This project began with a ground and lower ground apartment in one of Holland Park's premier locations. The Grade II detached white stucco villa built in the 1860s had seen better days, the apartment itself not having been touched for over 45 years.

Originally 4,000 square feet, planning and listed building consent was sought and granted to extend to nearly 6,000 square foot of luxury accommodation including a complete strip out, renovation and restoration.

Along with the interior of the property, the entire external fabric of the building was restored to its former glory with new front and rear landscaped gardens. The new layout and plans encompassed a cinema, gym, staff area with separate bedroom and kitchen, all of which were seamlessly integrated into the period property.

Entering the property up the Portland stone steps and bespoke glass/metal work canopy, one is led into a generous lobby area; this leads a formal reception room to the front of the property and a separate dining room to the rear, both with an oversized parquet and reclaimed period fireplaces. All skirting, architraves and cornices have been matched to the period and elegantly detailed.

Also on this level is a guest cloakroom and a wonderful 50 feet double kitchen/reception room with views to both front and rear landscaped gardens. Travelling down the bespoke stair, one reaches the master bedroom with walk-in closet, Italian marble bathroom and a master bedroom with double doors out onto the rear garden terrace.

There are two further large double bedrooms with en-suite to the main house with staff bedroom, kitchen, utility and plant room to the front of the property with a gym, sauna/steam room, further guest bedroom with en-suite and walk-in wardrobe and cinema to the rear.

Finishes to the development were chosen to highlight and offset the existing fabric but also add a mix of the contemporary with Boffi kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms as well as over-sized parquets, marble, bespoke stairs, metalwork and joinery.

The quality of the finishes not only highlighted the elegance of the existing building but also accentuated it.

The new scheme also included: underfloor heating, comfort heating and cooling, home automation, additional accommodation in the form or reinstating the front vaults as well as a 1,500 square foot basement to the rear garden.

Over the years, the property had lost a considerable number of its period features. The project included researching the history and details of the building and then replacing the lost character of the building through sympathetic choice of materials, detailing and finishes.

From the Miles & Wilde cornices and architectural details to the reclaimed period fireplaces, every effort was put into incorporating the lost period features with all the benefits and convenience of modern living.

All of this attention to detail has produced an exemplary example of how to work within the confines of a listed building whilst adding truly wonderful modern features and practicality.