From its high perch in Embassy Gardens, the riverside development in Nine Elms, this London penthouse boasts sweeping views across the Thames, Big Ben and the city's iconic skyline. “The minute I walked in, I knew that I wanted to frame the view, draw the eye out and take you beyond the constraints of the building itself,” says designer Róisín Lafferty, who was entrusted with bringing character and a sense of place to the duplex property.
As is the case with many of Lafferty’s projects, colour became a key protagonist, creating a sense of grounded earthiness in the heart of the city. “Colour, to me, is definitely the most transformative tool we have in interiors because it has the power to completely change the atmosphere and feeling of a space, with such ease,” explains the designer who has developed her own collection of paints, Prestige, with the brand Fleetwood Paints. “Here, the ever changing tones of the sky played a big part in our overall colour palette. We wanted to balance the often moody tones of the English weather with warm sunset and sunrise tones creeping in to give an uplifting atmosphere.”
And so, colour not only defines spaces, it sets the mood at this London penthouse. The main lounge and the upper level bar are wrapped in a putty pink tone - Lafferty’s interpretation of looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses. “The key to its effectiveness lies in the colour drenching approach,” she says. “All ceilings, joinery, doors, skirtings and walls are in the same hue. It is such a simple thing to do, and yet, visually, it is so powerful. It immediately lifts the space.”
To bring intimacy to the vast, open plan lounge Lafferty designed a central timber shelving display, creating two distinct seating areas with two totally different views without visually cutting either off. “The space is large and we wanted to ensure the proportions felt balanced and considered,” she explains. “Everything here is anchored in warm terracotta, walnut, brass accents and layered upholstery.”
To bring character to the penthouse, she collaborated with Artemest, the online retailer dedicated to Italian craft. From the carved wood coffee table and the rich chocolate sofa, suitably oversized to anchor the space, to the lacquered bench and the Murano chandelier above the travertine dining table, each piece offers a contemporary view on Italian artisanal traditions. “At our gallery in Dublin, we are also working with Artemest and have a larger version of the Poliedri chandelier displayed. It is a true favourite, so we wanted to bring that here and add a layer of luxury and sophistication to the dining area,” Lafferty says. “It refracts light across the room, adding a new dimension to the space that changes throughout the day.”
The primary suite, still in complimentary tones, is deliberately richer. “This bedroom has a wonderful view too, but it was even more important for it to be cozy and enveloping, to feel warm, soft, tactile and grounded.”
Lafferty leaned into the penthouse’s duplex footprint to appoint an entertainment area - a bar and built-in banquette seating that leads onto the rooftop terrace - on the upper level. “The clients, like many nowadays, love hosting at home, so we explored how we could create an adaptive space that can easily go from intimate dinners to a party atmosphere!” The result is a truly versatile home that celebrates a sense of togetherness in wonderfully stylish ways.
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