For SONA's Cheshire experience centre, Lewis Knox were asked to create a space that felt immersive, welcoming and atmospheric - somewhere clients could experience integrated technology within a carefully designed interior, rather than a traditional showroom environment. From the beginning, the ambition was to move away from the feel of a typical technology showroom. Instead of obvious displays and demonstrations, the space was designed to feel closer to a home, allowing lighting, sound and automation to be experienced more naturally and comfortably.
The interior palette was intentionally darker and more atmospheric, using smoked oak finishes, textured wall panelling and layered lighting to create depth throughout the space. Dark oak and textured cladding form a warmer, more architectural backdrop for the integrated technology systems, while softer furnishings and warmer materials balance the technical elements - ensuring the showroom still feels relaxed and inviting to spend time in. Bronze detailing and double bullnose marble surfaces were introduced for texture and depth, balancing the cleaner technical elements within the space.
Each area was designed around a different experience. Open-plan living spaces flow into cinema and entertainment areas, allowing visitors to move naturally through the showroom and experience the technology within varied settings. Open sightlines and connected spaces let people experience each environment as part of a wider, cohesive interior. Lighting plays a particularly important role throughout: integrated subtly within shelving, joinery and architectural details, it shapes the mood of each space and demonstrates how atmosphere can completely change the way an interior feels.
A custom media wall was designed to conceal audiovisual elements within the joinery, allowing the technology to feel fully integrated into the interior rather than treated as a separate feature. Working closely with SONA and the wider project team from an early stage meant the design and technology could evolve together - nothing feels separate or applied later. The result is a showroom that feels calm, immersive and residential in character; a space that demonstrates technology through experience, rather than display.
About Lewis Knox
A dynamic interior design studio providing bespoke architectural and interior design services. More than 30 years experience in the luxury residential sector.
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At T&A Property Development / Shi+Me Interiors, we specialise in delivering high-end, design-led residential projects across London where craftsmanship, detail, and materiality define the final outcome. One of our most recent luxury interiors presented a particularly refined challenge: the integration of authentic gold leaf finishes across key architectural and decorative surfaces.
Gold leaf is one of the most delicate and expressive materials in interior design. Its application requires precision, patience, and a deep understanding of both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design expectations. Spanning approximately 12,500 square feet, this luxury London project presented an opportunity to combine traditional craftsmanship with exceptional attention to detail, with genuine gold leaf becoming one of its defining design features.
Unlike conventional finishes, gold leaf does not allow for error. Each sheet is ultra-thin and highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and surface preparation. Even the slightest imperfection in the substrate can affect the final visual continuity.
Before application began, extensive preparation work was required to ensure all surfaces were perfectly smooth, sealed, and primed. Multiple test applications were carried out to achieve the correct adhesive balance and tonal consistency, ensuring the final finish aligned with the design intent.
One of the defining aspects of this project was the client's decision to use genuine gold leaf rather than composition (imitation) gold leaf. While imitation leaf offers a similar aesthetic at a lower cost, genuine gold leaf possesses a richness, depth of colour and permanence that simply cannot be replicated. Its ability to retain its brilliance over time made it the clear choice for a residence where authenticity and longevity were paramount.
However, selecting genuine gold leaf introduced an entirely different level of complexity. Every sheet is exceptionally delicate and demands meticulous handling throughout the application process. More importantly, achieving the client's vision required far more than simply choosing the material, it involved a collaborative design journey.
To ensure complete confidence before installation, our team produced a series of bespoke sample panels using different sheet sizes, layouts and application patterns. These mock-ups allowed the client to experience first-hand how the individual leaves aligned, how the seams interacted with light, and how varying installation techniques influenced the overall visual effect. Each sample was carefully reviewed and refined until the client identified the finish that perfectly reflected their design aspirations.
This level of prototyping proved invaluable. It minimised risk during installation, ensured absolute clarity before work commenced, and reinforced the bespoke nature of the project, where every detail was tailored specifically to the client's expectations.
One of the key challenges of working with gold leaf in a live London development environment was coordination between multiple trades within a restricted timeline. As the finish is highly sensitive, the application had to be carefully sequenced to avoid contamination from dust, movement, or adjacent works.
Lighting conditions also played a critical role. Gold leaf reacts dynamically to both natural and artificial light, meaning careful coordination with the lighting design team was essential to ensure the material delivered the intended warmth and depth without overwhelming the space.
Additionally, maintaining uniformity across larger surface areas required a consistent hand-applied approach, with specialist craftsmen brought in to ensure continuity of finish across all zones.
Despite the technical complexities, the result is a striking demonstration of how traditional materials can be reinterpreted within modern luxury interiors. The gold leaf surfaces introduce a sense of warmth, richness, and architectural depth that cannot be replicated by industrial finishes.
This project highlights the importance of collaboration between developers, designers, and skilled artisans. Every stage, from concept development to final application, was guided by a shared commitment to excellence and attention to detail.
At T&A Property Development / Shi+Me Interiors, we believe true luxury lies in the details that cannot be mass-produced. The use of gold leaf in this London residence reflects our commitment to delivering highly bespoke environments that balance artistic expression with technical precision.
Each sheet applied tells a story of craftsmanship, patience, and design ambition, resulting in a space that is not only visually exceptional but also deeply considered in its execution.
As London’s luxury property market continues to evolve, projects like this reaffirm the value of artisanal techniques within contemporary developments. Gold leaf, when executed with expertise and care, remains one of the most powerful tools for creating timeless, high-impact interiors.
About T&A Property Development
T&A Property Development is an award-winning design practice, proudly SBID-accredited since 2019. Led by Shiva Aghababaei, a chartered and award-winning Architect with over 25 years of experience, the company provides bespoke interior design services under its trading name, Shi+Me Interiors. Specialising in high-end residential and commercial architecture, the team combines creativity, functionality, and meticulous attention to detail to create distinctive and timeless spaces. From concept development and space planning to project delivery, T&A Property Development, trading as Shi+Me Interiors for its interior design services, is committed to delivering elegant, tailored, and highly functional design solutions.
Designing your own home is often described as the ultimate opportunity for creative freedom. In reality, it is something far more demanding. Every decision carries greater significance because you are not simply designing for a client—you are designing the environment your own family will experience every single day.
Blackbarn, our contemporary family home in North County Dublin, became much more than a self-build project. It became an opportunity to challenge, refine and ultimately reinforce every design principle that underpins Studio 31. It allowed me to explore the relationship between architecture, interiors and everyday living in a way that few projects ever can.
Throughout my career, I have always believed that exceptional interiors begin long before furniture, colour palettes or decorative finishes are considered. Blackbarn reaffirmed that philosophy. It demonstrated that the homes which endure are those where every decision is made with purpose, where architecture and interiors are developed together, and where beauty and functionality are never treated as separate ambitions.
One of the most common misconceptions about interior design is that it begins once the walls have been built. In reality, the most successful interiors are shaped during the earliest architectural conversations.
Before selecting a single material, we considered how we wanted to live.
Where would the morning light enter? How should someone experience the home as they moved through it? Which rooms would naturally become gathering spaces? How could the house remain adaptable as our children grew older?
Rather than designing individual rooms, we focused on designing the experience of living within the house.
From the moment you enter Blackbarn, your eye is drawn through the hallway towards the landscape beyond. That carefully considered sightline immediately establishes a connection between the architecture and its rural setting. It also creates a sense of calm, openness and anticipation before revealing the heart of the home.
Every transition, every doorway and every proportion was carefully considered to create a natural flow rather than simply connecting rooms.
Blackbarn takes inspiration from the simplicity of traditional agricultural buildings found throughout the Irish countryside. The architectural form is intentionally restrained, allowing proportion, materiality and craftsmanship to become the defining features.
People often associate minimal architecture with fewer decisions, but the opposite is true. When a design is stripped back, every detail becomes more important.
The relationship between the black metal cladding and the warmth of the timber. The depth of window reveals. The rhythm created by glazing. The alignment of architectural elements. These are the details that quietly define a project without demanding attention.
The same philosophy continued throughout the interiors.
Rather than relying on bold colours or passing trends, we chose a carefully curated palette of natural materials, textured fabrics, stone, timber and warm neutral tones. Contrasting black accents were repeated throughout the home. This was not simply as a decorative feature, but as a visual thread linking architecture and interior design into one cohesive language.
Our aim was never to create a fashionable house. It was to create a home that would feel as relevant in twenty years as it does today.
Beautiful homes only become truly successful when they support the people living within them.
As interior designers, we often talk about functionality, but functionality should never be confused with compromise. Some of the most beautiful spaces are also the most practical because they have been designed around real daily routines.
The open-plan kitchen, dining and living space quickly became the heart of Blackbarn. The Belvedere Quartzite island isn't simply a dramatic centrepiece. It's the place where our meals are prepared, family life unfolds, conversations happen, and friends gather. It is, in every sense, our family firepit.
The hidden playroom allows family life to unfold naturally while maintaining a calm and organised living space. A dedicated boot room provides generous storage for coats, shoes and everyday essentials. Circulation routes were planned to allow the house to function effortlessly, whether entertaining guests or managing the morning school routine.
Good design rarely announces itself. Instead, it quietly improves how people move, interact and live.
Selecting materials is about far more than aesthetics.
Every material contributes to how a space feels, how it performs and how it will age over time.
Throughout Blackbarn, we sought materials that would develop character rather than deteriorate. Natural timber introduces warmth against the architectural simplicity of the black exterior. Quartzite provides durability while becoming a sculptural focal point within the kitchen. Textured fabrics soften clean architectural lines, while carefully selected flooring creates continuity throughout the home.
Luxury is often associated with expensive materials, but genuine luxury is more often found in thoughtful restraint.
Choosing fewer materials and allowing each one to perform beautifully creates spaces that feel calmer, more sophisticated and ultimately more enduring.
Lighting is perhaps the most underestimated element within residential design.
It has the ability to transform colours, textures and atmosphere without changing a single piece of furniture.
At Blackbarn, natural daylight informed many of the architectural decisions, from window placement to room orientation. Decorative lighting was then layered throughout the house to create atmosphere, define spaces and highlight architectural features.
Rather than relying solely on downlights, each room incorporates ambient, task and decorative lighting. During the day, the interiors are shaped by changing natural light. In the evening, carefully selected feature fittings create warmth, intimacy and a completely different experience of the same spaces.
The best lighting schemes are rarely noticed. They simply make a room feel exactly as it should.
Every project leaves a lasting impression on a designer, but designing your own home changes your perspective entirely.
It deepened my appreciation for the emotional investment clients make in every decision. It reinforced the importance of balancing budgets without compromising long-term value. It reminded me that patience almost always leads to better outcomes than rushing decisions simply to meet deadlines.
Perhaps most importantly, it reinforced the belief that architecture and interior design should never be treated as separate disciplines. The most successful homes emerge when both are developed together, allowing every element—from spatial planning and lighting to furniture and finishes—to support one another.
Those lessons now influence every Studio 31 project.
Whether we are transforming a Victorian townhouse, designing a contemporary new-build or renovating a single room, the process always begins by understanding how people genuinely live. The aesthetics naturally follow.
Designing and building Blackbarn taught me more than any other project. Creating our own family home shaped me both personally and professionally, and continues to influence every Studio 31 project today.
It serves as a constant reminder that exceptional design is rarely defined by individual furniture pieces or luxurious finishes alone. Instead, it is the accumulation of hundreds of thoughtful decisions that shape how a home feels, functions and evolves over time.
For Studio 31, that philosophy continues to guide every project. We believe the most successful interiors are those that quietly enrich everyday life—spaces where architecture, materials, light and functionality work together seamlessly to create homes that are not only beautiful today, but will remain meaningful for many years to come.
Blackbarn reaffirmed everything I believed about great interior design. More importantly, it continues to shape how we design for every client who places their trust in Studio 31.
About Studio 31 Interior Design
Studio 31 Interior Design is a Dublin-based interior design studio specialising in bespoke residential and commercial interiors throughout Ireland. We create timeless, functional spaces tailored to each client's lifestyle, business and aspirations. Our comprehensive service includes interior architecture, space planning, lighting design, bespoke joinery, material specification, furniture sourcing and complete project management from concept through to completion. Every project is approached with creativity, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to exceptional quality. Our work has been featured in leading Irish publications, reflecting our passion for creating beautifully considered interiors that stand the test of time.
Set within the New Forest in Hampshire, this Georgian-style manor house was conceived as a complete interior architecture and design project for a substantial new-build residence of more than 15,000 sq ft.
Dream Design was appointed to develop the interiors in close collaboration with the architect, allowing the architecture and interior design to evolve in parallel from the early stages of the project. This ensured that spatial planning, room-to-room flow, material continuity, lighting, furniture and detailed specification were considered as one coherent whole.
The result is a composed and timeless private residence, where classical architectural language is balanced with modern design. Rather than treating the interiors as a decorative layer, Dream Design approached the project through the principles of interior architecture, with ceiling details, lighting positions, bespoke joinery, kitchen planning, bathroom specification, furniture placement and material transitions all developed in relation to the architecture of the house.
The kitchen is one of the defining spaces of the project, forming part of an open kitchen, dining and lounge environment where traditional architectural features are balanced with contemporary cabinetry, modern furnishings and integrated lighting. Decorative ceiling cornices, clean-lined kitchen detailing and carefully planned lighting allow the room to feel both impressive and highly liveable.
The L-shaped island anchors the space, supporting natural circulation while framing views towards the terrace and surrounding landscape. Arranged for cooking, dining and conversation, the island gives the kitchen a natural sense of focus within the home.
A bespoke ceiling design, formed of three raised sections with concealed LED lighting, brings definition to the kitchen, dining and lounge areas while preserving the openness of the room.
The scale and character of the property called for a high-calibre specification, bringing together leading brands including SieMatic, Flexform and Rimadesio, alongside specialist ateliers and one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Several elements required detailed knowledge of materials, craftsmanship and sourcing, ensuring each piece contributed to the overall composition of the home.
A key example is the kitchen dining table, crafted from 50,000-year-old Kauri wood from New Zealand and expertly worked by the experienced artisans at Italian furniture maker Riva1920. The piece brings a distinctive material story into the main living space while remaining fully integrated with the broader design language.
Material selection was central to the success of the project. Traditional references were treated with restraint, while contemporary finishes introduced clarity and precision. This balance between classical form and modern detailing gives the home its quiet confidence: elegant, substantial and comfortable without feeling overly formal.
Beyond the living spaces, the bathrooms and private areas continue the same considered language. In the principal ensuite, marble-effect porcelain surfaces, a sculptural freestanding bath and a large vanity with his and hers countertop basins create a calm and enduring room. Traditional elements, including sliding sash windows and decorative ceiling cornices, are integrated with contemporary detailing, ensuring the space feels aligned with the Georgian-style architecture of the house.
Across the project, Dream Design’s role extended beyond individual rooms. The studio considered how each space would be experienced in sequence, from arrival and circulation to everyday use and moments of retreat, ensuring the home felt coherent at every scale. In this New Forest residence, classical architecture and contemporary interior design come together in a home shaped by clarity, restraint and quiet permanence.
About Dream Design
Dream Design is a luxury kitchen, bathroom and interior design centre in Dorset, creating one-of-a-kind private residences across Dorset, Hampshire, Poole, the UK and internationally. Supported by its award-winning interior architecture and interior design studio, Dream Design specialises in bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, living spaces and complete home design. The 5,000 sq ft Design Centre brings together leading brands and specialist ateliers across kitchen design, bathroomware, appliances, surfaces, lighting, furniture and interior architectural details, creating a distinctive design destination for private clients, architects and developers seeking a considered, highly tailored approach to residential design, specification and project delivery.
Padium Cardiff is the second destination for Padium, a premium padel club brand redefining the standard for sport and leisure in the UK. ORCA Studios were appointed to design the new club, transforming a disused Argos warehouse within the Cardiff Bay Retail park into a 35,000 sq ft leisure destination — one that sets a new benchmark for what a padel destination can be.
The project began with a question that shaped everything that followed. As Matt Constantinou, Founder and Director of ORCA Studios, explains: "Padel is inherently social — you can't play it alone. So, the question was never just how we design the courts; it was how we design everything around them to foster a genuine sense of community."
From the moment of arrival. A dramatic entrance feature — a bespoke hanging chain installation — sets the tone immediately, establishing the club as something beyond the ordinary. Members are then drawn through an immersive entrance tunnel, designed to build anticipation and evoke the adrenaline of competition before they play. These are not only decorative gestures, but they are also deliberate transitions, shifting the mindset of the visitor from the everyday into something more charged.
The aesthetic throughout is industrial refined — raw in its bones, considered in its execution. Textured wall finishes add depth and tactility, while curved detailing softens the warehouse volume, lending warmth to what might otherwise feel hard-edged. Soft furnishings with a considered and bold colour palette offer a richness to the space. Warm LED lighting unifies the club, creating an atmosphere that feels inviting throughout the day and into the night.
Across the ground floor, eight indoor courts sit alongside a pro shop, co-working space, recovery area, and members lounge bar — a programme designed not for a single type of visit, but for all of them. Whether a member arrives to play, to work, to eat, to meet, or simply to be part of the environment, the space accommodates them without compromise.
The mezzanine takes the experience further. Premium changing facilities and a recovery suite featuring ice baths serve the performance-focused member, while the panoramic sauna — positioned to look directly over the courts below — is perhaps the most quietly extraordinary space in the building. It is a room that rewards those who use it with a view of the sport in full flight; rest and play occupying the same sightline.
Throughout, ORCA embedded moments of discovery — easter eggs within the detail that reward the curious and give the space a layered quality that deepens with familiarity. The ambition was a destination that members return to not just for the padel, but for the experience of being there.
The result is a club where sport is the starting point, not the whole story — and where design is the thread that holds it all together.
About ORCA Studios
We are a commercial interior design practice nestled within the beating heart of London. Creating unique, functional and creative spaces that are tailored to our clients individual needs.Drawing from a rich decade-long experience across the UK and Europe, we proudly present ORCA Studios. Our mission is to craft unique and vibrant spaces. With a team dedicated to innovation, we're excited for this new chapter and the transformative designs ahead.
Nestled in the countryside on the outskirts of Bristol, this beautiful stone farmhouse enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by fields and woodland. Approached through gates and a winding driveway, with its façade draped in magnificent wisteria, it is hard to believe the city lies just a stone’s throw away.
The clients approached Khaya Studio to redesign and renovate their formal sitting room, a space that had become dated and underutilised over time. While generous in scale and blessed with wonderful views across the surrounding landscape, the room lacked warmth and personality, and no longer reflected how the family wished to live and entertain.
Respecting the architecture and history of a building is always at the heart of our design approach. Our aim was to create a scheme that felt entirely at home within the property, as though it had evolved naturally over time rather than been recently introduced.
Throughout the design process, the client was drawn to the soft greens and warm amber tones featured within the concept boards. These colours became the foundation of the scheme, bringing a sense of tranquillity while subtly reflecting the surrounding countryside. An engineered oak floor was selected to introduce warmth and authenticity, while providing a timeless backdrop for the furnishings.
Having always dreamt of living in a home with exposed ceiling beams, the client was delighted when we sourced faux beams in a finish carefully chosen to complement the new flooring. Existing wallpaper was removed and the walls redecorated to create a lighter, more cohesive canvas. New lighting was introduced throughout to enhance atmosphere and functionality, while bespoke window treatments in a soft green patterned fabric frame the beautiful views beyond without competing with them.
The finishing layers were equally important. A carefully selected rug, new sofas, footstool and statement mirror were introduced to bring texture, personality and a sense of completeness to the room.
The result is a serene and inviting living room that feels both refreshed and timeless. By relocating the television into an alcove painted in a deep green, it visually recedes into the background, allowing the elegant marble fireplace to reclaim its role as the focal point of the room.
Furniture was thoughtfully arranged to create a more intimate seating area, encouraging conversation, family evenings and relaxed entertaining. An antique brass-trimmed side table sourced from a local market now serves as a charming drinks station, styled with a decanter and treasured glassware. Above the fireplace, a playful squiggle-framed mirror introduces a contemporary touch, balanced by beautiful floral wall lights that add warmth and character.
About Khaya Studio
Kate Fryer is a qualified interior designer with over 15 years of experience creating elegant, timeless interiors across Bristol, Bath and the wider Somerset region. Kate brings a professional yet personal approach to every project. Through her studio, Khaya Studio, Kate specialises in the transformation of period and heritage properties, blending classic architecture with contemporary comfort. Her work is defined by warmth, balance, and a deep respect for craftsmanship - creating homes that feel both sophisticated and lived in. Khaya Studio offers a range of tailored services, from colour consultancy to full turnkey renovation and project management. Every detail is carefully handled, ensuring a seamless process and a truly enjoyable design experience for each client.
Letchworth Garden City-based interior design studio Design Command has completed the refurbishment of David’s Café, a much-loved independent café and shop at the heart of the local community. The redesigned space brings together the café and retail offer, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment where visitors can settle in with a coffee, browse books and gifts and enjoy a slower pace.
A long-standing part of the community for over 60 years, David’s Café combines a bookshop, music store, gift shop and café, making it a unique destination where books, good coffee, great design and live music come together. As a fellow Letchworth-based business, Design Command worked closely with the client to reimagine the interior, enhancing both functionality and overall customer experience.
The new layout carefully integrates seating with product displays, allowing the café and retail elements to work seamlessly together. This approach maximises the use of space while maintaining a clear and comfortable environment for customers, whether they are visiting to unwind or explore the shop’s offering.
The design draws inspiration from classic mid-century interiors, layered with warm textures and subtle pops of colour. Herringbone flooring, soft upholstery and relaxed, residential-style materials create a space that feels inviting from the moment you walk in. The overall concept was to design a space made for slowing down - somewhere customers can feel at ease spending time.
Soft, layered lighting has been used to enhance the relaxed atmosphere, creating a gentle transition between retail and seating areas while highlighting key materials throughout the space.
Clare McDonald, Founder of Design Command, commented: “We were delighted to work on the refurbishment of David’s Café, such a well-loved and established part of the Letchworth community. Being based locally ourselves made the project even more meaningful and our aim was to create a space that feels warm, inviting and easy to spend time in, while ensuring the café and retail elements work seamlessly together.”
Founded in 2013, Design Command is a Letchworth Garden City-based studio recognised for its thoughtful and creative approach to hospitality and commercial interiors. Working with clients across the UK, the studio delivers spaces that are both functional and engaging, with a strong emphasis on user experience and brand identity.
About Design Command
Design Command is a London and Hertfordshire based Interior Architecture Studio founded in 2013 by Clare McDonald. Since its inception, the studio has grown steadily, working across restaurants, hotels, student accommodation, residential and workplace environments throughout the UK and Europe. Our experience includes more than sixty restaurant projects and a wide range of hotel and living environments for independent operators and international hospitality groups, including Accor, Hyatt and IHG. Alongside this, we have delivered contemporary dining concepts, luxury student living for Collegiate AC and projects for developers such as Mount Anvil and Landmark Space, always with thoughtful planning and expressive materiality.
At the Chelsea Flower Show, gardens become galleries — spaces where landscape, architecture and art intersect. For These White Walls, who were invited to design a pavilion in collaboration with Eden Sculpture, this presented an opportunity to explore how narrative-led design can shape not only interiors, but immersive architectural environments.
At the core of the studio’s approach is a simple but guiding principle: how can we live more beautifully? This question informs every project, from ultra-prime residential interiors to large-scale hospitality environments, and underpinned the design of the pavilion created in collaboration with Eden Sculpture.
The project was conceived as an exploration of the relationship between sculpture, architecture and movement. Rather than treating artworks as objects placed within a space, the design sought to build an environment around them — allowing the architecture to frame, reveal and elevate each piece.
The pavilion evolved into an abstract, undulating ribbon of architecture that wraps around a series of sculptures. Visitors are drawn through the space along a gravel pathway, moving between natural stone, grasses and a central water feature. Carefully positioned apertures and partial sight-lines create moments of anticipation, offering glimpses into the interior before revealing more intimate encounters within.
This choreography of movement was central to the design process. Consideration was given not only to how the space would look, but how it would be experienced — how visitors would pause, reflect and engage with the sculptures at different moments throughout their journey.
Materiality played a key role in supporting this experience. The pavilion’s weather-worn, limewashed surfaces create a calm and restrained architectural language, allowing the sculptures to take visual precedence. Around them, grasses and gravel introduce tactility, sound and variation, creating a layered sensory environment.
This balance between rawness and refinement is a recurring theme in These White Walls’ work. It reflects a broader commitment to craftsmanship and material integrity — values shared with Eden Sculpture. Both studios place importance on working with materials that carry depth and permanence, shaped through skilled making rather than mass production.
Designing around sculpture requires particular sensitivity, especially when working with materials such as marble and bronze. These materials bring weight, permanence and presence, demanding that the surrounding architecture remains disciplined and considered. Rather than competing with the artworks, the design must support them — allowing their form, texture and interaction with light to take centre stage.
Set against the movement and softness of the surrounding garden, these sculptural materials take on greater clarity. The contrast between the organic and the refined, the ephemeral and the enduring, creates a dynamic tension that defines the space.
While the pavilion itself is temporary, designed to be dismantled and reassembled, its intention is not permanence in a physical sense. Instead, the project focuses on creating a meaningful spatial experience — one that lingers in memory and reflects the studio’s belief that thoughtful design can shape how people feel, move and connect within a space.
About These White Walls
These White Walls is a globally-renowned luxury interior design studio, celebrated for its bespoke creations and unparalleled attention to detail. The studio specialises in crafting spaces that blend artistic vision with meticulous craftsmanship, and offers a comprehensive range of design services tailored to each client's specific needs. From concept development through to completion and final styling, the studio delivers uniquely beautiful designs that exude elegance and a bold sophistication. Clients can expect personalised support at every stage, with a commitment to excellence that transforms ordinary interiors into extraordinary experiences, redefining the essence of luxury living.
When a brief calls for a property to be ‘gutted’ and re-designed from scratch, it’s rare for that to actually be the case. For this mews house in Belgravia, it really was in need of re-wiring and re-plumbing, with the space needing to be fully re-configured to allow for a downstairs cloakroom and new kitchen.
The two-bedroom house sits on one of London’s quietest mews, despite being in the middle of Belgravia and therefore very well-placed. The clients would be using the house on brief trips to London but the property was also to be let for several months at a time. The design brief for Celine Jumaili focused on a modernised version of traditional English style, in order to appeal to European tastes as well to renters further afield.
The entrance level sitting room is the beating heart of the house, with plenty of seating and a small dining banquette. One of the main selling points of this house is the original fireplace that was retained and re-finished as a bioethanol fire installed in a vintage fire basket.
The room is made up of soft neutrals and warming green accents. The fabrics are a real mix of textures so that the room can wear its many hats; Guy Goodfellow weave on the chairs and Colefax & Fowler velvet on the sofa. The dining banquette is like a mini room of its own and is perfectly in keeping with the multi-functionality of the house. The banquette itself is upholstered in a fabulous flamestitch design by Colefax & Fowler whilst the chairs are a bright Fermoie fabric.
Lighting in a house that will be used by a mix of people is essential to get right, so the lighting in the sitting room is a mix of Hector Finch, Besselink & Jones and Richard Taylor covering the functional, the modern and the decorative.
A large lockable storage unit allows for the client’s possessions to be stored away whilst also adding some colour to the room, perfectly tied in with the green sofa, cushions and decorative accessories.
Despite this sitting room needing to appeal to all sorts of guests; there are two lovely touches from the designer. One is the antique chiffonier from an independent dealer in Norfolk which could not have been a more perfect fit for the space. The other is the artwork, which was painstakingly sourced from a couple of London galleries and specialist dealers. Even a rented house needs to feel like a home. The clients are big racing fans and so the art and downstairs cloakroom wallpaper is a nod to this part of their lives without being too obvious.
The install logistics of this project had to be considered from the very beginning and incorporated into everything. The stairs are narrow (as is the case in many a mews house) so fitted furniture had to either be made on site and anything else needed to come through the windows. Custom split-bed bases solved any mattress problems but every piece of the puzzle had to be meticulously scheduled for the project to be completed on time and on budget.
The property is located off one of London’s prettiest streets with no end to the restaurant offerings but the house still needed to incorporate a fully fitted kitchen. It’s compact and suitable for city living rather than for six-course dinners but has a built-in dishwasher and all the mod-cons the clients or a tenant could require. Every single inch had to be carefully thought through and the result is a sleek design with space for preparation amongst modern amenities.
The whole house over, jib doors are a brilliant space saver allowing doors to blend seamlessly into walls which gives the house a feel of seamless living.
Upstairs, the Master Bedroom is finished in soft pale blues and luxurious fabrics from Penny Morrison, Lewis & Wood and Colefax & Fowler. One wall was turned into floor-to-ceiling custom joinery with inset grass cloth panels…again making storage work within the room and adding touches of modern design that still works with the traditional English aesthetic. The Georgian chest of drawers and pictures were all sourced at auction.
Every second home, city apartment or rented house needs an excellent bathroom. The house has a very contemporary walk-in shower made of Crema Marfil stone, a Spanish marble known for its soft colour. There is a double basin unit with ample storage as well as mirrored cabinets and fluted wall lights either side of the sink. Every single centimetre had to be accounted for in this bathroom and the aim was to create something that felt luxurious, almost hotel-like as well as being homely.
The second bedroom has zip and link beds so it can happily work as two singles for children (including the client’s grandchildren) or as a double with a single bedside table when required.
It would be very easy for this bedroom to look cramped or cold but this was avoided with a clever use of colour and space. The headboards and decorative pillows are Seaweed Lattice by Soane with a green grasspaper by Stereo Interiors mixed with a textured paper from Colefax & Fowler on the remaining wall. The bed valance and braiding is by Claremont alongside Samuel & Sons. The rug is Penny Morrison and the bedside drawer (which has an amazing amount of storage for something so small) is by Chelsea textiles. The whole room is a cosy and colourful space, however it is arranged.
It's not always easy to have such a prescriptive space but every single square inch of this house has been considered. The result is a perfectly compact do-it-all house that is modern and well-organised whilst also being homely and comfortable. Whether for the clients or for temporary renters, it’s a lovely little escape in the heart of busy London.
About Celine Jumaili
Renowned for timeless, client focused spaces Celine Jumaili balances refinement with comfort and functionality. With over 20 years of experience across leading international studios, the firm brings extensive expertise in historic restoration and modern eclectic design. The studio combines architectural sensitivity with intuitive space planning, curating materials, art, and antiques to create interiors that feel natural and enduring. Committed to delivering a joyful design journey from concept to completion, the practice is recognized for rigorous project management and a philosophy of timelessness over trend.
Ledbury Studio, the luxury design studio founded by Charlie Smallbone, is excited to unveil its latest stunning kitchen, created for a family home in the heart of the Kent countryside. The Sevenoaks kitchen is the final chapter in a complete house renovation that has taken its owners 10 years to fulfil.
The result is a kitchen entirely worth the wait, in which rich materials and artisanal touches combine to deliver something that is truly one of a kind. It delights both on first sight and on closer inspection into the thoughtful design touches Charlie and the team have included. Here, he explains how it was all achieved.
Our clients had owned the house for 10 years, slowly renovating and making it their own. After contemplating the plan for kitchen all that time, they had a really clear idea of what they wanted – which is where we came in. The brief was for a contemporary kitchen that had exciting, individual touches. In short, they wanted something that didn’t look like anything they’d seen before. That’s exactly the kind of challenge we like at Ledbury Studio!
The kitchen is part of a large open-plan space that flows into a beautiful glass orangery, which serves as both dining and living room. With views over the surrounding countryside, the rooms are flooded with natural light. As such, I created a deliberate contrast by choosing dark stained oak as the primary material for the cabinetry. This is then complemented by aged brass accents and our signature Verdigris copper panels.
The tall floor-to-ceiling cabinetry along the back wall incorporates the fridge-freezer, plus both pantry and breakfast cupboards. With the addition of six panels of aged Verdigris copper, it becomes a striking feature wall and a focal point in its own right. Other details include liquid metal trims on the copper-fronted cabinets, as well as on the glazed cabinets, which are fluted for another point of interest.
There are a number of Ledbury Studio signature finishes crafted in our workshops by hand, ensuring they are unique to each project. As well as the aged metallic panels and accents, we include painted fluted wall cabinetry for a tactile touch. In addition, the crockery and drinks cupboards have our Choppy Water finish, hand-carved oak that adds even more texture. The latter piece also has a bi-fold door, so looks just as beautiful whether open or closed.
This is a family home, so the kitchen was always destined to be its focal point. As such, the large island was an essential feature. It is a working space but also a natural gathering point, whether for drinks with friends or cosy family dinners at the breakfast bar. I chose Monte Cristo Oro Quartzite for the worktops, which gives the luxurious veining of a natural stone in a hard-wearing surface that will retain its good looks. The waterfall sides on the island deliver real wow factor, creating a magnificent centrepiece in this sleek, stylish and one-of-a-kind kitchen.
Prices for a Ledbury Studio kitchen start from £70,000.
About Ledbury Studio Ltd
Ledbury Studio is a new and exciting design studio, showcasing Charlie Smallbone’s latest kitchen designs. Small and personal, Ledbury Studio has been established to explore and develop the interface between kitchens to cook and work in, and kitchens to live in. The company offers something very different in the world of kitchen design, something not found elsewhere. Combining exquisite materials and artisan craftsmanship, the new kitchen collections are striking and innovative and the culmination of Charlie Smallbone’s history at the forefront of cutting edge kitchen design.
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