Grosvenor Square Penthouse

This ambitious scheme, involved renovating and combining two penthouse apartments, on the top floor of 20 Grosvenor Square and creating one very large home, for an international family.  Top UK interior design firm, René Dekker Design, was one of a select few high end studios to be invited to pitch for this prestigious project. We were briefed by the client’s representative on what exactly she wanted and were given plans already developed by her architect.  In short, the client was after a modern interpretation of Neoclassical.  There should be strong references to classical features such as columns and pilasters, rich textures, marble surfaces and traditional murals, all to be presented in a neutral palette.  The paid-for-pitch would be limited to 2 rooms and was to be presented within one week of the brief, simply to see if the designer grasped what the client was after.

The studio prides itself in having an extensive knowledge of finishes, especially unique and out of the ordinary examples which make all the difference when presenting to clients.  We started by collecting as many cream samples as we could from silk carpet and hand painted wall coverings to glossy lacquers and textured leathers.  Slowly but surely we built up a collage of beautiful ideas that we hoped would blow the client away.  In tandem with choosing finishes, we rationalised the plans and drafted up some suitable furniture layouts.  Once we were happy with the ‘hard landscaping’ as we like to call it, we focused on choosing furniture and fabrics, to complete the presentation.  The idea was to present an ultra-luxe, yet understated scheme.

Classical panelling dominated the concept, which could be played up or down, depending on the finishes used.  All rooms had deep classical cornicing and beading all adding weight to the client’s original brief.  We mixed large scale herringbone parquet with deep pile luxurious silk rugs, Italianate golden marble with smooth polished plaster and metres of luxury fabric window treatments.  The finished  product was a sleek and sophisticated exercise in Neoclassical restraint.