Step inside a masterfully designed London home where silver and crystal bring in grandeur that’s fit for a wonderful stay.
The living area features Beaumont & Fletcher embroidered furnishings. Photo: Nick Rochowski
Tucked away within the posh One Hyde Park building in London’s Knightsbridge is a regal five-bedroom apartment. The space has been meticulously expanded and refurbished for a Kuwait business family to be used regularly throughout the year. The brief was clear: to curate a contemporary design that would bring together the sophistication of the English capital with the luxe aesthetics of the Arabian Gulf.
One of the first to buy within the Mandarin Oriental’s branded residences, the homeowners chose the property for its unique vistas of Hyde Park. Architectural interior design firm Elicyon was commissioned to take on the extensive renovation and full decoration of the 4,000 square feet of space, which incorporated the expert use of opulent materials such as silk, silver leaf, crystal, and gold – combined to create a truly unique property.
“The design inspiration for the home was to create a luxurious and modern living space that exudes regality and sophistication,” says Charu Gandhi, who founded Elicyon in 2014 and now heads the creative direction. Gandhi established her firm on a vision to bring together creativity and craftsmanship under one boutique practice. She now leads an international team of 35 people from the firm’s Kensington-based studio, with experts spanning several disciplines and levels of skill.
Stitched back detailing and tassels by Beaumont & Fletcher adorn the dining room chairs. Photo: Nick Rochowski
The striking vista of Hyde Park also influenced the interiors as the designer and the owners sought to incorporate elements of nature. The use of rich materials such as high-contrast marble flooring from Italy, silver leaf for the ceilings, custom Lalique crystal panels, and a neutral silver-gray color palette, helped contribute to the overall aesthetic. The replacement of the original base build flooring with high contrast marble, handpicked from Italy, provided an impressive foundation for the home, with crystal panels by Lalique recessed and under-lit to create a breathtaking effect.
“Our goal was to create a home that was completely custom to the client’s tastes and needs. For much of the design, this meant going to some of the best craftspeople in the world to have bespoke items made specifically for the space,” Gandhi says. “For example, the Baccarat chandelier in the dining room is a special commission from French designer Philippe Starck’s range made by Baccarat.”
The stag head chandelier in the dining room is a special commission from French designer Philippe Starck’s range made by Baccarat. Photo: Nick Rochowski
One focus of the project was to accommodate the client’s extensive array of Baccarat vases into the London home, with each element of the design complementing the handmade collection. Adorning the apartment, they provide a particular focal point in the vast hallway, displayed in mirrored casings for added elegance. “The emphasis on curating the Baccarat collection heavily influenced the overall design, incorporating bespoke furniture and beautifully reflective surfaces including hand-finished mirrors and polished Italian marble – drawing the eye down through the apartment to a beautiful Baccarat vase and the park beyond,” explains Gandhi. The property also features a large collection of hand-embroidered cushions and throws in metal thread work. The neutral color palette of silver, gray, black, and white is consistent throughout the interior, and accented across the marble, accessories, chandeliers, and embroidery.
A vast hallway has bespoke fitted units by Interior ID. The client’s extensive array of Baccarat vases is displayed in mirrored casings for added elegance. Photo: Nick Rochowski
As with any major refurbishment, fulfilling the goals of the initial brief had its challenges, particularly when considering the quantity of fragile, handmade objects that dotted the home. A meticulous process, the team placed orders up to a year in advance to ensure that items would be onsite in time for the final deadline. Working with large pieces of heavy crystal also represented a challenge and required painstaking planning and execution. “When everything within a home is custom-made, you can’t rush – every aspect must be executed with meticulous attention to detail,” the designer adds.
“As always, we worked with internationally renowned leaders within the art and design field. No room in this apartment could ever be mimicked or copied, it is totally unique,” Gandhi explains. “For the exquisitely handcrafted embroidery seen on the headboards and other furnishings throughout the property, we went to Beaumont & Fletcher whose expert craftspeople hand stitched motifs in silver, gold and red.”
The bedrooms feature handcrafted, bespoke headboards and embroidered bedding by Beaumont & Fletcher. Photo: Nick Rochowski
A decade on, Elicyon has grown rapidly, bringing projects to life from all over the world. Gandhi and her team are currently working on the completion of several hugely ambitious projects – from a listed townhouse in London’s Belgravia and a spacious period apartment on Regent’s Crescent, to its first atelier located in London’s Mayfair and a grand New York mansion. In the Middle East, the design firm is working on three large-scale villas in Saudi Arabia and an eight- bedroom family villa in Dubai. Above all, Elicyon brings a bespoke experience to each project, says Gandhi, adding, “Whether it’s a Dubai penthouse or a mansion in Abu Dhabi, we strive to take our clients on a highly personalized creative journey that gives them the home they’ve always wanted.”
Below, more pictures of the stunning London home.
The bedrooms feature handcrafted, bespoke headboards and embroidered bedding by Beaumont & Fletcher. Photo: Nick Rochowski
The main living space has a swing finished with hand-cut mirrors and tassels from Beaumont & Fletcher. Photo: Nick Rochowski
The living area of the London home, featuring a Baccarat vase, backlit Lalique panels in custom Italian marble flooring, Beaumont & Fletcher embroidery, and silver leaf ceiling. Photo: Nick Rochowski
Stitched back detailing and tassels by Beaumont & Fletcher adorn the dining room chairs. Photo: Nick Rochowski
Originally published in the March 2024 issue of Vogue Arabia
