Discover The Design Ethos Behind This Luxurious Chelsea Barracks Apartment
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25 minutes ago
Argent Design lead Nicola Fontanella gave us the low-down
Located inside the Chelsea Barracks redevelopment, this luxury apartment was transformed by the team at Argent Design from an empty shell to a bespoke sanctuary. Alongside its earthy tones and natural materials, the space boasts striking pops of colour and sculptural features. We caught up with Argent Design’s CEO and founder Nicola Fontanella to find out more.
Q&A: Chelsea Barracks Interior Designer Nicola Fontanella
This project started with an empty shell of an apartment. Did you find this intimidating?
Not intimidating in the slightest – quite the opposite. Starting with good bones and proportion is always an opportunity for creativity. For example, making use of the wonderful full-length windows. The client was keen to experiment with bold colours and patterns. This gave us the perfect canvas to layer in personality, texture, and daring combinations – turning it into something far more dynamic than just white walls.
What are your first thoughts when given an empty shell to work with? Where does your vision come from?
Our instinct is always to return to the client’s brief – it’s the foundation of everything. In this case, the vision was to weave in organic patterns, reminiscent of De Gournay, while creating an English transitional-style home with a contemporary twist. The couple had a strong sense of how they wanted the space to feel, which gave us clear direction. We began by curating reference imagery to align with their vision, then refined and layered ideas until the concept felt both personal and cohesive.
What were your main sources of inspiration for this design?
Our inspiration was rooted in modernising the traditional ‘club feel’ and reinterpreting it within an English modern home. We wanted to capture richness and heritage, but through a more contemporary lens. The clients, being international, also wanted their London base to have a distinct sense of place with a calm, English character. Educated consumers, they understood the value of detail – piping and contrasting borders to sharpen silhouettes, patterns and textures for playfulness and luxury, and organic shapes to soften and balance. The result is a dialogue between old-world charm and modern refinement.
The home bar is to die for. What are your top tips for creating the perfect entertainment space?
Functionality is key, but it should never come at the expense of elegance. Appliances must be discreetly integrated, so practicality feels seamless. Smart, concealed storage keeps the home bar impeccably organised while allowing design to shine. It’s also a place to make a statement – here we used beautifully curated onyx stone sourced from Italy.
We love the office area too. What about your top tips for designing the perfect home workspace?
The perfect home office begins with functionality but is elevated. Practical elements like printers and cables should be concealed so the space feels calm and organised. In an open-plan home, the furniture should echo the elegance of the living spaces – pieces that look as though they belong in a drawing room but provide full working comfort. Layering contrasting materials – timber, leather, brushed metal, tactile fabrics –adds richness and depth. We also designed to the finest detail. The result is a workspace that feels like a natural extension of the home.
The subtle shocks of blue add a gentle pop into the living space. Tell me more about the colour palette.
The palette grew from a desire to create dialogue between inside and out. The Dale Chihuly sculpture outside provided the perfect inspiration, so it felt natural to echo its vibrancy indoors. The Murano chandelier reinforced the intentional use of blue, balanced by the client’s love of earthy tones and timber veneers. Antique blue vases carried the thread through accessories, keeping the palette consistent and engaging.
How did you incorporate sustainability into your design?
Sustainability was woven in through craftsmanship, longevity, and conscious choices. The clients wanted timeless, easy-to-maintain pieces, so we prioritised high-quality furniture and durable natural fibres like 100 percent wool rugs. We also reupholstered existing furniture to align with the new scheme. By focusing on artisanal craftsmanship and thoughtful sourcing, the design feels luxurious yet inherently sustainable.
What is your favourite room, item and/or feature of the home?
We were brave in the principal bedroom, introducing a handcrafted porcelain chandelier by Andrea Braescu whose delicate, organic form transforms the space with confidence and character. The great room, however, may be the favourite overall. From leather-studded piping to high-gloss walnut veneers crowned with golden De Gournay wallcovering, the detail in the joinery is exquisite. Elsewhere, in developer-installed spaces, we brought personality through bold wallpapers and accessories. In the dressing room, custom fabric panels on wardrobe doors transformed a dark, boxy space into something softer and more tranquil.
I love the matching upholstery in the main living room – what’s your secret to achieving a cohesive look?
We layered subtle references throughout – tones, textures, and weaves reappearing across furniture, cushions, throws, and joinery. This ties the room together, giving rhythm and continuity. The result feels richly considered, luxurious, and unified, without ever slipping into monotony.
How did you draw inspiration from the home’s Chelsea Barracks setting?
Chelsea Barracks carries a rich legacy and it was important to weave that heritage into the design while keeping it contemporary. The architecture’s dignified presence gave us a backdrop to layer in bold tones inspired by the colour of the bricks, organic patterns and artisanal details that nod to English tradition in a modern way. We also took inspiration from the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures in the gardens, echoed indoors with vibrant accents and sculptural lighting. Above all, we celebrated craftsmanship – working with UK brands and artisans to create timeless pieces, from hand-painted panels to bespoke joinery. The result feels rooted in Chelsea’s history yet confidently attuned to modern living.
