CAPITAL GAINS
Moving closer to work brought Richard de Ville an unexpected bonus – the perfect backdrop for his mid-century art and furniture
Moving to a bigger apartment in central London gave this owner a shorter commute and plenty of space to display his collection of mid-century art
Irichard t was the location that first drew
de Ville to this apartment in a quiet residential corner close to the River Thames. Living in west London and working in Westminster, Richard was finding the crowded daily commute to his office more and more uncomfortable. His friend, an artist and designer, suggested that he try looking in Pimlico, where many of the Victorian houses had been divided into flats yet retained their large windows and high ceilings, so were more spacious and light than similar properties in other parts of town. ‘I thought if I move here I’ll be able to walk to work,’ Richard says.
At just 50 square metres, the apartment was compact, but it had a well-planned layout that made it look considerably larger. A previous owner had added false ceilings to create additional storage, though, and it took a little imagination to see beyond the wrinkly red carpets and faded decor. But once the false ceilings had been removed, Richard realised that there would be plenty of wall space to display his growing collection of mid-century art. Tall windows looked onto leafy plane trees at the front, and there was a patchwork of well-tended gardens at the back. ‘Another bonus,’ Richard notes with delight.
Working with the existing layout, Richard and his designer friend devised a decorative scheme to transform the space into a comfortable, stylish home. Clever details, such as the monochrome
inspiration ‘The “London grey” colour palette suits the climate and, alongside the beautiful light wood flooring, creates a calm and restful feel throughout’
palette and high-level window between the kitchen and bathroom, which had no window of its own, maximised the natural light and gave the apartment a sense of cohesion. Richard engaged a contractor to carry out the work and oversaw the project. His preference was for clean, masculine lines and a modern, almost transatlantic feel, although having grown up in France, he was also influenced by his French heritage.
The beautiful parquet flooring throughout is a nod to his native land. Taking measurements from the wood blocks in his family home, Richard commissioned the bespoke design from flooring specialist Walking on Wood. Rather than curtains for the lofty windows, he opted for sleek painted shutters – another echo from across the Channel.
All around the apartment are elegant art deco pieces – a mixture of American and European designs from the 1930s and 1940s – while colourful abstract paintings from the mid 20th-century adorn the walls. Numerous books about architecture and art – on the mantelpiece, shelves and coffee tables – bear witness to Richard’s passion for this period. Even the narrow hall acts as a showcase: tall strips of mirrored glass provide a backdrop for sculptures and paintings propped casually against the walls.
The art deco aesthetic extends to the kitchen, in the form of chic French handles on glossy grey cabinetry, and to the bathroom, where the stylish pedestal basin set against cool marble tiles is reminiscent of a glamorous ocean liner.
The abundant natural light, simple yet sophisticated palette, stylish artwork and leafy outlook all combine to create a calm, elegant atmosphere. And with just a short stroll to the office each day, Richard has managed to create the perfect haven for life in the heart of the busy capital city.