When a former client and close friend of the studio got in touch about redesigning his newly purchased apartment in Marylebone, KSR Architects & Interior Designers was delighted at the opportunity.
This was an appealing challenge. The penthouse apartment located in the heart of Marylebone had already been fitted out and fully furnished as the show home in a development of 23 units. In typical show home fashion, it was pleasant and contemporary with excellent ‘bones’ but did not reflect the client’s personality.
The brief for the designers was to create a luxurious yet comfortable interior weaving in new elements for a fresh and individual design.
Unlike previous projects with the homeowner, which had largely been blank canvases, this required a delicate understanding of how to enhance an existing shell. The formal and symmetrical furniture layout of the main living space was reconfigured to a spacious and modular design to suit the client’s specific needs as someone who enjoys entertaining. New openings were introduced to improve connectivity between the guest suite and informal living spaces, and the master suite was reworked to accommodate a much-desired steam shower.
Improvements needed to be executed thoughtfully, with bespoke joinery and statement furniture carefully designed to complement the client’s taste and impressive art collection. The resulting interiors have transformed the neutral backdrop into a true showstopper, with the character and taste of its owner at the heart of the scheme.
Soft furnishings strike a refined balance between the cool and contemporary, and the bold and African inspired.
Director of Interiors at KSR, Michelle Sweeney, said:
“It is always exciting to carry out a new project for an existing client, and particularly for someone who is such a great friend of the studio. With this project, we had the exciting challenge of adapting what many would consider to be a ‘completed’ design – a show home ready to move into – and injecting it with the vivacity of the homeowner.
The existing layout needed some personalising to suit our client’s lifestyle as an avid entertainer and art collector. By reconfiguring the penthouse, we were able to achieve a sophisticated yet comfortable environment for our client to enjoy whilst both hosting and relaxing. We enjoyed the process of working closely with the client to design the bespoke joinery elements, along with selecting beautiful furniture and unique objects.”
Photography
Photography by Taran Wilkhu
Key information
Scope of services: Interior Design
Typology: Penthouse apartment
Build size: GIA 356m2 plus 111m2 terrace
Build cost: £650,000
Levels: Single storey
Completion: 2021
Interior Design: KSR Architects & Interior Designers
Photography: Taran Wilkhu
Stylist: KSR Architects & Interior Designers and Laura Fulmine
Project Manager: BTP Group
Cost Consultant: BTP Group
AV/IT: SMC
Contractor: Hannah Contracts
Joiner: Hannah Contracts
Products & suppliers
Kitchens: Design Space London
Stonework: Mega Marble
Bar / Bookshelf: Hannah Contracts (designed by KSR)
The Tableau rug: The Rug Company / Kelly Wearstler in Gallery
Coffee Table in Living Room: Louise Liljencrantz
Daniels Seating System Lounge: Minotti
PROFANA FLOOR LAMP in Living Room: Matter Made
TEMPO-6 pendant light above Formal Dining table: Atelier De Troupe
Main dining chairs, kitchen dining chairs and tv lounge swivel chair: Poliform
Lounge room swivel chair and footstool: Flexform
