A colourful Kensington townhouse reimagined as a bold, pattern-rich home full of light and personality alike
This Kensington townhouse has been reworked into a vivid, characterful home that celebrates colour, pattern, and confident, playful self-expression. Designed by Rebecca Hughes Interiors, the three-bedroom property has been transformed from a gloomy, enclosed space into a bright and spirited interior that feels uplifting, theatrical, and distinctly personal in every detail.
The scheme responds directly to the client’s bold taste and carefully curated existing furniture, using it as a springboard rather than starting entirely afresh. Strong colour choices, layered textiles, and a lively mix of antiques and contemporary pieces give the house its expressive, unforgettable identity. From the apple-green front door and graphic tiled steps, the tone is immediately set: this is a home unafraid to make a statement.
Careful architectural changes support the decorative direction. A new internal window draws daylight into the hallway, the staircase has been opened up to improve flow, and the first floor has been thoughtfully reconfigured to create a generous main bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and en suite. Throughout the house, colour is applied with confidence, from pink-toned circulation spaces to green tiles in the kitchen and floral wallpapers in the bedrooms.
Natural motifs recur throughout the interiors via Schumacher fabrics, hand-painted murals, and chinoiserie references, while tactile finishes such as velvet, layered rugs, and patterned tiles add warmth, texture, and visual depth. Thoughtful lighting, carefully chosen artworks, and sculptural accessories further enhance the playful, theatrical character of the home. The result is a joyful, slightly eccentric townhouse that balances charm with city polish, personality, and livability, creating a space that feels both welcoming and endlessly inspiring for its inhabitants.
Rebecca Hughes Interiors
www.rebeccahughesinteriors.com
Thoughtful Design
A warm duplex above Lake Zurich, Switzerland, designed by K’Arte Design, blending calm, refined interiors for practical family living
Perched above Lake Zurich, this duplex apartment in Kilchberg was designed as a long-term family home that feels both considered and comfortably lived in over time. K’Arte Design was tasked with creating interiors that would hold their own visually while remaining practical for everyday life with two young children. Warm tones and layered textures respond to Zurich’s cooler climate, softening the architecture and drawing subtle cues from the surrounding landscape.
A tight deadline shaped many decisions from the outset. With complex import requirements to manage, the studio worked carefully with what was already in place, reworking selected elements rather than replacing them outright. This approach allowed the project to stay on schedule without compromising the overall vision.
The finished home feels calm and confident, with gentle nods to retro influences sitting alongside contemporary pieces. Statement furniture and lighting are balanced by durable materials and thoughtful layouts, ensuring the spaces work hard without feeling over-designed. Personal objects play a key role, from family-made furniture to artworks chosen for their meaning rather than display value.
Throughout the apartment, elegance sits comfortably beside daily family life. The result is a home that feels settled and expressive, designed to grow with its occupants while remaining warm, functional and quietly assured over time.
K’Arte Desig
www.kartedesign.com
