Houzz Tour: A Bright Riverside Apartment in London
With its sleek, chic styling and fine attention to detail, this London flat does warm contemporary beautifully
Architect Malcolm Crayton of Form Studio and interior designer Elizabeth Bowman turned this three-level penthouse apartment on the River Thames into a luxurious, inviting home. They were asked to fill the space with sumptuous, contemporary features, as well as furniture and fabrics that would complement the property’s modern architecture. In addition, Crayton designed a central glass staircase to fill the space with light and stylishly link the floors. “The couple wanted a very smart, modern, urban interior — the antithesis of their country home, which is filled with antiques and pattern,” Bowman says.
A neutral palette provides the backdrop to the flat, which is brightened up with touches of color, principally orange. “I went through hundreds of images with the homeowners to get an idea of their style, and that helped us to settle on the color,” Bowman says.
Drapery fabric: Zimmer + Rohde; table: Camerich; orange chairs: Made.com
Why Should I Use an Interior Designer?
Drapery fabric: Zimmer + Rohde; table: Camerich; orange chairs: Made.com
Why Should I Use an Interior Designer?
The owners opted for a large dining table so they could comfortably entertain their grownup children and their partners when they visit. The wooden Wishbone chairs, designed by Hans Wegner, add a rustic, vintage touch and complement the wooden pendant lights.
Dining table, Secto pendants: Coexistence
Dining table, Secto pendants: Coexistence
The kitchen was designed by Crayton. The hard-wearing, practical design features sprayed white acrylic door finishes and robust Hi-Macs acrylic counters.
Polished aluminium stools add a casual, industrial feel to the island eating area, contrasting with the more formal dining space.
Stools: Aram
Polished aluminium stools add a casual, industrial feel to the island eating area, contrasting with the more formal dining space.
Stools: Aram
The master bedroom, on the second floor, has an elegant, retro feel. A wood-effect casing covers the wall behind the bed. The chest of drawers is vintage.
A clever mix of lighting works for different times: overhead spotlights for daytime, bedside lamps that throw a warm glow over the room as night falls, and targeted side lights for reading.
Bedside table: Chelsea Textiles; table lamps: The White Company; faux fur throw: Elizabeth Bowman
A clever mix of lighting works for different times: overhead spotlights for daytime, bedside lamps that throw a warm glow over the room as night falls, and targeted side lights for reading.
Bedside table: Chelsea Textiles; table lamps: The White Company; faux fur throw: Elizabeth Bowman
“There’s a real mix of [main street and custom] buys in this project,” says Bowman, who likes to combine furnishings from several outlets.
Bed linens: The White Company
Bed linens: The White Company
A calmer, more muted palette was used in the guest bedroom, which also features a wall with a wood-effect casing.
The sleek closets were designed by Crayton as part of the build, and Bowman designed the hotel-style upholstered bed.
Wallpaper: Elitis; bed linens: The White Company; Tolomeo lamps: Coexistence
The sleek closets were designed by Crayton as part of the build, and Bowman designed the hotel-style upholstered bed.
Wallpaper: Elitis; bed linens: The White Company; Tolomeo lamps: Coexistence
Low-energy LED lighting installed throughout the property is designed to highlight specific features, such as this niche behind the luxurious oval bath. In keeping with the overall contemporary feel, the bathroom floor is covered with concrete-style porcelain tiles.
Floor tiles: Grestone collection at Grestec
Floor tiles: Grestone collection at Grestec
The third floor features an additional living room with a wet bar that opens onto a roof terrace with great views of London. There’s also a second bathroom up here, so the floor can be used as a guest bedroom when needed.
Sofa, marble coffee table: Camerich
Sofa, marble coffee table: Camerich
The stairwell is quite compact, so Crayton designed a glass staircase to bring more light into the area and make it feel more spacious.
“A typical triplex apartment would usually be designed around a signature staircase,” Crayton says. “In this case, there was a relatively small opening between the entry and middle floors, and this led to the design of the glass staircase, which maximizes the opportunity to create a sense of light and openness in what is actually quite a compact, double-height entrance hall.“
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“A typical triplex apartment would usually be designed around a signature staircase,” Crayton says. “In this case, there was a relatively small opening between the entry and middle floors, and this led to the design of the glass staircase, which maximizes the opportunity to create a sense of light and openness in what is actually quite a compact, double-height entrance hall.“
Browse more homes by style: Small Homes | Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes | Homes Around the World
Who lives here: A couple who divide their time between this property and their home in the country
Location: Bankside district of London
Size: Two bedrooms, three bathrooms
Designers: Elizabeth Bowman and architect Malcolm Crayton of Form Studio
The first floor of the apartment is given over to the kitchen-dining area and the main living space. Architect Malcolm Crayton of Form Studio encased the far wall in walnut, which adds warmth to the neutral scheme, and designed a feature fireplace and sliding panels to conceal the TV when it’s not in use. “The owners were keen that the TV shouldn’t be prominent,” designer Elizabeth Bowman says.
Sofas, chairs, coffee table, occasional tables: Camerich