From the late 18th century onwards, Knightsbridge has been revered as a neighbourhood of high prestige, elevated taste and inimitable style. The tapestry of architecture that stitches the skyline together includes Georgian terraces and villas and the lavish Victorian red brick mansions with beautiful facades that remain exquisitely preserved and renovated well into the era of modernity. Stucco facades front Art Deco apartments with exquisite iron balconies and the unmistakable tall sash windows, offering a tantalising glimpse of what design delights could possibly be held inside.
With such an impressive show on the exterior of these homes, they each demand that the same precision, attention to detail and occasional daring flourish be applied to the interior. Properties of this heritage therefore, require the touch of professional services that are well versed in the care and craft that is involved in making these houses and apartments into stunning homes.
Our collection of the very best interior designers that operate for Knightsbridge properties acts as an essential guide for the initial research steps.
Designed by Woulfe
Designed by Woulfe is the world-renowned interior design brand led by the creative mind of the Irish former concert pianist-turned-designer, Brian Woulfe. Despite incredible recognition and growth, Brian remains heavily involved in every brief they undertake as a guiding presence from research to execution. Importantly, this is a design service that firmly eschews a ‘house style’ in favour of an integrated interpretation of each client’s personality and needs. The results are always the embodiment of the brand tagline through Luxurious, liveable interiors with a sense of playfulness.
A full suite of services from Designed by Woulfe takes the client through a journey of key milestones that include full architectural drawings with modern functionality and AV amenities built into the spec. The studio takes care of all sourcing, budget management and finishes, fixtures and fabrics using an enviable network of international craftspeople and suppliers to assume responsibility for the entire design in a truly cohesive way. Some very credible recognition has been bestowed on them in recent times such as Best Individual Interior for an Individual Home from the Sunday Times British Homes Awards and their work is frequently shortlisted at the SBID International Design Awards. Flexible, adaptable and responsive, working with Design By Woulfe guarantees an interior that will make the absolute most of your home in glorious style.
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Oraanj Interior Design
It is often the case in creative industries and services that smaller studios operate in their own world of recommendations and the ultimate approval from word of mouth. Oraanj Interior Design may count themselves among the premier experts in Knightsbridge with a reputation built on local knowledge, peerless awareness of the spaces they design and a holistic outlook for complete renovations and transformations. There is a clarity of style from the brand where practical environments are layered with soft edges, sculptural lighting and accessories. Classical proportions are particularly tempered by postmodern art and finishes in many of their projects to inject an identity that feels appropriate for this area of the capital. That London sensibility is also demonstrated in the supplier network of Fulham joinery workshops and Chelsea upholsterers that make everything a close-knit affair.
A traditional and comprehensive workflow is employed by Oraanj Interior Design that moves quickly beyond consultation to full concept development with the client's input as the north star at all times. Using 3D visualisations allows for restyles and design deviations to be reimagined from feedback and the customisation of bespoke finishes is always encouraged. The design team assumes an important responsibility to steer everything towards your taste using all of their knowledge and experience.
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Roselind Wilson Design
Roselind Wilson brings a unique energy to this brand’s philosophy that stems from her own journey. Initially working in marketing in Cape Town, she made the pivot to design through study and freelance application before eventually creating the studio in 2010. She believes that her style is a product of the cultural influences that blend South African roots of clear, strong textures of natural earth with the enduring built environment and architectural shape of London’s city centre. Roselind now acts as creative director with a firm guiding belief that the luxury she creates is not concerned with excess, but restraint and making the space support the lifestyle.
Their client list is full of prestigious residential properties across the neighbourhoods of West London. Beautiful showcase projects such as Ennismore Gardens in Knightsbridge and a recent duplex renovation at Belsize Park Gardens demonstrate exactly the level of elegance and quality that is possible through partnerships with them. Accolades from the International Design & Architecture Awards and the London Design Awards reinforce this even further, with publications like Architectural Digest and Elle Decoration keen to display their work too. The depth and complexity of successful projects undertaken by Roselind Wilson Design in Kensington makes it impossible to ignore when considering interior design for homes here.
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Catherine Wilman Interiors
Catherine Wilman grew up surrounded by the ideas and applications of interior design as her father, John Wilman, had been a leading wallpaper designer in the UK. This exposure to the craft gave her some incredible experience of the processes, methodology and practicalities involved that would eventually dictate much of her own work and brand identity. The studio tagline of Liveable Luxury does a large part of explaining their particular sensibilities and outlook, where elegant and excellent craftsmanship meets purpose and function in a clearly defined style.
With so much of her design language concerned with how her clients want to live in their space, she often spends time alongside them to observe and record these patterns. From these initial movements and taste markers, a menu of interlocking services from ideation through project management and on to bespoke finishes and stylings can be drafted and chosen by the client. There is an undoubted timeless character to the studio’s work that often dismisses trends for a much longer-term view, and the results are always impressive. Notable projects, such as their work on St. John’s Wood Villa, have led to shortlist status for the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) on more than one occasion. Understated yet unmistakable, this is a brand that has quietly been making its own mark on Kensington interiors for a while now.
Looking through the portfolios and profiles from this cohort of interior design studios is a joyful experience. It represents the art of what is possible for projects that seek to make an impact in an important, successful and sympathetic way for the architecture of this neighbourhood. As their commissions continue, it feels as though the sanctuaries inside Kensington homes are definitely in safe and capable hands.
