Soft Revival

Nestled in the heart of South Kensington in London, Tala Fustok Studio was entrust-ed to design a calm classic residential space to complement the owner’s lifestyle.

Photography by Michael Sinclair

Neighbouring Hyde Park and on the fourth floor of the Victorian mansion block, the southwest facing four-bedroom apartment is inspired by the owner’s European and North African travels. Soft colours reflect a sunset setting, whilst contrasting stony textures and earthy coatings of fabric create a harmonic tension. Studio founder Tala Fustok and her team executed important structural work to open up the living and dining room arenas, as well as merging two bedrooms to create a large master and dressing room, forming a 252m² London pied-a-terre dusted with a collection of contemporary artwork from around the capital. Exuding understated luxury, the paired back entrance boasts an old venetian mirror, Béton Brut’s woven chair, an antique mirrored niche housing a metal vide poche, and a singular plinth vase focal point by M.A.H Gallery and Flow Gallery. The living room of the apartment radiates a timeless elegance: a travertine fireplace echoes that of the dining space with smoky mirroring by The Antique Mirror Company; cloudy patina drapes the walls, sculptural pieces by M.A.H Gallery pepper the space, whilst a Tim Page circular shaggy rug of varying pile height brings extra texture. A beautiful layer of sheer by Lizzo dresses the space, whilst bespoke bleached plywood, brass and timber adds that rustic nod. One particular feature to note in this space are large curved walls between the living zone and the adjacent dining quarter integrate shelving to nest future finds. Besides, softly illuminating the objects at twilight, this effortlessly becomes a light room divider.

In the dining room boasts of an unusual centrepiece by Vessel Gallery, a London brick ivory-painted fireplace, and a 1970s Italian vintage travertine table along-side a snug sofa for casual dining. Tala Fustok opened up the adjacent kitchen space through the introduction of double arched doors, whilst timber cabinetry and brass elements add contrast whilst maintaining a relaxed setting.

The powder room is covered in a dusty pink and houses a matching pink Kast concrete sink and vintage mirror sourced from The Lillie Road London.

Enriched with subtle tones balanced with deep indulgent hues, the apartment carries an air of savviness, depth and intrigue with layers of juxtaposed texture and lightflooded rooms. To create an energetic boost, Tala Fustok played confidently with bold statements to build a backdrop for artwork, vintage furniture and simple furnishings to enhance the calming powers of this soothing sanctuary.

A bespoke 1960s-inspired bed takes centre stage within the master bedroom, entirely upholstered in dusty pink velvet with layers of linen by Larusi and Society Limonta. Above the bed sits a tapes-try found in one of Tala’s most treasured London galleries, Schmid McDonagh, whilst a neighbouring stone fireplace maintains the earthy nature throughout the space, adorned with a bespoke mirror by French creator Christophe Gaignon. An open dressing area is lit by a PINCH fabric pendant piece hovering over a bespoke leather, plywood island.

The primary suite leads into a Moroccaninspired master bathroom, it's also of the dusty pink and includes a bespoke travertine sink with Watermark taps and zellige Moroccan tiles in the shower.

Tala Fustok Studio’s work oozes opulence, theatre and self-indulgence, through Tala’s use of rich materials and the construction of hidden passages that transform everyday spaces. She brings back the comfort of the classic whilst championing contemporary design.