Houzz Tour: Teal and Orange Accents Warm Up a London Apartment
Bold colors, rich fabrics and metallics breathe life and personality into this 2-bedroom new build
Lara Sargent
November 13, 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
New-build city apartments are often functional and efficient, but they can be devoid of personality. That was the problem the owner of this compact London apartment faced when he bought it, so he called on interior designer Caroline Milns of Zulufish to pep up the space. “The owner wanted a warm, nurturing abode where he would feel cozy and at home after a hard day’s work,” Milns says. He sought a cool pad where he could entertain his friends and also one that a future partner could share.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single professional man
Location: Chiswick, west London
Size: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Caroline Milns of Zulufish
When Milns got the job of redesigning a lackluster city apartment, she was confident she could transform the modern, functional space into a home for relaxing and entertaining.
“It looked like a white box, and we needed to create a cool bachelor pad that oozed laid-back, industrial chic with a polished edge,” Milns says. “We clad all the walls in textural vinyl wallcoverings, and created a luxurious dark palette with accents of burnt orange and teal.”
The open-plan living and kitchen space is 860 square feet (80 square meters). It’s contemporary yet cozy, with a mix of deep, low-slung chenille seating, industrial lighting and bold accessories.
Wallcovering: Élitis; artworks: Bold & Noble
Who lives here: A single professional man
Location: Chiswick, west London
Size: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Caroline Milns of Zulufish
When Milns got the job of redesigning a lackluster city apartment, she was confident she could transform the modern, functional space into a home for relaxing and entertaining.
“It looked like a white box, and we needed to create a cool bachelor pad that oozed laid-back, industrial chic with a polished edge,” Milns says. “We clad all the walls in textural vinyl wallcoverings, and created a luxurious dark palette with accents of burnt orange and teal.”
The open-plan living and kitchen space is 860 square feet (80 square meters). It’s contemporary yet cozy, with a mix of deep, low-slung chenille seating, industrial lighting and bold accessories.
Wallcovering: Élitis; artworks: Bold & Noble
The windows are dressed simply with sheer fabric and, since the apartment isn’t overlooked by other buildings, it offers adequate privacy.
“The industrial brass lighting and copper accessories add a metallic glow, while the low-slung sofas complete the feeling of laid-back living,” the designer says. “The orange accents were governed by the rich engineered oak floor, installed by the developer.”
Casa medium deep sofa and Era coffee table in leather and iron: Camerich; light fixture: Buster + Punch; rug: Modern Rugs; sheer curtain fabric: Designers Guild
“The industrial brass lighting and copper accessories add a metallic glow, while the low-slung sofas complete the feeling of laid-back living,” the designer says. “The orange accents were governed by the rich engineered oak floor, installed by the developer.”
Casa medium deep sofa and Era coffee table in leather and iron: Camerich; light fixture: Buster + Punch; rug: Modern Rugs; sheer curtain fabric: Designers Guild
Big sliding doors lead from the living space to a private balcony. “It’s flanked by floor-to-ceiling bamboo, and furnished with sleek outdoor furniture and oversized lanterns,” Milns says.
Furniture: Made; bamboo plants: Capital Gardens
Furniture: Made; bamboo plants: Capital Gardens
A low sideboard is topped with metallic and orange accessories to tie in with the color scheme.
Sideboard: Mobilfresno
Sideboard: Mobilfresno
The lounge chair becomes a statement piece upholstered in orange cotton chenille.
Flora chair: Camerich; Chicago floor lamp: Made
Flora chair: Camerich; Chicago floor lamp: Made
The compact kitchen, installed by the developers, opens to the main living space.
Minimal, bare-bulb lighting and a retro-industrial dining table (in iron and black lacquer) with black leather chairs contrast with the glossy white door fronts.
Dining table: MD House; industrial leather dining chairs: Rockett St George
Minimal, bare-bulb lighting and a retro-industrial dining table (in iron and black lacquer) with black leather chairs contrast with the glossy white door fronts.
Dining table: MD House; industrial leather dining chairs: Rockett St George
The warm, luxurious mood continues in the hallway, where a crocodile skin-effect wallcovering and low lighting create a clubby ambience.
Wallcovering: Élitis; console table and mirror: RV Astley; wall lamps: Buster + Punch
Wallcovering: Élitis; console table and mirror: RV Astley; wall lamps: Buster + Punch
A textured teal wallcovering, rich velvet curtains and opulent metallics create a boutique-hotel look in the master bedroom.
“We chose the color palette together,” Milns says. “Again, we went for a low-slung Italian look with a dark and cocooning feel.”
Wallcovering: Élitis; bed: MD House; bedding: French Connection; bedside lamp: Habitat; Luna (Oyster) pendant light: Copper & Silk; curtains, Designers Guild
“We chose the color palette together,” Milns says. “Again, we went for a low-slung Italian look with a dark and cocooning feel.”
Wallcovering: Élitis; bed: MD House; bedding: French Connection; bedside lamp: Habitat; Luna (Oyster) pendant light: Copper & Silk; curtains, Designers Guild
Hexagonal mirrors shine against the linen-effect vinyl wallcovering.
Mirrors: MD House
Mirrors: MD House
Zulufish designed and made the woodwork throughout the apartment, including the master bedroom’s built-in closets, clad in faux-wood melamine.
“All the paint colors were chosen around the variety of wallcoverings throughout the flat,” the designer says. “Also, all the doors were spray-painted so the interiors flowed into one another, and all the electrical sockets were changed for smart satin chrome ones.”
“All the paint colors were chosen around the variety of wallcoverings throughout the flat,” the designer says. “Also, all the doors were spray-painted so the interiors flowed into one another, and all the electrical sockets were changed for smart satin chrome ones.”
The guest bedroom is a serene space in gold and neutral tones.
“It needed to be simple and nongender-specific,” says the designer. “It’s easy and relaxing for any guest.”
Bedding: Zara Home
“It needed to be simple and nongender-specific,” says the designer. “It’s easy and relaxing for any guest.”
Bedding: Zara Home
A backdrop of textured wallpaper adds depth to the guest room.
Wallcovering: Élitis; lamp: Made
Wallcovering: Élitis; lamp: Made
The neat, pared-back bathroom is lined with porcelain tile.
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I love this pad, it's so visually rich and atmospheric. Very clever attention to detail.
Where can I get the hexagonal mirrors from?