Inside a London Heritage Home Designed for Modern Hedonists

Designing within the walls of a listed architectural monument is never a straightforward exercise — but in the hands of interior designer Valeria Senkina, constraint becomes an invitation to nuance. This London apartment, set within a legendary building steeped in history, was conceived for a family who value harmony, materiality and meaning — and who were ready, this time, to lean into a more expressive, experimental way of living.

Having worked with the clients previously, Senkina understood their sensitivity to detail and texture. “For them, home is a place to enjoy harmony and the thoughtfulness of every element,” she explains. Yet this project marked a subtle shift. While the bones of the apartment were already elegant, the family was now open to richer colours, bolder materials and a more sensorial interior language.

Because of heritage protection laws, the original layout — provided by the developer — remained untouched. The plan unfolds from a spacious entrance hall into a kitchen connected to the living room, with two children’s bedrooms (each en-suite), a walk-in closet, laundry room and a generous master suite complete with its own bathroom and dressing room. Rather than altering structure, Senkina focused on atmosphere, surface and flow.

“In my view, this is the interior of a hedonist — created for people who love life and each other,” she says. The home invites comfort and conversation, balancing visual beauty with tactile pleasure. A palette of complex, less conventional tones — grey-blue, bronze, deep plum and chocolate — establishes intimacy and privacy, aligning precisely with the clients’ brief.

Art played a pivotal role in shaping the scheme. Two existing artworks by French designer and artist Bruno Moinard became the emotional anchor for the main hall, inspiring the surrounding colours and finishes. From there, layers of craftsmanship unfold. Bespoke wood panelling appears throughout the apartment — in the kitchen, bedrooms, dressing rooms and children’s spaces — grounding the interiors in warmth and continuity.

The hallway sets the tone with natural silk wallcoverings by Fromental and a custom Tai Ping rug designed from Senkina’s own sketches. Its mist-like pattern reinforces a sense of calm, echoed again in the living room, where a hand-carved bespoke rug introduces sculptural relief underfoot. Here, hand-embroidered Fromental wallpaper evokes raindrops on glass, shimmering subtly as light moves through the space.

In the master bedroom, a deep burgundy-chocolate silk wallpaper cocoons the room in tranquillity. The wall behind the bed combines Alcantara-upholstered panels with brass inserts, while a folding screen clad in hand-painted Fromental silk becomes both artwork and architecture. A bespoke Ice International rug flows around the furniture, creating visual movement and softness.

The children’s rooms are equally considered, though gentler in tone. Ultra-soft wallpapers from Arte and Phillip Jeffries pair with plush neutral carpets, while wood panelling with brass and Alcantara detailing adds durability without sacrificing refinement.

Decorative gestures elevate everyday rituals. The walk-in closet, visible behind a glass partition in the hallway, is painted entirely in a deep, dark hue to create a boutique-like effect. Concealed by a heavy double-sided curtain, it turns the act of choosing an outfit into something theatrical. “In our view, the act of choosing an outfit is always a little festive,” Senkina notes.

The polygon-shaped living room was conceived as a modern salon. An Edelweiss baby grand piano anchors the space, with furniture arranged in a circle to encourage intimate gatherings. Two Philippe Hurel swivel chairs add flexibility, while daylight casts shifting tree shadows across the room. By night, a fireplace and integrated audio-visual system transform it into a warm, atmospheric hub for entertaining or quiet family moments.

In the guest bathroom — treated as a jewel box — Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings made from natural plant fibres contrast dramatically with a dark marble vanity, proving that even the smallest spaces deserve bold expression.

Furniture throughout the apartment is largely bespoke, crafted from fine wood, textiles, brass and stone. Standout pieces include a sculptural dining table by Philippe Hurel with bronze legs, custom storage systems designed to Senkina’s sketches, and an extraordinary sofa by Vincenzo De Cotiis, acquired from Carpenters Workshop Gallery in London. Bronze Lama sculptures by Abel Cárcamo complete the living room composition.

Ultimately, the success of the project lies in its balance. Historic spirit is preserved, not frozen — enriched instead by contemporary materials, curated art and deeply personal choices. The result is a premium family home that feels elegant yet lived-in, expressive yet composed — a London interior that proves true luxury lies in thoughtfulness, craftsmanship and emotional resonance.

Credits

Interior designer Valeria Senkina, Dseesion Interiors, Instagram: @dseesion_interiors

Project team: Uliana Dunaeva, Olga Luzhkova, Islam Khusnetdinov

Images: Martin Morell, Instagram: @_martin_morrell

Style by Valeria Senkina