Remarkable Homes: Elnaz Namaki Takes Us Around a Chelsea Penthouse
Elnaz Namaki is a luxury interior design studio based in London. Elnaz is an experienced interior designer who also comes from a background in construction management, meaning that she is very adept at handling a renovation process right from the planning and execution of building works down to the final design touches. Elnaz gave us a tour around this stunning penthouse in Chelsea which left us impressed with the sense of vast openness and light in the heart of London. Enjoy this sneak peak!
Hi Elnaz, what kind of interior design do you specialise in?
Elnaz Namaki Studio specialises in residential interior design – our philosophy is based on making every space warm, cosy and unique.
What was the brief for this interior project?
The client brief for the Chelsea penthouse project was to make the apartment open-plan living and to create more light and connectivity between the spaces.
What were the inspirations for the design of this home?
The inspirations for the design were a combination of Scandinavian minimalism mixed with pops of warm heritage colour tones and a slight ski chalet twist.
What was the biggest challenge you faced during the design process?
The biggest challenge was getting the spatial planning and layout to flow with the constraints of the building services and structural and planning approvals.
What part of this completed project are you most happy with?
The living room – especially raising the ceilings to create great volume and making a feature of the chimney while integrated the TV and joinery.
Which designers/artists/figures inspire you in your work as a designer?
So many inspirational figures such as Kelly Wearstker, Zahad Hadid, Yayoi Kusama, Joseph Dirand, Charlotte Perriand Jamie Hayon and Joyce Wang.
What is your own dream piece of furniture?
The pink neon Ettore Sotsass Ultrafragola mirror.
Favourite design element to work with?
My favourite design element would be light – in every project we try to bring in as much natural light as possible. For spaces to feel warm and cosy the lighting design is key – we work with warm led’s to ensure soft glow and design integrated lighting as much as possible.
Number one tip for designing a remarkable space?
Choose a unique statement feature in each space to make it unforgettable and original.
How do you approach choosing furniture for a room?
We start by choosing the key pieces of furniture for a room and plan the sizing and scaling of the furniture we need – we use mood boards to see how different furniture options look together.
Have you ever had an interior design DIY moment?
Yes – on a project in Notting Hill where we did a bespoke multicoloured marble floor design, I ended up on the floor laying out the marble tiles myself as the tilers didn’t understand the pattern from the drawings.
Is there a bar/gallery/restaurant/public space in London which you think has fabulous design?
There are so many spaces in London with fabulous design – some of my favourites are the Library Bar at the NED, Sketch by India Mahdavi, Roca London Gallery, The British Museum and the V&A.
Favourite places to eat, shop or meet friends?
Favourite places to eat are the River Café on a sunny day, the Electric and Laylow in Notting Hill and Daphne’s for Italian. For shopping and meeting friends I love the King’s Road, Golbourne Road, Marylebone and Primrose hill.
Do you have a favourite design related quote?
Yes favourite design quotes are: “Creativity takes courage” Henri Matisse and “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working” Pablo Picasso.