Spanning the top three floors of a red-brick Victorian mansion block, this calming and considered apartment puts vibrant Chelsea right on your doorstep. Step inside, however, and a sense of escapism takes hold. Embracing the essence of Scandinavian and Japanese minimalism, interior designer Verity Woolf has created a space to switch off. Architectural interventions by Maro Kallimani (formerly of Foster + Partners) and Hogarth Architects have accentuated this feeling of ease and openness further, reviving the home’s period framework with modern functionality.
Arranged over the entire first floor, the double aspect kitchen, dining and reception room is infused with natural light via floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a balcony. Comfort is a defining feature of the room; from the deep Edra sofa to the banquet seating installed either side of the working fireplace, there are ample invitations to relax. Artwork by Friedrich Kunath provides a hint of playfulness – and a conversation starter for meals hosted around the custom-made dining table, which extends seamlessly from the kitchen island, tying the sociable spaces together. Crisp Corian surfaces, a Gaggenau digital induction cooker and Miele appliances take care of the practicalities.
Threading all three levels together, the apartment’s floating wooden staircase is grand yet effortless, its architectural beauty highlighted by subtle Hue lighting. An understated aesthetic is also at play in the principal bedroom suite on the second floor, where an open en suite bathroom lends a spa-like quality. Screened by a partition wall, a Corian bathtub, walk-in shower and double cantilevered sink imbue the everyday with a touch of luxury. Elsewhere, a dressing area lined with built-in wardrobes ensures a clutter-free space conducive to relaxation.
Above, a streamlined guest bedroom suite is joined by a second reception room where a fireplace and dark wooden accents keep the mood cosy. Adding to the atmosphere, a plush purple sofa, flat screen LG OLED TV and a well-stocked bar ensure kicking back is on the cards. Turn up the Sonos sound system and tune out. A dumb waiter connects this floor with the kitchen, should you wish to send up more refreshments.
The pièce de resistance, however, is the roof terrace. Complete with an outdoor living and dining area, plus a lawn, barbecue and Teuco hot tub, it’s tailor-made for entertaining, with panoramic views of the surrounding neighbourhood to boot.