Cover The living room of a Notting Hill home by Project London
The living room of a Notting Hill home by Project London
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Blending Victorian sophistication with Japandi charm, Project London has created a Notting Hill sanctuary that will stand the test of time
In the modern age, it is more important than ever for heritage homes to stand firm in their architectural truths. Such was the case for this five-storey Victorian townhouse in Notting Hill, revamped in 2025 by Project London. With its high ceilings, original timber floors and restored cornices, Marcelina Janiszewska declared the London home to be “a house with real character, one to be revealed rather than reinvented.”
Originally, the renovation was limited to the light furnishings. Eventually, the 300.5 square metres of the home started to lean towards the Japandi style of interior design, as the homeowner often moves between London, Japan and Scandinavia throughout the year. The restrained design sensibilities that characterise this approach were appealing for their flexibility and their emphasis on natural materials that develop a patina over time.
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Above The entryway of a Notting Hill home by Project London
Above The living room of a Notting Hill home by Project London
The entryway of a Notting Hill home by Project London
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All the while, the home’s Victorian bones remained at the forefront. Preserving the original timber floors, the team sanded and re-stained them in a deeper tone to highlight their imperfections and quirks, preventing the home from falling into the sterile look that new builds often possess.
On the ground floor, the sitting room features a symmetrical pair of bookcases that balance the home’s original features with a recreation by Cor Domi. The gallery-like display for artworks and objects collected from the homeowner’s travels lines the walls, while sculptural lighting by Karen Henriksen and oversized works by Marrakech-based artist LRNCE add scale and tactility to the otherwise muted palette.
The kitchen area of a Notting Hill home by Project London
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One particularly meaningful addition to the home is a bespoke artwork by Zena Holloway, built out of living plant roots. Such an eye-catching piece brings a sense of the outdoors within, creating moments of pause amid the homeowner’s busy schedule.
Beneath the main staircase, a bespoke installation by Cor Domi sets the stage for one of the home’s most functional elements. Three wine fridges sit alongside custom cabinetry with angled drawers, integrated ventilation and LED lighting, carving out a space for entertaining family and friends with ease. The nearby kitchen was also by Cor Domi, maintaining earthy tones and a generous scale anchored by an expansive RH dining table.
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Above The upstairs bar area of a Notting Hill home by Project London
The upstairs bar area of a Notting Hill home by Project London
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Moving upstairs, the bar is finished in deep burgundy and features Anna Glover’s Alcea wallpaper. Evoking images of a dynamic, sprawling garden, the bespoke piece sets the stage for the crushed velvet built-in banquette, while the walnut joinery and green porcelain worktop further infuse the room with meditative jewel tones. “The result is an intimate, layered setting that feels both dramatic and inviting,” Janiszewska says, “designed to capture the atmosphere of a private members’ club” and creating her favourite area of the home.
The bedroom of a Notting Hill home by Project London
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Through bifold glazed doors, the bar flows onto an extended terrace landscaped by Aoba, where bonsai trees and other plants maintain the London home’s Japandi sensibility outdoors. This emphasis on wellness is maintained in the principal ensuite, complete with a walk-in shower, domestic sauna and walk-in steam room installed by GymCraft. Up on the roof stands a fully-equipped gym with expansive views across Notting Hill.
Altogether, Janiszewska reflected that “What made this home particularly special was its balance between preservation and personalisation.” Balancing the forces of Victorian elegance with Japandi simplicity, the London home is informed and enriched by both design stories. As time goes on, it will continue to bear witness to even more engaging chapters in its long and vibrant life.
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Credits
Photography: Malcolm Menzies
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
