Upcycled Antiques

Located a stone’s throw from Sloane Square is 14 Cliveden Place a Grade II Listed duplex apartment, recently modernised and restored by VOZA Developments. Characterised by its Regency-era brick and stucco exterior, Cliveden Place has been dressed using upcycled antique furniture to appeal to a buyer looking for a home with real character and a sense of heritage.

Following structural works to modernise the apartment, the VOZA Developments team wanted an interior design that retained its period charm.

In contrast to a typical developer fit-out of newly made furnishings from recognised suppliers, the team sourced a number of antique items from the social media platform Instagram to add a unique touch to the apartment.

Commenting on VOZA’s efforts to source the antique pieces, Alex Pope, Design Partner, said: “We had a tight budget for dressing the project, and wanted to source mainly vintage pieces to create a unique and characterful apartment. We were in the peak of the second national lockdown when we started the design process, so our job of sourcing items via traditional means was tough.

“Due to a number of antique shops being closed, we turned to following trusted smaller suppliers on Instagram. Typically, it started off with the team tracking sporadic posts for individual items, but soon the suppliers started creating more structured processes and events where new pieces would be available. We spent several weeks following these ‘drops’ and negotiating the best price with the dealers to secure a selection of furniture articles that perfectly matched our chosen style for 14 Cliveden Place.”

VOZA Developments sourced six key items that added a sense of individual style to the finished apartment. The standout feature furnishings included:

• Brass Inlayed Side tables
• Oak Side table
• Veneered Coffee Table
• Pair Of 1960s Metal And Cane Stools
• Danish Rush Seat Mid Century Dining Chairs, 1960s
• Three Pressed Flower Prints

One important benefit of sourcing antique items to dress a home over purchasing new is the environmental impact. A vintage items carbon footprint is 16x less than a brand-new article of a similar size and profile.

The antique furniture items perfectly complement the interior design, which has a chic country feel. Filled with natural light, the lower floor is the focal point of the apartment, with an open-plan kitchen/dining room the standout space. Exposed wooden floors and a large harestock rug in the reception room add to the rustic ambience of this inner-city home.

The kitchen features dark green coloured cabinetry with brass ironmongery, complete with built-in appliances and Fior di Bosco marble worktops. Waney edge timber shelves add a smart rustic look, with an island breakfast bar and bespoke oak table providing ample dining space.

The upper floor provides a master bedroom suite, guest bedroom, guest bathroom and airing cupboards. The bedrooms have been designed to maximise light and space, with a soft colour palette and jute bouclé carpets to create a rustic contemporary feel.

The guest bathroom has been extended from its original configuration and finished with handmade ceramic tiled walls and Carrara marble flooring.

The master bathroom includes Antique White ceramic tiling and natural stone flooring, giving it a paired back and airy feel.

Felix Langlois, partner at VOZA Developments, commented: “We wanted to create a home that was contemporary but with a traditional feel. By reimagining the layout and carefully restoring many of the building’s original features, I believe we have created a homely space that has a calm and natural feel.”

www.vozadevelopments.com