Introducing persona was key to this central London penthouse, now one of many world’s finest houses. Situated in a former workplace constructing, it had already been fitted out and absolutely furnished because the present residence in a growth of 23 items. ‘In typical present residence trend, it was nice and up to date however didn’t replicate the consumer’s persona or life-style,’ says Michelle Sweeney, Design Director at KSR Interiors. The venture required an entire rethink and acceptable redesign, weaving new components into the prevailing inside.
The proprietor is an artwork collector and philanthropist, and KSR had undertaken earlier tasks for him that had largely been clean canvases. ‘This redesign required a fragile understanding of the right way to improve and adapt an current shell and add environment,’ says Michelle. ‘We have been required to fastidiously work with the prevailing constructing, structural limitations, and the consumer’s ambitions to create a brand new residence for him, his household and his distinctive life-style.’
The consumer wished ‘to create an area that felt luxurious but snug and textural, the place one felt fashionable however relaxed sufficient to place your toes on the couch,’ says Michelle. ‘We mentioned combining timeless items with high-quality pure supplies for a contemporary and up to date really feel. Drawing on our consumer’s South African roots and spectacular artwork assortment, we have been impressed to incorporate pure kinds and darkish tones whereas open, gentle areas served to focus consideration on the artworks.’
Design Director Michelle Sweeney, who heads up the KSR Interiors crew, has greater than 15 years’ expertise working over a wide range of design disciplines. An all-round designer, she enjoys working carefully with purchasers to develop new and thrilling ideas and seeing them come to life on website. ‘With this venture, we had the thrilling problem of adapting what many would contemplate to be a “accomplished” design – a present residence prepared to maneuver into – and injecting it with the vivacity of the house owner.’
Entry
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
The penthouse has a grand entrance for welcoming visitors. A skylight floods the house with daylight. Michelle’s hallway concepts embrace a rug made to a bespoke form and measurement to enrich the oval form of the room, which provides heat to the polished Pietra Grey marble flooring. A crafted console injects texture and a comfy contact.
Lounge
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
Probably the most vital problem was redesigning the principle dwelling house. ‘The room we inherited was formal and rigid with a symmetrical furnishings format, typical of a standard design. Treating this house as a clean canvas, we analysed the way it might be finest used for each entertaining and on a regular basis life, incorporating a versatile modular design. Whether or not internet hosting a big feast, having fun with sports activities, or enjoyable, the house wanted to be adaptable but move as one,’ says Michelle.
Giant home windows fill the room with pure gentle and provide dramatic views of the London skyline. Lounge concepts concerned creating a lightweight and contemporary, welcoming house by introducing a pure shade palette with the heat of timber and textures. Impartial items which might be modular, snug and timeless are mixed with superbly crafted objects and furnishings for a relaxed but refined really feel.
That is undoubtedly an area for entertaining, with connections to the massive terrace. A bespoke bar gives a focus within the room and is loved by the consumer as a showpiece when internet hosting dinners and occasions. Use of smoked glass creates refined reflections of the room. The house is welcoming but luxurious and complicated, with a superbly curated mixture of distinctive furnishings and objects.
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
A versatile seating association ensures there’s loads of house for entertaining visitors.
Eating space
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
Within the open plan space, a big desk is ideal for internet hosting dinner events. Different eating room concepts embrace bespoke joinery in darkish stained oak with a bronze trim element and have lighting to show the consumer’s books, drinks assortment, household pictures and exquisite objects. ‘Impressed by the earthy tones of the consumer’s artwork assortment, we designed bespoke joinery with mottled and distinctive finishes and with warming tones to additional improve the house for entertaining,’ says Michelle.
Kitchen
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
The present kitchen was reconfigured and enhanced. Darkish stained oak cabinetry is teamed with metallic completed doorways that complement the sunshine oak island, bringing consideration to the room’s centerpiece.
Kitchen concepts included reconfiguring the lengthy island with an open-end seated space to visually join the kitchen and the household eating room, permitting the 2 rooms to move as one. The stools have been chosen to create an off-the-cuff relaxed seating space.
Kitchen diner
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
The connection to the east-facing household terrace floods the house with pure gentle.
The oval eating desk, made with finish grain wooden and paired with snug upholstered chairs, is right for casual household meals.
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
A wonderful however easy console is the right place to show objects, whereas additionally being purposeful throughout dinner.
Workplace
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
Dwelling workplace concepts embrace a bespoke desk, made in fumed oak, that enables the consumer to place himself both looking over the terrace to the panorama past or going through into the principle front room the place he can get pleasure from direct views to his characteristic artwork.
Michelle launched show cabinets that enable the house to be personalised and enjoyable whereas nonetheless purposeful. Heat is created with a comfortable textured wallpaper and a big graphic rug over the standard timber flooring.
Foremost bed room
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
The principle bed room is adorned in a minimal and comparatively pared again inside fashion with comparable comfortable grey hues, whereas a wealthy orange accent shade was launched for depth and heat.
The profile of the room was lowered to deliver focus to the underside half of the bed room. Bed room concepts embrace a bespoke upholstered characteristic headboard that spans the total size of the wall, creating a up to date and clear look. Darkish bedside tables inject distinction.
Visitor bed room
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
Creating a brand new connection from the visitor bed room to the household TV lounge permits this space to turn out to be a visitor suite when wanted. As it is a smaller room, it was essential to maintain the house vivid. Pocket doorways have been used to take up much less house – it means they are often left open when not in use, permitting the room to really feel larger and lighter. Wall-mounted studying lights save house on the bedside tables.
The mattress orientation permits visitors to get pleasure from views out to the beautiful London skyline.
Artwork was fastidiously positioned to inject a contact of shade to the room.
Lavatory
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
Lavatory concepts embrace a focus elegant slipper tub, whereas marble clad partitions present a luxurious backdrop.
Terrace
(Picture credit score: Taran Wilkhu)
Two giant terraces present valuable out of doors house within the coronary heart of London. ‘The east/ west orientation and connectivity to the terraces permits the penthouse to get pleasure from daylight from dawn to sundown,’ says Michelle. ‘Every terrace gives a special expertise. The massive absolutely glazed doorways to the western terrace enable it to turn out to be an extension to the principle front room, excellent for internet hosting occasions. The japanese terrace is extra intimate, connecting the household dwelling house and kitchen to the barbecue space, which turns into the middle for household gatherings.’
Inside design/ KSR Architects & Inside Designers (opens in new tab)
Images/ Taran Wilkhu
