Room of the Day: New Decor Brightens Up a Compact Apartment
Sheer curtains, bold artwork and flexible furniture bring a fresh look to this London living room
When Bhavin Taylor was asked to work on the design of this two-bedroom apartment in London’s Earls Court, the owners had already tackled the structural work. “They’d done the basics but didn’t know how to inject some personality into the space,” he says. “They were struggling to visualize it and needed someone to encourage them to be brave and use color.” Working with the couple’s choice of wall shade, the existing wooden flooring and the new corner sofa, Taylor cooked up a fresh, cohesive and colorful look — one that incorporates super-flexible pieces for maximum functionality in this compact living, dining and kitchen space.
This neat little coffee table converts into a dining table. “The owners didn’t need a separate dining area,” Taylor says, “but they wanted the option of a full-size table for when guests come to dinner. I got them some folding chairs too, which are stored in the second bedroom.”
Magic J extendable table by Calligaris: Heal’s; walls painted in Khaki Mists 6 by Dulux
Magic J extendable table by Calligaris: Heal’s; walls painted in Khaki Mists 6 by Dulux
The living area features two large windows. “The previous owner had heavy curtains here, but we wanted a light feel,” Taylor says. He suggested sheers, which remain closed all the time. “They provide privacy and are a gorgeous feature, but they’re not too heavy-looking for this light, open space,” he says. They also mask the view of the road outside.
Taylor sourced a neat armchair for the space, to provide alternative seating. “The owners can sit here and read,” Taylor says. “It also faces the sofa to create more of a sociable space. You don’t all have to sit in a line!”
The chair’s compact size means it can be moved around too. “A lot of the designs in here are flexible, which is useful as this is not a huge flat,” Taylor says.
Curtains in Arc fabric, Momentum Sheers and Structures line, Harlequin; Venus armchair and footstool: Camerich
Taylor sourced a neat armchair for the space, to provide alternative seating. “The owners can sit here and read,” Taylor says. “It also faces the sofa to create more of a sociable space. You don’t all have to sit in a line!”
The chair’s compact size means it can be moved around too. “A lot of the designs in here are flexible, which is useful as this is not a huge flat,” Taylor says.
Curtains in Arc fabric, Momentum Sheers and Structures line, Harlequin; Venus armchair and footstool: Camerich
Shelves and wall-hung storage sit neatly in the chimney breast alcoves. “The TV is hung above the fireplace,” Taylor says. “This influences what you can do with the shelves. If you put too much stuff on them, the whole wall would appear very heavy. The flat is quite light and airy, so I just added a few accessories to provide a little color, rather than loading the shelves with books.”
The small side table can be moved around the room. “Little, flexible pieces like this are key to this room working well,” Taylor says.
Island triangular side table: Calligaris
The small side table can be moved around the room. “Little, flexible pieces like this are key to this room working well,” Taylor says.
Island triangular side table: Calligaris
Without a dining space, the owners use the breakfast bar instead. “They have a dining table for when guests come, but when it’s just the two of them, what’s the point of setting it all up and putting it all away again?” Taylor says. “You have to design your space to suit your everyday needs.”
Ice bar stools: Calligaris
Ice bar stools: Calligaris
The small kitchen is partially open to the living space. Pale walls and white cabinets in the living area tie in with the all-white kitchen to create a cohesive flow.
The high-gloss kitchen was already installed when Taylor worked on the space. “Its tinted-glass backsplash inspired me to bring in all the blue tones, to tie the whole look together,” he says.
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Browse more Rooms of the Day
Location: Earls Court district of London
Size: 188 square feet (17.5 square meters)
Designer: Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
This apartment has wood floors, so designer Bhavin Taylor used a large custom rug with blue and gray tones to soften it and zone the living space. He then added splashes of color in the accessories and soft furnishings.
“All my projects feature strong color,” he says. “There are way too many bland homes in London. We don’t have the best weather here, either, so color is a great way to cheer up a home, add character and break away from beige. It lifts your mood.”
The owners wanted a bold statement artwork on the wall above the sofa. Taylor decided to use two identical artworks to create a big splash without blowing the budget. “A large piece of art can be really expensive, so this is a cost-effective solution,” he says.
Corner sofa: Camerich; pillows in fabric from Thibaut; artwork: John Lewis