A home of bespoke design and museum-worthy art

New interior architecture for a 2,953sq ft residence at The OWO

This is our sixth project at The OWO Residences – and certainly our most ambitious in terms of interior architecture and art curation. Every feature we’ve designed – from archways and plaster mouldings to coffered ceilings and bespoke joinery – celebrates the bold reinvention of Britain’s former Old War Office and, more importantly, the lifestyle of its new inhabitants: a high-flying American couple and their 16-year-old daughter.

They were our dream clients. Their passion for queer art introduced us to a rarefied world of private collectors, art historians and international auction houses. Art has always been central to our work, but this specialist subject took us on a truly eye-opening journey – all the richer for having shared it with our new friends.

Three degrees of separation

The hallway comprises a grand entrance, vestibule and corridor. We treated each to a mix of noble materials and eye-catching forms that echo original architectural features – from decorative cornicing to the fan scallop mosaic floor.

Highlights include a six-foot mobile resembling unfurling paper by Majorcan artist Ñaco Fabré, a marble-top table with a bronze anvil-shaped base, a cobalt-blue lamp by New York ceramicist Eny Lee Parker, and a handcrafted pendant of embossed glass. Wall panels of églomisé mirror, a bust by British sculptor Nick Hornby, and a handcrafted Italian marble console complete the scheme.

A room of two halves

The living space is designed around two distinct zones: a sit-by-the-fire-and-welcome-guests zone, and a kick-back-and-binge-watch-movies zone. In the first, we enlarged the fireplace to enhance warmth and intimacy, coated the chimney breast in an inky-blue polished plaster to bounce light, and installed mirrored shelves and drawers to display books and objet.

In the second, decorative artists applied gesso, gold leaf, and a hand-blended mix of bronze and navy paint to the main wall, which was then stone buffed into a starry cosmos of tonal variations. This celestial feature also conceals a TV behind a remote-operated sliding panel.

Do not disturb

Our clients lead busy transcontinental lives, so their bedroom needed to be more than a place to rest – it had to be a sanctuary for downtime, together time, and not-having-to-socially-engage time. They’ll happily sleep, eat, drink, lounge and watch movies here. As such, it was designed as an elegant extension of their living room – one with the grandeur of a space made for entertaining, even if it’s just for two.

Details, details!

This large, light-filled bedroom brims with material richness: bespoke coffered ceiling mouldings, classic wood beading, bedsides adorned in intricate straw marquetry, hand-painted wall murals, and a coffee table made from a patchwork of fool’s gold.

Handcrafted glass and bronze sconces frame the bed, while a bespoke joinery unit – complete with fluted shelves and a brutalist-style mantel – adds architectural oomph.

Dark hits the mark

In the luxuriantly dark study, built-in shelves and sloped book displays showcase curios, plants, and first editions. While floor-to-ceiling wood panelling integrates a fold-down desk to optimise space and functionality. For a dash of drama, the ceiling is covered in a velvet fabric patterned with surging waves of black, cream and mushroom.

The French Connection

Our 16-year-old client envisioned a country chic look. So, we embraced the romanticism of a French Château with decorative hints of floral garlands and fleur-de-lys patterns blended with contemporary fabrics and classic silhouettes.

The star of the room is a rococo-style bed beneath swags of drapery. The abundance of gathered fabric evokes a sense of theatricality – at once extravagant and cosy, ornate and playful. A bespoke dressing table and cupboards opposite the bed – featuring 22k gold verre églomisé doors – complete the fairytale setting.