Interiors by Studio L, London
Inspired by the glamorous photography of Slim Aarons and, in particular, “Joan Collins Relaxes“; Laura Marino of Studio L, London set out to create its modern-day reinterpretation while blending her nostalgic love of 80s decor in a new show home within Westminster Fire Station titled; “That’s Amoire”.
Boutique central London development, Westminster Fire Station, has unveiled its latest completed apartment, a duplex in the new Station House building, which seamlessly adjoins the original Edwardian Fire Station. The development by Alchemi Group, with architecture by OpenStudio Architects, has just 17 apartments and offers distinctive and highly imaginative interiors by Studio L, London (Studio L)
Spanning 1,490 feet, the duplex apartment comprises three bedrooms and is one of the development’s largest homes. Inside, Studio L, London has created an interior concept that blends references of Palm Beach/Miami in the 1980s with a 50s/60s Hollywood Regency aesthetic. Laura Marino, Creative Director of Studio L, is inspired by singular pieces of music, artwork, fashion, and photography. In this apartment, she credits the Kodachrome photography of Slim Aarons, recalling glamourous golden eras of ‘beautiful people, doing beautiful things in fantastical settings’ as the main source of inspiration. Aarons’ photo “Joan Collins Relaxes” is the starting point for the overall look and feel of the apartment, rounded out by two further Aaron photos hung within it.
“I wanted to draw out a sense of luxury for this apartment and make the decor surprising and exciting so that people want to journey through to see the entire home, so we graduated the décor’s impact along the way. Initially, I wanted to infuse a sense of 80s nostalgia and pull from my childhood with references to Memphis Design, colour blocking, pastels and neon with ditsy florals, oriental decor, and stylised graphics.
Then came the incorporation of another favourite era of mine – Hollywood Regency of the 50s and 60s. I was drawn to Aarons’ photo of Joan Collins lounging in her monochromatic pastel pink bedroom from the late 50s and was determined to recreate a version of that photo for today. We used a stunning moiré fabric in a similar powder pink in one of the duplex bedrooms, evoking the sense of luxury seen in the original photo.’
The duplex apartment sits in a private position, accessed directly off the development’s peaceful residents’ courtyard, formerly used as the Fire Station’s engine turning circle. Laura wanted to emphasise this sense of exclusivity, anticipation, and privacy in her choice of furnishings and materials and comments, “I used low-level table lighting, reflective surfaces and luxe textiles to help create a hushed, encompassing ambience that gives a subtly sexy feel, especially in the evening”.
Studio L, London has also designed the interiors of two other show homes with distinct personalities within Westminster Fire Station (“So Fresh, So Clean” and “Farmhouse in the City“). Both showcase Laura’s ability to create wholly different interior décor personalities, eschewing a signature style in favour of designing stylistically individual spaces.
All apartments within Westminster Fire Station offer bespoke kitchen cabinetry and ironmongery and design details that reference the old fire station’s characteristics, including herringbone wooden flooring and ceramic wall tiles.
Developed by Alchemi Group and Far East Orchard Limited, Westminster Fire Station sits in an enviably central location, in the heart of London’s bustling Victoria neighbourhood. Future homeowners will also have an on-site restaurant on their doorstep, as well as 24-hour concierge and complimentary 10-year Zip Car membership.
Follow on Instagram @Westminsterfirestation / @studiollondon
