Fine & Country Interior Design talk to Wickenden Hutley to find out about their latest project, where they turn a property designed by a developer into a family home with plenty of personal touches.
Design firm Wickenden Hutley are a breath of fresh air within the interior design sector. Made up of design duo Charlie Wickenden and Melissa Hutley, the firm, which was founded four years ago, has already demonstrated its flair for fresh contemporary design in both the UK and internationally, making them a popular choice with homeowners.
“Our company ethos is dedicated to creating beautiful and comfortable homes for our clients that function seamlessly, without compromising on the best design,” explains Melissa.
This dedication to design was what drew their most recent clients to them. A young professional married couple, they had recently bought a stunning lateral 3,000 square foot apartment situated on an archetypal Georgian square in Bayswater. The clients were looking for a perfect balance between a comfortable family home which was sympathetic towards children, without being restricted to limited colours and childproof finishes. “Our client is a professional photographer so she was extremely influenced by colour palettes and fashion, so it kept the design possibilities very open,” Melissa said.
One factor Wickenden Hutley did need to bear in mind was the clients’ collection of Art Deco antiques, which were to be a key proponent within the overall look of the property. Elements like these can set the direction of the project’s design.
“We love collaborating with our clients as it makes the result even more personal to them. Working around a client’s preferences or key pieces of furniture means that we end up with a home completely unique for that client – and they are utterly thrilled with it, partly because some of it has come directly from them,” explains Charlie.
The apartment had originally been refurbished by a developer who stripped it of many period features, so one of the initial phases was to conduct research into the archives of the building to see what would have been there at the time of its construction. Armed with this knowledge, they could reinstate features such as cornicing and architrave which were sympathetic to the period, but with a slight contemporary edge to ensure it was in keeping with the design of the apartment.
The furnishings were a mixture of bespoke furniture designed in-house by Charlie, as well as a blend of high-end pieces mixed in with high street finds. The majority of the light fittings were sourced and then shipped over from America. Structural work included opening up the kitchen and living room to create one open plan family space which flowed better than the original layout. All the bathroom and sanitary ware were also sourced and replaced as well as the window treatments throughout the property. “The most important thing is that our clients are happy with the finished project, it is their home. We see our relationship with all of them as truly collaborative,” said Charlie.