 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Original article featured in Velvet magazine, August 2011. Images: Mark Box Angel + Blume were called in to revamp the interior of this Cambridge penthouse, transforming it from an empty shell to a luxury bachelor pad. Victoria Harrison of Angel + Blume explains what they did and how to get the look. City apartments can conjure up images of urban sophistication and that is precisely the look the owner wanted when he approached Angel + Blume to help him redesign his riverside penthouse. Keen to transform the space into a totally unique home he had very clear ideas about what he wanted from the design and he worked closely with Cate Burren of Angel + Blume to make these ideas a reality. The main aim of this redesign was to create a space with maximum drama and impact. Because the owner wasn’t worried about selling the apartment on afterwards he had the luxury of being able to create a totally unique home designed specifically for him; as a result there is a high level of customisation throughout the flat. The apartment already had quite an open plan layout which he wanted to develop, so the existing kitchen was removed to free up floor space, creating a large multi-purpose area perfect for entertaining guests and there is a terrace which wraps around the entire flat which is ideal for guests to spill out onto in the summer evenings. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
A black wooden floor was laid throughout the living area, the walls were painted a bright clean white and a minimal new kitchen was then installed at one end of this room with sleek, dark wood units. A custom-made lightbox was designed to run above the length of the kitchen worktop creating a stunning focal point; this lightbox can be tuned to provide any colour in the rainbow, creating endless lighting effects and LED fittings were also built into the floor to light up the white wall panels. This highly customised lighting scheme was integral to the overall design and as a result the space really comes into its own in the evening when the lights create a dramatic effect which is perfect for parties. In the living area Angel + Blume commissioned a local artist Charlotte Cornish to create a triptych specifically for the space to add colour and interest; the bold contemporary design of the canvases makes a real impact against the monochrome backdrop and because they were commissioned they are totally unique. The furniture choices also complement the contemporary scheme; in one corner of the living area a sleek black corner sofa curves around a low black coffee table and three contemporary chairs in bold colours are grouped opposite, creating a seating area for guests. Zoning a section of the living area like this helped to differentiate specific sections of the apartment, whilst still retaining an open plan layout. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
With such a streamlined design it was vital to keep clutter under control so customised storage was built in the master bedroom to house the owner’s clothes and shoes. Accessories were also kept to a minimum to ensure the emphasis remained on the clean lines and graphic shapes of the interior. Keeping the windows bare, without curtains or blinds, was a bold choice but one that worked well with such a pared back interior and as a result, the jewel like colours of the apartment can often be seen from outside, glowing into the night sky. If you’ve been inspired by this interior you can get the look by sticking to a monochrome palette with accents of bold, bright colour, sleek contemporary furniture and a strong focal point, be it a large canvas or a custom built lightbox. The key with such a sleek, contemporary scheme is to keep it simple and uncluttered and to invest in one or two statement pieces to create drama. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||