Houzz Tour: A Light and Airy London Apartment
The beauty of this split-level flat was hidden behind gaudy décor, but refined styling and a soft pale palette has let it shine through
From opulent and over-the-top to light, airy and elegant – that’s the transformation this central London apartment underwent in just six weeks. ‘We had a very short turnaround time and limited budget for this project,’ says Jess Lavers, who redesigned the two-storey property. ‘We didn’t do anything structurally. We just ripped out all the swags, tails and Swarovski crystal! Then we made the most of the gorgeous space and its beautiful cornicing and architraves.’ Now this Mayfair home is a study in refined style – what Lavers describes as ‘not glossy, but very glamorous’!
‘Such a huge living room needed a lot of big furniture to fill it properly,’ says Lavers. She designed two different seating areas in the large space, with the approach to the balcony doors left clear. ‘You can walk straight through to the double doors,’ she says.
The original flooring was scratched and in a poor state. ‘We sanded, waxed, polished and buffed it,’ says Lavers. ‘It took four days to bring it back. It was a big job with mega amounts of dust! Now, the floor feels very warm.’
The original flooring was scratched and in a poor state. ‘We sanded, waxed, polished and buffed it,’ says Lavers. ‘It took four days to bring it back. It was a big job with mega amounts of dust! Now, the floor feels very warm.’
The apartment had been decorated in dark colours and rich fabrics, but Lavers wanted to brighten it up with light, soft shades. ‘I used a simple palette throughout for continuity,’ she says.
Lavers opted for a very pale grey on the living area’s walls. ‘It’s light and subtle, and doesn’t look like a dark grey,’ she says. ‘The woodwork was painted in clean fresh white to keep the space sleek and airy. It creates a toned-down, elegant and refined feel.’
Walls painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball.
Lavers opted for a very pale grey on the living area’s walls. ‘It’s light and subtle, and doesn’t look like a dark grey,’ she says. ‘The woodwork was painted in clean fresh white to keep the space sleek and airy. It creates a toned-down, elegant and refined feel.’
Walls painted in Ammonite, Farrow & Ball.
The spacious living area cried out for furniture with generous proportions, but getting these leather armchairs into the apartment was a challenge. ‘They didn’t fit through the door, so we had to hoist them up from the street over the balcony and through the French windows using a plastic cord and mega manpower!’ Lavers recalls.
Rugs help to zone the two seating areas. ‘These rugs have a really silky look, which changes with the light,’ says Lavers. ‘They have a luxe feel but are not too thick in pile. Low-pile rugs are easier to clean and more durable than deep-pile ones. I also like the flat appearance.’
Rugs, The Rug Retailer.
Considering a cosy rug? Find the right one for your home
Rugs, The Rug Retailer.
Considering a cosy rug? Find the right one for your home
A Julian Chichester mirror screen on the right-hand wall helps to break up the space. ‘It has a mahogany frame, which is wonderfully dark and strong, and grounds the scheme,’ says Lavers. ‘A few dark accents prevent the pale colour scheme from looking wishy-washy.’
Philippe Starck’s iconic Ghost chairs flank the dining table. ‘They are almost invisible and look as if they’re floating,’ says Lavers. ‘They bring a contemporary feel to a more traditional space.’
The table already belonged to the owner, but its legs were painted a deep red, so Lavers had them repainted in a complementary pale tone.
Shelves along the dining space wall were removed to open up the area. ‘There wasn’t enough movement in the room, particularly if guests wanted to walk around the table,’ says Lavers. ‘We wanted to clean up the space and keep it simple.’
Louis Ghost chairs by Philippe Starck, The Conran Shop.
The table already belonged to the owner, but its legs were painted a deep red, so Lavers had them repainted in a complementary pale tone.
Shelves along the dining space wall were removed to open up the area. ‘There wasn’t enough movement in the room, particularly if guests wanted to walk around the table,’ says Lavers. ‘We wanted to clean up the space and keep it simple.’
Louis Ghost chairs by Philippe Starck, The Conran Shop.
The kitchen sits at the back of the apartment, which is the darker side of the property. ‘We worked hard to make it really light and airy in here,’ says Lavers. She didn’t touch the kitchen structurally, which was already well appointed with Neff and Miele appliances, but she did treat it to a brighter, paler scheme.
Geometric prints add pattern to the main bedroom, while a bespoke headboard with silver studs looks dark and slightly masculine. ‘We continued the studded theme with the armchair and blanket box,’ says Lavers, ‘then added a zigzag throw, cushions and curtains. I love geometrics!’
Throw, cushions and curtain fabric, all Clarke & Clarke. Armchair, RV Astley. Walls painted in French Grey Mid 162, Little Greene.
Throw, cushions and curtain fabric, all Clarke & Clarke. Armchair, RV Astley. Walls painted in French Grey Mid 162, Little Greene.
The master bedroom is really big, so Lavers installed a stunning, giant sunburst mirror. ‘I love using over-sized art or mirrors, especially in a large room,’ she says. ‘It makes sense of the proportions.’
An elegant dressing table with mirrored glass complements the sunburst mirror and adds a subtle 1930s feel.
Mirrored dressing table; drum stool, both RV Astley.
An elegant dressing table with mirrored glass complements the sunburst mirror and adds a subtle 1930s feel.
Mirrored dressing table; drum stool, both RV Astley.
Chic tables with mirrored tops and burnished bronze bases flank the bed. ‘Gold can give off too much glare,’ says Lavers, ‘but bronze is warm.’
The lamps are also burnished bronze with a hammered finish, and the shades are lined with gold fabric, which creates a warm, diffused light.
The lamps are also burnished bronze with a hammered finish, and the shades are lined with gold fabric, which creates a warm, diffused light.
There’s a generous walk-in wardrobe off the main bedroom. The doors are inlaid with ivory leather to create a rich, luxurious feel. ‘We didn’t change much in here,’ says Lavers, ‘except to replace some gold silk curtains with simple sheers so all that lovely light can still flood in, but without reducing privacy.’
The main bathroom had been painted dark green, but Lavers brightened it up with a light-boosting pale shade.
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.
Give your home an instant style boost with these simple swaps
Walls painted in Skimming Stone, Farrow & Ball.
Give your home an instant style boost with these simple swaps
‘This is my favourite bedroom,’ says Lavers of the spare room. ‘The main bedroom is more masculine, with dark blues, but this one is feminine with a soft, elegant palette of silver and eau de nil.’
The full-length curtains combine two tones, with the lower, greenish shade stopping neatly in line with the top of the radiator. ‘It looks super-smart and ties the whole scheme together,’ says Lavers.
The wooden floor forms a warm backdrop, too, preventing the silver accents from seeming too cold.
The full-length curtains combine two tones, with the lower, greenish shade stopping neatly in line with the top of the radiator. ‘It looks super-smart and ties the whole scheme together,’ says Lavers.
The wooden floor forms a warm backdrop, too, preventing the silver accents from seeming too cold.
Both double beds in this apartment were put together following Lavers’ tried and trusted method. ‘I always buy the cheapest divan base and get the headboard and valance made bespoke,’ she says. ‘I then add a mattress from Ikea – its Hesseng pocket sprung mattress is such good quality and value.’
Cosy cushions from West Elm add a pop of pattern and colour to the plain bed linen.
Want a luxe look but on a budget? Here’s how to get it for less
Cosy cushions from West Elm add a pop of pattern and colour to the plain bed linen.
Want a luxe look but on a budget? Here’s how to get it for less
This wooden desk and chair add an elegant, period feel. Lavers bought them as a set, along with the bedside tables, at Lots Road Auctions.
The lamps by the bed are from India Jane and are made from cut crystal for added glamour. ‘They have a lovely luxe feel,’ says Lavers. ‘I added the pleated shade for a little more detail.’
TELL US…
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TELL US…
Impressed by this elegant apartment? Tell us what you love about it in the Comments below.
Who lives here A businessman
Location Mayfair, London
Property A four-storey Georgian building
Size A two-storey apartment on the first and second floors with 2 en suite bedrooms
Designer Jess Lavers of Jess Lavers Design
‘The living space has lovely proportions with huge windows,’ says Lavers. ‘It’s drenched in light.’ She chose pale curtains and a generous pelmet that highlights the deep bay, but also lets you see into it.
‘The architecture in here is stunning, so it was a question of how to dress it properly so it can be enjoyed, as the previous scheme, which was all swags and tails, obscured all the period details,’ says Lavers.
The curtain fabric is a trellis pattern of silver thread embroidered onto linen. ‘It has a luxe but understated feel,’ says Lavers.
Riad curtain fabric, Clarke & Clarke.