A look at the interior design of our Eaton Mews North project
Eaton Mews North is a 1,700 square foot mews house located in Belgravia and arranged over four floors. Appointed as the interior architect, our brief was to redevelop the structural interior layouts, furniture layouts and luxury interior design of the kitchen, bathrooms and all interior finishes and details including doors, skirtings, joinery, architectural and decorative lighting, staircase and all wall finishes.
In keeping with the client’s brief to develop something that is quite unique, the look is undoubtedly layered with a focus on textured fabrics and finishes together with the striking use of battered and aged bronzes. Bleached floors and textured timbers have been set against polished and honed marbles and understated wallpapers to create a subtle sense of glamour.
Giving careful consideration to how the property would be used from a functional perspective, the layout developed organically with the kitchen and dining areas located at basement level for intimate dining and entertaining as well as a large space for family get-togethers. The colour palette was again textural with beige, taupe and chocolate brown being the foundation colours with slight accents of shades of green. This neutral colour palette allows for a calming sense of luxury where no brutal features dominate the space.
The living and entertaining areas are focused on the lower floors and culminate in an expansive, multiple-aspect reception on the first floor and master suite on the entire top floor.
We specified materials that are luxurious, textured and defined. For the kitchen, textured timber veneers were specified for base cabinetry with a bespoke battered copper splash back and concrete effect work surface. A faux green wall adds a striking feature to the space and provides the illusion of outdoor space.
Read more about how a faux green wall gives the effect of natural light and creates a green, natural space in our blog post here.
A focus on lighting
Lighting is fundamental to the success of any interior scheme. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the kitchen of this Eaton Mews North home, where varying levels of light are used to successfully differentiate the functions of the space.
The kitchen is located in the basement with no natural light therefore we used task lighting to ensure that the space felt light and bright yet ambient at the same time. The faux living wall has been lit from above with LED strip lighting. The colour of the light has been specified at 3000 Kelvin to ensure a bright light that mimics daylight to give the impression of natural light flooding in from the top of the green wall. The lighting over the counter has again been specified as task lighting to wash light over the counter when cooking. Double fittings allow the angle of the light to ensure the entire worktop is covered. The lights were specified in nickelled brass, chosen to marry with the finishes used within the space. The surface mounted lights above the counter sink run have also been used as task lighting to illuminate the worktop.
The open-plan sitting room on the first floor comprises a wall of bespoke shelving all lit by LEDs to form an interesting wall feature, as well as a practical space for books and decorative objects. A writing desk with neon artwork positioned above and contemporary stools are situated at the opposite end of the living area. Pale shades of green have been carried through to the furniture and soft furnishings to continue the look. The palette is brought together by a natural weave rug and oversized artwork to play on the proportions of the room.
The master bedroom and master bathroom are situated on the second floor, which due to our reconfiguration of the space, are more generous in their size thus giving a better feeling of space and luxury. The master suite evokes a sense of luxury with its champagne coloured, tufted carpet forming the foundation of the scheme. The vertically panelled leather headboard creates a feature in the room and is flanked by the windows in the eaves on the left with the pitched design mirrored by the joinery on the right. This creates a well-balanced and purposeful scheme. The champagne bronze and salmon beige finishes of the wardrobes and dressing table create a warm yet sophisticated feeling that extends into the bathroom through the use of Turkish lilac marble and porcelain tiles with an undulating surface design.
A focus on materials
A key focus throughout the property is on luxury materials and fittings. In the master bathroom, in addition to luxurious materials, the spacial priority was to achieve a generous layout that incorporated a double vanity unit, separate shower and freestanding bath. The Turkish Lilac marble is busy but we weren’t afraid to use it as the main feature in key areas. We wanted the strong veining to steal the show. The key is not to use it on all walls but to balance it with another stone or tile. Here we tamed the effect with a plain but undulating porcelain tile in a crisp off-white that matches the white in the marble. The rest of the walls are clad in a textured soft graphite tile.
The double vanity unit is positioned directly opposite the bathroom entrance to create an immediate focal point. We wanted a contemporary look so we chose a modern wall-hung installation with a high-gloss lacquer finish on the doors.
We love that the bathroom design feels easy and comfortable to use. Incorporating all elements into the design without feeling squeezed was our biggest challenge. It took meticulous planning and good use of mirrored glass to pull it off. This bathroom is neither overly complicated nor overly designed.
Our Eaton Mews North project was a great success not only from the client’s perspective, who were extremely happy with the visual impact of the completed project but also due to the fact that the property sold quickly once released to the market. To view more on this project click here.
Photography by Richard Waite