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A handsome Grade II-listed house in north London that marries practicality and elegance with ease
The devil is in the details, so the saying goes, and details are something that Kensington-based interior design studio Elicyon excels at. Founded by Delhi-born Charu Gandhi in 2014, the innovative studio has, over the past 10 years, cemented its reputation for creating luxurious interiors that meld Charu's passion for decorative craft with the rigours of her formal architectural training. It was this reputation that charmed the owners of this handsome Grade II-listed, four-bedroom, five-storey property a stone's throw from Regent's Park, who had relocated to the capital with their two teenage children in 2021, having previously lived in both New York and Mumbai.
'The first time we saw the house, our clients were just in the process of buying it, but were keen to start the design conversation,' says Charu. 'At that point, the previous owners were in residence, so it was interesting to see the house while it was still occupied. They'd been there for years and it was a well-loved but dated home that hadn't been touched for a decade. We soon realised there was work to be done to maintain the building, as well as to update the lighting, heating and ventilation systems. We had to help our clients understand that, though the house was liveable, it needed a lot of attention.'
Beyond the fundamental work needed to ensure that the property functioned efficiently, enhancing period features was a key part of the renovation - and one that the Elicyon team relished. 'We are quite tech driven and use 3D modelling software to virtually scoop out spaces to create a clean, open flow,' says Charu. ‘After that, we can step back and assess what to retain, which, of course, is a priority.’
In the hall, the floorboards were sanded and stained in a lighter finish and the balustrades were touched up to match the original colour, while the beaded panelling is a new addition that echoes the Regency period of the building. 'We modelled so many variations, but now it really flows,' says Charu. Much time was spent designing a bespoke walnut armoire for this area to accommodate the owners' needs. Inside, it has space for hats, keys, dog leads and more. The exterior, however, is inspired by the art deco period, with a mix of mirror finishes set into the scalloped detail,' she notes. 'It feels completely at home in the scheme, but, at the same time, it is incredibly practical.'
Marrying that practicality with the elegance evident throughout the house, the dining room - once connected to the kitchen but now a separate space - has a custom table with a lazy susan at its centre. 'It's a fun piece and makes the space feel very convivial,' explains Charu. 'The owners love Indian food, so we tested the marbled resin surface relentlessly to ensure that spices wouldn't leave any marks. We also commissioned the bespoke wallpaper, which echoes the swirling finish of the table.' Next door in the kitchen, the cabinetry is a contemporary interpretation of a classic Shaker design, in Farrow & Ball's ‘School House White’.
On the first floor, the sitting room is divided into two comfortable zones by back-to-back sofas that can easily be rearranged to create a single, generous space. Home to a clutch of sculptural tables and a striking artwork by Ksenia Dermenzhi, the room is grounded by a custom bamboo-silk and wool carpet. 'It has notes from the family's lives woven into it - names, dates, locations,' explains Charu. 'It's an abstract interpretation of a family tapestry and is my absolute favourite piece in the room.'
More clever details can be found in the study, which is also a games room and hangout space with a bar. As well as the gracefully curved built-in desk, it has wine fridges and a retractable counter for preparing drinks. The room's hero piece is a custom table, designed to store cards and other games.
Upstairs, the main bedroom feels serene thanks to tactile fabrics in a palette of enveloping, earthy colours while, at the top of the house, the spare rooms feature long; horizontal headboards on the beds, emphasising the width of the spaces and detracting from the angles of the dormer ceilings.
'There are some unexpected elements, but when you step back, it all seems beautifully soft and slow,' says Charu. 'People don't always appreciate what being the custodian of a listed building entails and, as a design studio, our role is to help people lean into that. But knowing how happy these creatively minded clients are with our harmonious schemes now they're living there - it's the ultimate reward.
Elicyon: elicyon.com
Michael Sinclair1/6A burr walnut armoire, designed by Elicyon and crafted by Rick Baker, stands near a bespoke textured plaster plinth by Aden Furniture on the original floorboards in the hall. These were stripped and treated with a pale stain.
Michael Sinclair2/6The study features Cassina's ‘Indochine’ chair which complements an Elicyon-designed desk unit, on which artworks by Parme Baratier and Christopher Prout are displayed below the Iris Garagnoux painting, Amnion 6.
Michael Sinclair3/6'Formakami' lights by &Tradition illuminate an Anka Bespoke dining table with a ceramic top by Solomon & Wu, and Ateliers London custom dining chairs on a bespoke rug by The Rug Company. Drop It Modern wallpaper showcases the Maarten van den Bos painting The Sense of Relief (Sand), 2021, and Binga baskets flanking the chimneypiece.
Michael Sinclair4/6A Tektura vinyl wallcovering frames a view of the powder room from the landing, which features an Arteriors 'Janey' hourglass mirror and Viadurini 'Modern Column' stone basin.
Michael Sinclair5/6In the spare room, the headboard in a Hodsoll McKenzie fabric from Zimmer + Rode is framed by a J Randall Powers 'Brooks' table lamp and a 'Rousseau' pendant by Kelly Wearstler, both from Visual Comfort & Co.
Michael Sinclair6/6The main bedroom's bed and wall behind it, with panels in Phillip Jeffries ‘All Wound Up’ wall covering, were made according to Elicyon's design. Bespoke Aden Furniture bedside tables and a Liang & Eimil 'Coppola' bench in Oxford Latte velvet tone with a custom Riviere rug.
