12th December 2022 | IN INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECTS | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn Angel O’Donnell were asked to interior design a penthouse and sub-penthouse inside One St. John’s Wood, a new luxury development in NW8. Both residences enjoy the rarest of London views: big skies, treetops as far as the eye can see, golden sunrises, showstopping sunsets and, of course, the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground. This happy blend of nature and iconic architecture inspired many choices – from hand-drawn floral motifs to sculptural furniture and geometric patterns. Each apartment, while different, feels part of an exclusive collection, something our client was keen to achieve. In full flow The rippling bronze coffee table base. The oscillating lines on the rug that resemble light-dappled water. The dimpled vase. The curled wooden bowl. Even the folds and twisted leather piping on the cushions. These fluid and irregular shapes balance the clean-lined simplicity of the joinery. While the sofa Angel O’Donnell designed – with its walnut plinth base and mix of textured linen and multi-yarn weaves – is low-slung to maximise the views outside. Making a splash The designers upholstered these two Vladimir Kagan armchairs in a soft Edelman leather. They love their shape, like the flukes of a whale’s tail emerging from the watery deep. In the mix Arranging shapes, textures and colours is a way of forging relationships between seemingly disparate objects. It could be a conical lampshade paired with a pyramidal sculpture. Or a set of mixed-media collages that share tonal similarities with wood, brass and marble finishes. By selecting pieces with commonalities, the team brought an unsuspecting corner of the living room to life. Cushion the blow Striped cushions of multi-coloured linen yarns. Stone-washed cushions with handmade leather straps. And a superabundance of pillows and throws. It’s what every bedroom deserves. Artwork depicting Singapore’s Garden City – with its intersecting lines and architectural supertrees – complement the elliptical shapes and parallel lines elsewhere in the room. Go native Against the cool calm of the white cotton sheets, dove-grey headboard and evergreen cushions, sit two bold fabrics inspired by Native American iconography. The mix of print and embroidery, geometric motifs and bright colours invigorate the warm neutrals in the scheme. Turn over a new leaf The flourishing mural of large leaves, delicate pods and long grasses has been hand drawn and printed onto panels. The design is exuberant and life-affirming – and a pleasing counterpoint to the measured fumed oak side tables, and cushions with their neat arrangement of teal, mint and ochre circles and crescents. In good shape The large bronze table lamp resembles a Stonehenge monolith. Its substantial frame provides a visual backbone to the mix of soft, plump and lean shapes in the room. Whether it’s the reassuringly rounded profile of the Marenco sofa or the shiny accents of the glamorous Hollywood Regency coffee table – there’s plenty to savour. Lean into it Like Disney’s Pixar lamp, our thin-stemmed floor light has an animated quality. As it leans over the two bespoke lounge chairs, its posture appears inquisitive. Its reflective copper shade mirrors the gleam of the coffee table. While its angled rod echoes the diagonals in the wool, mohair and alpaca fabric of the chairs. All clear The glass- and ash-wood table was designed in-house. The base, which pays homage to miyadaiku Japanese carpentry, is cunningly simple. No bolts or nails. Just five interlocking pieces of wood that form a top with four triangular legs. It looks architectural, skeletal even. The precision of the half lap joints combined with the drama of the scorched wood are beautiful to behold. Looking sharp Structural forms and materials continue to flourish throughout the apartment. In particular, the Roman-like arches of the headboard and the ziggurat-inspired shape of the lamps. These speak to the riot of architectural genres found in the neighbouring Lord’s Cricket Ground. We especially love how the lamps’ teeth look wincingly sharp against the smooth, burgundy velvet. Butter wouldn’t melt In the same bedroom, vintage drawers painted a pale buttercup, a flower-like wall light and an impressionist landscape create a bucolic scene. It’s a surprising contrast to the industrial-looking lamps diagonally opposite. And that’s what St. John’s Wood is all about: village sensibility mingled with a little raw-edged urban style. Green to be seen A dark, moss velvet headboard further endears us to nature. So, too, do the opal-glass wall lamps and chunky hand-knotted throw. There’s a soft, rounded wholesomeness to these pieces, which is gently counterpointed by the geometric patterns of the cushions, and sharp detailing of the art deco bedsides. In the frame A large piece of art – coppery, elemental, strong – provides a striking focal point in a room filled with houndstooth and lightly stippled pear-hued cushions, linen and lambswool throws, and pale grey upholstered walls. Just as nature ages, the pleated brass pendant lights will patina over time and develop some of the dark, rich tones present in the artwork. Photo credit: Taran Wilkhu About Angel O’Donnell Since launching our London interior design studio in 2018, Angel O’Donnell has won a variety of international awards – both for our designs and for our outstanding client-focused work ethic. Our portfolio features a diverse mix of projects – from Deco-inspired penthouses and traditional country retreats to contemporary Greek villas, modular student accommodation and luxury show apartments in multi-unit developments, including the rapidly popular Build to Rent sector. And that’s what we’re all about: creating an assortment of styles that elevate, enhance and embolden every project we do. There’s no signature look. Just exquisite design and impeccable quality. View Profile If you’d like to feature your project news here, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.