Living between France and the U.K., Marie-Cassandre Bultheel needed her own pied-à-terre in London where she could peacefully write her books, host friends, and organize classes. The wellness entrepreneur, sustainability advocate, and writer fell in love with a unique apartment in Earl’s Court Square, in the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Marie-Cassandre (left) and Olga pose in the loft space.
Developed in the 19th century on agricultural land belonging to the Edwardes family, this area has been the home of notable names including Diana, Princess of Wales, choreographer Frederick Ashton, musician Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, and Ninette de Valois, founder of The Royal Ballet. While starting to work on the project, interior designer Olga Ashby and Marie-Cassandre discovered that American writer and actress Joan Juliet Buck (who was also the editor-in-chief of French Vogue) had lived in one of the houses situated around the same garden.
With such a pedigree, the 861-square-foot, two-level, one-bedroom apartment nestled in a Second Empire–style building could not suit Marie-Cassandre more. “She had a very clear vision of what her dream home should look like,” Olga says, regarding her client.
The artwork in the alcove is by Bianca Smith.
With its high ceilings and soft colors that combine with textures and materials such as stone, linen, wool cashmere, and microcement, the space was designed with sustainability in mind. Working with suppliers with the same values and sourcing locally as much as possible were key.
The bespoke daybed by Autumn Down combines with the Hive lighting fixtures by Bombinate and contrasts with the metal and glass door by Metalframe and the ladder by Made.com.
