Houzz Tours
London Houzz: An Apartment Revived With Colour and Personality
Subtle colour palettes give a unique feel to each room and a cohesive style to this whole home
An easy-going client who’s open to ideas is an interior designer’s dream, but they can also present the challenge of opening up too many options. For Sacha Berger of Honey Bee Interiors, however, this wasn’t an issue. One of the reasons the owner of this apartment contacted her through Houzz was because they loved the bright-toned projects on her profile. Berger rightly knew they’d be onboard with an interesting colour scheme, which was confirmed by getting to know her client’s partner. “She was always wearing colourful clothes,” says Berger, “so I just knew she liked colour.”
The fireplace and alcove storage were already in place, but Berger added a soft taupe to the walls as a cosy neutral backdrop. “I also used black accents, which help to ground the space,” she says.
These black hues can be seen in the round mirror and the wide pendant light, which the designer chose because the ceiling is quite low. “The light makes the most of the room’s width instead, so it’s much more in proportion.”
These black hues can be seen in the round mirror and the wide pendant light, which the designer chose because the ceiling is quite low. “The light makes the most of the room’s width instead, so it’s much more in proportion.”
Brightly coloured artworks bring in more colour without overpowering the main scheme.
Ready to redesign your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Ready to redesign your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The dining room doubles as an office, so Berger kept this in mind when designing the room’s bespoke cabinets. “There are pull-out shelves inside for the printer, as well as other useful shelves and rails,” she says. Substantial antique-brass handles give a quality finish to the cupboards.
As the room is quite small, Berger added interest with a bold blue paint colour.
As the room is quite small, Berger added interest with a bold blue paint colour.
The table is the key piece of furniture in the room and the patterned top turns it into a feature. Berger chose chairs in a dusky lavender fabric to complement the blue walls, and had curtains made in a similar material.
A large mirror adds an industrial feel and helps to visually open up the small room.
A large mirror adds an industrial feel and helps to visually open up the small room.
The kitchen was already finished and in good condition, so Berger didn’t need to do much in this room apart from installing a matching island [not pictured].
Browse more beautifully designed kitchens with blue accents
Browse more beautifully designed kitchens with blue accents
At the other side of the kitchen, an industrial-style wooden dining table with metal legs chimes with the steel-framed patio doors.
Both the dining room and the kitchen look out to a patio area, which Berger helped to turn into a cosy seating spot. “I created a screen with bamboo to give the couple privacy from the neighbouring property and to provide a green view,” she says.
She also sourced some garden furniture and blue-and-white textiles, and had a matching awning installed over the dining room’s French doors and windows.
She also sourced some garden furniture and blue-and-white textiles, and had a matching awning installed over the dining room’s French doors and windows.
Upstairs, soft tones give the main bedroom a relaxing feel. “We chose this patterned wallpaper to give the space depth, then picked out colours and added beige and pink,” says Berger.
She designed similar cabinets to those in the dining room, but added a linen veneer to the insides.
She designed similar cabinets to those in the dining room, but added a linen veneer to the insides.
Round, marble-topped bedside tables add a contrasting shape, and the glass lamp bases allow the wallpaper pattern to show through.
Berger went for a different look in the spare bedroom, with a pale peach hue on the walls balanced with denim blue accessories. Patterned cushions on the bed tie the two shades together.
Wood-and-rattan storage furniture bring a cosy feel to the room and bookend an artwork, ‘Envoys Return’, by Mary Jane Ansell.
In the upstairs office, Berger teamed restful sage-green walls with warm wooden furniture. “I used earthy colours, which are relaxing to work in,” she says. “I wanted it to feel warm, not boring.”
Behind the desk and above a rattan cabinet, Berger introduced a fun element with a quirky artwork from Rockett St George.
Asked how her client feels about the finished project, the designer replies that she loves it all. “She was a pleasure to work with,” she says, “really open to ideas, and a lot braver than she thought.”
Your turn
What do you like about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Catch up on some of the latest and greatest local design here with this Melbourne Houzz: Humble at the Front, Party at the Back
Asked how her client feels about the finished project, the designer replies that she loves it all. “She was a pleasure to work with,” she says, “really open to ideas, and a lot braver than she thought.”
Your turn
What do you like about this home? Share your thoughts in the Comments, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Catch up on some of the latest and greatest local design here with this Melbourne Houzz: Humble at the Front, Party at the Back
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: London, UK
Property: A ground-floor apartment
Size: Three bedrooms and three bathrooms
Designer: Sacha Berger of Honey Bee Interiors
The colour palette in the home’s living room sets the tone for the rest of the property. “It was a combination I hadn’t used before,” says Berger of the mustard, olive green and red tones that feature in the room.
A cosy green sofa is complemented by deep yellow armchairs, all upholstered in velvet. “I always use velvet with colour, as it makes the shades look so beautiful,” she says.