Creating a tranquil sanctuary is no mean feat in a busy city like London, but that’s what architect and interior designer Coco Toepfer was determined to achieve with the recent renovation of her west-London townhouse. ‘The city can often drain you of energy, so I wanted to create a space where I could recharge,’ she says when discussing the home she lives in with her husband and two daughters.
Known for her structured, architectural approach, the German designer explains how buying a property that needed a lot of work gave her the perfect opportunity to create magic. ‘I got rid of beams on the ceilings and columns on the wall to ensure I had the ability to design every single detail, from the skirting to mouldings and the fireplace surrounds,’ she says of her all-or-nothing approach.
After training as an architect in Hamburg and moving into property development in Berlin, Coco relocated to London 15 years ago to study at KLC School of Design before subsequently setting up her own studio. ‘While it is a big advantage designing your own home as an interior designer, it can be quite stressful too,’ she says. ‘Despite being able to choose things you personally love, you’re also more critical and you question more decisions.’
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‘It was important to me to create a friendly, light and open space with a warm atmosphere,’ she adds. ‘I have made most furniture pieces bespoke in order to make them perfectly fit the space, in terms of both size and colour.’ To maximise natural light, the renovation began with a garden-level extension, opening up the ground floor of the four-storey property, adding sliding doors and an overhead skylight.
Grounding the space inside, natural materials and earthy tones are serenely positioned against the neutral backdrop – embodying the calm vibe she set out to achieve. While each design decision is subtle, the space exudes a quiet confidence that reveals the meticulous process behind it all.
In the kitchen, the island’s patinated brass surface catches the eye – an unconventional choice within a functional area but, as Coco explains, one that was highly considered. ‘Over time, I know it will mark and age, which is exactly what I want,’ she affirms.
While materials and colours recur throughout the home for continuity and balance, there are two rooms that stand out. Situated off the upper landings, one is a vibrant guest bedroom, enveloped in a bold, tropical wallpaper, while the other is a snug family TV room, drenched in pattern and brought to life against a backdrop of Christopher Farr’s ‘La Jungle’ pattern. ‘Small in size, I saw these two rooms as an opportunity to do something fun and unexpected,’ she says.
The rooms reveal a playful side to the interior designer’s otherwise determined focus. ‘I love the approach of doing everything from A to Z, even including artwork selection,’ says Coco. ‘During a project, I visit the site daily. I like to be present and engaged as some things can’t be planned on paper. And, as the devil is in the detail, it is the most simple and seamless of interiors that can be the most difficult to create!’ cocotoepfer.com
