Some places are just impossible to resist. For Charles, Harrods Village—Harrods’ former furniture warehouse on the Thames—was a long-held dream that finally came true. After a failed purchase, this apartment suddenly appeared: views of the gardens, plenty of natural light … and the promise of a wonderful life.
However, they still needed to find an architect who could capture the spirit of the place. Anaïs Blehaut, from the daab design agency, immediately understood the desire for a sensory and evocative space. Charles dreamed of moldings, but she reoriented the project toward a more authentic warehouse style, with clean lines, bold gestures, and noble materials.
As a gemologist, Charles naturally has a passion for minerals, but Anaïs introduced him to the world of wood, patinas, and tolerance levels—which are quite dissimilar in jewelry and construction: “We expanded the apartment both lengthwise and heightwise,” summarizes the architect. The false ceiling disappeared, and the layout was redesigned to free up the four large arched steel windows. The doors are aligned with the arches, the mirrored woodwork extends the perspectives, and custom-made modules unify the space instead of dividing it up. Underfoot is bleached parquet flooring; in the work surfaces and bathrooms, limestone and lava stone, coming together into discreet, precise luxury.
The apartment has regained its character: it is a place to showcase art, entertain guests, and simply live. At once open and intimate, it reflects both the history of the building and the architect’s vision—as well as Charles’s personality. “Living in beauty inspires you to create beauty,” says the homeowner, who also uses his home as a workplace.
Harrods Village, Barnes (London): the former Harrods warehouse on the Thames, converted into luxury residences. A reinvention of red brick and industrial heritage.
The welcoming entrance is designed to filter light and offer privacy, creating a cozy space to disconnect from the outside world.
The entrance aligns the gaze with two arched windows framing the centerpiece: a fossil from the Ice Age.
This composition emphasizes the 3.32-meter ceiling height.
Embedded in the building’s steel frame, the fossil base designed by the architect introduces a striking contrast to the muted tones of the living room.
The custom-made cabinetry, in bleached oak veneer, provides a generous showcase for the owner’s collections of objects.
Behind painted MDF panels, a desk is revealed, featuring an integrated leather desk pad in three colors, for gemology work.
The numerous windows punctuate the façade and guide the flow of movement. Bathed in light, the space allows for a black kitchen that nonetheless doesn’t weigh down the volume.
Meet Anaïs, the architect: “Here, daab design balances preservation of the context and enhancement of heritage with a modern lifestyle.”
The flooring by Dinesen is made of solid Douglas fir, bleached and then treated with linseed oil and natural soap to seal the grain. A patina develops year after year, to Charles’ delight.
The custom-made central island, made of Salvatori silver travertine, is cut along the grain. “The mineral pattern evokes a delicate rustle of silk,” says Anaïs.
In the center, the kitchen acts as a screen between the living room and bedroom. Full-height black doors slide on either side of the unit to preserve privacy.
From the kitchen, the view extends all the way to the bedroom: the redesign opens up expansive perspectives from one end of the apartment to the other.
Overlooked by artwork by Mathieu Lehanneur, the bed occupies a bedroom that has been restored to its original ceiling height and is bathed in light from the monumental windows.
Once disproportionate in terms of floor space, the room now has more appropriate dimensions. The optimized storage space has been finished with a combination of oak veneer and solid oak.
The bathroom is decorated in a monochrome mineral theme: a single type of limestone from floor to ceiling, with flush edges, creates lines of great purity.
Rare fluidity and deep perspectives, surprising on this scale: one of the keys to the apartment’s unique and refined atmosphere.
With its delicate textures and recessed lighting, the apartment exudes understated luxury, echoing the history of the warehouse and Charles’ aesthetic preferences.
The WCs are made of solid basalt, like a “black box.” Lava stone is used in various degrees of sandblasting and finishing, creating a subtle texture and a cozy atmosphere.
Charles’ neighborhood favorites For a relaxing break BARNES POND
Barnes Pond (Stop BD), Station Rd, London SW13 0LW
A pair of swans have taken up residence there and recently had eight cygnets. To indulge in a wide selection of cheeses THE REAL CHEESE SHOP
62 Barnes High St, London SW13 9LF
As a cheese lover, this is by far my favorite place in the neighborhood. For the vintage pleasure of a neighborhood cinema OLYMPIC STUDIOS
Church Rd, London SW13 9HL
A historic place that’s full of charm. @olympicstudios
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