Houzz Tour: Understated Luxury in an 1830s London Apartment
Muted tones, luxe materials and clever design ideas give this maisonette masses of easy elegance
When Carolyn Trevor of TLA Studio was asked by developers to redesign this spacious maisonette apartment in Belgravia, London, she had no idea the job would take so long. Complex planning regulations and the property’s Grade II listed status meant every change and improvement needed approval. In addition, there was just an awful lot to do.
The apartment, on the sixth floor of a building dating from 1830, was in poor shape and needed complete renovation. ‘It was a semi-derelict shell,’ explains Carolyn. ‘The roof space had been worked on without the permission of the estate the property belongs to, so we had to take all the changes down and start again.’
The transformation has been sensational. What began as a leaky, partially completed space became, after more than two years’ work, a light, open and fantastically elegant apartment.
Houzz at a Glance
Location Central London
Designer Carolyn Trevor of TLA Studio
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
The apartment, on the sixth floor of a building dating from 1830, was in poor shape and needed complete renovation. ‘It was a semi-derelict shell,’ explains Carolyn. ‘The roof space had been worked on without the permission of the estate the property belongs to, so we had to take all the changes down and start again.’
The transformation has been sensational. What began as a leaky, partially completed space became, after more than two years’ work, a light, open and fantastically elegant apartment.
Houzz at a Glance
Location Central London
Designer Carolyn Trevor of TLA Studio
Size 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
The entrance hall has the feel of a grand, stately home full of original features, but in fact Carolyn installed the panelling and limestone flooring in here.
A simple scheme of pale taupe and white gives the living area on the top floor of the apartment a light, timeless look. ‘The colour scheme creates a greater sense of space,’ says Carolyn. ‘It was already very light in here, but we chose pale shades on purpose to help make the space look even lighter and bigger.’
Get designer advise on how to warm up greys
Get designer advise on how to warm up greys
‘The idea behind the screens that wrap around the dining space was to create a partition that doesn’t feel like a partition,’ says Carolyn. ‘You can see through them, so they don’t carve up this living space.’ They are made from glass laminated inside with fine fabric, to create a hazy effect and provide privacy. The flooring is stained oak Versailles parquet.
French windows flank the top floor living space and open onto a roof terrace that has spectacular views over London. ‘We replaced all the old doors,’ says Carolyn. ‘It was quite tricky to find new designs that would meet with the planners’ approval.’ The ceiling was also raised as high as it could be in here, to boost the sense of airy space.
The kitchen is designed with simple high-gloss lacquered units in a soft taupe shade, finished with honed calacatta marble worktops for a touch of luxe. ‘We chose mirrored splashbacks,’ says Carolyn. ‘We use this idea a lot in London homes, as they often have space and light limitations. They reflect views of the outdoors.’
A large skylight lets lots of natural light into the dining space and it bounces off the white table below. The screens can be pulled across to create a room effect, or be left open for a more communal feel.
The soft colour scheme extends to the lower floor, where the three bedrooms are located. Clean-lined, elegant furniture contributes to the relaxed luxe feel. This is the second bedroom, with an en suite opening off it.
A bathroom opens off the second bedroom through a sliding door, which is a space-efficient solution. Regular hinged doors swing into the room and eat up space, but a sliding door is a compact solution where square footage is tight.
‘All the bathrooms are marble,’ says Carolyn, ‘but we have used different types of marble, as they each have different finishes that give a distinct look.’ This marble has dark veining, adding a sense of drama and texture to this small-scale bathroom.
The master bedroom has long views over the elegant street outside. Radiators are concealed behind fitted cupboards in the chimney alcoves, to keep the space streamlined and restful.
A small sitting area opens off the master bedroom and is a quiet, intimate place to sit and read. Doors also open onto a balcony from here and abundant natural light flows in, making the greyish-taupe walls feel cocooning rather than dark.
‘We used filetto marble in this bathroom,’ says Carolyn. ‘It has a more subtle, grey finish.’ Recessed alcoves add interest and depth to the walls. One is backed with a mirror to help increase the sense of space and light.
A strongly symmetrical style gives this bedroom a feeling of order and boutique-hotel cool. Cushions with a graphic pattern add a pop of detail, but the scheme sticks to the taupe and grey recipe that gives the whole apartment a feeling of calm.
Another of the three bathrooms is kitted out in thassos marble from Greece. ‘It’s pure white,’ says Carolyn, ‘and creates a very clean, fresh look.’
There is no shortage of light on the top floor of this apartment, but a rooflight positioned above the stairs allows daylight to flow down to the bedroom level below.
A peaceful roof terrace opens off the living space. ‘You can see it from further down the street,’ says Carolyn, ‘but when you are near to the house, it’s invisible from ground level.’
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See 10 ways to perk up your patio