The dynamism and drama of this contemporary design challenges and energises the period grandeur of this magnificent Knightsbridge House.

This imposing house spans seven floors on one of London’s grandest and most traditional streets. The interior design brief used a priceless art collection – contemporary and historic – as the catalyst for change. Functional sculpture takes the form of light and furniture, complementing the impact of the clients’ art collection of modern art at the heart of their new home.

One of our absolute favourite projects, the transformation of this period gem happened on an ambitious programme.  Staffan selected pieces from his favourite ateliers, including Giorgetti, Emmemobili and Ceccotti Collezioni: makers that he knew would hold their own in such a historic setting.  The pieces added to the building have become heirloom pieces – future classics that the family have come to treasure.

Curating the client’s own collections of sculpture, art and artefacts was a mini-project, demanding precise and considered attention to detail. The red thread of the project soon began to turn on this collection of art and its insertion into this granddame of a Knightsbridge House.  Staffan found a set of incredibly heavy Foo dogs packed away in storage, dusty and almost forgotten .  He immediately knew that they needed to be placed in a corner … for structural reasons – and dramatically lit.  The client’s collection of masks offered an important opportunity to create a still-life in one of the most important rooms in the house.

Staffan recalls that “We made sure that they were sensitively arranged, tailoring each bespoke stand to create changes in height. The background also needed to be muted: special wooden screens were designed for the windows to create a fabric backdrop against which the masks softly speak. This client understood instinctively how to bring together the various journeys and passions in her life – and make them sing. We understood how to get them ready for their close-up.”