In a quiet pocket of Chelsea sits a townhouse that is something of a hidden gem. Arranged over five floors, it retains many period details, including beautiful wall panelling, which gives it a wonderful sense of character and history. But it has been given a new lease of life, thanks to Covet Noir founders Maria Lindgren and Adele Lonergan.
When the pair first saw the property two years ago, they were immediately struck by its warmth and atmosphere. Even before the renovation, there was a lovely energy to the space,’ recalls Maria. ‘The proportions felt generous and elegant, yet the rooms still had an intimacy that made the house feel inviting rather than formal.’
Their clients – a couple with grown-up children – discovered Covet Noir while browsing reference imagery on Pinterest, only then realising that the studio was just around the corner from their new house. They already had the architectural firm HF Studio on board but were struggling to find an interior design studio that they felt could deliver the clean, modern lines and layered, warm design they were seeking. From their first meeting it became apparent that they shared a clear vision: to create a home that felt calm, contemporary and quietly refined, while respecting the building’s heritage.
As the townhouse is listed, structural intervention was limited, so the real challenge was working within the existing footprint — a series of smaller rooms arranged across five floors — and ensuring the house still felt cohesive and thoughtfully considered throughout. ‘Rather than trying to force a property to become something it isn’t, we prefer to respond to the spaces as they are and work within their natural constraints,’ explains Adele.
She goes on to explain how, while many projects today prioritise a very large, open-plan kitchen with an expansive island and dining space, that didn’t feel appropriate here – either architecturally or for the clients’ lifestyle.
‘With grown-up children, they no longer needed the kitchen to function as the busy hub it had in previous homes,’ she says. ‘Instead, they wanted a space that felt intimate and comfortable for day-to-day living, yet still elevated enough for entertaining.’ Achieving that balance — between cosy and quietly impressive — became a guiding thread throughout the whole project.
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Materiality played a central role in creating the right atmosphere, with Maria and Adele travelling to Italy to personally select every slab of stone. The kitchen is clad in heavily veined Macchia Vecchia marble, with the pair working closely with HF Studio to refine the detailing so the stone could really shine.
Drawing inspiration from the original wall panelling, they introduced subtle architectural details to the island downstands and used an elegant DuPont edge, allowing the kitchen to read more like a piece of bespoke furniture than a traditional kitchen.
In a house with relatively compact spaces, every centimetre had to work hard and the joinery – a collaboration between Covent Noir and Blakes – was carefully designed to maximise storage while maintaining a sense of refinement. Even the kitchen window seat conceals storage and has become a favourite spot for the clients to enjoy a morning coffee overlooking the garden.
As is often the case with London townhouses, the original staircase has quite tight turns, making it challenging to bring in larger pieces of furniture. As a result, many were designed bespoke – not just to suit the spaces aesthetically, but to ensure each piece could be installed without compromise.
Several were fabricated in sections and assembled on site, which required a considered design approach to ensure the joins were hidden. The aim was always to maintain a sense of effortlessness. A good example is the Sedilia sofa in the library, which is constructed in two sections, though this is entirely invisible. It has a beautifully soft, curved form and is upholstered in a delicately textured Holland & Sherry fabric. ‘It’s one of our favourite pieces in the house and really captures the essence of the project: liveable luxury,’ says Maria.
The palette is warm, layered and tactile, with tones drawn from nature. As with all of the studio’s work, there is a darker ‘Noir’ accent that threads the project together; ‘within more neutral spaces this contrast is essential for adding character and depth,’ explains Maria, adding ‘we chose to stain the spiral spindle timber staircase in a charcoal tone to neutralise its red tone. We love the drama this adds to the hallways and how it acts as a visual dark spine through the building.’
Maria and Adele are both particularly satisfied with how the drawing room turned out. With two seating areas anchored by a bespoke coffee table by Tyson London, ‘it really captures the spirit of the house, striking that delicate balance between formal and inviting,’ says Adele. ‘We wanted something generous in scale, but visually light. Substantial enough to ground the space without obscuring the beautiful Riviere rug beneath. The combination of glass and intricate ironwork felt like the right balance – refined, but with just enough edge.’
The rest of the scheme is intentionally softer, with layered upholstery and gentle, sculptural lines. Mohair armchairs sit in front of the fireplace, catching the light beautifully, while opposite, the Philippe Hurel sofa introduces a slightly more contemporary feel.
By weaving in antiques elsewhere in the room, Maria and Adele were able to create a space that feels balanced, nuanced and quietly luxurious. This contrast was important to the client,’ explains Adele. ‘They were open to introducing antiques for character and depth, but they didn’t want the house to feel like a museum’.
Their clients were thrilled with the finished home, with Adele recalling the moment of the final reveal; ‘there were a few tears, a glass (or two) of Champagne and a real sense of occasion when everything was complete.’
The handover is always a slightly bittersweet moment for the designers, she explains; ‘You’re incredibly proud to see the project realised and to know the clients are genuinely happy, but there’s also a sense of letting go after such a collaborative and involved process.’ Now, the house is being properly lived in and enjoyed, and Maria and Adele have continued to evolve the project, adding pieces and refining details. ‘That ongoing dialogue is part of what makes a home feel truly personal,’ says Maria. ‘It’s a privilege to be part of that journey.’ covetnoir.com @covetnoir
