The grand, white stuccoed facades and leafy garden squares of London’s Belgravia embody timeless elegance. Within this prestigious neighbourhood, a townhouse on the edge of Eaton Square, a classic example of Georgian architecture, has undergone a remarkable transformation by London design practice Child Studio. The resulting 3,200-square-foot, three-level residence presents a sensitive and evocative balance of period architecture and warm modernism.
The owner, an entrepreneur and art collector, envisioned a sophisticated home imbued with old-world charm. Child Studio drew inspiration from early 20th-century European modernist villas, seeking to capture their “timeless, understated elegance,” as founders Alexy Kos and Che Huang explain. “The focus is on traditional techniques and natural materials, while the overall atmosphere is cosy and serene.” This vision was realised through close collaboration with skilled artisans in England and Italy, resulting in bespoke interiors characterized by meticulous craftsmanship. A recurring motif of soft, undulating curves appears throughout the residence, from plaster ceiling coves to wooden furniture and carved marble elements.
The renovation began with the upper levels, where Child Studio opened up the mansard to create a dramatic double-height space flooded with natural light. Tactile plaster highlights the exposed slopes of the roof, and a new mezzanine with a cast iron spiral stair connects the living room to a rooftop terrace.
The focal point of this expansive space is a striking 5-meter-tall wooden library wall, inspired by Karl Lagerfeld’s iconic Paris studio. “The space entirely wrapped in floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined with thousands of albums on art and design,” provided a powerful reference, explain Kos and Huang. A cosy reading nook, featuring a low teak table inspired by Axel Einar Hjorth, cross-legged stools, and a voluminous black ceramic lamp, completes the scene. Classic Bauhaus armchairs by Walter Gropius and Berger Stools by Charlotte Perriand are paired with custom sofas featuring semicircular wood-clad backs and Luis Barragán-inspired ceramic table lamps.
The dining area showcases a curated collection of vintage pieces, including rare teak chairs by Pierre Jeanneret from Le Corbusier’s Chandigarh project. A custom round dining table and geometric rug, designed by Child Studio, complement these unique finds. An 18th-century limestone fireplace, sourced from France, separates the dining area from the kitchen, while a 1920s moonstone pendant light adds a final touch.
The principal bedroom evokes the spirit of Art Deco. A custom island bed with an undulating wooden headboard faces a travertine fireplace. The panelled wall behind conceals a walk-in wardrobe, while a custom daybed and mahogany stool pay homage to Jules Leleu. The pure geometry of these pieces contrasts with reinstated architectural features: panelled wooden shutters, herringbone parquet, and semicircular plaster ceiling cornices.
The principal bathroom is a masterpiece sculpted from emerald-green Verde Guatemala marble. The soft curves of the vanity counter and bathtub, carved from solid blocks, seamlessly integrate with the walls and floor. “The inspiration for this space came from the seminal 1930s Villa Serralves designed by Charles Siclis,” the designers note, striving to achieve the same level of meticulous stonework.
The intimate lounge, lined with mahogany panels and louvred shutters, references Villa Necchi in Milan. A generous daybed, upholstered in caramel mohair by Pierre Frey, and an antique African Iroko wood coffee table, accessorized with a Jacques Adnet tilting crystal ball lamp, create a layered, lived-in atmosphere.
In the guest bedroom, deep green velvet panelling creates a moody, contemplative space. A custom bed with a curved headboard is complemented by early 19th-century Empire-style stools and a Pierre Jeanneret writing desk and chair, illuminated by a Marcel Breuer Art Deco lamp. Vintage lithographs by George Braque and Jean Cocteau complete the scene.
Child Studio’s approach, as explained by Huang and Kos, “was pared-back and evolved around a constrained selection of natural materials: hand-crafted wood, solid stone, and tactile fabrics.” With the majority of furniture custom-designed to seamlessly integrate with the unique property, the focus remained on quality, comfort, and creating an effortless and relaxing home, tailored to the owner’s needs. The Belgravia residence stands as a testament to Child Studio’s ability to weave together diverse influences, creating a harmonious dialogue between eras.