‘The ideal Thameside apartment should have unobstructed views, an excellent concierge service and a decent-sized terrace,’ says the homeowner who, when searching for a new home, found all of this in London's Battersea.
- See some of the world's best homes – beautiful properties from around the globe
The property
The situation is made better still by the fact that the building, designed by architect Richard Rogers, is not densely packed with apartments, meaning the rooms offer plenty of space to breathe and allow for a free hand with decorating, which was done for the homeowner by interior designer Jane Churchill.
‘I have often joked that many of the London homes I viewed that fell within my price range, in the areas I prefer, were like ladders with rooms coming off at each rung. I felt as if I would be missing out on a lot of house, while with an apartment on one floor, you really do feel as if you're using all the space, all of the time. This place offers the whole package - the concierge staff are wonderful - so that for me, it's like having a taste of America in London,’ muses the homeowner.
See: our spaces section for more inspiring featured homes
Entrance hall
The mirrored wall adds a note of glamour and enhances this light-filled space, while an earthy-hued artwork helps to anchor the scheme and provides a warmer detail.
Living area
A simple palette of pale greys and soft blues, inspired by the changing colors of the river, blends the seating area with the rest of the room.
Dining area
‘I thought that these tall candlesticks were masculine enough for the apartment,’ says Jane Churchill.
Kitchen
Jane lined the vertical edge of the newly opened up wall with the mirror glass to help blur the boundary between the kitchen and dining area. ‘It also emphasis the lovely effect made by the uprights in the floor in the evenings,’ she says.
Dressing room
The elegant, tailored look of the bedroom is continued in this spare, with built-in cupboards on all three walls, the door panels of which are lined with striped fabric.
Guest bedroom
In this comfortable and inviting scheme, ornamentation has been kept to a minimum so guests feel that it is their spare during their stay.
Bathroom
The combination of strikingly veined marble, wood-effect parquet pattern floor tiles and a vanity unit made to suit Stefan's height fulfil the brief for hotel-style luxury.
Main bedroom
The set of photographs above the bed records the construction of the Eiffel Tower over a period of two years, two months and five days. There was debate about which carpet to have in this room, with Jane persuading the homeowner to opt for a gentle stripe for added interest, despite his preference for plain. ‘She was right, of course,’ he concedes.
Photography/ Davide Lovatti
-
The only 5 dishwasher cycles you should be using daily to save time and moneyPlus, what the other 8 dishwasher cycles actually do, and when to use them
-
What could be more refreshing on a warm summer's day than this beautiful fruit and herb cooler?Switch out sweet sodas and offer a soft drink that's more interesting than water – this fruity cooler looks pretty yet is deceptively simple to make
-
This jewel box Manhattan apartment is a collage of patterns inspired by antique fabricsThe Manhattan pied-à-terre of textile collector Jill Lasersohn has been transformed with the skillful use of standout fabrics and papers from her collaboration with Schumacher
-
How do you update a heritage NYC apartment without losing the charming original details? Designer Joshua Smith knowsTransitional style was key to ensure this period home maintained its character but was still suited to modern life, here designer Joshua Smith talks us through the project
-
This small London apartment is a jewel box of color and pattern, filled with unexpected design momentsThe London pied-à-terre of a French collector, this apartment is filled with the kind of design that delights the eye
-
10 transitional design lessons we learned from this luxurious penthouse that blends antiques with contemporary decorThis elegant city apartment design started with the antiques and artwork, before adding luxe textiles and wallcoverings
-
Designer Shawn Henderson used wall murals, soothing chalky shades and vintage pieces to fill this newly developed apartment with characterThis timeless apartment in a Roman and Williams-designed building has been enhanced by the unique eclectic tastes of Shawn Henderson
-
This whimsical Manhattan apartment perfectly reflects the free spirit of its artist ownerA house that truly reflects its owner is always a joy to tour, and this one feels as creative and interesting as the artist who lives here
-
10 lessons on how to balance work and life in your interiors from a chic apartment that doubles as an officeMixing business with pleasure – how this New Orleans pied-à-terre became a multi-functional space with style
-
This New York apartment embraces a mix of modern and elegant style into a tiny square footageDesigner-artist Adam Charlap Hyman is someone with boundless imagination and his NY apartment is a playground for his creativity
