Maida Vale House

A first-time buyer in a classic 1940s ground-floor flat in Maida Vale came to me wanting something that felt fresh but deeply personal. The brief was clear: honour the flat's period character while creating something bold and contemporary — a sanctuary, not a showroom. I built the entire scheme around what I call "upcycled excellence." Rather than replacing the client's high-quality older furniture, I had each piece hand-refinished with bespoke colour palettes so they sat perfectly within the new design.

In the bedroom, custom wardrobes finished in deep charcoal became the focal point, their doors lined with striking orange panels featuring a botanical and animal motif — cranes, monkeys, tigers. The bed is dressed in an elegant light grey and gold geometric cover with champagne-toned pillows and gold tassel fringe. A large gold-framed geometric mirror catches the light, and a vintage-style gold lamp with a pleated silk shade gives the room a warm, boutique-hotel glow.

The living area shifts to a more serene palette. A pair of vintage shield-back chairs, hand-painted in deep teal-green, have been reupholstered with rich jungle-print fabric featuring toucans and lush greenery. Behind them, deep emerald wallpaper with a delicate gold fan pattern creates a seamless backdrop for curated brass accessories. A matching chest of drawers — also hand-finished with the orange botanical motif — ties both rooms together.

Every piece in this flat tells the same story: bold colour, artisanal texture, and the kind of drama that makes you feel something the moment you walk in. Nothing was discarded. Everything was elevated.