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Project Name: Melbury Rd. – London

Location: London

Date Completed: 2018

Interior Designer: Maii Interiors

Maii Interiors, a Rome based interior design, architectural-engineering firm spearheaded by Federica Squillante Montoro set forth to balance a classical contemporary design scheme within the space of a century old cultural heritage property designed by Richard Noman Shaw (1875). The residence’s property line backs up against the grounds of the Leighton Museum in Kensington. This architectural scrigno – steeped in a heritage of cultural aristocracy, called for optimization and clearing out of the space in order to award return of its charm, suspended between the past and present.

The designers believed that the historical integrity of the property and its relationship to the surrounding neighbourhood must also be an integral part of the design discussions and actions. The original structure was maintained intact; however, the existing floors were replaced with herringbone parquet, making a huge aesthetic difference. The selection of fabrics, materials, fine joinery, finishes and furnishings hand-crafted by Italian artisans created an environment of luxury that accompanies the present owner throughout the day. Throughout, the rooms are accessorised with antique pieces, artworks of provenance, dating from the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and a contemporary sculpture piece.

Federica Squillante Montoro, partner and principal designer, used her unique perception and approach to creativity, research, use of natural materials, support of the artisan community and craft production, along with her understanding of the client’s desire ensured that the client’s vision was completely brought to life. The challenge was to find solutions to circumvent restrictions given the property’s historic listing, which made it necessary to be thoughtful of the cultural heritage aristocracy of the architecture; the iconic style, time period it was set in and bringing the same aesthetic balance as the exterior, inside. Once inside, one of the goals was to offset the dramatic 6-metre-high ceilings, this was achieved with the installation of classical works of art and classical sculptural pieces.

Melbury Road is a transformation of a cultural heritage property built by Richard Norman Shaw (1875) into an elegant classical-modern home of comfort and luxury.