Londo n soul
This Notting Hill apartment is a trove of eccentric designs, mixed together with flamboyant British flair – and every hand-picked piece could be yours
This bohemian apartment in
London’s Notting Hill is not what it appears to be. Furnished with collections of pieces that leave traces of its owners’ unique sense of style, the space is cool and comfortable – and yet, no one actually lives here. It is, in fact, the ‘ lifestyle apartment’ of contemporary British fashion label Talitha – one of the new breed of showrooms arranged in the style of real homes that allow customers to envisage living the spirit of the brand.
The concept was born out of the friendship between Talitha’s co-founders – fashion editor Kim Hersov and fashion entrepreneur Shon Randhawa – and London-based South African interior designer Hubert Zandberg. The trio’s idea was to transform the two-room space above Kim and Shon’s studio to showcase a new homeware collection alongside pieces from the womenswear label, which was established in 2013. ‘ We wanted to create a destination that would resemble a living room and bedroom of the same sizes as those in a typical London home, and fill it with one-ofa-kind objects that Hubert and I have spent our lives collecting from around the world,’ says Kim. ‘Here, you can shop for clothes and homeware under one roof – everything is for sale.’
Kim and Hubert’s treasure hunts take them from Paris to Marrakech, and Barcelona to Rio. ‘ We’re interested in the provenance and shared visual history of objects,’ says Kim. Hubert, who has designed homes for both Kim and Shon, shares their aesthetic, which could be casually described as ‘eclectic’ were it not for the artful way in which the pieces are arranged and the skilful blend of cultural influences (including a nod to British eccentricism). ‘ When you put together a considered combination of objects, however diverse, your home will automatically feel more authentic and soulful,’ says Hubert.
No structural changes were needed to transform the commercial shell into a stylish home – a trick that is all down to the clever decoration. Rich shades of teal set the jewel-like tone in each room, which is tempered by coir and sisal matting and layered with collections of carpets unearthed in the kasbahs and workshops of exotic shores. ‘I custom-mixed the paint colour on the walls,’ says Hubert. ‘It complements lots of other hues and just works, whatever you lay over it.’ The striking backdrop highlights collections of African objects, colourful artworks and idiosyncratic pieces that are arranged with embroidered jackets, kaftans and Indian scarves in considered vignettes. ‘Essentially, it’s design that respects longevity over trends,’ Hubert says. ‘These are pieces that will travel with you from your first flat to your own house, and will still be relevant and appropriate years from now. The apartment speaks to those people who want to fill their homes and lives with nothing more than the things that they truly love.’ talithacollection.com; hzinteriors.com
‘ When you put together a considered combination of objects, however diverse, your home will automatically feel more authentic and soulful’