Reviving a Historic Mews House in Knightsbridge

The Heart of the Home

At fundamental level, the kitchen embodies warmth and connection. Arched Crittall-style doors draw light from front to back, while handmade stained glass panels, commissioned from a British craftsman, add what Landino describes as “that extra quirkiness that is really part of the house.” A tactile material palette of ribbed frosted glass, bronze accents, and softly toned oak was fine-tuned through “a few iterations” to get just the right colour. A downdraft extractor clears the room of visual clutter, and a concealed banquette, repeated timber details, and lit nooks make this family hub feel cosy and connected.

Formal Living with a Modern, Soft Touch

The main reception room feels grand and natural, with its curvy shapes. A bespoke rug in muted green, paired travertine coffee tables and gently rounded sofas echo the architectural arches. Artworks subtly reference Fonteyn’s legacy, a “little nod” to the ballerina who once animated the mews.

Dining with Ease and Function

Across the hall, the dining room continues the theme. Panelling and softened corners add architectural depth where none existed before, while a timber table for eight invites long evenings of conversation. Rock crystal candelabras from Howes and Landino adorn the table when it’s not set for dinner, and mirror-topped sideboards offer useful service space without formality. The fireplace motif reappears in a simpler form, maintaining visual coherence and strengthening the ground floor’s smooth flow.

A Basement Beyond Expectation

Below, the house reveals its most surprising transformation. Excavated to create a split-level lower ground, the basement accommodates a treatment room, gym, laundry, two guest suites and an entertainment lounge. “None of this existed,” Howes reflects, comparing the outcome’s astounding effect to a TARDIS. Light wells draw daylight deep into the plan, an important step in achieving what Landino calls a successful basement design.

Tranquil Bedrooms Upstairs

The upper floors house two guest bedrooms and a principal suite, each defined by texture and tailored detailing. Dual-aspect lighting and wall-to-wall headboards accentuate the generous use of space, while a commissioned mural recalls Hyde Park at sunset. In the principal suite, dusty pink tones, curved bespoke joinery and a lacquered dressing table overlooking the mews create a peaceful haven. The bathroom features lilac stone selected slab by slab in Italy, its veining meticulously aligned. “We go to the quarries to select every single slab,” Howes says, highlighting the studio’s commitment to natural stone and craftsmanship.