“To love beauty is to see light ”
The winter light in this elegant Victorian property, glinting through the sheer blinds on the floor-to-ceiling bay windows shows off its spacious beauty. The high ceilings and period cornicing lend it a majestic feel. First attracted by the grand interior architecture and beautiful space in this converted flat, minutes from Kensington Gardens, I was thrilled to be invited to take on its refurbishment.
Tasked with renovating the flat in preparation for an upmarket let, the aim was to give it an overall refresh and modernisation while celebrating its original features, allowing them to shine. Taking a classic approach, we went with a black and white colour scheme, making the most of the striking spiral staircase, accentuating its lines by painting the treads on the steps black to match the top of the curving banister rail. We picked that up with a black line across the tread on the step up to the landing outside the French doors, with a view onto the tree-lined street below.
For this ‘belle etage’, first floor flat, rather than expose the original wooden floors, we kept the carpet for soundproofing as well as for a warmer, cosier feel. The tall bay windows with French doors are a prominent focal point but were aging and in poor condition, so they were all replaced, in keeping with the original style. The clean, fresh new windows uplift and enhance the space, bringing in the light, arresting in their simplicity.
For the photoshoot, we maintained a neutral look, styling the room with black and white cushions, adding further interest and dashes of colour with a vase of flowers and earth-toned multi-coloured cushions. The gold-hued, metal-finished CURVE Bench, with its flowing sinuous lines, complements the spiral staircase and other lines throughout the room.
This project was a joy to work on with my team, as we brought to life the aesthetics of the space, celebrating its elegant lines, basking in its quiet aura, finding beauty in light.
For the full interior design project, View Kensington Gardens Gallery
Credit: Photography by Marcus Peel
