Monthly Archives: May 2026

Studio McW Transforms London Victorian Terrace into a Chic Entertainer’s Haven

In the heart of south-west London, local architecture studio Studio McW has completed a striking renovation and extension of a Victorian terrace, crafting a home designed specifically for social gatherings and family life. The residence, named Sobremesa after the Spanish tradition of lingering at the table after a meal, was commissioned by Charlie and Joshua Karlsen, founders of luxury catering company Opus 11. The Karlsen’s vision for the house was clear: a space primed for hosting, where friends and family could seamlessly gather, dine, and relax in style.

From Bedsits to a Unified Home

Previously divided into three separate bedsit flats, the home was transformed into a single, cohesive dwelling through a series of carefully considered side, rear, and attic extensions. This structural reorganisation allowed Studio McW to open up the ground floor into expansive entertaining spaces, strategically connecting the interiors with a courtyard and garden to maximize light and flow.

“The spatial organisation of the house was conceived to serve both the rhythms of everyday family life and the clients’ passion for entertaining,” said Greg Walton, studio director at McW. “The layout gently choreographs movement through the home: guests are welcomed directly into the reception area, perfect for drinks and conversation, before stepping down into a generous dining space framed by two courtyards that filter in soft, dappled light from above.”

A Skylit, Open-Plan Heart

The heart of the home is a seamless, open-plan entertaining space anchored by a marble kitchen island and a skylit dining area. Varied floor finishes subtly mark transitions between spaces: warm oak floors define the front lounge and reception, polished concrete runs through the dining zone, and the paved flooring flows into the rear patio, creating a sense of continuity between interior and exterior.

The kitchen itself is a study in elegance and functionality. A large marble island defines the cooking zone, while bench seating along the side extension offers a relaxed spot beneath a timber-framed skylight. The island is mirrored by a dramatic marble splashback set within a curved alcove and complemented by bespoke oak joinery crafted by Idle Furniture. Timber-framed glass doors lead seamlessly to the hard-landscaped garden, where a curved brick wall hugs a small planter and concrete bench, extending the home’s sculptural language outdoors.

Design Inspirations and Architectural Details

Studio McW drew inspiration from a combination of historical and contemporary sources. The curved brick form of the extension references Gunnar Asplund and Erik Lewerentz’s architectural work, evoking a feeling of spaces carved rather than constructed. Victorian archways and plaster details from the original home subtly informed the extensions’ arches and curves, preserving the residence’s heritage while introducing a modern sensibility.

The first floor houses the main bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe, a TV room, and an en-suite bedroom. The attic conversion adds two further en-suite guest bedrooms. Across these private areas, the interiors continue the ground floor’s natural and textured palette, with lime-plastered walls in soft cream and dusky pink, complemented by marble and terracotta-tiled bathrooms.

A Home for Entertaining and Everyday Life

Sobremesa is more than a beautifully designed home; it is a choreographed experience, balancing everyday living with the owners’ love for hospitality. From its fluid circulation and light-filled courtyards to the sculptural forms of the extensions and the tactile elegance of materials, the house offers a welcoming, luxurious backdrop for gatherings, meals, and quiet family moments alike.

Previous residential projects by Studio McW include bespoke stone and timber-clad additions to a large 18th-century home in Cambridgeshire and a London extension featuring intricate timber joinery. With Sobremesa, the practice continues its tradition of combining refined materiality, spatial intelligence, and playful yet sophisticated detailing to craft homes that are as beautiful as they are functional.

London-based architecture studio Wright & Wright has completed an ambitious renovation and extension of Lambeth Palace, the 800-year-old official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, this Grade I-listed estate encompasses a remarkable collection of buildings dating back to the 12th century. The recent works involved meticulous restoration, sensitive updating, and strategic interventions to improve accessibility, environmental performance, and functionality while respecting the palace’s rich historical fabric.

This latest project follows Wright & Wright’s 2020 addition of a new library for Lambeth Palace, the first significant new build on the estate in nearly two centuries. Over three years, the studio undertook a comprehensive overhaul, carefully balancing the palace’s layered history with contemporary requirements.

“The masterplan was centered around understanding and working with the complex, multi-era history of Lambeth Palace,” senior associate Leanna Boxill told Dezeen. “Over centuries, successive archbishops either built or ceded land, leaving behind a unique tapestry of architectural styles – from the Chapel and Great Hall to the Blore Building and the Towers. Our work was guided by a principle of continuity and change. Every intervention was carefully considered, in close collaboration with the Church of England, engineers, archaeologists, craftspeople, and Historic England.”

A central focus of the renovation was enhancing accessibility across the estate. At the Victorian-era Blore Building overlooking the main courtyard, a new stone ramp provides an inviting and fully accessible entrance. Internally, four new lifts create smooth circulation between levels, accompanied by the addition of accessible toilets, including a larger Changing Places facility, ensuring the palace is welcoming for all visitors.

Historic interiors were thoughtfully conserved and adapted to contemporary use. The 17th-century Great Hall, which previously housed the palace’s collection of religious texts, has been restored and reopened as a versatile events space. Conservationists and stonemasons carefully repaired the timber ceiling and stone walls, while redundant bookcases were repurposed into elegant timber paneling lining the lower walls.

“The palace hosts a wide variety of charitable and public events, from NHS gatherings to services for veterans, so accessibility was paramount,” Boxill explained. “Our spatial strategy worked like a domino effect: solving one challenge often created opportunities elsewhere. This approach has ensured the palace remains a functioning residence for the Archbishop while seamlessly accommodating large-scale hospitality and events.”

Modern sustainability measures were subtly integrated into the historic site. A new energy center, discreetly concealed behind a metal-clad wall, houses three air-source heat pumps connected to reconfigured service routes and a new system of radiators. The installation was made more efficient through careful attention to double glazing and energy flow, all without disrupting the palace’s daily operations.

The renovation process involved extensive archaeological investigation. Excavations revealed Saxo-Norman deposits, medieval cesspits, Tudor cloisters, and even human skeletal remains beneath the Guard Room, providing valuable insight into the palace’s long and layered history.

Despite the scope of the works, Lambeth Palace remained fully operational throughout the project, hosting the 2,000-person Lambeth Conference as well as rehearsals for major national events, including the Royal Funeral and Coronation.

Founded in 1994 by Sandy and Clare Wright, Wright & Wright has built a reputation for sensitive, thoughtful interventions within historically significant contexts. Beyond Lambeth Palace, the studio’s portfolio includes the renovation and extension of the Museum of the Home in Hackney and the refurbishment of the British Academy headquarters in London, both projects notable for their careful balance of heritage and contemporary design.

With the Lambeth Palace project, Wright & Wright have demonstrated a masterful ability to honor centuries of architectural history while introducing subtle, strategic modern interventions, creating a residence and civic space that is both respectful of its past and fully equipped for the demands of the present.

London-based designer Nick Vinson, in collaboration with heritage specialists Avanti Architects, has undertaken a meticulous renovation of the Italian Embassy’s residence on Grosvenor Square. The project was conceived to celebrate and showcase the very best of Italian design, blending contemporary elegance with the building’s historic character. Featuring products from renowned Italian brands such as Molteni & C, B&B Italia, Flos, and Poltrona Frau, the interiors now function as both a refined home for the Italian ambassador and a carefully curated exhibition of Italy’s design excellence.

The residence occupies the second and third floors of a Grade II-listed building dating back to 1868. The interiors had last been remodeled in 1932 by Wellesley & Will, leaving a layered historical context for Vinson and his team to work with. “We preserved all the significant details from both periods,” Vinson explained, “and paired them with modern Italian furnishings from the latter half of the 20th century up to the present day, chosen for their timeless quality and enduring appeal.”

Central to the renovation was the desire to project a contemporary vision of Italy. As Italian ambassador Inigo Lambertini noted, “The previous interiors no longer reflected modern Italy. Our aim was to blend tradition with modernity, showcasing the elegance of the building while reflecting the vitality and innovation of our country.” The updated residence now serves as a platform to promote the “Made in Italy” ethos, highlighting a diverse array of industrial and artisanal products.

The bedrooms, including the presidential suite, feature iconic Ribbon beds designed by Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen for Molteni & C. In the presidential suite, the bed is complemented by the D.847.1 writing desk by Italian designer Gio Ponti, a Pagoda Piantana floor lamp by Ignazio Gardella for Tato, and a signature rug designed by Vinson in collaboration with CC-Tapis. Additional furnishings include a chest of drawers by Piero Lissoni for Porro and wall lamps by Charlotte Perriand, supplied by Nemo Lighting. These pieces harmoniously blend heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary design sensibilities.

The main living area is anchored by a Kyoto coffee table designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Poltrona Frau, accompanied by a Catalina armchair by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena, and a custom rug conceived by Vinson and CC-Tapis. A striking mirror by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Flos complements the red kitchen, tying together form and function with a sophisticated Italian aesthetic.

In total, the renovation showcases products from 42 carefully selected Italian manufacturers, spanning furniture, lighting, textiles, marble, glass, paint, bathroom fittings, kitchens, radiators, rugs, curtains, and accessories. The residence also displays works by 15 modern and contemporary Italian artists, blending fine art with design to create a holistic representation of Italy’s creative output.

Vinson’s vision for the embassy residence was to create an environment that demonstrates Italy’s design legacy while embracing contemporary lifestyle needs. The project illustrates how historic buildings can be sensitively updated to serve modern purposes, celebrating craftsmanship, quality, and innovation in a context that resonates both politically and culturally.

Other recent projects involving embassy renovations include a US consulate along the Arizona-Mexico border and a distinctly Australian embassy in Washington, D.C., highlighting Vinson’s expertise in merging diplomatic prestige with design excellence.

This renovation not only provides a luxurious, functional residence for the Italian ambassador but also transforms the space into a living showcase of Italy’s rich design heritage—a space where tradition, artistry, and modernity coalesce seamlessly.

HE.D Group has reimagined the interior of Kyiv’s womenswear boutique Love by the Moon, infusing the space with artisanal craftsmanship, custom detailing, and a refined, tactile aesthetic that elevates the shopping experience. The boutique occupies a retail unit in the Ukrainian capital that was previously divided into two small grocery stores, separated by partitions, creating a compact, segmented layout. Despite the unit’s constrained footprint, its high ceilings and large front-facing windows offered the designers an opportunity to open up the interior and fill it with light, transparency, and a sense of spaciousness.

“The large windows inspired the concept of openness,” explained HE.D Group. “We wanted the interior to feel inviting to passersby, to draw them in with lightness and refinement while preserving an air of exclusivity.”

The design transformed the space into a singular, open-plan boutique finished with creamy white walls and elegant chevron flooring. The previous glazed vestibule, which had created a visually cluttered entrance, was removed and replaced with striking red French doors adorned with glossy bobbles, making the entrance both eye-catching and welcoming.

At the heart of the boutique sits a fluted wood service desk, supported by four robust legs, which serves as a functional centerpiece and a sculptural focal point. Behind the desk, a heavy brown curtain conceals the brand’s administrative offices, maintaining a seamless flow between public and private areas.

The boutique’s seating areas reflect the same attention to detail and comfort. Near the desk, plush brown velvet armchairs are paired with a pair of oval coffee tables and a sculptural, wavy-stemmed floor lamp, while large pleated lanterns hang above, adding softness and visual intrigue. Additional seating is located along the windows, where sofas are adorned with cushions upholstered in hand-painted fabrics commissioned exclusively for the boutique.

“Textiles were central to the concept,” the studio noted. “We wanted the interiors to feel tactile, individual, and emotionally resonant. Many fabrics were custom-made, with hand-painted designs that give the boutique a unique, visual identity.”

This commitment to craftsmanship extends to the boutique’s screens and changing room doors, which are covered in the same hand-painted floral fabrics. Each changing cubicle is enhanced with flower-like paper lights and wooden bobbin mirrors, echoing the boutique’s overarching theme of delicate artistry and thoughtful materiality.

In addition to textiles, nearly every timber element in the boutique – including wall paneling, door frames, service desk, and decorative components – was crafted by local artisans following HE.D Group’s precise drawings. This meticulous approach allowed the team to harmonize materials, textures, and shades across the boutique, creating a cohesive, layered, and luxurious environment. Even the bathroom carries subtle wooden bobbin details, reinforcing the artisanal narrative throughout the space.

Kyiv has emerged as a hub for visually striking retail interiors, and Love by the Moon stands out for its combination of craftsmanship, individuality, and refined design. Other notable spaces include Anoeses, an eroticwear store inspired by the human form, and One by One, a womenswear boutique featuring playful elements like cushioned walls and a ball pit.

Through Love by the Moon, HE.D Group has demonstrated how thoughtful design, custom materials, and artisanal detailing can transform a previously mundane retail unit into a boutique that is as visually compelling as it is welcoming, tactile, and deeply memorable.