If thereโs one thing we consistently associate with retirement, itโs freedom. The liberty to travel the world, live life at your own pace and lounge idly at home are all luxuries for those who have earned it.
In the case of the owners of a Victorian-style abode in London, a married couple in their retirement years, part of that pleasure included the leisurely renovation of their dream property โ an imposing yet thoroughly inviting home located within a conservation area in Chelsea.ย
The exterior of the home
โAfter our initial meetings, we discovered their love of the art deco era and decided to adopt that direction for the interiors,โ says Mike Fisher, co-founder and creative director of Studio Indigo, the London-based design firm tasked with the project led by interior designer and architect Gemma McCloskey.ย โOnce an understanding of how the owners lived was established, and we learned what was important to each of them and to them as a family, the design direction became almost intuitive.โ
The living spaces are peppered with one-of-a-kind creations including a CC-Tapis round rug in bespoke colourway, a Studio Indigo curved bench and sofa upholstered in Dedar fabric
Mike and Gemma reconfigured the layout of the home to maximise the space and make the most of the natural light, gutting the interior completely. Outside, the traditional facade was restored to its full splendour. โBecause the house is listed and sits within a conservation area, we were very limited as to what we could change,โ he notes.
Ample areas for leisure and entertainment were built into the home, including a 17-metre-long swimming pool and gaming room complete with a moveable pool and table tennis table
The walls imagery is inspired by the RMS Queen Mary ocean liner
Among the ownersโ specific requirements were areas for leisure and entertainment, including a basement level that houses a 17-metre-long swimming pool โ the exact length of the pool the owners were accustomed to at their country club. With the ownersโ fondness of the RMS Queen Mary also in mind, Studio Indigo referenced a variety of imagery from the ocean liner. The gaming room is equipped with a moveable pool and table tennis table, providing an additional area for entertaining that is flexible for the familyโs various activities.
A cantilevered stone staircase is the unequivocal centrepiece of the lair, connecting all five storeys while serving as a compelling visual anchor.
Spanning five storeys, the house required a concealed passenger lift that would allow the owners and their guests to move conveniently between each floor. โThis enables an easy transfer between levels, especially as the owners grow older,โ says Mike. โThey see this house as their forever home.โ
An amalgam of colours, patterns and bespoke elements fill the home, including a fireplace hand-carved in Italian marble and a pair of red lacquered bedside table lamps from the Antique and Artisan Gallery in New York
Keen to avoid the potentially clichรฉd โold cinema lookโ that some art deco spaces tend to possess, the designers conjured a similar feel from a contemporary perspective.ย
The dining table is by Kelly Wearstler
Each room explores a different art deco style presented in furnishings that stand alone as art
Among the first accessories sourced for the home were a pair of vintage Murano palm tree floor lamps โ just one of the deliberate decor choices that set the tone for each space, such as in the master bedroom, which features high-gloss black timber marquetry panels that mimic the bespoke de Gournay wallpaper covering the walls.ย
Different de Gournay wallcoverings were employed in each bedroom
In this bedroom, Oriental-inspired touches add flair
While utilising different stones, marbles and de Gournay wallcoverings, the areas are bordered by black marble joinery โto create a cohesiveness,โ explains Mike. โEach room explores a different art deco style in a unique and bold way. The owners allowed us to push the creative boundaries of our architects and designers, resulting in a home full of character and style.โ
Photography by Julian Abrams
See also: A Charming Home That Brims with Energy and Warmth
A version of this article appears in our April 2019 issue.ย
