Timeless Elegance: Fulham Residence Transformed by April Hamilton Design

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The April Hamilton team chose our Sorrento 3050 – Tortora 100% wool carpet, creating a refined foundation for this stylish luxury residence

We’re always excited to learn how interior designers incorporate our luxury natural floors. So, when the April Hamilton team offered to share insights about their latest residential project, we couldn’t wait to hear more.

April Hamilton is led by Rosie Ridgway and Charlotte Small, the creative duo at the heart of the firm. Rosie, the Founder and Creative Director, brings over 25 years of expertise, while Charlotte’s addition has shaped the studio into a bespoke, high-end interior design powerhouse. We spoke with both Rosie and Charlotte to explore the journey behind their recent project and their choice of Riviera Home floors to complete the vision.

It all starts with a successful brief. How did you and your client decide on the overall aesthetic of the scheme?

We try to keep this element simple and use lots of imagery to translate likes and dislikes. As established designers, we are intuitive, so the conversations we have with our clients are really meaningful and help us understand who they are from the very beginning.

Our goal was to design a home that genuinely feels like one and to create a sophisticated yet timeless interior with an overarching calmness.

How important is it to have a clear brief before starting a project and what do you recommend homeowners do before calling on the services of a professional interior designer?

It’s imperative the client knows the scope of works that’s needed to get their home to where they want it to be, which we of course help them with. A client needs to have an appetite for their home to be transformed, as it is not an overnight project. They need to trust the process and know they are in safe hands with designers that care.

What were the main objectives?

This is not our clients main residence, so they were keen to have a place in busy London they could retreat to, a place of calm and stillness that felt like home. The designs were to be stylish and contemporary, with a welcoming and inviting tone.

Were there any existing features or elements you had to work around or include?

Fortunately, this was a completely blank canvas in terms of the furniture, however the existing kitchen and bathrooms were to remain, as well as the existing woodwork colours.

You opted for a neutral colour scheme; how important was it to add in textural interest through the choice of carpet?

Very, as we wanted to use the same carpet throughout the entire home, aside from the ground floor to create fluidity, so the herringbone detail to this carpet worked beautifully. It blended harmoniously with each rooms schemes, which was key and had a subtle reference to the new herringbone wooden flooring on the ground floor.

What were the key elements you were looking for when choosing a carpet?

Durability, quality and designer style.

How important do you find using samples to achieve a cohesive look?

Samples are an absolute must, we don’t approve or select anything without a physical sample, this helps us pair other fabrics and finishes that work well together.

“The herringbone detail to this carpet worked beautifully. It blended harmoniously with each rooms schemes, which was key and had a subtle reference to the new herringbone wooden flooring on the ground floor.”

“The luxurious finish and the colour worked extremely well with the rest of the home.”

What drew you to our Sorrento 3050 – Tortora carpet?

It’s durability, 100% wool, warmth, the luxurious finish and the colour worked extremely well with the rest of the home.

Who did you use to install the carpet, and how did you choose your carpet professional?

We have worked with Nina Burgess for a long while and we have a wonderful working relationship with Nina and her team.

What are your top tips for creating a consistent aesthetic throughout the home?

Choose a consistent colour palette, balancing neutrals with accents. Stick to complementary textures and materials across spaces. Incorporate similar design elements like shapes, patterns, and furniture styles. Opt for decor that aligns with your overall theme, and maintain simplicity by avoiding clutter for a unified, harmonious look.

You included a bespoke rug using Sorrento Herringbone; what are your top tips for ensuring that an area rug works successfully within a living room setting?

Always oversize and decide from the beginning if the room needs a statement or if its main purpose is for acoustics and warmth.

From start to finish, what was the project’s duration and is this a typical timescale for a project?

This project needed a quick turnaround and even though this included many trades, bespoke joinery and bespoke furniture, we finished this project within 4 months. The key to this, was having clients that trusted us implicitly and they left us to create and do what we do best. A typical project is anywhere from 4 months to a year depending on the scope of works involved.

Are you seeing any growing trends within interior design or client requirements?

Our clients have shown a strong preference for natural finishes and an organic aesthetic this year. While this trend is prominent, we fully embrace it as we really do feel it adds a calmness to a home. Whether this is through our accessories or fabric selections, we are committed to integrating these elements to achieve a harmonious and stylish result.

What was the feedback from clients at the end of the project?

The project was a delight from start to finish, which resulted in lovely feedback–

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Rosie and Charlotte – and the team – at April Hamilton. They realised my vision and brought it to life, bigger and better than I could ever have imagined. They are patient & considerate; they keep us informed at every stage of our process. They turned a very bland house into a luxurious, interesting home under a very tight schedule – and all on budget and on time. I knew from the first time I spoke to Rosie she was the right person for the job! I am wholeheartedly grateful for what they’ve done. A joy!” – Alison

“Top tips for ensuring that an area rug works successfully within a living room setting, always oversize and decide from the beginning if the room needs a statement or if its main purpose is for acoustics and warmth.”