This apartment is like a beautiful symphony – balancing style notes that include the modern, the classic, the elegant and the laid-back
LIVING ROOM
‘We chose a very neutral backdrop to avoid detracting from the fabulous original features,’ says designer Irene of the light-washed scheme, where colour is introduced through easy-to-switch-up art and accessories.
ENTRANCE HALL
‘The organic feel created by the curvaceous table, bench and mirror offers a striking contrast to the geometrical wall panelling and makes the space more inviting,’ says Irene.
Fitzrovia, in central London, often feels like a law unto itself. The area is surrounded by bustling roads – Oxford Street among them – but, as you step away from the crowds towards leafy Fitzroy Square, the vibe becomes calm and dignified. There’s a sense that this is a genuine urban village, hidden away in the heart of the city. This is what made it the perfect spot for this family to snap up a pied-à-terre for their visits to the capital.
Set within a grand mansion building, the space was full of elaborate period detailing but, other than that, the apartment was a little bland when interior designer Irene Gunter came on board with a brief to freshen it up. ‘The apartment was in good condition because it had been fully refurbished by a developer, but it had very little personality – so that’s where we came in and added a bit of flair,’ she explains.
The plan was to enhance the natural light, using whites and soft colours. ‘We tried to pitch the colours right for the British weather, so on a murky day it feels cosy and enveloping, while on a lovely summer’s day these neutrals really come to life,’ says Irene. She used one of her go-to whites throughout the space: Slate I by Paint & Paper Library. ‘It gives a freshness, but it’s relaxed, warm and very comfortable,’ she says. Punctuating all the white, Irene has used darker decorative elements, in particular bronze finishes. ‘It’s a very clean, architectural colour that doesn’t have the more obvious opulence of brass,’ she says.
Playing off the strong lines of the period features and the square proportions of the rooms, Irene has introduced curving, minimaluxe forms throughout. ‘The rooms here could have looked harsh so I wanted to break that up. I always advise our design team that if there’s a space that feels un
