Macleane House

This one-bedroom new-build in South London was a masterclass in giving a blank canvas a hundred years of soul. The client, a first-time buyer, came to us with a few cherished antique pieces inherited from a loved one and a vision: contemporary glamour with genuine vintage character. The brief was to take a standard new-build layout and transform it into something that felt collected, layered, and unmistakably personal.

The heart of the project was upcycling. We sourced vintage cupboards, consoles, and side tables, then hand-refinished each piece in a bespoke colour palette to sit perfectly within the modern frame. Two statement cabinets flank the living room: one hand-painted with gold cranes and florals, the other lacquered black with intricate botanical motifs. A deep navy velvet sofa anchors the space, while teal jungle-print curtains with gold rope tassels frame the windows. The brass coffee table displays a curated collection of art books and sculptural accessories.

The dining area plays off the same palette. Mustard velvet chairs around a glass-topped gold table, with the console dressed with a gold stag candelabra. It's a space designed for long evenings with friends, where every detail invites conversation.

In the bedroom, we went for drama with restraint. An emerald velvet channel-tufted bed dressed in chartreuse with gold tassel fringe. Bespoke wardrobes painted in deep forest green with jungle-print fabric panels. Flamingo lamps with botanical shades on either side. It's theatrical without being overwhelming, a room that feels like a boutique hotel but is unmistakably personal.

The hallway sets the tone from the moment you walk in, with an antique display cabinet, another carefully upcycled heirloom, complemented by brass sconces and curated art. Even the bathroom received the full treatment: herringbone floor tiles, vertical metro tiles, and considered accessories that elevate a functional space into something special.