A FINE VINTAGE

Designer Beata Heuman shows a more serious side with a considered redesign of a historic London town house

- BUSOLA EVANS

IN THE RECEPTION ROOM, A PAIR OF SOFAS AND TWO 1940S FRENCH OAK ARMCHAIRS SURROUND A MAX ROLLITT OTTOMAN UPHOLSTERED IN ANTIQUE TAPESTRY. RATTAN CEILING LIGHTS BY SOANE BRITAIN; MIRROR BY JAMB; BESPOKE TV UNIT (BACK LEFT CORNER) WITH EMBROIDERY PANELED DOORS; CUSTOM RUG. PAINTING ON ET WAL KAIGIN

If the ability to shape-shift is one of the true superpowers of an accomplished designer, then underestimate Beata Heuman at your peril.

The Swedish-born, London-based AD100 talent is well-known for her delicious designs emboldened with captivating color, a masterful mesh of furnishings, and a smattering of whimsy. But her latest project, a Grade II listed five-story town house in Kensington, is concrete proof there is more to her creative playbook than meets the eye.

THE TERRACE'S SOFAS ARE CUSHIONED IN AN OUTDOOR FABRIC BYPIERRE FREY. OPPOSITE THE HOMEOWNER WITH HER THREE CHILDREN IN THE KITCHEN, A MURANO GLASS CHANDELIER HANGS OVER A BESPOKE TABLE SURROUNDED BY HOWE LONDON WINDSOR CHAIRS. 18TH-CENTURY DELFT PLATES; CIRCA 1950 CANDLE SCONCES; PAINTING BY VITTORIO RAINERI.

Of course, this expansive six-bedroom residence spread over more than 8,000 square feet bears many of Heuman's inescapable hallmarks-an appreciation of historical references coupled with a modern-day sensibility, clever and unpredictable details, bold deployments of pattern-but it also showcases a quiet evolution of her style and a new confidence.

"It's a bit more grown-up," agrees Heuman. "When we saw the house we had the feeling that this style is very suited to it. It's the scale.

It's different from traditional London town houses because it's so wide. The big central staircase, for instance-we've never really done anything that has that kind of aspect."