
Project Focus: Belgravia Townhouse
January 15, 2020|Luxury Design
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n a charming Belgravia enclave, this Grade II listed white stuccoed residence with portico entrance represents Georgian grandeur at its best. Responsible for not only the design, but also the build, Oliver Burns acted as designer, development manager and main contractor for an international client on this inspiring project, solely responsible for crafting and delivering its transformation.

Arranged over six floors, we understood that this grand house represented a classical beauty that should be treated with respect and care. Working closely with The Grosvenor Estate and specialist craftsmen, we restored and reinstated architectural features, from full-height doors that were in keeping with the period, through to creating moulds to replace damaged ornate plasterwork.

Thoughtfully curated works of art and sculpture can be found throughout this well-appointed home; a bronze monkey designed by Dashi Namdakov sits in contemplation on a plinth in the reception room, whilst colourful works by Francis Bacon and Joan Miró adorn the walls.

The entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of this elegant residence. A bespoke circular table with a sunburst veneer and bronze inlay takes centre stage, thoughtfully placed beneath a bespoke tiered chandelier. Statement striped wallpaper offset the concentric lines of the statement lighting and furniture whilst accentuating the full-height doors.

A stunning door crafted from oak with a burr elm veneer unveils the sumptuous dining room. De Gournay’s hand-painted Willow wallpaper on white dyed silk forms an eye-catching backdrop that highlights the accents of green woven throughout the space. An Estremoz marble and antique bronze pendant chandelier is positioned above a bespoke high gloss sycamore table with dining space for ten guests.
The hallway, lined with a series of Picasso lithographs, gracefully leads the way to the basement kitchen
Designed with the client’s love of cooking in mind, the state-of-the-art kitchen combines metallic accents with dark oak cabinetry. A pair of leather chairs with upholstered backs add a touch of texture and visual interest to the clean lines that characterise this contemporary space.

A lift has been installed to access five floors of this stately residence with the reception room situated on the first floor. Soft furnishings in hues of burnt orange with antique gold embroidery contrast against a neutral colour palette of champagne and taupe. Artfully curated objet d’art line the shelves of the glass-fronted bookcase, forming a striking conversation piece. The geometric lines of the coffee table offset the opulent, curved plasterwork overhead.

A filigree balustrade guides the way to the upper floors along polished marble stairs. The master suite blends shades of amethyst, mink and taupe, creating a calming and serene space. This sense of tranquillity is further heightened by the contrast of luxurious textures and finishes; hand tufted wool and silk carpet meet layers of sumptuous bedding and burnished high gloss veneers.
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Oliver Burns
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Oliver Burns
Most spectacular of all is the bespoke headboard by Aiveen Daly. Crafted from 100% silk, this striking decorative panel is digitally cut for micro-precision before being skilfully hand pleated to create the beautiful illusion of overlapping leaves. In the master ensuite, more treasures await, in the form of a book matched Onyx feature wall which when backlit highlights the subtle veining of this unique stone.

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Oliver BurnsOliver Burns
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The brief for the second bedroom is distinctly masculine and tailored in feel. A polished Eramosa marble forms a focal point in the ensuite. The use of rich, dark tones is extended to the display case which presents a stylish storage solution to showcase sartorial items. A pair of Lee Broom tumbler pendants in lead crystal and oak are suspended on either side of the bed, framing the bespoke upholstered headboard. A fretwork partition door in antique brass adds further visual interest whilst creating a divider between the bed and the walk-in wardrobe.
Situated on the top floor, the third suite juxtaposes exposed brickwork with opulent soft furnishings in peacock blue

The biggest technical challenge and a key part of the brief was installing air conditioning (AC) throughout this listed building. To ensure that we complied with planning and noise regulations, we created an external ‘hidden’ room that was acoustically protected to locate the condenser. Additional tech solutions include underfloor heating, intelligent lighting control systems as well as unexpected touches such as the pop-up mirror in the vanity table.
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Oliver Burns
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Oliver Burns
From concept through to completion, Oliver Burns has lovingly restored this elegant family residence. The result is a harmonious balance of period features with the very finest of contemporary finishes, to create a home that will be treasured for many years to come.
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