Mayfair Park Residences

The first townhouse at Mayfair Park Residences, designed by Parisian duo Jouin Manku, has recently been revealed. As the first ‘Dorchester Collection’ branded scheme, it was important for developers Clivedale London to make sure that the townhouse – which acts as a show home for the 24-home residential scheme – was in keeping with the sophistication and grandeur of the adjacent Dorchester Collection hotel, 45 Park Lane.

The hotel has always been well known for its art collection, which includes pieces by some of Britain’s leading contemporary artists; 45 Park Lane even has a ‘British with Art’ programme, meaning guests can expect a constantly changing programme of exhibitions. As a result, the three bedroom show home has been designed to showcase a curated selection of spectacular art.

The new Mayfair Park Residences townhouse will feature an extension of 45 Park Lane’s ‘British with Art’ programme, with artworks that adorn guest rooms, hallways and restaurants also being showcased throughout the show home. Currently, those that look around the townhouse, and the adjoining hotel, can enjoy an impressive, multi-dimentional exhibition, featuring contemporary pieces created by international artists Kirk Mechar and Rakerman.

Chelsea Waterfront

Image: Cunningham Captures

Featuring two glass residential towers, three riverside buildings, and landscaped gardens, Chelsea Waterfront is a new development that has been master planned by world renowned architect, Sir Terry Farrell. Behind the design of one of the development’s show apartments was London-based interior architecture and design studio, Johnson Naylor.

For the show apartment, Johnson Naylor created a calm, neutral palette, after developing a design that was rooted to ‘character and question’ – deciphering who the occupier of the apartment might be. To create the apartment’s clean, uncluttered style, the design team used fine, elegantly crafted materials, and also curated a collection of art works.

Image: Cunningham Captures

In the entrance hall, the design team created contrast by featuring statement mirrors alongside sculptures by Yoon-Young Hur; in the living room, Johnson Naylor commissioned Lydia Merrett to create a piece of wall art, which injects colour into the space and acts as a point of interest. Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, a collection of abstract paintings and framed Magnum Photos prints help create a calm, sophisticated atmosphere.

The Bryanston, Hyde Park

A collection of 54 luxurious apartments, The Bryanston, Hyde Park, is a new residential development that makes the most of its extraordinary address; the building is situated next to Hyde Park and is elevated above the trees, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the Royal Park whilst also living in the heart of the city.

Designing The Bryanston, Hyde Park’s interior scheme was international studio Millier; the close proximity to Hyde Park and the spectacular views provided the design team with context to emphasise the ‘parkside living’, and meant that the team was able to reference the natural elements within the development’s interior. Millier also worked closely with an art consultant for the scheme, who was responsible for curating the main pieces of art.

“We moved away from the traditional approach to art on walls and rather expressed these themes through interesting curated pieces within the furniture design itself. By using nature’s colour palette through seasonal changes we can inform and inspire the colour narrative of our bespoke furniture items and artwork to create a holistic and striking interior scheme,” explains Alexandra Nord, a creative director at Millier.

“We are collaborating with Dutch artists, Demakersvan, on creating decorative screens for the residential entrance lobby at The Bryanston, Hyde Park,” she continues. “The delicate bronze fretwork provides subtle separation from the outside, whilst letting in dappled light and casting playful shadows indoors as if cast by leaves.”

Hempel Gardens

Housed in a former boutique hotel with its original Victorian frontage, Hempel Gardens comprises of two penthouses and sixteen large apartments, set within the new Hempel Collection development. In one of the penthouses, a dedicated art gallery has been created by luxury interior design studio, BradyWilliams – the apartment’s double height reception and long open walkway was the perfect location for a gallery space.

“The gallery was made up of a mix of pieces from British Land’s personal collection and artworks bought specifically for the apartments,” co-founder Emily Williams explains. “British Land’s collection was a joy to work with and included notable pieces including a large textural artwork by British artist Melanie Comber, a series of abstracts by Ian McKeever and a limited-edition bronze sculpture by Taiwanese artist Chang Feng.”

“Clients are increasingly aware of how important art is when considering a room’s interiors. It can provide a focal point in the space, complement and enhance a scheme, and alter the feel of a room whether that be creating an uplifting mood, a sense of calm or acting as a neutral back drop,” Williams continues. “Their existing collections can often be a starting point for where we take the design.”

Within the penthouse at Hempel Gardens, the open walkway gives residents access to the bedrooms, which are on a duplex level; residents can now enjoy the dedicated art gallery within the penthouse from both the reception room and while walking to-and-from the bedrooms. To create a sense of continuity and make the most of the double-height space, BradyWilliams also procured a large contemporary equine portrait by Jo Taylor.

Tips on showcasing artworks

From BradyWilliams’ co-founder, Emily Williams

• Keep it personal; build on existing collections or draw from the client’s personal art loves.
• Play with scale and medium: mixing sizes of pieces and different art mediums will make the space feel more homely.
• Lighting is also key, and this must be considered once the main pieces have been curated so that the lighting enhances these pieces.
• If you have the space, create small reading or seating areas so you can comfortably enjoy the art.
• Consider framing: a simple box frame can give a contemporary twist to a traditional oil on canvas, whilst an inexpensive print or cutting from an antique book can be made to feel more expensive by mounting within a gilt or traditional frame.
• Deliberate asymmetry can add intrigue, for example in bedrooms: hang art to the side of a bedside table lamp rather than directly behind/above. The asymmetry this creates is often more interesting than hanging the piece centred.
• Consider a series of prints, for example two rows of three prints. Remember to hang them in odd numbers as it draws the eye. Leaning art on hung art is a nice way to layer as well, especially if you can’t invest in big show pieces.
• Getting a good art hanger can make all the difference.
• Use art as an opportunity to be bold and mix things up. If you don’t like it, it can easily be changed.