This 1960’s terraced house in the leafy surroundings of Hampstead, is discreetly tucked away on a quiet Modernist estate. Its elevated position offers captivating, far reaching views across London.
Our clients, a couple passionate about modern art and architecture, had lived in their home for several years. Having undergone a lengthy process of applying for the planning of a bijoux roof terrace and with permission finally granted, they felt it was the ideal time to inject energy into the interiors of the property.
This residential project was featured in an 10-page spread in Elle Decoration’s March 2025 issue. Read the full story here.
Having followed us on Instagram, they reached out to Zulufish with a clear vision but sought our expertise to refine and expand upon it. After discussing various collaboration options, they were excited by our proposal to take the lead on the design direction whilst involving them in day-to-day decisions at every stage of the process. The project was a complete interior re-design, there were no structural changes required.
The interiors were outdated and lacked cohesive character. While there were some beautiful individual pieces and a fantastic art collection, the spaces felt disconnected, with little harmony between the home’s style, the building’s age, and the materials and colour palette.
Our clients were eager to embrace an urban aesthetic, favouring textured, tactile layers that added depth and interest over anything too polished or uniform. They had a striking modern art collection, and we felt these pieces should be seamlessly integrated into the design, set against materials that complemented the palette and added character without overpowering the space.
The breathtaking views were also a priority. With wraparound windows offering views of central London, it was essential to maximise natural light and create a seamless connection between the interior and exterior, ensuring the vistas remained the focal point.
The colour palette evolves as you move through the floors within the property. The lower floors are more cocooning with a sense of drama, whilst the upper areas and roof terrace contrast, with a sense of light and openness.
Designed in collaboration with HUX London, the open plan kitchen cupboards are clad in metal effect Italian Cleaf, a premium laminate that is highly durable with a superb textural finish. This concept of adding a patina to surfaces was then threaded across the walls and ceiling of the dining area with Corten Steel creating a brilliantly enveloping atmosphere, perfect for entertaining at the monolithic dining table, which is illuminated overhead by a sculptural ‘Wave’ pendant.
The dining room has a slightly lower ceiling, and the obvious direction would be to keep it light and bright, however we took a more dynamic approach, wrapping the walls and ceiling in rust-coloured Corten steel to create an enveloping space that balances with the larger expanse of glass at the windows.
The open plan rhythm through to the sitting area is punctuated by a bespoke fireplace which adds warmth and a focal point within the design. The walls are also finished with Corten steel, continuing the tactile, metallic element and a Scenario Sofa from Roche Bobois provides ample seating complimenting the modernist aesthetic.
On the second and third floors, the materials maintain the urban feel but shift from darker tones and metallic finishes to glass, concrete, and polished plaster that subtly reflect the light. Joinery specified from HUX London follows the continued aesthetic and enables artwork to stand front and centre stage and a Christopher Farr rug adds to the character and colour pops.
Collaborating on this project was a truly rewarding experience, as it felt deeply connected to the property’s unique sense of place and its age. Both the clients and our design team shared a sense of joy in the outcome, as the result didn’t feel like a new interior we imposed, but rather something we uncovered and revitalised. It felt like a perfect, natural fit.
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