Project 145

This home came to us fully completed, but lacking a sense of personal identity. While the existing design was functional, it felt generic — more "off-the-shelf" than reflective of the people living in it. Given the investment already made, the brief was not to rebuild, but to transform through layering — introducing elements that shift the space from standard to personalised and character-driven, without undoing what was already in place.

The client felt the home was overly restrained — dominated by whites and neutral tones, resulting in a space that lacked energy and individuality. What they sought was a shift toward vibrancy and expression — introducing colour as a primary layer rather than an accent. Alongside this, there was a clear desire to move away from a cookie-cutter outcome toward something more contemporary and personal. The brief, therefore, centred on modernising and personalising the space — transforming it into a home that feels reflective of their identity, both in character and in colour.

The brief for colour and modernisation was interpreted as a need for energy with intent — creating a space that feels social, inviting, and lived-in. As the primary living area, the room was reimagined as a space for conversation, connection, and ease. Colour was developed alongside material through a material-led palette, mapping tones to surfaces like velvets and finishes. Contrasts between matte and gloss create depth and variation. The spatial approach focused on adding density and warmth, shaping a more intimate and comfortable environment. Lighting was recalibrated to support this shift, resulting in a cohesive and engaging space.

The approach was rooted in styling-led transformation, shaping the space to feel layered and collected. The palette brings together black woods, ceramics, velvets, metals, marble, greenery, and a defining vermilion red, establishing warmth and a strong visual identity. Velvets and suedes introduce depth and tactility, creating a sense of comfort and richness. Metals in nickel and brass add familiarity, grounding the composition. Familiar materials are used in unfamiliar ways — tiles are reinterpreted as artwork, curtains are detailed with scalloped edges, and a metal sculptural light becomes both illumination and object.

Lighting is designed as layered interventions, from low-level to ceiling, creating depth at every height. A balance of ambient and task lighting is used, with ceiling lights angled to bounce off walls, producing a soft, diffused glow. Lower-level lights add warmth, shaping an intimate atmosphere. Styling follows a similar approach — through sculptural lights, metals, greenery, ceramics, and bespoke carpets — bringing richness and character. The space has been curated to feel collected over time, developed in constant collaboration with the client to express their personality.