The award-winning design team was tasked with creating an ornate scheme which balanced touches of tradition with a fresh contemporary feel. Lead designer, Carrie Bond comments: “We created two show apartments for this project which are individually distinguishable but incorporate overarching design ambitions. It was crucial that the schemes enhanced the incredible architecture and unusual layouts of the apartments whilst promoting an aspirational lifestyle. Our response to this was to create designs that echoed the style of a high-end boutique hotel, featuring regal colours and references to a lifetime of travel and interest in the arts. Relatable touches and beautiful bespoke furniture deliver a spectacular living experience.”
The collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments at Fitzjohn’s feature complex layouts with curvatures, arcs, interesting elevations and expansive windows which infuse the homes with natural light. Andrew Henry Interiors created an intelligent design which would mould seamlessly with the abstract shaping which make these homes so unique, enhance their beauty whilst creating practical spaces.
Apartment 1
Situated on the lower ground floor, Apartment 1, a one-bedroom home, features an exceptional layout with interest in every corner. An impressive hallway leads into a library which flows into a large kitchen/living room. A separate dining room, magnificent master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, and a further bathroom and utility room completes the apartment. Benefitting from its own private outdoor escape, formed in a hexagon-shape, the home exudes stateliness with pops of contemporary style.
Carrie comments: “This apartment boasts a more eclectic feel to the other and although smaller, it's not lacking in a sense of luxury and exquisite taste. It was important for the apartments to complement each other but to have their own identity. Feature walls were created using olive and dusky heather paint to differentiate the areas and rooms. The colour scheme also includes deep rich purple and maroon, delivering an exquisite design pallet. The eye-catching patterned fabrics create interest and a sense of jollification.”
In the living area, a boucle ivory curved sofa is a feature piece in itself and creates an inviting, sophisticated area for the residents to relax in and admire the surroundings. A dining table and chairs incorporating black and rattan material zone an informal space to eat, work or socialise. Three floor-to-ceiling windows accentuate the interesting shape of the room. To enhance this further, Andrew Henry Interiors used full-length pleated neutral curtains, produced by its soft furnishings brand Thread & Dandy, which can be fully pulled back during the day whilst creating a calming ambience during the evenings. Finally, a collection of indoor foliage successfully brings life into the room.
The primary bedroom is one of extravagance but with quiet luxury and clever designs, including a gorgeous green feature wall, double winged headboard and an overall natural/eco feel. The room cleverly incorporates the wonderful corner window which has been dressed with floor to ceiling curtains.
Although marketed as a one-bedroom home, the apartment has an additional vast room. A versatile space, this room could be used for dining or as a home office. For the show apartment, Andrew Henry Interiors opted to use the space as a second bedroom. Tying in the maroon colour wheel, the room features a deep, velour headboard. The darker shades were elevated with cream furnishings including an armchair, bed dressings, rug and matching ottoman.
Apartment 13
The two-bedroom, second floor apartment matches the first in terms of sophistication and meticulous detail but differs in colour scheme, styling and furniture placement. This apartment features an outstanding layout and provides wow factor from the very start with an expansive entrance hall, setting the indulgent tone for the rest of the apartment.
Carrie comments: “An exquisite oriental inspired wallpaper paired with detailed panelling showcases the entrance halls grandeur. This clearly sets the scene of an inviting, sophisticated design which focuses on artistic impression and poignant creatives. The primary bedroom in particular mirrors this atmosphere, with its dramatic clam shaped headboard, navy shagreen bedside tables with brass detailing and oversized bedside lamps. The colour scheme for this apartment is an array of neutral tones and textures with drops of rich navy and highlights of warm gold and brass.”
Lifestory was keen to include local artwork to add authenticity and interest to the show apartments. Commenting on achieving this organic, homely feel, Carrie continues: “We placed bespoke hand painted artwork in the lounge and master bedroom to set the tone. The furniture is a mixture of colours and finishes which create a realistic lived-in feel, incorporating pieces of furniture which the owner may have collected along their travels.”
The home is designed to have an open plan living/dining/kitchen area which undeniably becomes the focal point of the apartment. Although unanimous design elements needed to run through this space, it was also important to zone different areas: creating sophisticated, formal spaces which blend effortlessly with a comfortable lounge area. This relaxing retreat features a large bespoke media unit, a striking blue sofa with white armchairs and accessories including bronze lamps, indoor plants and neutral window dressings which frame the impressive floor-to-ceiling windows. The dining area features an extravagant white marble table with six chairs and, creating an artistic barrier between this and the kitchen, is a stunning island with two vibrant orange stools.
The memorable apartments created by Andrew Henry Interiors have been well-received by visitors as well as achieving impressive feedback from the client. Jermaine Rennalls, Senior Marketing Manager at Lifestory comments: “The talented team at Andrew Henry Interiors have created two fantastic apartments at Fitzjohn’s and have matched our brief perfectly. Our clientele for this scheme is in search for the very best and these stand-out spaces showcase lifestyle enhancing homes. We particularly enjoy the bespoke feel that the apartments offer; they are both welcoming and impressive, creating a memorable masterpiece for our customers.”
For more information on Andrew Henry Interiors or the bespoke soft furnishings service, Thread & Dandy, please visit the websites below.