Ode To Elegance

This London townhouse by Katharine Pooley features an enchanting blend of bespoke details and jewel tones

- Karen Tee

The stately exterior of this Notting Hill townhouse surely has many passers-by wondering about its grand interiors. Truth be told, what lies within might exceed even the most exacting of expectations. Owned by a jet-setting professional couple who live here with their two dogs, this luxurious 17,000sqft abode spans seven floors overlooking leafy private gardens. Its decor was entrusted to renowned interior designer Katharine Pooley, named British Designer of the Decade at the International Design and Architecture Awards in 2019.

Pooley immediately knew this would be a project like no other. “This property was very much a blank canvas with tremendous potential to become a remarkable work of art,” says the designer, whose team completed the project in an impressive five months. “The rooms—large, light, and airy, with elegant period detailing—were predominantly white, and this seemed the perfect backdrop for a dramatic transformation. The building is undeniably beautiful, it just needed some personality drawn out of it.”

CREATIVE DIALOGUE

Regular discussions with the owners helped Pooley solidify her creative concept. For instance, the husband’s appreciation for cutting-edge contemporary styles, which is rooted in his love of automotive design, inspired her to commission notable work from leading British ateliers, makers and artists for the home. According to Pooley, the joinery is exceptional; she engaged top English artisans such as Halstock, Silverlining and Interior-id to work on custom cabinetry for the townhouse.