Houzz Tour: A Bespoke and Luxurious Home in the Heart of West London
A hand-crafted space full of sumptuous fabrics and appliances makes for an elegant and highly comfortable second home in South Kensington
The owners of this South Kensington apartment wanted something elegant and luxurious, with space for family and friends to gather. They had been looking for the perfect London pad for quite some time, and when they came across this space it ticked all the boxes, with its well-considered architecture and beautifully-appointed rooms in a highly secure, serviced building.
The apartment had been very neutral in terms of palette before the current owners moved in, and it lacked a lot of character, so they enlisted designer Roselind Wilson to craft a space that exuded grandeur while remaining calm and sophisticated. On the ground floor there are two reception rooms and a kitchen, then a staircase sweeps up to three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Houzz at a Glace
Who lives here A couple with visits from their children, grandchildren and friends
Location South Kensington, London
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Designer Roselind Wilson of Roselind Wilson Design
The apartment had been very neutral in terms of palette before the current owners moved in, and it lacked a lot of character, so they enlisted designer Roselind Wilson to craft a space that exuded grandeur while remaining calm and sophisticated. On the ground floor there are two reception rooms and a kitchen, then a staircase sweeps up to three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Houzz at a Glace
Who lives here A couple with visits from their children, grandchildren and friends
Location South Kensington, London
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Designer Roselind Wilson of Roselind Wilson Design
Much of the furniture and artwork in the home was already owned by the clients. This sofa, for example, was taken from their old house and reupholstered. ‘The paisley damask pattern complements the space, it’s very soft and elegant, and we extracted the colours from the artwork above, which the clients already owned,’ Roselind explains. The artwork was remounted using the same silk as the cushions. ‘It creates a lovely elevation and a look,’ she adds.
Sofa fabric, Wow Factor, Kravet Couture. Wall sconces, Vaughan. Walls painted in 20YY66/066, Dulux.
Sofa fabric, Wow Factor, Kravet Couture. Wall sconces, Vaughan. Walls painted in 20YY66/066, Dulux.
The drawing room is the more formal entertaining area, and features beautiful sofas, vases and more elaborate artwork. Roselind had bespoke panelling and plastering installed to make the most of the high ceilings. ‘The room lends itself to that kind of grandeur,’ she says. ‘We also introduced colour, with a soft bluey green on the walls. The shade has grey as an undertone to give a sense of calm, and also makes it feel homely,’ Roselind says.
Sofa fabric, Shima, Ian Sanderson. Bespoke armchair, covered in Portofino Moka fabric by Pierre Frey, Hyde House. Bespoke coffee and side tables, Ark Cabinet Makers. Table lights, Vaughan. Lampshades, Copper & Silk. Walls painted in 30BG37/110, Dulux.
Sofa fabric, Shima, Ian Sanderson. Bespoke armchair, covered in Portofino Moka fabric by Pierre Frey, Hyde House. Bespoke coffee and side tables, Ark Cabinet Makers. Table lights, Vaughan. Lampshades, Copper & Silk. Walls painted in 30BG37/110, Dulux.
Much of the furniture in the room is bespoke; designed by Roselind Wilson Design and sent off to contractors and upholsterers to be created. The rug is mohair and silk, and lends a real sense of indulgence to the room. ‘The client said he wanted to feel the luxury of the rug underfoot, and to make sure this was really plush and beautiful,’ she explains.
Dark blue sofa fabric, Portofino Plomb, Pierre Frey. Cushions in a variety of fabrics from Hermes, Fox Linton, Ian Sanderson, Zimmer + Rohde. Mirror, Mirrorman. Curtain fabric, Ripple Rice Paper, Romo, with leading edge in Paloma Mercury, Romo.
Dark blue sofa fabric, Portofino Plomb, Pierre Frey. Cushions in a variety of fabrics from Hermes, Fox Linton, Ian Sanderson, Zimmer + Rohde. Mirror, Mirrorman. Curtain fabric, Ripple Rice Paper, Romo, with leading edge in Paloma Mercury, Romo.
The sitting room, although the less formal of the two reception rooms, still needed to be elegant, composed and organised. ‘The room was quite narrow, and the clients wanted to be able to fit up to eight guests around the dining table, so we went for an oval shape,’ Roselind explains. Again, many of the items were made bespoke for the room.
Bespoke armchairs, covered in Rubelli fabric, Hyde House. Rug, Stark Carpets. Chandelier, Bella Figura. Curtain fabric, Hodsoll McKenzie, Zimmer + Rohde. Walls painted in 50GG40/064, Dulux.
Bespoke armchairs, covered in Rubelli fabric, Hyde House. Rug, Stark Carpets. Chandelier, Bella Figura. Curtain fabric, Hodsoll McKenzie, Zimmer + Rohde. Walls painted in 50GG40/064, Dulux.
The dining table, chairs and sideboard were all designed and crafted specifically for the space by Hyde House. The table and sideboard are a mix of madrona burr with ash woods, both with a dark chocolate stain around the edges.
Silk lampshades in Silverstone Café, Bennett Silks.
Silk lampshades in Silverstone Café, Bennett Silks.
In the kitchen, Roselind’s main aims were to maximise the space and bring the appliances up to date. The kitchen was designed by Roselind Wilson Design and made bespoke by Krieder. A Palissandro marble backsplash then merges into a worktop in a composite man-made material that mimics Carrara marble, from Rossi Stone.
Appliances, Gaggenau. Bespoke ash wood table and bespoke chairs, all Hyde House.
Appliances, Gaggenau. Bespoke ash wood table and bespoke chairs, all Hyde House.
It’s a sleek and contemporary kitchen, with high-spec appliances. An integrated wine-fridge, coffee-maker and Quooker tap (offering instant hot water) provide all the highest comforts of modern living. The units are a mix of glass lacquer and painted veneer oak, all in a bespoke colour.
Hot-water tap, Quooker. Appliances, Gaggenau.
Hot-water tap, Quooker. Appliances, Gaggenau.
On the upper level of the apartment are the bedrooms. In the master bedroom, almost everything was made bespoke. ‘We designed the headboard with the scallop detail to give it that classic, almost traditional feel,’ Roselind explains. ‘The clients loved the rich colours of mauve and port-wine, so we decided to go for a dark red headboard,’ she adds, ‘it complements the colour of the wallpaper nicely.’ Even the bed linen was created bespoke, with fabrics from Claremont, Alhambra, and Ralph Lauren.
Headboard fabric, Colibri, Zimmer + Rohde. Lafayette silk wallcovering, Stereo. Bedside lamp, Vaughan, with lampshade in Popeline by Kohro. Carpet, CDC Flooring.
Headboard fabric, Colibri, Zimmer + Rohde. Lafayette silk wallcovering, Stereo. Bedside lamp, Vaughan, with lampshade in Popeline by Kohro. Carpet, CDC Flooring.
The fabric-covered desk was designed specifically to slot into this space by the window.
Stool fabric, Take a Bow Saffron by Kravet Couture, GP&J Baker. Lamp, Carlos Remes.
Stool fabric, Take a Bow Saffron by Kravet Couture, GP&J Baker. Lamp, Carlos Remes.
A snug reading corner was just right for this spot by the open fire. The sleek, upright lamp is perfectly positioned when the daylight from the window fades.
Dark brown chair and ottoman fabric, Rajah, Fox Linton. Light brown chair fabric, Sansone Chocolat, Dedar. Cushion fabric, Tobago Hive in Driftwood, Stark. Floor lamp, CTO Lighting.
Dark brown chair and ottoman fabric, Rajah, Fox Linton. Light brown chair fabric, Sansone Chocolat, Dedar. Cushion fabric, Tobago Hive in Driftwood, Stark. Floor lamp, CTO Lighting.
Whilst shopping for mirrors in Mirrorman, Roselind came across this small stool and loved it. She had it reupholstered in Robert Allen fabric, and by chance some of the clients’ artwork matched the fabric really well.
Stool fabric, Geisha Garden in Fire, Robert Allen.
Stool fabric, Geisha Garden in Fire, Robert Allen.
The bathroom has a definite spa-feel to it. ‘We wanted to create this sense of a home away from home, with something very luxurious,’ Roselind explains. The marble sink unit with glass lacquer pistachio storage was all made bespoke, and the brass finishes give it a real touch of luxe. The tiles behind the bath create a feature wall and change the dynamic of the space.
Oort Bath, West One Bathrooms. Bellagio bathspout, Zucchetti. Floor tiles, Via Arkadia. Light, Bella Figura. Walls painted in Indian White, Dulux Heritage.
Oort Bath, West One Bathrooms. Bellagio bathspout, Zucchetti. Floor tiles, Via Arkadia. Light, Bella Figura. Walls painted in Indian White, Dulux Heritage.
The relaxation area under the pitched roof features colour changing fibre-optics that were installed into the ceiling to make use of a space that would have otherwise been wasted. The clients can lie down and relax and watch the twinkling lights.
Chair fabric, Thompson Citra 2065/05, Fox Linton.
Get ideas for bringing spa-like serenity back home
Chair fabric, Thompson Citra 2065/05, Fox Linton.
Get ideas for bringing spa-like serenity back home
This is the second bedroom, where the clients’ grown-up children and friends can sleep when they come to visit. ‘This room feels a bit more like a hotel,’ Roselind says. ‘We made everything bespoke in fairly neutral tones, then added bursts of raspberry colour.’ The wallpaper has a textured mottled finish in a champagne shade, to tie in with the entrance hall downstairs.
Bora wallpaper, Vescom. Headboard fabric, Lana String, Romo. Lampshade fabric, Colibri, Zimmer + Rohde.
Bora wallpaper, Vescom. Headboard fabric, Lana String, Romo. Lampshade fabric, Colibri, Zimmer + Rohde.
A made-to-measure dressing table slotted into a window alcove in the second bedroom is a useful addition for visiting guests.
Blind fabric, Cinquefoils Stone, Zoffany. Bespoke stool, Hyde House.
Blind fabric, Cinquefoils Stone, Zoffany. Bespoke stool, Hyde House.
In the second bathroom, bronze and deep browns create a rich and sumptuous feel. ‘This one went a bit Miami,’ Roselind jokes. The designer had everything gutted – the room had previously housed a tiny basin and bath – and installed a spacious shower and sink unit instead.
Wall lights, Galliano, Delightfull. Sink, Kohler.
Wall lights, Galliano, Delightfull. Sink, Kohler.
On the landing, a chair owned by the clients was reupholstered in Tissus d’Helene fabric. The mirror was another existing possession, and the rosé tint works perfectly with the pink cushion.
Armchair fabric, Small Paisley Natural Volga Linen, Tissus d’Helene. Cushion fabric, BR-89756, Brunschwig & Fils.
Armchair fabric, Small Paisley Natural Volga Linen, Tissus d’Helene. Cushion fabric, BR-89756, Brunschwig & Fils.
This room serves as an office and doubles up as a kids’ room when the grandchildren come to stay. ‘We kept this room quite neutral, and the carpet is actually made from woven plastic which makes it incredibly durable.’ All of the joinery was designed by Roselind Wilson Design, and the fabric panelled doors add visual interest to an otherwise fairly neutral room.
Chair fabric, Old World Weavers Mokala in Ivory; wardrobe door fabric, Taormina Menta; both Stark.
Read designer advice on how to warm up elegant greys
Chair fabric, Old World Weavers Mokala in Ivory; wardrobe door fabric, Taormina Menta; both Stark.
Read designer advice on how to warm up elegant greys
In the office-cum-guest room, both chairs pull out to form single beds which can latch together to make a double bed. It’s a practical design that remains sophisticated and versatile.
Blind fabric, Akita 330356 by Zoffany. Desk chair fabric, On the Road, Pedroso & Osório. Wall lights, Mr. Light.
TELL US…
What do you like about this design? Which is your favourite fabric? Let us know in the Comments below.
Blind fabric, Akita 330356 by Zoffany. Desk chair fabric, On the Road, Pedroso & Osório. Wall lights, Mr. Light.
TELL US…
What do you like about this design? Which is your favourite fabric? Let us know in the Comments below.
Paris Collection French silver Louis XV console table, Juliette’s Interiors. Table lampshades, Copper & Silk. Paradisio wallpaper, Abbot & Boyd. Wall painted in 20YY45/114, Dulux.