perfect for entertaining large crowds. The seating/conversational areas gather on individual area rugs that define their spaces along the marble floors. The walls are finished with limestone and polished plaster.

A cabinet of bespoke design placed behind the sofa defines the space between the dining and main reception area. The cabinet houses a double-sided pop-up television that provides for watching television from either the seating area or from the dining table, with the back-to-back televisions sinking into the floor when not in use. A mahogany temperature-controlled wine storage and display unit is stands behind the dining table. A discreet side door leads through to the kitchen.

Custom units by Boffi and Gaggenau appliances form the family kitchen and breakfast area. On the far wall, additional bespoke designed cabinets house yet another television. A Murano glass chandelier hangs above the breakfast table. Beyond this kitchen is a second kitchen of commercial grade in stainless steel and a full range of industrial kitchen appliances.

A mezzanine level living area provides a more informal place to hang and entertain close associates. The space gathers before the fireplace set in a thirty-one-foot-high limestone surround with a television mounted over it. Above the fireplace, a Damien Hirst butterfly painting hangs. There is a clear view through to the bronze and glass elevator that passes through the custom spiraling staircase around it.

Here we have the fabulous master bedroom suite up on the first floor, which includes vaulted ceilings and the ornate original beams. For this special space, the beautiful original church windows serve as the focal point. Three sections, divided by arches form the suite: bedroom, sitting area, and bath. The floors up here change from marble to walnut wood. Silk wall coverings dress the walls while silk curtains dress the windows. In the master bath, a specially commissioned bronze floating wall with cherry blossoms cast in bronze resin creates the focal point behind the soaking tub.

This is one of the several guest bedroom suites. It too features vaulted ceilings and original Gothic stone arches. The designers dressed the bedroom in silks and covered the walnut floors with a silk rug. The bathroom is just a harmony of natural light and smooth perfection; book matched marble, drawers finished in liquid platinum, and polished nickel fixtures, the list goes on.

Down on the lower level, we have the spacious media and entertaining room. Extensive mahogany cabinetry, built-in seating banquets, a full bar and countless fine details abound. The custom 120″ television with surround sound built-in makes for a wonderful experience. Mahogany and leather panels cover the walls. The designers finished the coffered ceilings with platinum leaf. This is quite a room!

To complete the home with the very best, more indulgent spaces were created down on the lower level. These include a thirty-foot heated pool with Jacuzzi, a spa area with sauna, a steam room, and private treatment rooms. All this, and a fully equipped gym and a juice bar.

There is a total of seven bedroom suites, plus additional quarters for the staff. The details are endless. This church conversion covered every detail while staying true to the original architectural style.

For more of this designers elegant work, be sure to see:

Luxury Interior Design: Mayfair

Compact Luxury Design: Taylor Howes

TAYLOR HOWES’ CHURCH CONVERSION

Over the last two decades, Taylor Howes has made its name within the industry for interiors that are intelligent, elegant, dynamic, and infused with passion and creativity. Their interior design practice is talented, friendly, approachable, and absolutely committed to achieving the best design solution possible for any given project, whether private residence, show suite, hotel, spa, or restaurant environment.

Property Development: Rigby & Rigby

Interior Design: Taylor Howes

Photography: Tom Sullam

Thanks so much for reading along with me! Let me hear from you all in the comments. What do you all think of this beautiful church conversion?

Have a great day!

March 7, 2016
Knightsbridge Contemporary Penthouse: Staffan Tollgard

This award-winning Knightsbridge contemporary penthouse features subtle bespoke designs and exquisite detailing. The luxurious residence provides it’s owner a restful haven in the city and serves as an impressive showplace where he can entertain with style. The striking sophisticated design, completed by the London-based Staffan Tollgard Design Group, features exceptional finishes and flawless quality throughout. For our design inspiration today, let’s take a look at this sleek home which won International Property Awards 2015 “Best London Apartment”, as well as “Best UK apartment”.

From the outside, one sees a stately row of preservation preserved, classic design, ornate red-brick Queen Anne townhomes lining a prestigious garden square. The residence is not a narrow arrangement of rooms on several floors though. It is a spacious single floor, bilateral flat created from the fusion of distinct properties spanning the upper floors of two townhomes. The reconfigured penthouse meets the desired contemporary objectives while respecting the heritage and grandeur of the original period architecture. The plan feels like it has just always been that way.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE CONTEMPORARY PENTHOUSE

One enters the Knightsbridge contemporary penthouse through a generously proportioned hallway designed to immediately convey status and to set the tone for the rest of the journey. The grand light-filled entrance hall immediately evokes a sophisticated tone with a limited color palette which runs throughout the property. The dramatic entry includes beautifully veined Fiore di Bosco marble floors with bronze inlay and dark slate borders along with textured silk upholstered walls. The original cornice from one of the apartments pairs with contemporary skirting and continues throughout the entire residence.

“We share a love of story-telling and a strong, shared belief that thoughtful, responsible and collaborative design can and should make people’s lives better.” ST

The existing classical proportions were maintained by placing the entertaining rooms across the front where the two original apartment’s principal rooms were located. These front rooms with their repeated windows and views across the gardens provide the perfect space for an open-plan cooking and dining area that could flow seamlessly through into a multi-tasking living/reception room. The owner is not only a good cook himself, but enjoys entertaining with a chef so a dramatic, commercial grade kitchen with dining area was a must.

The monolithic veined stone island acts as both a sculptural still life and a functional centerpiece creating an opportunity for interaction between the chef and diner along the extended breakfast bar. The kitchen is from the German manufacturer Eggersmann, with appliances from Gaggenau. The worktop, a natural quartzite sourced from Brazil, is clear of appliances, which are housed in concealed storage behind discreet sliding doors in place of a typical backsplash. The large capacity appliances and additional storage are also cleverly concealed. The kitchen’s sophisticated design allows it to both show and function well. The induction hob even has retractable ventilation to maintain the clean aesthetic lines.

The owner is an avid wine collector, requiring a beautiful solution for wine storage and display. A large internally lighted and temperature controlled 280 bottle wine storage unit was custom created and placed on the dining side of the room. The common wall between the two apartments couldn’t be moved due to the existing chimney flues but did allow for symmetrical openings on either side for passages between the dining room and the large reception room. The openings between these rooms emphasize the central feature of the space: the remaining chimney breast. This strong vertical plane, clad in Vals Stone and complete with a double-sided contemporary fireplace, adds function and focuses both rooms. The seamless flow of chevron wooden flooring with black slate borders and a bronze inlay ensures continuity from one space to another.

A key feature in the light-filled living/reception room is the large wall of bespoke designed cabinetry. As a central feature, the custom cabinetry displays exquisite detail. Bronze framed horsehair panels slide in front of warmly lit shelves with a polished plaster back panel. The sliding panels conceal/reveal the television and related equipment. Textured polished plaster covers the remaining walls. Contemporary furnishings upholstered in luxe fabrics gather on a custom rug to form the conversation area. The design group selected the very best of contemporary designed furniture and lighting for the residence.

The study provides a calm and serene workspace. Silk upholstered walls and a wall of bespoke designed cabinetry make it functional and high-style. Dark woods with bronze borders create a warm masculine feel. The chevron wood floor with black slate borders and bronze inlay really gives presence this smaller space. The bespoke designed desk with the leather detailing perfectly completes the look. You must be sure to check out the design group’s curated collection of contemporary home furnishings, lighting, and accessories on their website. They have a large selection of items like those used here in this home and much more.

The master bedroom in this Knightsbridge contemporary penthouse is a sublime dream. Clean lines and rich textures create a soft contemporary finish with rich tones contrasting with light neutrals. The upholstered paneled wall provides entry to the bath and dressing rooms on either side of the bed. Dark woods with bronze detailing form the custom bedside tables and the cabinetry. Coffered ceilings provide indirect lighting and conceal the drapery hardware out of site.

The bathrooms exercise subtle drama: characterful stone contrasts with modern ceramics from Armani/Roca with beautiful rose gold brassware accents. The sculptural tub is from Falpar.

The master bedroom closet/dressing area is fabulous and far larger than this photo shows. The design group had the space completed with back-lit glass panels and glass fronted doors on metal frames by Porro. Carefully planned lighting illuminates the functioning spaces. The stairs here actually provide access to the fire escape.

The quietly luxurious guest bedroom provides additional tranquil space. Silk moiré covers the walls with a silk rug on the floor. The guest en-suite bathroom and dressing area repeats the elements used in the master bedroom creating a unified boutique hotel feel.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

To see more residences completed by Staffan Tollgard Design Group, be sure to see:

Contemporary Design in a Period Gem

Knightsbridge Townhouse Renovation

Staffan Tollgard’s Knightsbridge Contemporary Penthouse

Staffan Tollgard Design Group offers an award-winning architectural interior design service for an international clientele. The group works creatively and collaboratively to create bold, contemporary interiors that are eminently livable. The group’s over 100 high-end residential projects provide innovative and creative solutions for their client’s lifestyle needs.

Interior Design: Staffan Tollgard Design Group

Photography: Richard Gooding

Thank you so much for reading along with me today! I hope you enjoyed the sophisticated design and understated luxury created within this Knightsbridge Contemporary penthouse. Let me hear from you in the comments!

Have a great day!

January 29, 2016
Knightsbridge Townhouse Reinvention

For our design inspiration today, we have a Knightsbridge townhouse reinvention. This grand Georgian-style townhouse located in the heart of London’s fashionable and exclusive Knightsbridge across from Hyde Park is reimagined for modern life. This preservation protected residence is restored to its original splendor as a single family luxury home complete with fully modernized interiors after a meticulous redevelopment. The design firm Oro Bianco, with its team of RIBA architects and interior designers, completed the interior transformation with a special turn-key finish of the highest standards.

The residence provides elegant and comforting accommodations over seven floors with an elevator serving the principle levels. Additional living space made possible through a basement excavation greatly enhance the home. This allowed the home to go deeper, since property lines and city ordinances prohibit it from growing in any other direction. The excavation provided for the inclusion of a subterranean spa level that features an indoor swimming pool, sauna, and home gym. Light wells created through several floors allow natural light to flow throughout all levels.

Guests enter the home through the front gated gardens on the ground floor level here into the entrance hall. Mirrors and gloss define and expand the sense of space. The design team created a mirror on mirror vignette here which I love. The balancing of traditional and contemporary design begins at the front door. Note the contemporary lighting and art.

The entrance hall opens to the central lobby area giving way to the stairs and elevator, as well as to the study and formal dining room. The paneled mirror, a verre églomisé design on antique mirror glass, is a special work designed and made by Gorman Studios. Peter Gorman, founder of Vancouver’s Gorman Studios, pioneered many new techniques to create exquisite modern interpretations of chinoiserie, reverse glass painting, lacquered panels, and other fine art details. These designs are growing in demand as the push for customization and couture quality finishes continues to grow. The graceful curves of the French Rococo style chairs pair with the sleek lines of the modern lighting sconces.

HAND-CRAFTING THE WORLD’S MOST MAGNIFICENT PRIVATE PROPERTIES

The formal dining room is a dressed-up delight combining soft traditional design elements with edited contemporary design for a transitional effect. I love mirrored walls and declare them timeless, and adding that marble fireplace surround is pure genius. The molding and ceiling designs are classic, though interpreted with fresh designs. Ralph Lauren Home principally furnishes the home, complemented by bespoke designed British and Italian pieces.

The study features handsome bespoke lacquered wood designs inlaid with brass. The look is very smart and of sophisticated design. Custom carpets cover the dark oak timber floors. Note the glass portion of the ceiling forming part of the light well.

The powder room completes the ground floor. Mirror and marble with wood and brass accents give the small space maximum impact.

The first floor holds the formal reception room, as is the custom, with a terrace off the back. The room occupies the entire floor designed with contemporary classic style. Lacquer, mirror, bespoke woodwork, and custom designs complete the look. It is very Ralph Lauren in its effect. The lighting used in all the home is of bespoke design from America. The room serves for formal entertaining, but not too formal. A Ralph Lauren Duke bar positions ideally between the sitting area and the terrace. It looks like a perfect place for cocktail hour. The effect is all perfectly cosmopolitan and chic!

The lower ground floor holds the more informal family rooms. Here we have the informal family dining room located right off the kitchen. Everything is contemporary down on this level.

The Knightsbridge townhouse features a fully fitted Bulthaup custom kitchen with Gaggenau appliances. The wood finished island/breakfast bar really balances the look.

This level also holds the very comfortable media room. Fabric upholstered walls and deep sofas with lots of pillows provide the ultimate in casual comfort. The designers continued the exceptional bespoke joinery in here as well.

The master bedroom suite occupies the entire second floor. The space is a calm oasis of clean lines and transitional styling. The fabrics used throughout are Lizzo, Fox Linton. The drapes and soft furnishings were made by Emporio Interiors in Chelsea. Italian marble and patterned mirrors outfit the sleek master bathroom.

The remaining bedrooms and bathrooms are all up on the third and fourth floors. All are done very tastefully with classic contemporary styling with Italian marble bathrooms. The look is very International hotel chic. The lower ground level holds another bedroom and bath for staff with a separate side entrance into the home.

The basement excavation made it possible to add in this extra level of comforting amenities. Down here, a complete home spa and health center were created. The subterranean space includes a 49′ long swimming pool, which is quite impressive when you consider it was added beneath historic London. Iroquois indoor/outdoor wood and Italian slab marble make up much of this space. Bisazza tiles line the pool. This level also includes a gym, sauna, steam/wet room, and a bath. You can see the natural light flowing in though the light well. This is a super luxury addition to an already nice home.

The latest Fusion Home Automation System, Lutron lighting, and electronic blinds complete this Knightsbridge townhouse reinvention.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more London residences reinvented for modern life, be sure to see:

Classic Mayfair Penthouse: Oro Bianco

London Georgian Townhouse Renewal

KNIGHTSBRIDGE TOWNHOUSE REINVENTION

Luxury interior design studio Oro Bianco specializes in creating magnificent architectural interiors for international clients around the world. Founded in 2011 by award-winning architect Luigi Esposito, interior designer Stefania Mazzarini, and MD Killian Thomas Lynch, the multi-national team of RIBA architects and interior designers work on global projects for the luxury high-end interiors market.

The company has two distinct areas – Oro Bianco Studio, which creates bespoke luxury interiors around the world, and Oro Bianco Milano, which designs and produces our luxurious furniture and decorative lighting.

Their website includes a Home Products Page with beautiful furniture, lighting, and antiques.

Property Development: Fenton Whelan

Interior Architecture & Design: Oro Bianco Studio

Thanks so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed today’s Knightsbridge townhouse reinvention. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments! What do you think?

Have a great day!

January 18, 2016
Classic Mayfair Penthouse: Oro Bianco

Our design inspiration for today comes from an elegant penthouse in central London’s exclusive Mayfair district. The classic Mayfair penthouse boasts excellent views of the city’s skyline including Green Park and Buckingham Palace. The new owners, an international family, purchased the 7,000 square-foot residence, located within a 1904 heritage protected Old Park Lane building, to establish for themselves a London base for when they were in the city. Luigi Esposito and his team at Oro Bianco Interior Design transformed the space into a luxury home where the family could both comfortable reside and entertain with great style.

The family asked the design team to restore the noble proportions of the main public rooms, and where possible, to extend those proportions into the more intimate family areas as well. The interior architecture had to be reconfigured a bit to create a home suitable for modern living, while also preserving and restoring the exquisite period architectural details. The design team was to create a home that was classic in its design, but completely contemporary in its function. The completed residence would also need to properly display their extensive collection of modern art, and perform a list of other special functions. The home was to be turn-key complete with everything in place including the linens and dishes. Note: The design house had just come together and this was their first project as a team.

CLASSIC MAYFAIR PENTHOUSE DESIGN

The classic Mayfair penthouse is designed to allow the foyer, entrance hall, drawing room, formal dining room, and living room to serve two functions. When the series of lacquered wood and glass double doors connecting them are open, they serve as grand entertaining space. The doors can also be closed to create more intimate areas where the family can relax together. Above, we see the foyer as it opens onto the entrance hall. The design team anchored the room with an ormolu-mounted Louis XIV commode, inlaid with tortoiseshell marquetry and a dazzling mirror above it.

A grand formal entrance hall sets the tone for the home’s glamorous interiors. Polished black and white marble floors shine as brilliantly as the lacquered doors. A pair of crystal chandeliers reflects forever in the large antique gilded mirror on the far wall. An ebonized and ormolu-mounted Louis XV-style marquetry desk in the Boulle technique centers this space, topped with an ink-well in the same style. The designers expertly restored the crown molding to its original splendor. Imposing sets of double doors give the room an air of grandness while allowing natural light to flow through into the rooms beyond.

Here we have the double volume drawing room. Paneled walls emphasize the room’s height and volume. Another fabulous large crystal chandelier illuminates the space. The colors are soft while the surfaces are smooth and reflective. Lead designer Luigi started his career in fashion and it really shows here. An antique c.1870 Hepplewhite secretaire bookcase serves as a focal point dividing the two seating arrangements. Luxurious silk and velvet cover the Soane sofas with skirts trimmed with bullion. Two layers of tailored curtains frame the sets of French doors that open to balconies.

The drawing room flows into the cozy library. Bespoke designed shelves and cabinetry frame a traditional fireplace mantle topped with a contemporary painting. The property, of course, features discretely managed complete automation and includes Lutron lighting, underfloor heating, motorized blinds and concealed speakers, along with all of the other amenities necessary for a modern luxury home. Nothing was allowed to impact the classical design features. The Bianco team worked very closely with the Conservation Department to ensure that they fully understood and approved their designs.

The formal dining room includes a bespoke hand-crafted table designed by the team and created by Linley; the woodworking company founded by the nephew of Queen Elizabeth II. Brazilian Mahogany, Amboyna, and American Walnut form the beautiful inlaid designs. It can seat as many as eighteen people comfortably under the glow of the crystal chandelier.

The powder room is just an exquisite jewel box of details.

The bedroom corridor features back-lit, hand-painted eglomise glass panels which give the impression of natural light streaming in from both sides. The series of translucent glass panels form an English Garden theme.

Blue is the client’s favorite color, and it serves as the primary color in the master bedroom. Blue silk covers the head and footboard of a Rosewood Simonetto bed. Bespoke designed silver-leaf damask covers the walls. Beaumont and Fletcher bespoke designed blue silk drapes, hand-embroidered with silver thread and Swarovski crystals dress the windows. The closets were custom made in Italy and installed on site. They were perfectly planned and finished with rich lacquered wood, inset with mirror panels. An antique Persian rug layers on the silk carpet. Even the desk chair features hand embroidery. Another beautiful crystal chandelier, sparkling like jewelry completes the room.

The master bathroom displays serious luxury detailing. The Pietra Dura floor includes a mosaic of over 30,000 pieces of semi-precious stones, such as amethyst, lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl, and carnelian. The bespoke vanity, fabricated with Brazilian Mahogany, is inspired by traditional French furniture. All this rests beneath beautiful layers of crown molding above.

The home includes two guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms finished out with as much care and attention to detail as the rest of the home.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

This was Oro Bianco Interior Design’s first official project as a team, and it was a big success. It firmly set the design group into a solid position. This project gave solid credibility to Luigi and his entire team of architects and designers. The home received plenty of press in London and Internationally. The luxury design has received endless praise and critical accolades.

“True craftsmanship defines us. Using the most specialist of traditional crafts from every corner of the world, we work alongside talented artists to create truly bespoke interiors by designing and producing joinery and wall panels, furniture, and lighting, pietre dure floors and breath-taking tapestries – true beauty with strong attention to detail.”

For more residences featuring Classic Design for modern living, be sure to see:

Knightsbridge Townhouse Reinvention

Fifth Avenue Classical Design

Oro Bianco’s Classic Mayfair Penthouse

Oro Bianco Interior Design, founded in 2011 by Luigi Esposito, Stefania Mazzarini and Killian Thomas Lynch, is a luxury design house once distinguished by its sole focus on London’s super-prime property market. Their initial decision to focus solely on super-prime property created an interior design powerhouse, ideally positioned to bring the best in luxury design to London’s super-prime property owners.

Today, Oro Bianco Studio specializes in creating magnificent architectural interiors for international clients around the world. The multi-national team of RIBA architects and interior designers work on global projects for the luxury high-end interiors market. The company includes Oro Bianco Milano, which designs and produces their luxurious furniture and decorative lighting.

Interior Design: Oro Bianco Studio

Photography: Barry Murphy

Press Release

thedesignawards.co.uk

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed this classic Mayfair penthouse with its architectural details paired with both traditional and contemporary furnishings and finishes. There was no shortage of inspiring interior design ideas packed into this one today!

Have a great day!

December 19, 2015
Lancasters Interior Reinvention

Our design inspiration for today comes from The Lancasters-London. The Lancasters is an ultra-prime luxury residential development located in London’s Hyde Park, overlooking Kensington Gardens. The landmark protected historical property underwent a five-year redevelopment by a top team of leading luxury property developers, architects, and interior designers who saved it after a sad period of neglect and decay and turned it into one of the city’s most exclusive addresses.

The property was originally conceived as an elegant Terrace of 15 grand white-stucco faced ambassadorial Classic design town homes in the mid-nineteenth century. 150 years ago, the area was a respectable haven for the wealthy middle class. Since the 1970s though, the property had served as a hotel and the neighborhood had lost some of its luster. The developers Minerva and Northacre saw an opportunity and seized it. The project was not without its challenges but the risk and effort paid off for not only was the immediate block returned to splendor and well beyond, the neighborhood around it has benefited from the redevelopment as well.

The project’s lead architect Klas Nilsson, who is a specialist at turning historic properties into perfected palaces for the wealthy, determined that the properties inner partitioning walls had been too badly damaged for a restoration and the whole place would have to be completely gutted and recreated within the shell of its exterior facade. The architect was able to get the necessary permission to rebuild the interior architecture in its original style and the work proceeded.

The Lancasters was finally completed with a fusion of its classic design architecture and brand new sophisticated design and construction. The property has been reconfigured into 77 luxury homes plus common areas. The new residences have been designed around the original interior architecture and traditional design features of the building. The high ceilings have been maintained and the original 19th century intricate moldings have been restored. Along with the period architecture, modern amenities and luxuries have been seamlessly integrated. Contemporary design kitchens with granite surfaces and appliances from Gaggenau and Miele have been included along with marble bathrooms with designer fixtures. The historic building’s qualities have been sensitively restored and enhanced with the addition of all the latest in technology and the finest of finishes for a true luxury home.

Several high profile interior designers have completed homes within this new development but I can’t show them all here of course. I have selected two apartments completed by two interior design firms who had significant roles in this development. In the photos above, we see the show apartment completed by architecture and interior design specialist Lawson Robb, who won a “Best Residential Property Interior” award for their work here. The completed residence has been much praised for its timeless sophistication and luxurious interiors, which effortlessly combines the classic design of the architecture with contemporary design furnishings and styling. The designers also incorporated cultural references from around the world to create an international style: the intricate inlays of the Middle East, the vibrancy of Southern Asia, American understated Classic design paired with simple lines, the impeccable quality of European design, the structured patterns of the Far East, and the subtle opulence in traditional Russian design. The materials used include walnut woods, silver leaf, lacquer, pyrite, marble, velvet, leather, silk wall coverings, and antiqued mirror.

The following photos show some of the Lancasters’ common areas.

The Lancasters’ common areas have been designed by the interior design group Intarya, a design arm of the developer Northacre. The group has harnessed the skills of fine artists and craftspeople to create completely bespoke design interiors. The designers have created a look that is sensitive and sympathetic to the provenance, architecture and location of The Lancasters.

In addition to the common areas, Intarya also completed multiple show apartments, one of which is shown in the following photos.

The show apartments Intarya designed reference exotic influences. The materials and techniques used here are those found around the world. The very point was to appeal to the well-traveled. The point was to appeal to the largest market of international high net worth buyers as possible. Further details include hand-painted wall-coverings, bespoke design furniture, rich textures from leather to silks, hand-embroidered fabrics, antique mirrors, marble, rich woods, and of course, all being of the highest-quality.

The residents of Lancasters also enjoy the benefits of a 24-hour concierge, housekeeping, personal shopping, and catering. The development also features a communal garden, valet parking in the underground garage, and a fully equipped gym with a pool. There are also other perks like a 24-hr doorman, on staff security, and general assistants to help you with whatever you may need.

It all has been a huge success!

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

LANCASTERS PRESS RELEASE

Developers:

Northacre & Minerva

Chief Architecture: Klas Nilsson

Interior designers:

Lawson Robb

Intarya

Thank you so much for reading along with me today!

December 8, 2015
Design Inspiration For Small Spaces

Can smart design be used to make the most of limited space? Awareness of the role that thoughtful design plays can help you in maximizing your small spaces. For our design inspiration today, we are taking a look at two residences redesigned to make the most of their available square footage. Both homes are in London and completed by the award-winning interior design studio Keir Townsend. The designers creative handling of small interiors, among their many talents, has garnered them international recognition.

London is a city with a growing economy and booming population, but a shortage in housing. High demand has pushed prices through the roof and residents are being more creative with the space they have. This made it the perfect place to look for interior design ideas on making the most of small spaces.

Having limited space does not mean that you must have limited style. The designers at Keir Townsend believe that compromising space doesn’t mean compromising on luxury. Both residences feature bespoke designed interiors with quality finishes and fixtures and even a bit of luxury.

Our first residence is a two-bedroom apartment located within a contemporary residential high rise. The opening photo and the one above shows the home’s living area. The owner, a single guy who uses the apartment as a pied-a-terre, asked the designers to create for him a great contemporary entertaining space. Instead of traditional sofas and chairs, the designers used a set of chaise paired with a custom copper-clad coffee table to form a perfectly chic conversation area. The large Amethyst cluster serves as the focal point of the space and establishes the color palette in the room.

“Our brand stands for quality, timeless elegance and harmony in all aspects of design.” KT

The designers used dark oak, trimmed with the same copper used on the coffee table to form the bookcases and shelving units. Keir Townsend has a retail showroom providing a selection of exclusive furniture, lighting, and accessories sourced from all over the world. Most of the pieces are designed by the studio. The lighting used throughout are examples of the sort you find there.

The partition separating the kitchen and living area was removed to create an open flow and to allow the integration of the kitchen into the entertaining space. The same granite used on the counter-tops and back splashes, forms the bespoke dining table, further linking the zones. The two columns have been faced with antiqued bronze mirrors and the lighting incorporates bronzed diffuser glass. Dimmers allow the lighting to lower, creating a new mood in the space. Two wine refrigerators have been included on the outer side of the kitchen. The dining chairs are dark metal and woven leather by Henge.

In the master bedroom, the designers confidently embraced darker shades in this small area by keeping them all within a narrow range, so it works. Woven grass wallcoverings by Philip Jeffries are used on the walls. The designers used Oak to form the headboard frame, side tables, and wardrobe which also include leather detailing. The headboard is upholstered with velvet, while the bed is dressed in luxury design Italian bed linens from their showroom.

“Our interiors are personalized for every one of our clients and designed to make them feel great about who they are.” KT

The en suite bathroom features a bespoke designed sink created using recycled glass, lit from within with LED lighting, placed upon a lacquered vanity. The chrome and black onyx faucets are also of bespoke design, as is the carved wooden panels on the wall. The shower wall is faced with mosaic tile to complete this bathroom’s sophisticated design.

The guest bedroom is layered in textures and complete with bespoke designed furnishings. The feature wall behind the bed is finished with a straw wallcovering. The bed consists of a velvet headboard, cashmere bedding, and silk pillows. The walnut and leather dressing table includes a pop-up mirror and a matching leather pouf. The modern design leather swing chair with bronze base is from the designer’s showroom.

For the guest bathroom the designers used a more neutral color tone. The sink sits upon a bespoke lacquered vanity with chrome detailing and the exquisite crystal faucets are carved in the shape of seahorses. The wall lights have leather and chrome detailing.

Here we have a one bedroom apartment with only 430 square feet, with every inch cleverly utilized. This residence also functions as a pied-a-terre for its owner. Again, the designers removed all of the partitions to create an open flow living, dining, and kitchen. It’s almost hard to imagine there being room for them to start with. A room this small requires a lighter, neutral color which the designers used throughout. The walls have been finished with polished plaster, which is great for the subtle variations of color, and it adds depth. The plaster reflects light, which is essential for increasing the appearance of size within a space.

The furnishings are all of bespoke design, custom created specifically for the place they occupy. To achieve the best results within a limited area it is very important to use correctly scaled furniture. Keir Townsend doesn’t believe that a smaller room requires fewer pieces. They believe that the more “zones” and features you create within the room, the greater its appearance and function will be. What is most important is the right size furniture, the right fabrics, and the right lighting.

“Our mission is to offer simple, elegant solutions in today’s over-complicated world.” KT

The designers completely bespoke designed everything in the kitchen area. Mirrors are always an excellent way to increase the appearance of a rooms size. Antiqued bronze mirror with a polished edge has been used for the back splash here in the kitchen. The quartz used for the countertops also forms the dining table. The dining chairs have been upholstered with suede. The crystal chandelier above the table adds a bit of drama and glamour.

For the bedroom, the designers created plenty of storage with walls of integrated sleek cabinetry and wardrobes. Avoiding clutter is an absolute must in any small space. Everything should have a place, and everything should be in its place. That is a rule of thumb for any well-kept home regardless of size. The entire room is bespoke with every inch planned and executed for maximum efficiency. The lines are clean, and the colors are neutral, but luxury design has not been forgotten. Padded suede upholsters the wall behind the bed, while the walls feature a Japanese linen by Phillip Jeffries. A de Gournay fabric forms the curtains. The floors are covered with an exceptional shagreen leather that bring the luxury level even higher.

I love this small bathroom which is full of little luxury design touches. The original bathtub was replaced with this walk-in rainfall shower. A variety of tiles create a brilliant effect in here; Emperador ceramic, mosaic, and glass tiles backed with silver and antique gold leaf. The bespoke designed sink was created using recycled bottled glass, lit from within with LED lighting, and placed upon a bespoke cabinet with chrome and leather detailing. Ornate crystal faucets perfectly complete the look.

Who says that small spaces must be short on style or lacking in luxury? These two homes are perfect examples of what can be done in small spaces with a bit of creativity and ideally, an excellent team of skilled artisans who can complete your bespoke design specifications. Every detail shown here is wonderful for our design inspiration today.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more design inspiration for small spaces, be sure to see:

Compact Luxury Design: Taylor Howes

Interior Design for Small Spaces

“Our experience in high-end residential and commercial interior design allows us to deliver a tailored service to each client. No matter how complex the project, we always strive to create environments that combine comfort and practicality with elegance and sophistication. Since each project is tailored to the client’s taste and lifestyle, a Keir Townsend interior is always unique. “Keir Townsend

Keir Townsend is an award-winning interior design company with a retail showroom, based in Mayfair and South Kensington, London. Their international team comes from diverse cultural and creative backgrounds, but what unites them is the drive to deliver aesthetic and inspiring spaces that bring joy into people’s lives.

Keir Townsend interior design studio provides a full scope of services from concept design and branding through to design implementation and turn-key project delivery.

Keir Townsend showroom stays at the forefront of high-end interiors by providing a hand-picked selection of exclusive furniture, flooring and lighting sourced from all over the world.

Interior Design: Keir Townsend Interiors

Photography: Jake Fitzjones Photography

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed and found some creative interior design ideas for your small spaces. Let me hear from you all in the comments.

Have a wonderful day!

December 2, 2015
London Georgian Townhouse Renewal

Today’s design inspiration comes from an elegant Georgian townhouse located in the heart of London’s affluent Belgravia district. The five-story historical terrace residence, built circa 1817 by renowned architect Thomas Cubitt, is redeveloped with interiors designed for modern day luxury living. The interior refurbishment included the careful restoration of many of its period interior architectural details, balanced with contemporary interior design that brilliantly integrated the best of modern and luxurious amenities. The home was completed by the London-based luxury developer Residence One, with full bespoke interiors by design firm Laura Hammett.

The well-proportioned 4600 square-foot property includes five bedrooms, gracious formal rooms, staff accommodations, and excellent outdoor spaces. The home’s refurbishment includes the finest materials and finishes as well as the latest technology and home automation, complete with “turn-key” furnishings, interior styling, and bespoke design detailing.

In the opening photos, we see the family/media room down on the lower subterranean level of the home. The developer elected not to expand the space by means of the much debated, controversial basement excavations. Instead of expanding the square footage below, the emphasis is on the super high quality of the interior design and customization of the existing space. The room focuses on a custom wall designed to hold the television and equipment in the center with book/display shelves lit with LED lighting on either side. Bespoke designed furnishings gather on a luxury pile carpet. The paintings are by the artist Ben Lowe, with the contemporary lighting by Bella Figura. At the back, a custom marble staircase with frameless glass balustrade leads up to the kitchen. The bar area includes dual zone wine and drinks refrigerators.

The room opens to an inner courtyard with limestone floors that is open through the floors above to provide natural light and air into this lower back portion of the home. Down on this level, there are also two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms ideally designed for guest and staff accommodations due to the home’s separate entrance location here.

On the ground floor, guests enter the Georgian townhouse through the stately high gloss black front door into the entrance hall which sets the tone well for the style in the rest of the home. Polished ivory marble with Pietra gray borders make up the floors and include integrated lighting that highlights the architectural details. The corridor provides access to the main staircase. The length divides into sections complete with custom consoles and lighting fixtures. In one of the sections, 12ct white gold eglomise bronze beveled mirrors line the walls for a wonderful effect. Note the detail of the moldings.

Also situated on the ground floor level are the homes formal dining room and study. Both rooms include custom chevron parquet oak flooring with brass inlays and integrated LED lighting. Both also have white marble Chesney fireplaces with slate hearths. The exquisite chandelier above the dining table is a custom design from Serip. The pendant light in the office is by Porta Romana. The furnishings in both rooms are of bespoke design. Here we have great examples of Classic Contemporary design: Classic architectural details with Contemporary styling and furnishings.

A contemporary chef’s kitchen and informal dining area complete the ground floor. The kitchen includes dark custom cabinetry and book matched Calacatta Ora marble worktops with gray mirrored backsplashes. The sophisticated design features Gaggenau appliances along with all the amenities required to complete a modern kitchen. The furnishings are bespoke designed as with the rest of the home. The contemporary chandelier suspended above the table is by Baroncelli. The room opens to an outdoor breakfast terrace which fills the room with natural light. A skylight also provides ample natural lighting to flow throughout the home. The floor along the back and side open to the family room below allowing the natural light to flow through down into those spaces.

The home’s formal drawing room is located up on the first floor. The grand, double volume room combines classical elegance and contemporary styling effortlessly. The room allows for entertaining in style. The floors are custom chevron parquet oak with antique brass inlay, and this room includes two white marble Chesney fireplaces. The rock crystal chandeliers and wall lights are Ambika. The room divides into two seating groups composed of custom furnishings of bespoke design arranged on silk rugs.

Beyond the drawing room, one can make their way through the bar area with its bronzed beveled mirrored walls and custom cabinetry with brass inlays. The space includes integrated drinks refrigerators as well as a dumbwaiter down to the kitchen below.

Beyond the bar, the home opens to the rooftop terrace. This outdoor entertaining space includes a conversation and dining area with limestone floors. A computerized irrigation system maintains the plants, shrubs, and olive trees.

The entire second floor of the Georgian townhouse belongs to the master bedroom suite. The spacious suite includes a beveled mirror feature wall, luxury deep pile carpet, and bespoke designed furnishings. In the bathroom, Calacatta Oro marble slabs make up the double sink vanity unit and the wall opposite it. Vein matched Grigio Bellimi marble covers the floors. The bathroom includes a large shower and a soaking tub with a television perfectly placed above it. Designer fixtures and an Ambika rock crystal chandelier take the luxury level even higher. The mirrors include automatic demister functions.

The remaining bedrooms and bathrooms in the home display the continued attention to detail and luxury. Custom furnishings, marble bathrooms, designer fixtures, luxury deep pile carpet, silk wallcoverings, luxury bedding, it is all here.

This photo shows the view from above down through the back open sections of the home. As you can see, the refurbishment has tended to every detail quite well. The redevelopment of this Georgian townhouse was a success and the home sold quickly upon completion as expected.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more from residences completed by this team, be sure to see:

Contemporary Mews House: Belgravia

Classic Contemporary Design: Laura Hammett

GEORGIAN TOWNHOUSE RENEWAL

Residence One is a developer of elegant residences in London’s finest addresses. The developers pride themselves on their attention to the beauty and quality of the smallest detail. They make sure that their flawlessly finished developments showcase the world’s very best material finishes and technology.

Laura Hammett is a London interior design and interior architecture studio. The firm specializing in luxury residential projects for private clients and property developers throughout the UK and abroad. The design firm formed in 2008 and today, husband and wife team Aaron and Laura Hammett direct it. Their projects combine a creative timeless approach with a signature elegant and luxurious style.

Property Development: Residence One

Interior Design: Laura Hammett

Photography: Ray Main

Thank you so much for reading along with me today. I hope you enjoyed the renewal of this classic luxury Georgian townhouse updated for modern day living. Let me hear from you in the comments.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

November 4, 2015
Hollywood Inspired Interiors: St George’s Hill

Today’s design inspiration comes from a classic-style residence within the prestigious St George’s Hill estate near London with old Hollywood inspired interiors designed for high-style entertaining. This custom 8,000 square-foot residence presents beautifully with well-proportioned rooms spread over two floors. Behind the traditional façade, the home shines like a designer show house with completely bespoke designed interiors by the renowned design firm Hill House Interiors. The luxury home marries contemporary style, and old Hollywood inspired glamour, with modern sophistication and efficiency.

DESIGNED FOR HIGH STYLE ENTERTAINING

The drawing room serves as a center for elegant gatherings with a look of layered luxury. Art Deco lines define the space. Upholstered seating gathers on a custom zebra print rug before the central Deco-style marble fireplace surround and mirror. The styling lets you know that this is about cosmopolitan chic and not tired formality. Luxe fabrics and fur throws elevate the furnishings to posh heights. Stacks of books and collected objects on glossy surfaces make the space personal and inviting.

The composition here gives the room worldly sophistication.

The drawing room opens to a spectacular entertaining space with a well-equipped, fully functioning bar. Let the party begin! Black lizard-embossed leather covers the floors. Faceted mirror panels on the bar give the room a sexy 60’s vibe. The bar includes wine and drinks refrigerators, an ice maker, and a dishwasher, along with 50-inch plasma television. Glass doors across the back stack to the side, opening to the covered terrace for indoor-outdoor entertaining.

The entertaining bar area flows into the formal dining room and gourmet kitchen. We don’t have any photos showing the kitchen area in detail, but the clean lines and glossy finishes continue. Most of the appliances hide behind sliding glass doors. Very sleek and sophisticated, so much so, visiting guests ask, “where’s the kitchen.” For me, this sounds like the ideal kitchen. A second room beyond includes an oven and plenty of space for food preparation before bringing it to the public areas. Pleated velvet upholstered chairs surround the long dining table.

The flow continues into a more relaxed living room area that includes a television mounted above the firebox. Again, the glass doors across the back wall stack to the side, fully merging the indoors and outdoors.

The home’s Hollywood inspired interiors include an impressive cinema room complete with metallic fabric upholstered walls, comfy seating, large Hollywood photos, and dramatic crystal-dripping wall lights.

The bespoke detailing continues into the study/home office. Look at the detail on that partner’s desk.

CHIC & GLAMOROUS

Guests enter the home into the impressive central reception hall with its grand staircase fanning left and right. Marble covers the floors and stairs which include a glass balustrade with a padded leather handrail. A spectacular antique crystal chandelier sparkles above it all. Beneath the staircase, pearlized leather panels conceal doors that open to storage space.

Upstairs, the residence includes a total of five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a gym. The Hollywood inspired interiors continue through the entire home.

“Unparalleled and impeccable attention to detail with a love of luxurious materials and couture furniture”

The large Master bedroom suite totals 1,500 square feet designed especially for relaxation. The designers even brought in a specialized lighting expert to create the perfect lighting situation for every function. The space includes two separate dressing areas. The large Hollywood-glamour master bath features polished marble, glossy black lacquer, mirror panels, and Deco-style Swarovski crystal lighting sconces. The suite opens onto a terrace overlooking the back lawn and gardens.

The home includes a 3-car garage and sits on an elevated south-facing acre of land.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

To see another St George’s Hill mansion, be sure to see:

Classical Inspired Design: Furze Croft Mansion

Neo-Georgian Style English Estate

GLAMOROUS HOLLYWOOD INSPIRED INTERIORS

Hill House Interiors is an award-winning Design Consultancy with offices based in Weybridge, Surrey, and a Showroom in London. Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves built their award-winning Design Consultancy with their friendly, approachable attitude, enthusiasm, and meticulous attention to detail. They take pride in every commission in the UK or abroad whether the client is a leading developer in the luxury housing sector or a private individual. Impeccable attention to detail and a love for luxurious and innovative materials, combined with couture furniture, have become the signature of Hill House Interior Design.

Interior Design: Hill House Design

Photography: Thierry Cardineau Photography

Thank you so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed today’s Hollywood inspired interiors. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Have a great day!

October 19, 2015
Contemporary Penthouse In A Period Gem

Our design inspiration for today comes from a bold, contemporary penthouse created within a Victorian period building in Kensington, London. The dramatic modernization of this residence within its traditional shell was completed by London based Staffan Tollgard Design Group. The property developers brought the Tollgard Group in to give the penthouse a luxe contemporary finish, the design firm’s specialty. Always respectful of the architectural setting, Tollgard works to bring forth bold, sophisticated interiors. With function at the heart of every design, their homes are eminently livable making them perfect for this project.

As with many of the grand, five-story Victorian structures in historic Palace Gate, the lower floors have higher ceilings and more traditional period details to preserve. Not so much on the upper levels making them well suited for a sleek, contemporary design. This ultimately gave the design team 2,925 square-feet spread over two floors to bring into the 21st century.

KENSINGTON CONTEMPORARY PENTHOUSE

The completed home includes spacious, open living and dining areas. In the opening photo, you see the large skylight above the living room. A grey Flexform sofa anchors the room on a custom rug from Kymo’s NY Loft Collection. A contemporary Nahoor floor lamp gathers with a pair of Mood armchairs flanking the fireplace. The painting above conceals the television. One turns on the TV with the remote, and the abstract art slides to the side to reveal the screen. Bright shades of orange provide zesty punctuation against the neutral pallet throughout the home. The color works well with the warm woods and compliments the clean lines and symmetry.

“We are telling the story of a client through their home, using the language of design. What is the hero piece of each room? How do light and shade work to create atmosphere?” Monique Tollgard

On the other side of the room, a 14 series pendant light from Bocci suspends above the dining table that seats eight. The collection of paintings on the wall behind create a modern focal point. With the client being a developer, the budget wasn’t as expandable as it can be with private clients. Fortunately, all involved agreed that a decent amount would need to be spent on furniture, etc. to show the apartment in its best light.

The home’s private access elevator opens onto the downstairs entry hall. Stone floors and a curved walnut paneled wall make a striking first impression. This space includes a cantilevered staircase leading up to the level above. The design team further enhanced the hall by creating a modern art gallery of it with custom lighting and carefully sourced works of art. This is my favorite space in the home. The details come together to lift what could have been an otherwise bland inner corridor.

Randy Cooper’s exquisite wire sculptures captivate the eye with their simplicity and tease the mind with the subtle details in their shadows.

The curved wall gives access to the home’s media room. A Flexform sofa stands before an upholstered wall that conceals the sound equipment.

The home features a very edited kitchen. Being a high-end project in a prestigious area, the designers only used the best materials. Crisp white combines with distinctive blue in this Schiffini kitchen with custom Corian counter-tops and Gaggenau appliances. The space includes an informal dining area with a modern-style table and seating for six. A black Foscarini pendant light suspends above further enhancing the modern effect.

The gallery treatment on the lower level continues up the stairs. The second-floor landing includes a glass balustrade and a skylight above.

The upper floor contains three bedrooms with en-suite baths. Silk wall covering adds subtle textural interest to the simplicity of the rooms. The clean, simple lines and minimalist design of the low beds by Flexform increase the feeling of space. A pair of Contardi wall lights position on either side of the bed. The master suite includes a dressing area, and it opens onto a terrace overlooking Kensington Palace Gardens. The master bathroom includes an Aquamass soaking tub and vessel bowl sinks from CP Hart.

The apartment includes a home automation system: audio/visual, electric shades and drapes, a comprehensive lighting system, temperature, security, etc. all controlled via touchscreens. Thoughtful design, from the Philippe Starck door, handles to the Gaggenau kitchen appliances, to the bespoke designed cabinetry, all sourced to the highest of specifications complete this contemporary penthouse.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

For more residences completed by the design group, be sure to see:

Knightsbridge Contemporary Penthouse: Staffan Tollgard

Knightsbridge Townhouse Renovation

STAFFAN TOLLGARD’S CONTEMPORARY PENTHOUSE

Husband-and-wife team, Staffan and Monique Tollgard, manage the design group. Staffan’s design ethos consists of two principles: the search for the Scandinavian notion of the distinctive ‘Red Thread’ or creative DNA in each project, and the commitment to the creation of ‘functional sculpture.’ These twin philosophies culminate in the creation of a home for the best of contemporary design curated from around the world in their London-based Design store.

Staffan primarily focuses on product design for leading international brands, while Monique leads the interior design arm of the company. The group works on a variety of projects for private and developer clients, from large-scale new builds, listed refurbishments to decorative projects around the world.

Interior Design: Staffan Tollgard

architecture: Dominic Warren- Rawspace

Photography: Richard Gooding

Thank you so much for reading along with me today. I hope you enjoyed today’s Contemporary penthouse. I look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

Have a great day!

September 28, 2015
Classical Inspired Design: Furze Croft Mansion

Our design inspiration for today comes from a stunning, newly built Neo-Palladian mansion located in exclusive St. George’s Hill Estate in Surrey, England. The home’s Classical inspired design set a new benchmark standard for luxury home development in the already refined upscale estate. Exceptional quality, architectural integrity, and fine attention to detail define the residence, built to exacting specifications with the finest materials sourced from around the world.

‘Furze Croft’- the name given this mansion, is the result of a 24-month bespoke design and build program by Consero London. The award-winning luxury home developer creates exceptional private residences in the world’s most exclusive addresses. St. George’s Hill Estate was England’s first guarded gated community. It was built in the early 20th century specifically to attract the rich and famous, and it continues to do so today. The resident’s association describes it as “a unique location for successful high achievers looking for a secure private location”. Estate agents declare the area “one of the most sought-after private estates in England.”

The home’s interior architecture includes many Classical inspired design details derived from centuries-old techniques; stone carving, gilding, marquetry, and bespoke cabinetry. These qualities combine with the latest state-of-the-art communications, entertainment, and security technology. The results are a smart, award-winning mansion providing over 14,000 square feet of elegant living and entertaining space over three levels, situated on nearly two acres of secluded, manicured gardens and grounds.

Guests enter the front doors into the home’s double volume grand entrance hall. Marble floors set in a diamond pattern of Botticino Fiorito, inset with Marron Dior black marble define the space. The ceiling opens up to a glass roof cupola above which enables natural light to flow through. Classically inspired design elements layer the room including stacked crown and foot molding and a large Venecia stone fireplace. The overall effect achieves the best of Classic design without feeling heavy or severe. The design of the hand-crafted baluster on the sweeping marble staircase repeats throughout the house in various details. This is a grand hall for receiving guests in style.

The entrance hall leads directly into the perfectly ordered and well-proportioned formal dining room. The elaborate moldings and trim continue in here and throughout the home. The outer wall features floor-to-ceiling windows and doors opening to the extensive outside terrace, allowing for indoor-outdoor dining and entertaining. Grand double doors with hand-crafted architraves and detailing give access to the family kitchen-breakfast room to one side, and on the other, the drawing-room. An expandable round dining table that can seat as many as 18 pairs with custom contemporary dining chairs.

Here we have the spacious family kitchen and breakfast room, which I love. The French doors open onto the rear terrace and gardens. The completely hand-crafted kitchen features appliances from Gaggenau, including a large wine refrigerator. The breakfast banquette fits into the angle of the large island, complete with an oval table and chairs.

The gracious double volume drawing room also has French doors opening onto the rear terrace. This room provides access to the bar which leads to the lounge. The continual succession of spaces opening one onto another, as well as onto the outdoor terrace, creates a fabulous plan for entertaining. The floors here and in several of the public rooms are hand-laid traditional parquetry in solid oak. Bespoke Contemporary furniture gathers together on a custom wool-silk rug before the room’s Georgian-style stone fireplace. The contemporary styling creates the perfect balance for the classical-inspired design of the home.

This home is designed for grand-scale entertaining. On the ground floor, one wing holds an official entertaining suite which includes a full bar and a lounge, though the entire rear of the home gives itself to this purpose. Glass doors across the back of the bar slide completely to the side to fully open and merge these rooms with the outside terrace to create a space which can entertain 200+ people. The dark-stained oak timber floors continue in various styles through these rooms.

The lounge’s curved sitting area opens to the rear gardens. The facing contemporary design crescent twin sofas are gathered on an oval rug, which reflects the ceiling’s design, creating a wonderful conversation area.

The large master bedroom suite includes a central bedroom with a sitting area and a twin set of spacious marble bathrooms and dressing areas on either side. Luxe, bespoke, contemporary furnishings complete the space.

The suite opens onto a private terrace overlooking the rear lawn. How perfect? The separate generously sized contemporary bathrooms both have soaking tubs and rain showers. The home includes five additional spacious bedroom suites. In addition, the home has a two-bedroom staff apartment with a self-contained kitchen, living area, and side entrance.

This home provides the comforts you want! The basement level holds a custom media room with a 120″ screen and surround sound.

A wine storage area complete with custom oak display cabinets, and a glass-enclosed temperature-controlled storage area holds up to 1,700 bottles.

One ground floor wing, dedicated to your health as well as your leisure, contains a large indoor pool, spa, steam room, home gym, a changing room, and plenty of space for lounging. Folding glass doors along the back of the pool room open the space completely to the terrace and gardens.

The garage accommodates up to four limousines and provides direct access to the home. The bonded gravel driveway includes an extensive forecourt with parking space for plenty of cars. You will need it for the hundreds of guests you will be able to entertain here. Hedging borders the well-appointed lawns and grounds with both newly planted with existing trees to provide privacy. The landscaping includes special trees and plants sourced from Tuscany along with lawn sculptures placed about to provide focal points. All very classical-inspired and very tasteful.

To see more residences with Classically inspired design, be sure to see:

Neo-Georgian Style English Estate

Fifth Avenue Classical Design

St. George’s Hill Classical Inspired Design

That concludes today’s design inspiration, my friend. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me hear from you in the comments. What do you all think of this Classical inspired Surrey mansion?

Development by Consero London

Photography by Richard Waite

Thanks so much for reading along with me today!

Have a great day!

September 18, 2015
Grosvenor Crescent Mews House Reinvention

Today’s design inspiration comes from a redeveloped historic Mews house, located within the exclusive Grosvenor Crescent Mews in London’s fashionable Belgravia district. The residence, which formerly consisted of two floors and a partial basement, has undergone a complete interior renovation and transformation, including a basement excavation. Property developer Landmass-London reconfigured the interior architecture into four levels of sleek contemporary living space.

The development, directed by Alan Waxman, orchestrated top interior architecture designers and skilled artisans over a 24-month period to create an exquisite luxury home to exacting standards with a high level of finish out. Everything was bespoke designed for a truly unique home. The traditional look of the cottage-style exterior façade gives little indication of the four floors of luxurious interiors cleverly created behind it. Being a Mews house, the introduction of natural light was a key focus for Landmass’s design team. The home is only open with windows on its front side. To compensate for this, the designers created an inner atrium in a back corner of the property to allow light to flow through the house on all levels.

On the ground level, the front door opens into the contemporary entrance hall with wide plank walnut timber floors that lead to the kitchen and dining room and also gives access to the garage and stairway. The hall includes a bespoke designed leather paneled coat closet. Moving through, you pass over the glass floor and glass walled area that is open to the basement level below. Glass floors allow the natural light to flow through to all levels .

The high style, sophisticated kitchen features lacquered custom cabinetry with quartz stone counter-tops. The appliances are from Miele, which includes double refrigerators , double ovens, and double dishwashers. There is also a wine fridge from Gaggenau.

At the back of the house, the floor and ceiling stop short at a glass balustrade on each of the upper levels to form the inner atrium. The space is open from the basement level below, up through to the sophisticated electronically opening glass roof. Natural light and air flood into the house through this atrium. To add visual drama, the designers installed a custom indoor water feature on the back wall. Water trickles down bronze slabs, from the top of the house to the Zen Garden in the basement.

The basement level was made possible by digging down extra deep with a basement excavation, with a bit of both praise and controversy. The excavation enabled the developer to align all the ceiling heights and ensure that the rooms were of good volume. On this level there is a casual sunken living space which is used as a media room with a large plasma screen and surround sound, complete with custom furnishings of bespoke design. The space includes a central fireplace with glass walls and custom library shelving. A full bar is included down here with a Gagganau wine fridge and cigar humidor. There is also a study, a steam room, and a Zen Garden.

Upstairs, on the first floor, there is a more formal drawing room and a guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Clean and edited interiors create a more timeless look. These luxurious interiors include custom silk rugs, contemporary furnishings, and fine finishes with bespoke detailing. The home includes under floor heating throughout, even in the garage. It now boasts a fully integrated home automation and security system, with LCD screen displays and finger-print recognition locks.

The master bedroom suite is on the top floor. It features glamorous interiors including a sleek dressing room with custom closets and bespoke designed display cabinets. The marble master bath has both a Dornbracht rain shower and a separate soaking tub. The third bedroom with en suite bath is also on this level, which completes this home.

The home quickly sold and went on to win several awards for its redesign.

That concludes our design inspiration for today, my friend.

Mews House Reinvention

Landmass was founded in 1998 by managing director Alan Waxman. Based in London’s Soho, it is a multi-award-winning, RIBA chartered, design and development company. The company delivers meticulously planned design solutions and bespoke luxury properties worldwide.

Landmass evolved from being a developer to a multi-disciplined real estate company. By integrating architectural and interior design, project management and property acquisition services, their dedicated and passionate in-house team can provide a single point of contact for all your property needs.

Luxury Property Development by Landmass London

Thanks so much for reading along with me. I hope you enjoyed and learned much from this Mews house renovation and reinvention. Let me hear from you in the comments.

Have a great day!!

September 14, 2015