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Houzz Tour: A Sense of Refinement in a Redesigned One-bed Flat
Improving the layout and introducing a sophisticated but inviting feel was the brief for this Chelsea apartment revamp
This flat in London already had a desirable Chelsea location to recommend it, and it sat within a beautiful Victorian building, but its existing layout was not suited to the couple that owned it, and it was in need of a refresh.
“It was very rundown,” says Victor Meus of Studio VM Design, who was asked to reconfigure the space to create better flow. “The floors were dark and heavily damaged, and the overall feel of the space was tired and empty.”
His brief was to create an apartment that was sophisticated but inviting. Read on to see how his use of a neutral palette, beautiful materials and midcentury modern elements have created a refined, timeless home that’s also warm and comfortable to live in.
“It was very rundown,” says Victor Meus of Studio VM Design, who was asked to reconfigure the space to create better flow. “The floors were dark and heavily damaged, and the overall feel of the space was tired and empty.”
His brief was to create an apartment that was sophisticated but inviting. Read on to see how his use of a neutral palette, beautiful materials and midcentury modern elements have created a refined, timeless home that’s also warm and comfortable to live in.
Originally, the layout of the flat was quite different. What is now the bedroom was once a reception room with a fireplace, while the kitchen used to be in the space that now houses the bathroom.
There was also another generously sized room, separated by a wall with double doors, which Victor transformed into this open-plan living area with the kitchen at one end.
Standard lamp; sofa; footstool, all Soho Home.
There was also another generously sized room, separated by a wall with double doors, which Victor transformed into this open-plan living area with the kitchen at one end.
Standard lamp; sofa; footstool, all Soho Home.
Here’s the building work underway in what is now the living area.
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“The goal was to create a layout that felt more functional and suited to modern living,” Victor says. Reconfiguring the space improved the flow, and helped the flat feel more spacious, creating an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area where the owners can socialise and relax.
The kitchen was made bespoke to Victor’s design from oak, a material that features throughout the home, bringing in lots of warmth and texture and an elegant finish.
Victor also included marble accents – on the worktops and the fire surround in the living area – for a cool, refined contrast. “It was about getting that polished but not too formal look,” he says.
The mixer tap has an unlacquered brass finish that complements the warmth of the oak.
Wall light, Pooky.
Victor also included marble accents – on the worktops and the fire surround in the living area – for a cool, refined contrast. “It was about getting that polished but not too formal look,” he says.
The mixer tap has an unlacquered brass finish that complements the warmth of the oak.
Wall light, Pooky.
The ceiling is a generous 320cm high, contributing to the flat’s feeling of light and space.
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Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
All the cornices, skirting boards, doors and window architraves were designed specially for the flat.
Victor added wood panelling to the walls to bring subtle depth and detail to the space without it feeling overwhelming. He chose a warm, neutral colour palette for the whole flat. Now, soft taupe and earthy tones provide a calm, understated backdrop.
Walls painted in Clay - Pale, Little Greene. Chairs; dining table, all Soho Home.
Walls painted in Clay - Pale, Little Greene. Chairs; dining table, all Soho Home.
“Since the extractor fan was going to be visible, we knew from the start that we didn’t want the usual exposed steel dominating the space,” Victor says.
Instead, he designed a fluted cover that blends into the beige palette while adding a bit of texture. “It complements the kitchen design, but doesn’t stand out too much,” he says. “It feels visually interesting without being a focal point. It’s integrated and practical, but also a little unexpected.”
Instead, he designed a fluted cover that blends into the beige palette while adding a bit of texture. “It complements the kitchen design, but doesn’t stand out too much,” he says. “It feels visually interesting without being a focal point. It’s integrated and practical, but also a little unexpected.”
The worktop and splashback are made from Taj Mahal quartzite, which beautifully mirrors the marble fireplace at the opposite end of the room.
A cloakroom is tucked into a corner off the open-plan living area.
The bedroom was designed to feel calm, comfortable and well put together without being over-complicated.
“We kept the palette soft and neutral in here,” Victor says, “with warm taupe tones and natural textures to make the space feel inviting.” Touches of colour were added in the bedding to bring everything together.
Walls painted in Clay - Pale, Little Greene. Ceiling painted in Slate I, Paint & Paper Library. Woodwork painted in Pointing, Farrow & Ball.
“We kept the palette soft and neutral in here,” Victor says, “with warm taupe tones and natural textures to make the space feel inviting.” Touches of colour were added in the bedding to bring everything together.
Walls painted in Clay - Pale, Little Greene. Ceiling painted in Slate I, Paint & Paper Library. Woodwork painted in Pointing, Farrow & Ball.
Victor designed the headboard and had it upholstered. “We wanted something different here, with a wavy shape,” he says. The cushions are a focal point, bringing in earthy tones and character without straying too far from the overall palette.
“We went for a deeper brown-red for the larger cushions on the bed, and added patterned ones in front to introduce some interest,” he says. “The patterns are subtle, so they complement the colour scheme without overwhelming the space. It was all about adding a touch of fun while maintaining a relaxed, cohesive vibe.”
More: 15 Bedrooms with Curvy Headboards
“We went for a deeper brown-red for the larger cushions on the bed, and added patterned ones in front to introduce some interest,” he says. “The patterns are subtle, so they complement the colour scheme without overwhelming the space. It was all about adding a touch of fun while maintaining a relaxed, cohesive vibe.”
More: 15 Bedrooms with Curvy Headboards
The bedroom before, when it was used as a reception room. The bed is now against this wall.
There are both curtains and a blind in the window. This combination looks stylish, blocks light effectively, and provides privacy.
Bespoke oak wardrobes with brass handles fill the opposite wall.
Bespoke oak wardrobes with brass handles fill the opposite wall.
In the en suite bathroom, the vanity unit and basin were made bespoke, designed to complement the overall feel of the apartment. “We chose oak for the cabinet, which ties in with the wood tones of the bedroom and kitchen cabinetry,” Victor says. The marble used for the basin and surround is Arabescato Corchia.
“We wanted the [vanity unit] to feel sophisticated yet simple, so we kept the lines clean, but added some fluted details inside the drawer panels to bring a bit of texture and interest,” he says.
Wall lights, Pooky.
More: How to Plan for a Bathroom Renovation
“We wanted the [vanity unit] to feel sophisticated yet simple, so we kept the lines clean, but added some fluted details inside the drawer panels to bring a bit of texture and interest,” he says.
Wall lights, Pooky.
More: How to Plan for a Bathroom Renovation
The shower is lined in off-white zellige tiles, which add gentle texture. The radiator, taps and hardware here and in the previous image are all in unlacquered brass for an aged finish.
Tell us…
What do you like about this redesigned apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What do you like about this redesigned apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A couple
Location Chelsea, London
Property A first-floor apartment in a Victorian building
Size One bedroom and one bathroom (50 sq m in total)
Designer Victor Meus of Studio VM Design
Developer Herbert Park Developments
Photos by Richard Oxford
Transforming the flat took eight months. Throughout, Victor was careful to respect the building’s character, whether he was thinking about spatial planning or the bespoke joinery he’s used around the home.
“Balancing the period character of the Victorian building the apartment sits in with modern functionality and style was the biggest challenge on this project,” he says. “I had to ensure the final design respected the building’s heritage while delivering a contemporary, sophisticated finish for the owners.”