BANKSIDE BRILLIANCE
hen a brand new 22nd floor bankside penthouse was introduced to Hill House Interiors as a blank canvas, they felt duty bound to deliver a scheme as stunning as the 360 degree views enjoyed from this exceptional 4 bedroom duplex home.
Relishing the challenge, the talented multi-award winning team took a detailed brief from the clients and created interiors worthy of this iconic landmark building, famous for its dramatic glass pitched roofs.
The clients, a professional couple with global business interests, gave Hill House a detailed brief, confidently underlining their love of strong colour, particularly red, their passion for the exotic wild tiger, and their need of a few quirky surprises to entertain guests as they explore the main reception areas of their fabulous new London home.
Stepping out from the glass-walled lift directly into the apartment entrance hall, their fondness for the eclectic is immediately apparent – giant full height mirrors to the right reflect the deep padded scarlet leather panels on the opposite wall. Incongruously, porcelain hands peep out from the padding, which as well as creating the requested surprise element, also have a practical use, and the entire area is sparklingly lit by a dozen suspended Swarovski crystal pendant lights.
Helen Bygraves, co-founder of Hill House Interiors, explains; “The couple saw something similar in an interiors magazine and loved it, so we set about creating a version especially suited to the hall’s proportions. The hands are actually coat pegs for the use of visiting guests!”
In the vast open plan double height living room, more drama awaits; stretching across two walls are hand carved metal panels featuring a vibrant jungle scene, complete with prowling tigers. Soaring to the ceiling of the upper internal gallery, the framed and lit bronze artwork creates the ultimate show stopping backdrop to this impressive living space.
Dividing this wonderfully gargantuan room into comfortable sitting areas started with the placement of a large Hill House designed ebony lacquered full height cabinet, which separated two distinctly different zones. One side houses a Planicka gel fireplace and overhead, a built-in wide screen TV. Relaxed viewing of both screen and flickering flames is enjoyed from a tailored L-shaped ivory sofa, bordering a boldly-coloured splash-patterned rug. A circular lighting installation with Olympian overtones throws a soft overhead glow on this scene stealing room setting.
The reverse side of the cabinet incorporates some essential entertainment features and also provides dramatic focal points. In prime position is the cocktail bar, where a sleek, cosmic black granite counter tops a back lit dragon-stone panel. Standing by, a pair of luxe and supremely comfortable bar stools, from Hill House’s own collection, await guests wishing to sip their aperitifs whilst enjoying unparalleled views of the London skyline. Above the bar is a second wide screen TV , bordered by spotlit alcove shelving – the perfect home for rare malts or post dinner ‘digestifs’. A temperature controlled humidor for the Havanas and two wine chillers are deftly tucked out of view beneath the bar.
Facing the bar in prime position under the soaring glass pitched roof is a magnificent red lacquered baby grand piano, hand finished by the highly respected family-owned Edelweiss company. An adjacent lounging space with an alabaster low seated, curved edge sofa and pair of deeply buttoned cylindrical armchairs sit atop another showstopping rug, featuring the clients’ favourite big cat, the tiger, securely inset and surrounded by handsome oak wood flooring.
Fine dining is definitely on the clients’ menu in this property, with their super-sized one off table, crafted out of a rare piece of recycled sugar wood, the open fissures inlaid with a contemporary pewter toned resin with transparent glass inlay, and accompanied by twelve upholstered red velvet dining chairs. The tableau is completed with a unique Sharon Marston contemporary coral and silver chandelier.
Jenny Weiss, co-founder of Hill House Interiors, comments; “The chandelier was custom made, each strand measured to a specific length to line up with the ascending height of the overhead lofty glass ceiling. Each strand was hung separately to ensure a sleek and perfectly level finish above the table.”
Leading off through wide glass doors from either side of this spectacular living space are two substantial triangular roof terraces, lined with elegant opaque white planter. These softly light up as dusk falls, throwing a gentle glow on the built-in barbeque and elegant Italian white lacquered penthouse furniture, cushioned in the clients’ favoured flame hues.
Source: http://www.theartofdesignmagazine.com/bankside-brilliance/
