Echlin: Rathbone Square
Luxury London based studio Echlin complete the penthouse of Rathbone Square; a new property development located in Fitzrovia.
Renowned for their luxurious interiors, combining vibrant colour injections with opulent British craft, it has always been a pleasure to be invited on site to explore their latest designs up close and personal. Earlier this year, the design studio completed another exciting project; one of the penthouses for the new Rathbone Square development located in the highly desirable location of Fitzrovia, London. Set out over two floors, the penthouse boasts impressive views out over the city, terraces paces and lots of natural light.
The main living quarters are located on the highest floor, making the most of the views and natural light that floods through the large floor to ceiling windows. Split into three sections, the main room consists of a formal living area at the northern end, a central dining space adjacent to the kitchen and an informal living area on its southern side. Whilst the living quarters are open plan, the designers have visually split the space into sections by assigning collections of materials, textures and colours to provide unique characters that work together, unifying under one style. The informal side extracts colours from a beautiful work of art located directly behind the sofa. The seating has been upholstered with blue and cream fabrics, accessorised with a large collection of cushions in metallic hues. On the opposite side, the formal living space pairs rich green leather with small injections of golden yellow. The artwork takes on darker tones, adding an essence of mystery and movement to the interior, its impressive textures echoed in the plush rug that neatly frames the seating arrangement.
Defined by its narrow frame, the dining table and chairs appear almost weightless, limiting any obstruction and allowing light to pass through the room. Seating eight people comfortably, the dining area is positioned adjacent to the kitchen, creating a social hub and epicentre to the penthouse. With a large footprint extending into the breakfast bar and kitchen, this part of the property is easily adaptable, creating a multi-use space for all of life's needs. The use of dark wood flows through this part of the interior, used in the construction of the sideboard, along the surface of the dining table and up across the cabinetry of the kitchen and storage units. Set against the whites of the surrounding walls and marble countertop, the contrast adds depth to the design whilst defining the use of each area in an elegant and unintrusive way.
With large floor to ceiling windows facing the bed in the master bedroom, there is no better way to wake up in the morning or go to sleep at night, taking in the impressive view and feeling connected to the energy of the city. A storage wall has been constructed in dark wood to divide the en-suite bathroom from the main bedroom, creating a dressing area and corridor for additional privacy. Soft furnishings and bedding have been dressed with an aqua and emerald colour palette, taking inspiration from the hanging art on the wall. The brass finish of the bedside tables, matching lamps and small accessories connect the colour scheme together, acting as a bridge between the richness of the wood and the soft green tones of the fabric. In the bathroom, the finest details have been planned out, from the inclusion of a miniature fridge to store fresh and cooling cosmetics to concealed storage and even a carefully positioned dual sink and an oversized mirror to make the most of the natural light coming in through the skylight.
The home office and study is a calm oasis, hidden away from the rest of the house. Situated behind the staircase on the upper floor, this small room has been utilised to its maximum potential. Creating a bespoke desk unit that stretches the entire length of the longest wall with concealed storage underneath, all the walls remain visible showing the full size of the interior. By limiting the amount of furniture, the room can easily be adapted for daily needs, exercise and hobbies. The simple colour palette of black, white and gold create adds sophistication but also allows the user's activities within the space to transform and decorate as items are introduced and removed.
Each of the four bedrooms takes on its own unique character, often extracting colours and textures from the impressive collection of artworks displayed in the interior. The signature of an Echlin design is the ability to remove the walls of an interior, directing attention to the beauty within an interior rather than the interior itself. Selecting multiple colours whilst limiting their use and pairing them with some of the most luxurious fixtures and finishes creates a contemporary design with a heightened sense of character, something often missing from other luxury projects. When you walk into the Rathbone Square penthouse, there is a sense of belonging. This is not a house, it is already home and it is the charm that will allow it to find its owner.
