A Designer’s Dramatic London Apartment in a Georgian Town House (2024)

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Interior designer Shanade writes: “My husband and I bought this one bedroom apartment in leafy West London from our local authority. It was in a very sorry state and hadn’t been updated for many years but the magnificent Georgian sash windows and beautiful high ceilings won me over immediately and I knew I had to have it.”

“Our style is eclectic and not too serious; we bring this into our home through bold colours, big prints and lots of details. We wanted each room to have a strong identity but also work harmoniously as one space. The master bedroom is one of my favorite rooms, the inky blue walls are so tranquil and calm, making it easy to relax and get a great night sleep. One of my favorite things about this room is the large bee print roman blind, its bold, fun and a real statement piece that works perfectly with the shutters that we sanded back and distressed. The entrance hallway is always a talking point, the large monochrome print wallpaper packs a punch and the artwork works just perfectly to inject a pop of colour.

The bathroom is quite small with limited light so here we used lots of mirrors and glass to create a feeling of space and openness. I love the halo effect on the back-lit mirror over the bespoke vanity unit; it’s so soft and warming. We also installed a great geometric tiled floor, which is a lot of fun.

For the living kitchen room we wanted to create an open relaxed space with lots of different textures and colours. The bespoke kitchen made of ply is a complete work of art; the brief was to create a practical functioning kitchen but one that didn’t look like your average kitchen — it needed to have the appearance of a piece of furniture so it would sit more comfortably in its surrounds.”

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Eclectic, Bold with a Sprinkling of Luxury.

Biggest Challenge: Proportions. What the apartment lacks in square footage it makes up for in ceiling height with some rooms being over five meters tall. This was a challenge when furnishing and decorating; standard furniture just appeared dwarfed by the room, therefore lots of the pieces sourced are oversized and exaggerated.

What Friends Say: When can I move in!

Proudest DIY: The stripped back window shutters in the master bedroom turned out so well and worked perfectly with the moody blue wall colour. The outdoor terrace also looks great, the lavender and rosemary planters turned out a treat and on a warm summers evening the smell is amazing. I used the lavender as inspiration to add a pop of colour to the outdoor cushions by piping them with a strong purple.

Biggest Indulgence: Our bespoke kitchen was a big spend, but it was well worth it. Mixing materials such as plywood and walnut worked brilliantly. The beautiful detailing on the cupboard fronts give it an edge and makes it more than just your standard kitchen. It’s truly a piece of art.

Best Advice: Be brave and don’t be afraid to use dark colours and big patterns.

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