A bachelor pad for a young actor client who wanted to create a home which expressed his personality but also that he could grow with. We were given a fantastic brief with the request to add unexpected quirks to wow guests. Asked to reference Alice in Wonderland to highlight the client’s love of red and black shades, we got creative and designed a very strong colour scheme. Our approach was to make red an accent colour to break up what might have felt like a cold monochromatic scheme.
The property is arranged on two floors with the entrance on the upper floor opening onto the living area. The brief required a touch of the unusual, starting with a delightfully quirky lobby with a ‘street scene’ setting created using a faux tree, paving stones, sky-blue ceiling and a classic exterior door with a knocker. The lower floor contained four bedrooms which we transformed into three impressively sized suites. We worked with the contractors on all elements of the project – from the lighting scheme, kitchen and bathroom designs through to bespoke joinery, decorative colour schemes and selection of all furniture.
The apartment is accessed via a direct lift to a private lobby – our client requested we make this lobby appear like a street scene. With this brief, we commissioned a theatre set designer to install a tree complete with foliage and decorated the area and internal front door as if you were out on the street.
A view looking back from the convex mirror to the front door, a relatively narrow entrance hallway was unavoidable, but allowed for extra storage and fun with reflections. The effect was stunning and very hard work to get right. And just beyond a glimpse of a tree...
At the end of the entrance hall there is a simple convex mirror, confusing the eye and also enabling an interaction and view with the Lounge area beyond.
Bespoke mirror cabinet and matching cabinet with commissioned art door – concealing cleaning and toilet products. Uplighters in the floor pick up on the textured (and practical) wallcovering.
Double layered curtains on electric tracks stack to one side to provide clear access to the roof terrace. We brought the sheer to the front to allow pattern to be added to the plain curtains when required. Fun was injected with the oversized red tub on the roof terrace and the zebra footstool/cubes.
A beautiful bespoke dining table made with mirrored glass laid over a stunning fabric, in keeping with the tones and with the floral patterned fabric adding some softness and femininity. In the background an elegant bespoke bar unit.
A statement glossy black kitchen with punchy red bar stools and an angry knife wielding Gordon Ramsey photograph by Terry O’Neill that we sourced for the client.
This Kartell S shaped book shelf forms a central feature in the study.
In the Master Bedroom, we indulged our client's desires for black and red – including a black bar code style rug, oversized black bedside lamps resting on red lacquer bedside tables. The remainder of the scheme is back to greys – with a stunning Elitis feature wallcovering and beautiful Mark Alexander curtains.
When we stumbled across this playing cards fabric we knew it was perfect for the requested Alice in Wonderland theme. Unfortunately it was discontinued with insufficient stock. We took it all and worked with the upholsterers to maximise its use and impact – combining with a black velvet, contrasting red piping – and then using these fabrics for a deep buttoned footstool – reminiscent of a playing dice. The tilting floor lamp further confuses (resulting in our installers marking it as faulty)
Detail of a bespoke mirror shoe cabinet.
Master Ensuite bathroom, complete with one of our favourite heated towel radiators by Vola. Soft roman blinds soften the marble scheme, and Tom Dixon pendant lights make it feel more contemporary.
The Guest Bedroom suite is suitably neutral and calm.
