The first task was to take up the oak floor in the living room. Due to a poor quality product with a thin veneer having been installed when the apartments were first built, the timber floor had not worn well. Apart from the uneven shading due to sun damage, areas of the timber had worn through to the substrate. Taking it up proved quite problematic in itself due to the fact that the timber planks had been glued directly to the sound insulation. This meant that large chunks of the insulation were pulled up with the flooring. Another issue was the thickness of the old planks which were quite thin by comparison to the standard 18mm quality available on the market. As the timber floor abutted a limestone floor in the entrance hall, we also had to achieve the same level. Next were the floors in the bathrooms which were taken up to be replaced with limestone tiles. Again not such a simple task as we had to be careful not to damage the underfloor heating. Both bedrooms had a very tired carpet stripped away ready to accept the new one and finally, the walls and woodwork were stripped back in readiness for decorations.

With the apartment design now ready for installation and decorations, a new grey oak engineered timber floor was laid on top of an acoustic board that would insulate the sound from the flat below. It was important for the client that we did not re-create the standard ‘developers’ schemes so ubiquitous in today’s interior design, but rather to have rooms that were brighter and made use of more colour. René Dekker Design who are award winning interior designers, made use of various wall coverings throughout including a feature wall hung in a teal faux eel skin in the master bedroom, a faux travertine in cream in the entrance hall and a small plaid design incorporating hints of silver in bedroom 2 and ceilings were painted off white throughout. The client also requested that we achieve a level of contrast when dealing with the choice of shades used in the decorations. He was adamant that skirtings should not be the same colour as the walls and that joinery should contrast the wall coverings. Overall, he was looking for a scheme that would smack of luxury interior design.

The original scheme made use of a lot of oak, not only on the floor, but all doors and joinery as well. These doors were rubbed down and then decorated in an eggshell paint while the timber interiors were rubbed down and revived. In the kitchen, all the cupboard doors (veneered in Melamine) were taken away and replaced with new shop sprayed doors which matched the rest of the scheme. The walls were then hung in a narrow width cream vinyl replicating travertine giving the room a smart but intimate appearance. René Dekker Interior Design then chose new handles to finish off the scheme.

The entrance hall and kitchen already had a light cream limestone floor which was cleaned, revived and then sealed. We then painted the woodwork in a contrast mid-tone dove grey and the walls were hung in the same wall covering as the kitchen. The living room which spills out onto the terrace, is bright and spacious and has commanding views across south west London. Here René Dekker Interior Design used a wide width vinyl that had a dark linen texture background over printed with a gold ‘craqueleur’ design giving the walls a three dimensional feel. The room is divided into two distinct areas, one encompassing the dining area and one used for entertainment. The entertainment side is dominated by a large AV wall unit in a light taupe shop sprayed finish contrasted with ebonised oak shelves and storage. There is a comfortable L shaped sofa in bronze and charcoal fabrics accented with well plumped scatter cushions in complimenting colours. The area also includes large floor cushions, a bronze standard lamp, a walnut and antique mirror coffee table as well as a deftly upholstered tub chair. The dining area houses an ebonised dining table for six, dining chairs upholstered in a charcoal and taupe silk, a dresser matching the AV unit, a contemporary chandelier and an original artwork in gold. The room is completed with the use of a light taupe satin curtains embroidered in shades of gold and bronze complimented by bronze net curtains.

In the master bedroom, René Dekker Interior Design uses a teal faux eel skin wall covering on a feature wall in contrast to a light dove linen effect choice on the other walls. The flooring is a silk effect carpet in oyster and accent teal is used in the velvet arm chair, two of the scatter cushions, the ottoman, and the lamp shade as well as in the bed cover. Matching designs were created by Rene Dekker in both the bed side tables as well as the drawer unit both finished in a medium walnut. The bespoke bed is upholstered in light taupe leather and accents of gold can be found in the lamps and the dressing table. The scheme was completed with the choice of teal and silver animal print curtains and a shagreen mirror.

Bedroom 2 is at the other end of the apartment and also has access directly onto the terrace. Here the luxury London interior designers used the same silk effect carpet in oyster, the walls are hung in a small plaid wall covering incorporating greys, cream and a hint of silver and there is a bespoke bed upholstered in a faux astrakhan offset by a light stone bedcover and brightly coloured silk scatter cushions; a faux fur throw completes the dressing of the bed. The bedside tables and desk are in a dark oak matching design and there is a complimenting deep buttoned leather stool. The scheme is completed with heavy cream patterned curtains and light net voiles.

The apartment design has an unusually large terrace for central London and the client wanted to make the most of this. René Dekker Design installed topiary Buxus hedging in charcoal grey planter pots, a four seater dining table and chairs in weather proof woven rattan as well as an outdoor heater allowing this to be used in winter.