/ 15 July 2025

How This Space Went From Plain White Box To Stylish Pied-A-Terre

When interior designer Rebecca Hughes was asked to give this newly developed ‘white box’ a characterful makeover, she focused on adding architectural interest and using a warm colour palette. The result is a welcoming, elevated space that feels personal and lived in. Here, Rebecca gives us the tour…

Georgina Blaskey

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The Property

Located within the exclusive Chelsea Barracks development in London, this flat belongs to a returning client who wanted a stylish yet inviting pied-à-terre for her young family’s city visits. The apartment has three bedrooms – one primary and two guest rooms – and was bought directly from the developer as an unfinished shell.

The Brief

The brief was clear: to inject personality and warmth into the apartment while crafting a calm retreat away from the bustle of central London. We introduced bespoke joinery throughout – not only to discreetly house mechanical elements such as air conditioning and integrated televisions, but also to maximise storage and bring architectural interest to each room. A refined, contemporary colour palette was chosen with the client’s son in mind, striking a balance between clean minimalism and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere.

One of the standout spaces is the open-plan living area. Originally long and narrow, we carefully zoned it to create distinct kitchen, dining and living areas. An antique mirror wall anchors the space, adding both depth and character.

Art plays a pivotal role in the design narrative. The client’s playful and vibrant collection – featuring works from Rise Art and Cricket Fine Art – inspired bold accents and nuanced tones throughout the property. Materiality and craftsmanship were also key.

We collaborated with a curated list of British and international suppliers, including de Le Cuona, Hector Finch, Turnell & Gigon, Robert Stephenson Rugs, Schumacher, and GP & J Baker. Much of the furniture, from the dining table to the cabinetry and sofa, was designed in-house, ensuring each piece was tailored specifically to the proportions and spirit of the apartment.

LET'S TAKE THE TOUR

The Kitchen

The kitchen in this Chelsea apartment was already in place when the clients purchased the property, so our focus was on enhancing the existing space with a few elegant touches. A standout addition is the antiqued mirrored wall, which adds a sense of understated glamour, while reflecting light beautifully throughout the room.

Thoughtful lighting choices, including metallic pendants above the dining area bring both warmth and practicality to the space. At the centre of the room sits a bespoke marble-topped dining table, which introduces a luxurious element but also serves as a functional anchor for the kitchen.

Neutral spaces can often present the perfect backdrop for vibrant artwork. An abstract, contemporary painting brings bold energy to this otherwise calm palette – beautifully contrasting the patinated mirrored wall.

Layered materials – such as marble, mirrors, metal, and wood – create a tactile and inviting atmosphere that feels curated and lived-in. With these additions, we transformed a standard modern kitchen into a space that feels bespoke, balanced and full of personality.

Pendants: Hector Finch
Artwork: Cricket Fine Art

The Open Plan Living Room

Because of the room’s unique shape, all of the elements were custom-designed and crafted by us. This includes the TV cabinetry, which cleverly incorporates built-in air conditioning, as well as the uniquely shaped sofa and ottoman. We thoroughly enjoyed the process, drawing inspiration from the client’s artwork, featuring rich hues of deep reds, tangerine and forest greens.

Rug: Robert Stephenson
Vase On Side Table: Anthropologie
Bench: Porto Romana
Fabric On Bench: Chase Erwin
Large Cushion: De la Cuona
Lacquer Tray: The Lacquer Company
Candle On Tray: Zara Home
Vase On Tray: M.A.H Gallery
Throw On Ottoman: John Lewis
Frame: Rebecca Udall
Floor Lamp: Soho Home

The Dining Room

A striking wall of antique mirror was introduced here. Amid the contemporary design, the mirror lends some timeless sophistication to the space. The bespoke dining table was carefully crafted to comfortably seat six, with the flexibility to accommodate eight when needed. Above, Hector Finch pendant lights come in adjustable lengths, allowing the client to tailor the ambiance for any occasion.

Ceiling Light: Hector Finch
Dining Chair: Chaplins
Table Bowl: M.A.H Gallery
Table Glassware: Lamp London Home
Island Tray: The Lacquer Company
Candlesticks On Console: Lamp London Home
Lamp On Console: Visual Comfort
Photo Frame On Console: Rebecca Udall
Artwork: Cricket Fine Art

The Main Bedroom

Wallpaper was thoughtfully applied throughout all the bedrooms to introduce texture and character, taking advantage of the greater wall space available in these rooms compared to the open-plan living area upstairs.

The client envisioned a headboard that would span the entire wall, creating a dramatic focal point. To achieve this, we used a striking Kelly Wearstler wallpaper from GP & J Baker to craft a layered, scenic backdrop. To balance the softness and avoid an overly feminine feel, we paired it with sculptural, brutalist bronze table lamps from Vaughan, adding a bit of bold, grounding contrast.

Wallpaper: GP&J Baker
Bedside Table: Julian Chicester
Bedside Lamp: Vaughan Designs
Bedside Candle: Zara Home
Large Cushions: De La Cuona
Throw: John Lewis

The First Guest Bedroom

We chose a grasscloth wallpaper for its rich texture, and it also provided a beautifully tactile backdrop for the client’s artwork. The result is a space that feels both cosy and luxurious.

Bedside pendant lighting works perfectly with a dedicated reading lamp to create a layered effect. The pendant lights free up the nightstand whilst adding a more sculptural element. Meanwhile, the adjustable wall-mounted light provides focused illumination – ideal for late-night reading – without overwhelming the space.

Wallpaper: Altfield
Ceiling Light: Wang Bishop
Large Cushion: De La Cuona
Bedside Tables: Restoration Hardware
Bedside Vase: Zara Home

The Second Guest Bedroom

The Schumacher wallpaper, with its bold, large-scale pattern, wraps seamlessly around the entire room, creating an immersive and cohesive atmosphere. It features soft, neutral tones and Japandi-inspired cascading blooms. Understated, earthy, and quietly elegant, this botanical design brings a sense of serenity to the bedroom.

To let it take centre stage, we kept the additional elements to a minimum. Rich burr wood side tables add warmth without competing for attention.

Wallpaper: Schumacher
Bedside Lamp Base: Heathfield
Bedside Lamp Shade: Pooky
Large Cushion: De la Cuona
Bedside Tables: Scanditure

Bathroom

The bathroom in this apartment was already installed when the property was purchased, providing a striking foundation with its dramatic grey marble walls. We worked thoughtfully with the existing finishes, adding layers of through carefully chosen details.

Elegant brass light fixtures introduce a soft, golden glow that contrasts beautifully with the cool tones of the marble, while curated artwork brings visual interest to the space. These additions elevate the bathroom from a purely functional room to one with charm and a refined sense of style.

Wall Light: Visual Comfort
Artwork: Cricket Fine Art
Rattan Tray: Rebecca Udall
Hand Towel: The White Company

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Photographer credit: Astrid Templier

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