In London’s historic Old War Office in Whitehall, now reborn as The OWO Residences by Raffles, interior design studio Angel O’Donnell has crafted a 2,953-square-foot masterpiece for Florida-based entrepreneurs and collectors Trevor and Gary Burgess and their daughter, Logan.
For the Burgess family, whose homes span continents, this London residence needed to reflect both their passion for art and their love of design. They found kindred spirits in designers Richard Angel and Ed O’Donnell, renowned for creating interiors that balance architectural precision with emotional resonance.
“Whenever we’re asked to design an apartment inside The OWO Residences, we leap at the chance,” says Angel, co-founder and CEO of Angel O’Donnell.
The Grade II-listed home unfolds as a journey through elegance and emotion. The entrance hall sets the stage with shimmering églomisé wall panels that bounce light across embossed glass pendants.
Overhead, a kinetic mobile by Majorcan artist Ñaco Fabré adds poetic movement. Anchoring the space is a bronze-based marble table by Tom Faulkner, accompanied by a cobalt ceramic lamp from New York – a blend of global artistry and British craftsmanship.
From the hallway, the energy flows into a living space that strikes a perfect balance between drama and intimacy. The room, divided into two distinct zones, juxtaposes architectural gravitas with plush comfort.
Next door, a cleverly concealed television hides behind bronze-hued gesso panels, ensuring the entertainment area remains as elegant as it is functional.
“This project stands out as our most ambitious at The OWO in terms of interior architecture and art curation,” notes Ed O’Donnell, co-founder and creative director.
“Every archway, decorative wall panel, and plaster moulding celebrates the radical transformation of Britain’s former Old War Office and, most importantly, its new inhabitants.”
At the home’s heart is its awe-inspiring art collection, curated with art specialist Georgia Stoneman. The walls come alive with works by David Hockney, Francis Bacon, Grayson Perry, Keith Haring, and Pierre et Gilles – a compelling narrative of queer identity and artistic defiance.
“For Trevor and Gary, queer art means a lot,” O’Donnell says. “From the camp to the homoerotic to the symbolic expressions of repression, every acquisition tells a story of defiance and celebration.”
The curation process took them through global auctions and private collections, resulting in a collection that’s as emotional as it is intellectual.
Each room speaks to a different side of the family’s life. The study, wrapped in dark wood and crowned with a velvet ceiling, offers a cocoon of calm for reading and reflection. The kitchen and dining area, by contrast, embraces fluid forms and a playful rhythm – a sculptural banquette, curving table base, and an art nouveau-inspired pendant give nod to the vibrant energy of New York’s Greenwich Village.
The principal bedroom channels pure serenity with a theatrical edge: coffered ceilings, straw marquetry bedside tables, handcrafted sconces, and a gleaming patchwork coffee table in pyrite.
“We wanted the bedroom to feel like an extension of the living room. It’s our sanctuary – a place to rest, dream, and simply be together,” Trevor says.
For Logan, Angel O’Donnell designed a bedroom straight out of a modern fairy tale. Inspired by a French château, it features rococo curves, cascading drapery, and a bespoke dressing table with 22-karat gold verre églomisé doors.
“It could have easily veered into pastiche,” O’Donnell admits, “but it ended up with a delicacy and craftsmanship that will evolve beautifully as Logan grows up”.
Even the guest bedroom carries its own story, layered with impressionistic wallpaper, tiered chandeliers, and bold artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Bacon – a visual love letter to creativity and connection.
Working within a listed neo-baroque structure presented its challenges. The designers had to weave modern luxury through historic fabric without losing the building’s soul. Custom joinery, hidden lighting, and intricate plasterwork provided clever architectural solutions.
Trevor envisioned a modern, livable family space that subtly pays homage to the building’s heritage, and “Angel O’Donnell truly brought our dream to life”.
This article is written by our correspondent Akgün Akdil.
