Royal Borough Residence
A full renovation of a classic Kensington duplex—heritage calm, contemporary craft, and quietly luxurious detail.
Set within a handsome townhouse in Kensington, this two-level apartment is reworked from the inside out. The brief: create a refined city retreat with effortless flow, generous storage, and a cohesive material language. We answered with disciplined geometry, bespoke joinery, and a palette that feels both modern and timeless.
Arrival is serene and orderly. A tailored corridor lined with full-height cabinetry doubles as a discrete cloak hall, anchored by a tufted bench and framed in polished stone.
Daylight pulls you forward toward the staircase, a sculptural link between levels. Oak treads rise beside a wall of vertical suede slats, that tones down the acoustic’s on both levels. a slim handrail and clear balustrade keep the profile light, while a skylight washes the grain and casts soft shadows through the day.
The living floor is designed for hosting as much as for quiet evenings. In the salon, two sofas face each other across a curated coffee table composition, balanced by rounded lounge chairs that soften the architecture. Built-in shelving wraps the fireplace wall, edited to display art and objects rather than visual noise.
Sheer drapery tempers London light; a tonal rug organizes the setting without interrupting its calm.
Adjacent, the dining room reads as a modern salon. A sculptural chandelier hovers over an oval table with a book-match stone top, while flanking display niches hold the most amazing wines, handpicked by the client. The nearby bar, lined in richly veined “smokey quartz” stone and dark timber, becomes a jewel-like moment between rooms, ready for an aperitif or late-night nightcap.
The kitchen is furniture-like and precise. A fluted island in dark timber is crowned with dramatically veined stone that continues seamlessly into the splashback, creating depth and movement. Soft, champagne-toned cabinetry and matte metal accents keep the palette warm; lighting is layered for task, ambience, and a gentle evening glow.
Upstairs, the private spaces lean into tactility. The primary suite unfolds through a dressing corridor into a generous bedroom composed in layered neutrals. Bouclé seating and a plush sheepskin rug absorb sound; the bed is framed by a tailored headboard wall and calm, symmetrical lighting. Art is restrained and textural, chosen to sit quietly within the architecture.
Bathrooms balance precision and comfort. The main bathroom is wrapped in softly veined slabs, with ribbed stone details and a full-length mirror wall that expands light. A seamless vanity with linear hardware keeps the eye moving.
The powder room introduces drama: bronzed walls, Nubuk leather panels, a monolithic pedestal basin in dark “ Smokey Quartz” stone, and a crystalline accessory that catches the light.
Throughout, every junction is resolved, mitred stone edges, shadow gaps, concealed tracks, and quietly integrated storage. The renovation respects the building’s poise while delivering contemporary ease.
The result is a duplex that feels composed from first step to final detail, crafted for the cadence of London life.
