Pied a Terre Marylebone

Renowned for its village-like atmosphere, plethora of quality restaurants and close-proximity to the West End Marylebone is a much sought after location in London. Flat hunting in this area on any sort of budget is not easy and compromises on size and condition are frequently a necessity to get a foothold in the area.
At 360ft2 this second floor level apartment close by Marylebone High Street was a compact starting point for a one-bedroom dwelling that would also double as home-office and still feel spacious enough to entertain friends and family.
The inherited layout, very much in need of TLC, broke the space down into no less than five rooms, diminishing even further any sense of openness; however, it’s corner site delivered dual aspect windows and once the plan was cleared delivered a bright interior that is in touch with its surroundings but also sits comfortably above the hubbub of street life.
Re-planning created a unified living and kitchen zone along the outer edge of the plot with the opposite side divided between the bedroom / home office, entrance lobby and bathroom. The latter, necessarily landlocked, was brightened via a clerestory window, borrowing light from the kitchen, and an obscured glass door.
EngIneered timber flooring is used throughout as a unifying feature, as well as providing just a hint of the natural in a very urbanized environment. Similarly, the colour palette – selected from the Porsche 911 Legends swatch, just to be different – is tonally matched across all spaces reflecting light and accentuating a sense of oneness throughout.
As befits a client of Scandinavian origin there are subtle hints of hygge to be found throughout allied with a comfortable, practically geared minimalist air that recognizes the necessities of small-space living without succumbing to the harshness so often a biproduct of de-cluttering zealotry. Accent colours, that also add nuances of comfort and naturalness, are delivered via furniture, soft furnishings and artwork.
To maximise storage potential the bedroom furniture was bespoke with a full-width run of storage units placed over the bed and the full-height wardrobe carefully collated to best use the available volume. Styling for these is kept plain but is relieved by the use of sculpted brass fittings to add pinpoints of colour.
Small but perfectly formed may be a cliched expression but it is a keystone in making a home that combines clarity with comfort and lightness with liveability.