A Writer's London Retreat Takes Inspo From the Chateau Marmont

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A renovation by Beata Heuman Ltd of a one-bedroom pied-à-terre nestled among the narrow cobblestone roads of London's picturesque Paddington was guided by the clients' ideas to make references to other enchanting places, including the Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, Italy. "The client — a writer who lived in the countryside — gave us a wonderfully eloquent brief containing many inspiring references," Beata Heuman said. "As this wasn't the writer's main home, she was open to creating something fun, colorful and creative. She specified that she wanted the space to feel very different to the London bustle outside."

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Living Room

"To help a small space feel bigger we aimed to create a sense of flow between the different areas of the room," Heuman said. Charcoal-painted floors and grasscloth wallpaper in Manila Hemp Wheat by Phillip Jeffries are featured throughout the living room and dining room.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Living Room

"The flat is small, and we leaned into that cocooning comfortable vibe using natural materials, colors, and myriad inspiration points from 20th century design," Heuman said.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Living Room

Part of decluttering the one-bedroom apartment included camouflaging certain elements. The television is tucked in a Fornasetti-papered cabinet over the fireplace mantel.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Living Room

The bright red from the NYX 3-head metal floor lamp from Habitat matches the frame of the client's artwork. The radiator is obscured with a decorative cover.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Breakfast Nook

Nicky Haslam's Shutter Stripe blinds (purchased from Turnell & Gigon) work to control the amount of natural light that pours through the large windows. A bespoke dining table, designed by Beata Heuman Ltd — covered in Canoa YP15013 fabric from John Dunlop Textiles — creates a sunlit-covered breakfast nook.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Kitchen

The round-shaped backsplash in the kitchen, carved out of Carrara marble, was a nod to the work of Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. The backsplash is framed by a continuation of the textured grasscloth wallpapered walls.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Kitchen

The kitchen cabinets are painted in Dulux's Woodland Pearl 1.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Bedroom

The European-inspired design of Old Hollywood haunt Chateau Marmont served as an inspiration for the bedroom. The palm tree lamp is from Graham & Green (topped with a bright Pooky lampshade). The walls are painted in Bridge Blue from Mylands.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Bathroom

The bathroom floors and walls are covered in black and white Bert & May Maison Decor tiles that continue the semi-circles used throughout the design. A bright-blue compact bathroom vanity unit was custom-made by the firm.

Image Credit: Simon Brown

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Bathroom

A steel bathtub topped in a bespoke Carrara marble top with curved corners is a funky design that adds to the fun of the bathroom design.

Image Credit: Simon Brown