WHERE OLD MEETS NEW What was a bijou period mews has been transformed into a modern family space
Hám Interiors has revived its clients’ mews with inspired spatial planning and a triumphant mix of the classic and the modern
Walking off a charming cobbled mews in London into the home of the Mehtas family, you are confronted with a beautiful melding of modern eclecticism and classic country-house styling.
The mix is feminine but not fussy, layered yet sleek. Working in collaboration with interior design practice Hám Interiors, the owners have reconfigured their home from a bijou two-bedroom, two-storey period mews into a thoughtful family space with the addition of a basement kitchen and second-floor extension that is now home to two new bedrooms and a bathroom for the owners’ young children.
‘From the start of the project we advised spatially and worked closely on the design details with the owners: Rajin, an entrepreneur, and his wife Kavita, an Instagram influencer (@kavitacola),’ says Tom Cox, joint founder of Hám Interiors. ‘Their playful and impeccable taste is very much in tune with our style and the project was incredibly engaging, with every nuance considered.’ High-end custom finishes prevail, such as the brass and marble bar cabinet in the sitting room and the bespoke glass lobby that now creates a distinct delineation between the front entrance and main living space. ‘Open voids were also created either side of the lobby – they provide a natural light source down to the new basement kitchen,’ says Tom.
Throughout, Hám Interiors’ signature style can be felt – bespoke, oversized colourful artwork produced in-house punctuate the space, alongside a modernist Srirammatchworks painting. Even the wall-hung television is a considered Samsung art design. The graphic style juxtaposes with the overall calming aesthetic: a fusion of classic details, brought to life with tactile luxury and natural materials. Think heavy engineered oak boards from Hám’s in-house range, exquisite marble and stone, patina-rich antique surfaces and inviting textiles, including a patterned Christopher Farr headboard and antique armchairs reupholstered in a sumptuous pale pink fabric by Lewis & Wood. Hám Interior’s genius eye for colour combines an earthy palette of soft greens and pinks, bolder greys and warm blues, along with pops of orange – Tom’s go-to accent colour of choice.
For the design practice, introducing style and warmth into its projects is second nature. The mews renovation was built around a few core elements: bespoke bathrooms with made-to-measure vanities and a custom-made Hám kitchen, complete with separate pantry, utility and powder room. ‘We like to design spaces that allow hard-working functional areas to be separated behind glazed partitions – offering a sneak peek to beautiful design cues, and always combining practicality with aesthetic appeal,’ says Tom. Upstairs, the first floor – a private master hideaway – is uncompromising in its sense of luxury, with a separate bedroom, dressing area and en suite that rocks an air of femininity. Likewise, lighting is considered – from the Hám-designed Pinecone side lamps and its No Frills lampshades to oversized
Jamb lanterns and Ralph Lauren hall lighting.
‘We wanted the space to feel effortless and welcoming – a combination of our joint creativity with exceptional craftsmanship,’ says Tom. ‘The renovation pushes design boundaries and has taken the mews and its owners into their next phase of life.’