Color choices

Photography by Anna Batchelor

The London-based Spanish interior designer Sara Leonor has renovated an exclusive flat in a century-old Mansion Block in the King's Cross area of the British capital, giving it style, distinctiveness and personality.

The residence is located in one of the most luxurious blocks in the King's Cross area, dating from 1905. The owners wanted to update the flat because it was no longer functional. They needed more storage, but the size of the home (42 m²) required creative and efficient solutions that took up as little space as possible. Therefore, the refurbishment maximizes the use of the space and brings functionality to the flat where every detail has been carefully chosen. The special feature of this apartment is the color: each room is covered with a different tone giving its own identity to each space.

In the living room, a multi-purpose space has been created within an area of less than 15 m² that serves as a lounge, party room and dining room with an extendable and expandable coffee table that can accommodate up to six people. Red defines both the lower and upper areas of the room, while the white of the central strip provides a neutral setting for the decorative objects of the couple, who also wanted to keep the original chest of drawers. An L-shaped bench creates seating for visitors, while also accommodating storage for the record collections and concealing the room's radiator. Next to the door, a workspace has also been created with a desk set against the wall, with a paneling system that conceals the wiring of electronic devices. The bar unit and the metal drinks trolley have been carefully chosen for the space, as has the sofa, which includes a bed inside for visitors.

The clients were clear that they wanted to use green in the kitchen. All the appliances have been paneled to generate a continuous, linear image, combining tiles and painted walls, which broadens the visual perception of the room, amplified by the black and white tones of the floor tiles, designed by Nathalie Du Pasquier for Mutina. The worktop in metallic and copper tones is inspired by the traditional industrial aesthetic of London. In the design approach, a broom cupboard was created, and additional space was made for the freezer, which the couple lacked. In the bathroom, the toilet and custommade concrete washbasin were placed at the back of the room and a rounded bathtub was chosen at the front to make it easier for the owners to walk through. Sara Leonor opted for a mirror with a U-shaped cabinet to provide depth and a transparent curtain that contributes to the same purpose. A sliding door and shelves conceal the fireplace, and, in the upper part, a metal mesh was placed where plants and towels can be placed.

In the master bedroom, the original built-in wardrobe was respected and replicated on the opposite side of the room in the same style. The moldings were dressed in a wallpaper featuring plant motifs, which was also extended on the ceiling adding an artistic detail. The previous shelves and the headboard were removed to optimise the use of the space, with an ottoman bed, a bookcase in the upper wall area and builtin bedside tables, as well as an integrated dressing table and shoe rack at height.