design et al are delighted to announce that Hill House Interiors have won the Interior Design Scheme – UK Award within The International Design and Architecture Awards 2017.
This project, a historical Grade II listed building, houses a large duplex apartment which is located just moments away from the Royal Albert Hall. Albert Court is a beautiful red brick, portered mansion block, well positioned for Hyde Park and the amenities in South Kensington, Knightsbridge and Kensington. The extensive 5000 sq. ft. project was commissioned by a young couple with two children, who had been living in the home for a few years previously, and were looking to carefully restore yet update their six-bedroom home. Brought on to complete both the interior architecture and design, Hill House Interiors were briefed to ensure a strong emphasis was placed on entertaining, creating a suitable space for both the couple and their children, with the drawing and dining rooms a key focus within the home.
The importance of a family-friendly environment within the main living areas was also stressed, particularly the open plan kitchen and dining area, where they spend a lot of their time. Seen as the focal point of the home, the space is used on a daily basis, for breakfasts and informal family dinners. Unhappy with the former layout of the apartment, the clients worked closely with Hill House Interiors’ highly skilled and creative architects to create a more harmonious flow, completely redesigning the internal layout by moving the staircase to the upper floor.
Basing their design scheme on the key period features of the historical Grade II listed building, Hill House Interiors completely redesigned the internal layout. Retaining key features within the home was a challenge the Hill House designers and architects rose to, sympathetically restoring the classical cornicing, panelling and mouldings and intricate details throughout, to the strict guidelines associated with its listed status. The scheme focuses heavily on the historical features within the family home, which were meticulously restored by the Hill House team. Being a young, modern family, the brief was to include both formal entertaining areas and family-led rooms, which could create juxtaposition between the contemporary fixtures and the original features.
Entertaining was a key focus for the clients, and within the formal dining room, the bespoke bar in high gloss black & metallic lacquer with detailed inlay adds plenty of impact, whilst showing the true proportions of the grand home. The cabinetry is softened with plush lilac velvet bar stools and stunning art by Michael Moebius, a collector’s piece. Opening onto the grand formal drawing room, antique mirrored fretwork panels with hidden storage frame the fireplace feature wall, whilst the curved sofas and plump silk cushions continue the modern luxury. Couture hand woven silk carpets are set into the marble edging throughout the ground floor, helping the flow of the rooms run seamlessly into one another.