12 spectacular London homes that preserve the city’s architectural heritage

A unique fusion of Chinese philosophy and Western design takes shape in this 1,500-sq-ft London apartment, where the space was reimagined for a Chinese calligrapher and art collector whose scholarly pursuits span politics, history, and ancient Chinese principles.

Co-founders of interior architecture studio Holloway Li, Alex Holloway and Na Li, crafted the Edwardian-style apartment to reflect their client’s deep connection to Chinese cultural values, particularly Confucian philosophy and the principles of yuan ye–the influential Ming dynasty garden design treatise, while also incorporating elements of the Four Arts, the classical pillars of Chinese scholarly achievement.

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In the study, carved from the existing dining and reception areas, traditional Chinese rosewood joinery and European antiques coexist harmoniously, while bi-fold shutter screens create flexible boundaries between spaces, following yuan ye’s guidance on room connectivity.

Meanwhile, special attention was paid to accommodating the owner’s artistic pursuits, including a bespoke stand and chair for his guzheng instrument. 

The bedroom features de Gournay’s hand-painted wallpaper with bamboo motifs, offering a serene retreat. Throughout the space, angular architectural elements are balanced with curved furniture and carved details, embodying yuan ye’s principle that neither curves nor squares should be absolute, but rather exist in harmony with each other.

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Untouched for over two decades, the 4,000-sq-ft duplex apartment’s narrow layout and pitched roof became assets rather than constraints in creating a contemporary space with refined luxury for the homeowners that sought a feminine, timeless interior while maintaining an elegant aesthetic.

Interior designer Rebecca James drew inspiration from Parisian-style Haussmann apartments, replacing heavy furnishings with light, creamy tones and subtle textures that permeate throughout the home alongside distinct accent colours.

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The monochromatic living room features bespoke off-white sofas anchored by a Cordova shell limestone coffee table and a textured Tai Ping rug; whereas, the kitchen brings warmth through marble flooring and green accents, while woven Binga baskets and Cane-Line chairs create a welcoming breakfast nook.

The formal dining room, one of the designer’s favourite rooms in the apartment, showcases grey tones complemented by cloud-patterned Zoffany wallpaper, and vintage Hans-Agne Jakobsson chandeliers that elevated the overall vibe of the room.

The master bedroom with dove white walls continues the airy theme, accentuated with pale pink dressers and a headboard from Elizabeth Eakins in a charming floral pattern. 

For the homeowners’ visiting grandchildren, custom bunk beds and London-themed wallpaper create an inviting retreat that soothes the spirit while serving multiple generations.

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For Dutch model Lara Stone’s family home in the exclusive Hampstead neighbourhood, her property developer husband David Grievson of Coburn Property took the lead on the renovations for their Victorian brick villa that had belonged to the same family for 36 years.

Previously subdivided to accommodate multiple family members, the property’s compartmentalised layout blocked natural light. Hence, the renovation focused on returning the house to its original layout while modernising its amenities.

The mezzanine levels were removed, while the ceiling heights were restored, and the former garden shed and outdoor toilet were converted into a boot room next to the spacious garden in the backyard.

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The interior design scheme features off-white and cream walls that serve as a neutral canvas for vibrant pieces, including an orange Loveyourhome sofa and landscape paintings by Lucy Kent, a friend of Grievson.

These contemporary aesthetics harmonise with the preserved original 1870s features, as well as notable vintage furnishings, such as the 130-year-old dining table sourced from a Glasgow accountant’s office. 

The master suite, created by combining two bedrooms and a bathroom, showcases the renovation’s successful blend of comfort and sophistication, complete with a dressing room designed by Stone herself.

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The three-storey gothic English mansion, owned by the British singer for nearly four decades, underwent a dramatic transformation spearheaded by interior designer Kelly Hoppen, who drew inspiration from her own West London residence.

While preserving stunning architectural features like stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and an ornate wrought-iron central staircase, the established a neutral foundation of taupe and beige tones, allowing George’s vibrant collection of colourful artwork, photographs, and ceramics to take centre stage.

The bright foyer, distinguished by marble columns and round arches, leads to the main living room, where a coffered ceiling and exposed brickwork, correlate with the eclectic furnishings, including the singer’s deejay table.

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Meanwhile, the intimate dining area is furnished with antique pieces and chinoiserie, while the modern kitchen addition brings natural light through floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking a landscaped garden.

The upper floors maintain the calming neutral palette while showcasing distinctive spaces like a light-filled bathroom with Victorian-style fixtures and a skylight, and a serene master bedroom overlooking Hampstead Heath. 

Another notable addition is the cosy screening room, fully decorated in taupe with a step ceiling and Belgian linen upholstery.

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Tapping into his studio’s innovative approach in designing playful, low-impact spaces, creative director Alex Holloway transformed his Victorian-era property in North London’s Highbury district into an experimental one-bedroom apartment inspired by art, film, and lived experiences.

Measuring at 700 sq ft, the original “fairly boxy” layout for the corner unit had limited natural light, before Holloway removed the wall partitions, installed new windows, and replaced the ceiling with wooden beams–creating an open-concept space that seamlessly connects areas for living, working, and entertaining.

Throughout the apartment, plaster walls provide a versatile backdrop for rotating artwork, while bold furnishings add character, including prototypes like the T4 modular seating designed in collaboration with Turkish furniture label Uma.

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Besides the unconventional placement of a bathtub in the living room, challenging traditional room configurations, the kitchen design pays homage to the iconic stainless steel kitchens of local kebab shops, executed with an elevated aesthetic. 

Holloway’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the use of recycled materials and vintage pieces from past design projects. These include a resin shower screen inspired by the firm’s The Market Building project, and a custom coffee table featuring a repurposed resin test panel from a showroom and co-working space project in Clerkenwell, London.

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Led by architecture studio De Rosee Sa, a Victorian-era townhouse in London’s idyllic Notting Hill district has evolved from a maze of small rooms into an airy, open-plan residence that honours both Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian design.

The 3,230-sq-ft property follows Japandi principles of simplicity and natural elements, as the designers, husband-and-wife team Max de Rosee and Claire Sa, employed throughout the five-storey home a carefully curated palette of materials with an emphasis on fabric and wood furniture that strengthens the overall Japandi aesthetic.

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A striking staircase featuring hexagonal balustrades in patinated steel connects the light-filled, nature-connected rooms, beginning with the lower ground floor, which was once an unloved basement, now comprises an open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area that opens into the garden. 

Caliza Capri limestone creates a sense of calm continuity on the lower ground floor, garden, and bathrooms, while Austrian oak appears consistently in the kitchen, staircase, and upper-level flooring.

Besides that, the homeowners’ sophisticated taste is reflected in their collection of iconic furniture pieces, which include a Gubi Pacha Lounge Chair by Pierre Paulin, a Fredericia Magazine Table by Jens Risom, and an Oluce Atollo lamp by Vico Magistretti.

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Situated near the celebrated Hyde Park in London, the traditional mews house that spans 2,400 sq ft was once cramped and dark, before architectural design studio Echlin converted it into an airy, light-filled residence infused with modern luxury.

While preserving the historic exterior façade, the colour palette and material choices throughout the three-storey home were inspired by the owners’ international hotel experiences, but executed using London-based artisans and makers. 

This includes the handcrafted oak helical staircase, custom-made in East Sussex, which anchors the interior space with its organic, curved design.

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The main living room features a striking five-metre rust orange modular sofa beneath an artwork by British artist Sam Lock, while towering shelves serve as both storage and room dividers. 

The dining area, on the other hand, showcases a bespoke olive velvet banquette and marquetry table, complemented by Portuguese rattan and linen chairs; while in the kitchen, with walnut pocket doors that conceal utilities during entertaining, opens to a sunken living area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking greenery. 

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The monochromatic master suite on the top floor features skylight windows that provide ample light into the idyllic space, whereas in the ensuite, limestone-clad walls accompany the brass and white onyx bathroom fittings, large dual sinks and a freestanding bathtub. 

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Located in the leafy suburb of Streatham, the grand Edwardian house that belongs to Richard Angel, CEO and co-founder of design firm Angel O’Donnell, boasts original features that were preserved, such as the decorative mouldings, stained glass windows, and ornate gables, complemented by a garden with ancient cedars and cascading ponds.

The Grade II-listed property received a bold yet sophisticated makeover, with the home’s layout reconfigured to accommodate modern functionalities: the kitchen was expanded by removing an old drying room, adding storage and a south-facing window; while an underutilised reception area became a dining room with unimpeded views of the sunset.

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Each room was painted a distinct colour palette: pale biscuit tones in the entrance hall and living areas, burgundy red in the dining room, and putty pink in the principal bedroom. 

Meanwhile, contemporary pieces are paired with vintage finds, including a plush Andrew Martin sofa and 1930s Jindrich Halabala armchairs reupholstered in moss-green velvet.

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Other notable highlights of the home include working fireplaces that were restored with fresh paint and contemporary tiles, and a half-height upholstered wall in the principal bedroom that conceals a redundant chimney breast while creating a luxurious backdrop. 

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In the fashionable West End district of Mayfair, this 4,600-sq-ft duplex penthouse, designed by Natalia Miyar, features a rich palette of metals such as bronze and brass, paired with a robust yet cosy palette of rust, ochre and blue tones, as well as natural materials like marble, leather, timber flooring.

The entrance makes an immediate statement with bespoke antique bronze liquid metal doors inspired by Milan’s Villa Necchi Campiglio–dramatic elements that set the tone for the metal finishes throughout, including a custom brass bar with fluted detailing in the living room.

For extra pizazz, a mix of bespoke and collectible pieces complement the homeowner’s enviable art collection, which includes works from Joan Miró and Jan Frank.

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For example, the living spaces include Paris-sourced armchairs reupholstered in textured blue fabric and brutalist bronze table lamps by Maurizio Tempestini; while in the dining room, dark Manila hemp wallpaper provides a striking backdrop for a custom table with a Bordeaux-hued base, crowned by an architectural Trapeze 7 Mobile chandelier.

The luxurious aesthetic extends to the private spaces through the use of various marbles, including Calacatta Viola with distinctive red veining in the powder room and Statuario marble in the bathrooms. 

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Formerly a six-bedroom property located in West London, interior designer Rebecca James has reimagined the 5,274-sq-ft art deco residence into a four-bedroom home that balances bold design choices with serene spaces to accommodate different aesthetic preferences.

While a striking black-and-white mountain-themed wallpaper defines the dark staircase at the entrance foyer, the kitchen and dining areas feature more vibrant elements, such as deep green cabinetry, marble counters, and patterned dining chairs.

This leads into the adjoining garden in the backyard that has been converted into a Moroccan-inspired outdoor space with patterned tiles and pink plastered walls.

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Furthermore, the formal living spaces upstairs maintain a classic scheme with white walls and crown moldings serving as a canvas for colourful furniture and artwork; whereas the master bedroom offers a more subdued atmosphere with muted tones, complemented by a bathroom featuring warm marble and cloud-like wallpaper.

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Throughout the home, luxury materials including Namibian white and blue marble, Calacatta Caldia, and Rosso Levanto marble create an elegant foundation, while ribbed Corian, ceramic tiles, and varied oak finishes add textural interest. 

Custom pieces, created in collaboration with artisans, include a walk-in wardrobe and kitchen by Andrea Felice, ceramic vessels by Alison Lousada and Laura Pasquino, and a blackened steel console table by Pietro Franceschini.

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Designed by Fraher and Findlay Architects, this semi-detached Victorian house in Barnes established a cohesive visual narrative that blends geometric patterns with sophisticated design elements.

From the patterned floor panelling through the front door to the kitchen’s geometric-patterned cabinets, angular motifs are persistent throughout the light-filled family home, while blue accents throughout provide a sense of tranquility.

These design narratives harmonise with thoughtful design choices that create a foundation for the family’s growing art collection, such as artworks by British artist Mark Demsteader, while facilitating their evolving lifestyle.

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The open-plan layout prioritises family connection, where the sunken living room–featuring a cleverly concealed television behind sliding antique mirrors that maintains the room’s timeless aesthetic–flows into the dining and kitchen areas, enhanced by marble backsplashes and statement lighting.

The seamless flow opens out into the back garden, crafted by award-winning garden designer Ula Maria, with an outdoor dining area beneath mulberry trees.

Upstairs, the loft bedroom showcases hand-printed Rapture and Wright wallpaper, while the master bedroom combines neutral tones with calming blues, extending into a dressing room with an accessory island. 

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Led by creative director Olga Alexeeva of interior design studio Black & Milk, the renovation for the 775-sq-ft ‘Type 71’ apartment in the Barbican Estate’s Gilbert House honours its brutalist heritage while adapting it for contemporary living.

The open-plan living and dining area of the L-shaped unit achieves a sense of spaciousness through clever design elements, and the introduction of pink fabric walls and bright green accents to create a warm, inviting atmosphere within the minimalist framework.

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Practical solutions were elegantly integrated throughout, such as wall panelling and upholstered sections that conceal wiring for wall lights while maintaining the original ceiling light configuration; while a bespoke television cabinet with textured, coloured glass sliding doors that maintain visual flow while concealing display items.

Complemented by a bedroom, bathroom, and compact laundry room, the home also features a semi-detached kitchenette, which combines brutalist aesthetics with contemporary materials like paperstone, steel, and coloured textured glass.

The result is a sophisticated space that feels both frozen in time and thoroughly modern; what Alexeeva describes as resulting in “a flat that feels magical as soon as you step inside, where every detail fits perfectly into place.”

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