At the very least, interior design should maximise comfort and function. But fantastic design creates spaces that aren’t just practical, they’re compelling and personal; ultimately, it is a crucial component to making your house feel like a home.
It has become clear over the last year especially, that great interior design has the power to enhance and improve your lifestyle, a belief that Berkeley has embraced at its beautiful new showhome at The Mansions, its collection of classic apartments just minutes from Wimbledon village.
Superbly situated in Copse Hill, minutes from the array of cafés, boutiques and sporting facilities – including the world-famous All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club – these homes give buyers the opportunity to enjoy an enviable lifestyle close to a chic London village with quick access to the City and central London.
Emma Nelson, Head of Design of Berkeley, comments: “In recent months there’s been a real spotlight on home design. 2020 has been a challenging year for many and due to social restrictions, everyone has been spending a lot of time in their homes. Our focus has been on how our homes function – or don’t! – and what we can do to make improvements.
“Our designers have been strongly influenced by this landscape. Bringing the outdoors in to create a serene space, with the use of soothing green/natural colour palettes and foliage, has been a really prominent feature. Multi-levels of lighting have also been a key trend – to create ambience. Probably most important to day-to-day living, multi-functional spaces have taken on new significance – people want flexibility and the opportunity to design and use rooms and areas as required at any given time, for example the option to convert a bedroom into a home office for much of the day.”
At The Mansions, Berkeley appointed and worked closely with interior designers Lucarna to create a showhome which is both stylish and serene, while still providing practical living spaces that cater to everyday needs.
Melissa Sacharov, Interior Designer at Lucarna, explains: “With the showhome at The Mansions, we wanted to recognise the development’s location and surrounding environment, as this plays such a crucial part in what makes us feel at home. Wimbledon is a stunning pocket of London that has this charming village feel which inspired us to capture the essence of both the luxury of the city and the calm of country living – for many people, home means having that balance.”
The three-bedroom apartment comprises 1,424 sq. ft of carefully designed living space.
Melissa continues: “The open plan living, kitchen and dining area forms the heart of the apartment and was inspired by a sophisticated country home. The careful placement of key furniture pieces achieved clear delineation so that each stylish space can function; unwinding, eating and cooking, but importantly it still remains a social area where you can relax and entertain.”
“We kept to a fresh, sophisticated, neutral colour palette, punctuated with green-toned accent colours in the form of statement chairs; this perfectly complements Berkeley’s bronze and wooden finishes in the kitchen area. Bringing the outdoors in, the space is peppered with foliage and the natural light which floods through the bi-fold doors creates a sense of space – the balcony beyond overlooks glorious treetops and is the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee.”
In contrast, the bedrooms enjoy a richer colour palette, encapsulating the vibrancy of the city. Melissa comments: “In the design of all the bedrooms we wanted to capture an ongoing sense of space. In the master bedroom we mirrored the green tones in the living area but made a statement with the oversized headboard and complemented with shades of taupe, cream, grey and gold accents. The third bedroom in this home offers flexibility and can easily be transformed into an office space or another living area, depending on your own personal preferences and how you want your home to best serve you.”
The five classical 19th century inspired houses that make up The Mansions are set against a stunning backdrop of picturesque parkland and are arranged around a beautifully landscaped garden square with a fountain centrepiece. Residents also have access to hotel-style amenities, including a concierge service, residents’ gym and private cinema.
Quirky and full of charm, Wimbledon Village has long been one of London’s most popular hotspots. Along its pretty streets are an eclectic mix of artisan stores, independent shops, cafés, restaurants and bars set among stunning period buildings.
Wimbledon is synonymous with outdoor life and the wonderful open spaces of Wimbledon Common, a short stroll away, are perfect for enjoying a leisurely walk, running or cycling. The common has many sports facilities, including riding, cricket and football, and is also home to The Royal Wimbledon Golf Club.
From Wimbledon station, trains to London Waterloo by national rail take just 17 minutes and by District Line tube, services reach London Victoria in around 30 minutes. Heathrow and Gatwick Airports are both around a 40-minute drive away, via the nearby A3 and motorway network.
Homes at The Mansions are available to move into now, prices start from £999,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. For more information about The Mansions or to arrange an appointment to view the new showhome, contact Berkeley on 020 8003 6139 or visit www.the-mansions.co.uk