DpL 3.0

Chelsea Studio

Careful balance of lighting effects, light and shadow to create harmony and balance within a richly decorated and filled interior.

Year

Client

Private Client

Location

London, UK

Category

Residential

This Chelsea studio residence is arranged around a central courtyard with a dug-out basement. Filled with antiques, each room is almost a museum display, with the artworks carefully curated to form an exquisite and truly unique interior.

The entrance foyer exhibits a lit central display table, that looks across the glistening glazed courtyard. The drawing room beyond glows with the reflected light from carefully integrated striplight to the antique cabinets – displaying a treasure trove of objects from around the globe

During the day, the basement is flooded with natural light through the glazed courtyard floor. The challenge at night is all the glazing can act as a mirror, reflecting the interior back and reducing the impression of space. Track spotlights were carefully detailed within the glazing transoms and were directed to illuminate the fireplace artworks, dining table and mirrors. A large antique crystal chandelier sparkles over the table, whilst recessed uplights highlight the columns and lift the impression of the central skylight at night. Wall washer downlights evenly light the ‘salon hung’ artwork walls.

A decision was made to focus the light onto the central island – leaving the perimeter in relative quietness as a balance to richly displayed and lit areas in the centre. Conversely a diffuse ambience was created at the opposite end of the room, with a focus one large, panelled artwork. This helps to demarcate and soften the visual impact in multi-functional open plan spaces.

Bespoke mirror and wall lights provide the facial light in the master bathroom, which has a pitched ceiling. The under counter lighting helps to give the feeling of space and depth to counter balance the lowered ceiling.