The project is a haven for a young couple of art collectors and their two children to relax, coexist in harmony with their collection of works of art and design, and feel at home
– right in the centre of London.
This was the brief Brazilian architect Fernanda Marques was given by the owners of this property, located at the end of a tranquil square in cosmopolitan London’s Belgravia.
“I retrofitted the triplex penthouse. My clients wanted ideal conditions for displaying their extensive art and furniture collection. My greatest challenge was to find the balance between the collection of works of art, prominently sculptural furniture and the everyday of a home”, explains Fernanda.
More than any other project, this one required from the architect a thorough study of the materials and colours used in the interiors so as to ensure there would be enough wall surfaces as well as bright and open spaces.
Differently from the property’s original layout – with strong divisions between private and common areas – the interior was redesigned as large interconnected spaces, limiting doors to the indispensible ones.
On the first floor are two suites, including the master bedroom – and soundproofing was enhanced. On the middle floor are the media room, the children’s suite and a guest suite. On the top floor are the kitchen, dining and living rooms.
As the couple are art collectors – and own, among others, works by Adriana Varejão and Zhang Huan- the lighting for the apartment received much attention.
Daylight, in turn, filtered by the windows that overlook the square, helps create a continuous, practically uninterrupted flow of spaces, where the owners’ vigorous art collection creates, at the same time, a unique and private atmosphere.
Main suppliers:
Boffi (cabinetry / kitchen and bathrooms)
Dornbracht (fittings and accessories)
Carpenters Workshop Gallery
Gallery Libby Sellers
David Gill Galleries
Mint Shop
Adrian Sassoon
Tai Ping Rugs
Flexform
Minotti
B&B Italia
Agape Casa
Main furniture items,
by room:
Living
Acqua coffee table by Zaha Hadid (David Gill Galleries), Tripartite floorlamp by Charles Trevelyan (Carpenters), Silver Crush side table by Fredrikson Stallard, S.M.O.K.E table lamp by Mathieu Lehanneur (Carpenters), the amazing Bone Chaise by Joris Laarman (Carpenters), Mattia Bonetti’s Ball Armchairs (David Gill), black side table – Chewing Gum by Mattia Bonetti (David Gill), Ephemera rug (Tai Ping), marble table (Agape Casa), leather chairs (Flexform), Rain coffee table (MintShop), Happy Pills by Fabio Novembre (Williams and Sons), Vase sculptures (Adrian Sassoon), table sculptures by Zaha Hadid and Minotti sofas.
Dining room
Basoli Campanas
(David Gill)
Achille dining chairs
(MDF Italia)
Sushi Campana chairs
(David Gill)
Staircase
Growth Chair
by Mathias Bengtsson
(Marie Wettergren)
Copper mirror
by Hunting and Narud
(Libby Sellers)
Guest bathroom
Mirror
by Barnaby Barford
(David Gill Galleries)
Media room
Sofa by B&B Italia
McQueen Skull cushion for Edelman Leather
Blue Planet print by Marc Quinn
(Saatchi Gallery)
Andy Mouse I – Andy Warhol & Keith Haring (owners’ collection)
Boys’ Suite
Methamorphis Rug
(Christian Fischbacher)
Stools by Anton Alvarez
(Libby Sellers Gallery)
Master Suite
Febo Maxaalto armchair
Azucena light
Poeme Tai Ping rug
Side tables by Stella Ceccotti
Clay Maarten Baas bedside table
Bed (Sofa and Chair)
