Notting Hill Minimalist Apartment Renovation
London | Residential | 2025
This residential apartment, nestled in the heart of Notting Hill, was designed to serve as a minimalist family home for a young, professional couple. The client wanted the design to reflect their lifestyle by blending both functionality and aesthetics. The space features a sophisticated blend of black, white and dark wood tones, complemented with iconic, timeless design pieces.
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The design process began with an in-depth consultation with the client to understand their needs, lifestyle and vision for the space. A key requirement was to incorporate hidden storage solutions, so that unnecessary clutter wouldn’t disrupt the apartment’s sleek appearance during daily activities. The client also wanted to use a consistent material palette throughout the apartment - travertine and smoked oak - to provide a coherent feel.
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Additionally, we focused on carefully selecting lighting features to create a moody atmosphere throughout the home. Iconic lamps were carefully chosen for each room to enhance the ambiance.
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The concept of play and game was central to the design theme, which is why elements like a checkered rug and personalised artwork reflecting interests of the client were included. The apartment features Formula 1 photography and a painting of an ace card, which adds a fun and unique touch to the space.​
The layout was carefully planned to maximise functionality while maintaining an open and airy flow. We selected high-quality, timeless furniture pieces that fit the client’s needs, ensuring each piece served a functional purpose without taking up unnecessary space. Custom storage solutions were designed for the bedrooms, hallway, kitchen, bathroom and living room, all tailored to keep the apartment tidy and organised without compromising its sleek aesthetic.
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With minimalist design, it’s easy to fall into the trap of creating spaces that feel cold, empty and impersonal. However, we believe that minimalism is about making the most of less. To avoid this pitfall, we designed bespoke furniture tailored specifically to the client’s needs and introduced natural textures and materials throughout the apartment. This approach created a warm and inviting atmosphere, with the apartment retaining its own unique personality.
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The final design resulted in a serene and functional home that perfectly aligned with the client’s vision. The minimalist approach not only created a calm environment but also made the space feel more expansive and open. The careful balance of light and dark tones, along with thoughtfully chosen design pieces, gave the apartment a timeless quality that will continue to evolve with the client’s needs.
LIVING ROOM
Living room interior featuring the iconic Elle floor lamp by Lumina Italia
Smoked oak custom made coffee table combined with a Audo Copenhagen Eave sofa
Bespoke made smoked oak coffee table at a living room interior
Audo Copenhagen Eave sofa with F1 themed photography wall art
This sunny Notting Hill apartment living room is filled with natural light, grounded by a funky checkered rug that brings personality to the space. We selected white modular Eave sofas from Audo Copenhagen in boucle fabric - their clean lines and flexibility made them perfect for the small, slightly complex layout. To complement the seating, we designed a custom smoked oak coffee table, crafted to match the sofa height for a seamless, cohesive look.
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Instead of a central chandelier, we opted for multiple floor lamps to create layered lighting. The Elle floor lamp by Lumina Italia reflects light upward, softly illuminating the entire room. A reading lamp with a direct light source was placed beside the singular seat sofa for function, and the Flos Radar lamp was chosen for atmospheric lighting.​
Artwork was selected with the same considered approach - oversized frames in a colour matched to the walls to keep the space visually calm. We chose two pieces: a small Formula 1 race photograph and an enlarged pencil sketch print by Pablo Picasso. The overall design focuses on clean lines, simple geometry and a muted colour palette, creating a living room that feels both modern and personal.
MASTER BEDROOM
Bespoke made travertine slab bedside table at the master bedroom
Master bedroom bed setting
Louis Poulsen PH 2/1 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen (1972)
Master bedroom bed setting
Custom made floating black shelf at the master bedroom
Bespoke made bouclé fabric headboard
The master bedroom was designed as a calm retreat, continuing the apartment’s palette of muted, natural tones, but with a stronger emphasis on fresh white shades. The centrepiece is a bespoke low-profile upholstered bed with an oversized, wide headboard wrapped in soft boucle fabric - keeping the space open, inviting and uncluttered.
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We paired the bed with custom-made travertine bedside tables. Their simple geometry is elevated by one rounded side, adding subtle character. On top, we placed sleek, matte black metal lamps with soft mood lighting. No artwork was hung above the bed to maintain a visually calm backdrop, allowing the mind to rest without unnecessary visual noise. Under the bed we placed a white silk area rug with a minimal black line detail. It adds texture and visual interest - understated yet far from boring.
Opposite the bed, a bespoke floating black shelf provides storage without overwhelming the small space and mind. Styled with carefully chosen coffee table books, the iconic Louis Poulsen PH 2/1 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen (1972) and a large framed Formula 1 photograph, the shelf blends function with personality. The frame was deliberately left leaning against the wall rather than mounted, adding a relaxed, casual character to the room.
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To complete the space, we designed a bespoke fitted four-door wardrobe in smoked oak. Matched to the flooring, it blends seamlessly with the room’s design, offering generous storage while quietly supporting the overall harmony of the apartment’s design.
GUEST BEDROOM
Bespoke oak headboard at the guest bedroom
Hay Matin Small LED Table lamp designed by Inga Sempé (2019)
Daphine Terra floor lamp by Lumina Italia combined with Arcadia Armchair by Larkbury London
Hay Matin Small LED Table lamp designed by Inga Sempé (2019) on a bespoke made bedside table
The guest bedroom was designed to feel just as considered and inviting as the rest of the apartment. Unlike the master bedroom, where light and white tones dominate, this space has a bolder character, enriched with warm wooden elements.
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The focal point is a custom low-profile bed crafted from smoked oak, paired with a slim, wall-mounted smoked oak headboard that spans the full width of the wall. Integrated floating bedside tables extend seamlessly from the headboard, blending in perfectly while keeping the floor clear for a more open feel. On each table sits the Hay Matin Small LED Table Lamp by Inga Sempé (2019) - its lightweight, sculptural design adding a subtle yet striking detail to the room.
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To balance the room’s darker finishes, we placed an extra-large handwoven wool rug in creamy white beneath the bed, visually lightening the space and making it feel larger. Crisp white bedding further offsets the rich wood tones.
The custom four-door wardrobe in smoked oak offers generous storage while maintaining continuity with the apartment’s overall joinery palette.
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Above the bed, a large-scale yet minimal artwork was selected - a simple painting of an ace of spades playing card - framed in a frame which colour matched to the wall to avoid visual clutter. The piece is eye-catching without overpowering the space, allowing the design to breathe.
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In the corner by the floor-to-ceiling window, we created a cozy reading nook with the Daphine Terra Floor Lamp by Lumina Italia and the Arcadia Armchair by Larkbury London. The clean lines of both pieces add to the room’s refined simplicity, making the guest bedroom both comfortable and memorable.
KITCHEN
Custom fitted smoked oak kitchen design
Travertine stone kitchen worktop
Astep model 2065 Suspension pendants featured above kitchen island
Connubia Calligaris Tuka low barstools wrapped in charcoal fabric
The kitchen was designed to be sleek, highly functional and fully integrated with the apartment’s minimalist aesthetic. Connecting directly to both the living room and entrance hallway, it needed to feel like a natural extension of the overall design. Given the compact size of the apartment, we avoided open shelving and unnecessary detailing, keeping the aesthetic consistent and uncluttered throughout.
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The custom-made cabinetry in smoked oak creates a rich, sophisticated backdrop. All appliances are fully integrated and the push-to-open mechanism replaces visible handles, maintaining clean, uninterrupted lines. At the centre of the space, a smoked oak kitchen island doubles as additional storage and a casual dining spot. On the living room side, four Connubia Calligaris Tuka low barstools in charcoal fabric blend seamlessly with the dark tones of the island for a cohesive look.
To counterbalance the depth of the smoked oak, we selected travertine stone for both the countertop and backsplash. This choice lightens the palette, introduces subtle texture and creates visual contrast without breaking the calm, minimal feel.
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Lighting plays a key role in softening the space and making it feel inviting. LED strip lighting under the counters and island adds a warm, ambient glow, while three Astep Model 2065 suspension pendants above the island bring sculptural elegance with their brushed glass, rounded form. This is more than just a kitchen, this is a living space - a multifunctional heart of the home where cooking dining, and everyday life merge effortlessly.
BATHROOM
Bathroom covered in travertine tiles
Bespoke made travertine and smoked oak bathroom furniture
Travertine stool for the shower
Custom crafted travertine bathroom sink
The bathroom was designed as a serene, spa-like retreat within the compact footprint of the apartment. We kept the colour palette minimal and calming, focusing on light tones and natural textures to make the space feel larger and brighter. Unlike the rest of the apartment, this room features more travertine than smoked oak. Large-format travertine tiles cover both walls and floor, bringing warmth, texture and a subtle sense of luxury while ensuring durability in a high-moisture environment.
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The bespoke floating vanity unit in smoked oak ties the bathroom back to the apartment’s overall joinery palette, while its wall-mounted design keeps the floor open and airy. The countertop and basin, also crafted from travertine, create a seamless visual link with the room’s surfaces. A sleek wall-mounted matte metal tap with separate wall-mounted temperature and water controls keeps the design clean and uncluttered. Discreet storage is integrated within the vanity to maintain a minimal look.
Above the vanity, a large backlit mirror with adjustable warm lighting adds depth and provides flattering illumination for daily routines, while also creating a soft evening glow.
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Originally designed by the developers to house a bathtub, we reimagined the space to feel more open by introducing a walk-in shower. Frameless brushed-glass panels create a seamless transition, with travertine continuing throughout for unity. Inside the shower, a matte black ceiling-mounted rainfall head and a separate handheld option offer flexibility. LED strip lighting was integrated at the junction of the far wall and floor, adding a moody, atmospheric touch. A cylindrical travertine stool inside the shower provides both functionality and character.
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To replace the standard electric towel rail, we designed a slender smoked oak ladder - a bespoke piece that adds character while providing a stylish, functional way to store and dry towels.
Frequently asked questions
What is a minimalist interior?
At our studio, we don’t focus on the term “minimalist” as a specific style. Instead, we view it as a design approach. A minimalist approach is a fundamental principle that any space should follow. It’s about doing more with less and not overwhelming the space with unnecessary elements. Form follows function. When a space is designed with this principle in mind, it won’t feel cold, impersonal or empty. On the contrary, it will feel easy, functional and personal.
What design services did the client chose for this project?
This project began with an initial consultation and site visit. From there, we developed a design concept, and once approved, we proceeded with selecting furniture, materials, fabrics and designing bespoke furniture pieces. We also created layout floor plans and other technical documents. A crucial part of the process was developing a 3D model to visualise how the space would look. This project didn’t include site supervision or project management, but we provided the client with a full design package that they could use to execute the project on their own terms.
How can I incorporate minimalist interior design principles into my own home?
To embrace minimalist design, focus on spatial elements that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional. Prioritise quality over quantity and incorporate natural materials. Start by decluttering your space and selecting pieces that serve both aesthetic and practical purposes. For personalised guidance, consider booking a consultation with us to explore how minimalist design can be tailored to your home.
Can you design bespoke furniture for the apartment?
Yes, we specialise in designing bespoke furniture for our clients. We collaborate with skilled craftsmen and artisans who bring our design concepts to life, ensuring each piece is tailored to your exact specifications and needs.
Why did you choose travertine and smoked oak as the key materials for this interior design project?
Travertine and smoked oak were selected for their timeless appeal and ability to create a cohesive, warm and inviting atmosphere. These materials not only enhance the minimalist aesthetic but also ensure durability and longevity, aligning with the client's desire for a lasting design.
How much time did the entire interior design process take?
From the initial meeting to handing over the final documents to the client, the project took about 2 months to complete. Since this project didn’t involve site supervision or our involvement in construction, the timeline focused on design development, material selection, and visualisations.