Elevating a Hampstead House with Bold Colour and Bespoke Detail

Having completed the house next door, our lovely Hampstead clients asked for our details to explore home improvements of their own. What began as a fairly simple brief quickly grew into a full-home refresh (kitchen aside) as they fell in love with the concepts and realised just how transformative the right design can be.

Home to a couple and their two teenage children, the family has spent years living and working abroad, collecting incredible pieces along the way - particularly from Asia. Their love of the eclectic was a joy to lean into, and we were keen to celebrate their art and antiques properly. When we first stepped inside, we loved the bones of the home, but the neutral setting simply wasn’t a reflection of the family. 

The biggest missed opportunity was the entrance: a long hallway stretching from the front to the back of the house with huge “wow” potential. What was once a white-and-grey corridor with small doors and lacklustre lighting became an unapologetic burst of colour and joy, while still respecting the property’s age and proportions. We opened up the doorways either side to create two mirrored sets of double doors - one to the kitchen, one to the dining room - instantly improving flow and pulling natural light deeper into the home.

The custom floor tiles blend a traditional shape with a contemporary pink-and-blue palette, while original architectural details (coving, dado rail, ceiling roses and architraves) were elevated with a delicate pink. Bespoke joinery provides coat and shoe storage, finished with a “Mind the Gap” cushion for that eclectic twist, plus additional storage on the half landing. To top it all off: 1970s-inspired pink chandeliers by Pure White Lines and a statement yellow radiator.

Off the hall, the dining room sets the tone for entertaining. We leaned into a darker, moodier palette to create a cosy, intimate space centred around a Julian Chichester table, Carl Hansen Wishbone chairs and a bespoke feather chandelier. Deep reds are punctuated with yellow accents in “Chinese Emperor” - historically associated with imperial China - as a nod to the room’s antiques.

One very important client detail: Parker the dachshund likes to keep watch from the front window. To protect the new paintwork (and keep him comfortable), we designed a bespoke windowsill cushion in Blackpop velvet. A flatweave rug from A Rum Fellow in blush and yellow ties everything together, blending classic pieces with the unexpected.

Across the way, via the kitchen (on the list for a 2026 redesign!), the family living room is high-impact and full of personality. The garden view is framed with orange woodwork, while the remaining walls are kept calmer to let the large-scale artwork shine. We mixed colours and textures from Mind the Gap, Nobilis and Élitis to create something totally unique to the family - high-end, yes, but always fun and welcoming. The brave showstopper is the electric-blue Porta Romana Urchin chandelier: sculptural, punchy, and impossible to ignore.

The next spaces are small but mighty. The WC packs a punch with Élitis Paradise Jungle wallpaper, a green Cielo sink, brushed brass tapware and playful cement tiles. In the study, the brief was calm and focused, with a garden view and journey designed to minimise clutter. The room is almost entirely bespoke joinery: a built-in desk, generous storage, and upper panelling with atmospheric lighting, softened with a simple chair, side table and wall light for comfort. Beyond the corridor, the two-storey garden was reimagined as an evergreen sanctuary, complete with bespoke planters and trellises, plus a new suntrap terrace at the highest point.

A statement Roger Oates stair runner in orange and soft pink stripes leads upstairs to the next “wow” moment: the landing and bespoke linen cupboard, fully clad in an Andrew Martin mural wallpaper featuring folk-art illustrations on a plaster-pink ground. Whimsical, unexpected, and proof that transitional spaces deserve just as much attention.

The first bedroom pulls together many of the clients’ existing pieces into a cosy, eclectic scheme, leading into a brand-new, beachy ensuite in blue and yellow tones with Otto Tiles. To maximise space without compromising on light, we placed the vanity in front of the window and mounted a Cielo mirror from the ceiling so it sits perfectly against the sash. The result is fresh, bright and full of energy.

In the second bedroom, dark wood panelling and plum-toned joinery create a rich, cocooning feel, layered with faux-fur rugs and a reupholstered headboard in Jim Thompson’s brilliantly named “Cat’s Pyjamas” fabric for extra softness and texture.

The lower ground floor saw the biggest transformation. The brief: a second family living space/ film room, plus a standalone guest suite that could later become a studio apartment for one of the children. The suite needed a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and plenty of storage, so bespoke joinery became the hero. We designed a platform bed with drawers and a padded headboard that wraps the corner, doubling as a sofa area.

A full-height wardrobe was concealed with Arte wallpaper to create a cleaner, more expansive feel. To avoid a “standard studio” look, we added open shelving to create distinct zones, plus a new enclosed arched section from the back door - a small intervention with a big impact, creating separation from outdoors and unlocking full-height storage alongside the kitchenette.

Compact but perfectly formed, the kitchen includes sink, hob, bins and storage, finished with yellow worktops and splashback for an eclectic hit. With minimal natural light in the basement, lighting was carefully layered: subtle ceiling spots painted to blend in, soft organic wall lights where needed, and a simple pendant over the dining table that doesn’t compete with the showstopping wallpaper.

The finishing touches - a flatweave rug, oversized mirror to bounce light around, new double Crittall-style doors to the living room, and blackout curtains - make it feel like a true retreat.

Next door, the film room embraces the dark for a proper “cocoon” effect: deep burgundy wraps the walls and joinery to create a cinematic atmosphere. A slatted feature wall turns the TV into a deliberate composition, while the playful, jewel-toned Mah Jong sofa steals the show and grounds the space.

Finally, the once-sad, damp cellar - cold and unusable - became a surprise favourite. With no major storage needs (beyond wine) and a wonderfully open-minded client, we transformed it into a 1970s-inspired wine bar. A matching Crittall-style door separates it from the rest of the home, so it feels like stepping into a different world. With no digging down or heavy construction, we kept the original openings and curves, enhancing a few with new timber framing to sharpen the architecture. Complete with geometric tiles, a built-in bench with playful upholstery, comfortable bar seating, and of course a lava lamp and record player, it’s now a warm, inviting space designed for years of memorable evenings.