When an overseas Indonesian art collector reached out to us about transforming their three-bedroom flat at The Powerhouse, Chelsea Waterfront, we knew this would be a very exciting project. This exclusive London development deserved a space that balanced industrial sophistication with the warmth of a true home while also being market-ready for rental possibilities, all while the homeowners coordinated everything from overseas.
An Art-Inspired Challenge
The homeowner was keen on integrating their impressive collection into the flat’s design, which posed a thoughtful and logistical handling challenge in the high-rise building. The design had to balance the building’s industrial-chic heritage with a sleek modern edge, ensuring it remained functional as a family holiday home and flexible for future rental opportunities.
A Team Completely in Sync
High-rise properties often present logistical hurdles, which require careful planning and execution. With our specialist in-house team, we coordinated deliveries, installations, and the smooth handling of precious artwork all under one roof, ensuring optimum efficiency.
Bespoke joinery solutions, including a wardrobe with a study desk and dressing unit, were carefully refined during fitting, and close coordination with suppliers ensured faster delivery, quality-checked every item and oversaw on-site installation.
Making Art the Anchor
We used art strategically, making them natural focal points throughout the space. In the hallway, a striking large-scale photograph of a golden langur creates an immediate sense of drama at the entrance, while the vibrant bookshelf photograph introduces personality and warmth with its rich colour spectrum, tying together our carefully curated palette.
An Interplay of Modernity With Warmth
To balance the Powerhouse’s bold industrial feel, we selected soft greens, warm neutral tones, and natural textures. Window treatments played a crucial role here, a layer of sheer curtains with heavier neutral drapes allows the space to breathe with natural light and added depth.
Form & function that integrated warmth with modernity were central ideologies when it came to furniture selection. The custom U-shaped sectional sofa, which has a generous shape and clean lines, feels understated yet luxurious, providing ample seating without overwhelming the space, and the complementing coffee table, featuring rounded edges and a sculptural pedestal base, adds an organic element that softens the room’s geometry.
The oval Italian dining table with premium upholstered chairs provides a perfect seating solution for hosting parties or everyday family gatherings. In the bedroom, we used custom beds with integrated headboard lighting to combine contemporary design with thoughtful functionality.
We carefully selected colour palettes, window dressings, and tailored furnishing solutions to create an uninterrupted flow throughout the flat.
How InStyle Direct Help Overseas Homeowners
As a trusted local design partner in the UK, we understand the challenges of remote furnishings, from time zone differences and language barriers to perfecting the client’s specific vision. This case study is a perfect example of how we take the stress out of remote furnishing and our ability to carefully interpret detailed briefs even from miles away. Our clear communication and streamlined approach earned us a perfect 10/10 score from this client, exceeding all their expectations. From the initial consult to final delivery, we lead with quality and design for your target audience (whether it’s for personal use or the market).
Read the complete success story here.
