When they took on the task of adding the final vital layer of interior decoration and furnishings to this parkside apartment, Charu Gandhi and her team at Elicyon approached the challenge with gusto. It helped that their clients – an international family who use the place as a pied-à-terre on their regular visits from Asia to London – wanted to be enthusiastic participants and had a richly detailed brief, but were happy to trust the studio to execute their vision.
‘The family envisioned a sophisticated and serene retreat that reflects their lifestyle as frequent travellers,’ recalls Charu. ‘They sought an aesthetic that is timeless, elegant and layered with texture and craft, balancing warmth and richness. They also wanted areas of privacy, including reading nooks, an exercise area and a space for formal dining and entertaining. The goal was to create a sanctuary that serves multiple functions, from hosting to providing quiet spaces for work and study.’
A neutral palette of pale tones was developed to exude a sense of understated luxury and tranquility, lifted by deep burgundy accents with warm timbers creating depth and a sense of richness. The client was particularly fond of natural stones and traditional craftsmanship, so Charu incorporated this in subtle yet impactful ways, such as the fiery tiger onyx seen in the main bedroom and the bespoke scagliola coffee tables in the formal reception room.
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Once the design was set, the team moved into the procurement and manufacturing stage, so there was less for the family to participate in, but the studio sent regular updates so they still felt involved. ‘We often find that clients who enjoy the design process love to have a peek at the progress photos!’ says Charu.
The family didn’t wish to bring any existing pieces from overseas, but still wanted the furniture to feel international and as if it had been collected over time. Charu and her team responded by curating a mix of bespoke pieces such as the large marble dining table and custom headboards with vintage touches like the wall lights in the entrance.
Elevating the base build to align with the family’s vision was the Elicyon team’s main challenge. They spent a lot of time in the apartment reviewing their selections in different lighting conditions to make sure everything worked perfectly. Given the age and history of the building, access was also tricky, which necessitated some careful planning with installers and furniture makers. Many of the larger bespoke pieces were designed specifically so they could be brought into the property in smaller pieces and assembled on site.
The main bedroom is one of Charu’s favourite spaces. Overlooking the tree-lined street, it’s a long room that the client wanted to have a range of uses. Elicyon divided it into three zones: one for sleeping, another for relaxation and a third for work and study, using different rugs to demarcate the areas without visually impacting the volume of the room.
Charu relished the opportunity to design a home from home for this family. ‘They had a beautiful vision so it was a real treat for the team to work so closely with them,’ she says. ‘The collaborative approach always brings an extra layer of personality to the finished result and meant the design was perfectly tailored to their needs.’ elicyon.com
