A Clean Slate
Given a full overhaul by Architology Interiors, this stately landed house embodies luxury and practicality in equal measure
Some interior design practices enjoy an intuitive understanding with clients, interpreting an open-ended brief astutely to develop spaces that resonate with the homeowner. So it was with Architology Interiors, which was given free rein in remodelling this landed property in Chancery Lane into a luxurious yet functional abode that meets its owner’s needs perfectly.
“Our client was willing to let us lead her on the process of discovering a look that she liked,” says Architology Interiors co-founder Terrence Quah, who helms the firm with fellow co-founder Bu Shu Kun. This active dialogue steered the direction of the creative process, with Architology Interiors taking pains not to be influenced by any existing templates to make the house as original as possible.
The complete remodelling encompassed changing everything from the driveway and pool tiles to the gates, fences and windows, and even the structure’s colour and texture. The client, who lives in the 7,200 sq ft property with her husband and three sons, had also requested plentiful storage and display space for her travel and fashion accessories, including her treasured collection of
Louis Vuitton scarves.
After first planning the orientation and layout of the rooms, the studio turned to the client’s collection of richly patterned marble slabs from Italian brand Antolini as a key source of inspiration. “The client loves marble, and wanted every room to feature a different
Architology Interiors
Co-founded in 2010 by Bu Shu
Kun and Terrence Quah, the firm approaches interior design with a keen focus on clarity, detail and balance. Guided by the mantra that impactful design embodies the key qualities of boldness, purity, elegance and liveability, the studio works on a wide range of projects, including private residences, co-living spaces, hotels and offices.
“Our challenge was to find a way to weave the colours and textures of the different marble varieties seamlessly”
variety,” says Quah. “Our challenge was to find a way to weave the colours and textures of the different marble varieties seamlessly, while bringing out the best characteristics of each stone type.”
The design firm also had to ensure that the overall mix of materials, textures and furnishings, such as the timber veneers, metal trimmings, upholstery fabrics, wallcoverings and furniture, would match the marble used in the room for a cohesive look. A shortlist of material and colour options was presented to the client to “help her discover herself and what really resonated with her”, says Quah.
“Majestic” would be an apt description for the home’s expansive, airy living room; its spacious dimensions are further augmented by full-length glass panes that invite the outdoors in. An imposing TV feature wall in grey marble with dramatic white veining takes pride of place in this setting.
Sombre grey and brown-toned furnishings in the form of the Maxalto Amoenus sofa and the
B&B Italia Husk armchairs by Patricia Urquiola dominate this space, balanced by the creamy white marble flooring. A pair of B&B Italia Crinoline armchairs, also designed by Urquiola, catch the eye
with their sinuous form, while a pair of Louis Vuitton travelling trunks act as coffee tables in the middle of this breezy tableau.
The dining space and dry kitchen embrace a warm, timber-led aesthetic, with their predominantly chocolate hues softened by the natural light that streams in through large-format glass panels. A glass-topped Porada Infinity C dining table and a kitchen island clad in bookmatched, intricately veined light grey marble slabs add visual flair here, as does the Fiam Italia Christine mirror, with its crumpled, glossy form.
For added privacy, the master bedroom and the children’s rooms were positioned at the rear of the property and oriented to face the treetops to the side of the house, which also offers relaxing green views as a bonus. The spaces on the second floor and attic are suffused with sunlight, and replete with visually pleasing marble varieties. These include the junior master bedroom, which features grey leathered marble, and the entertainment room, with its elegant Dover White marble floor.
Complementing the marble are other stylish stone varieties such as Calcite Azul quartzite, which is used in the children’s bathrooms. Most of the bathroom fittings are plated in a delicate rose gold to complement the home’s overall colour scheme; the door hinges, towel bars, soap holders, handles and glass frames were also carefully selected to ensure their hues were similar. Other thoughtful touches pepper the home, such as the boutique-style walk-in wardrobe complete with a glass-topped island that displays jewellery and fashion accessories, and the full-length shelves that keep the children’s many toys and books organised in the loft.
The project was successfully completed in early 2021, after overcoming delays due to the shortage of labour caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “What I loved most was the chance to reinvent the entire house,” enthuses Quah. “The clients really enjoy living there, and it’s also a great place for their children to grow up in.”