Tala Fustok Studio’s residential design evokes a allure of a luxurious boutique hotel

At first glance, Palace Gate London appears to be a quaint boutique hotel with a lavish spa, but a closer inspection reveals that the space is actually a residential apartment. Situated in the heart of South Kensington, one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods, Palace Gate London is a four-bedroom apartment conceptualised by Tala Fustok, interior designer and founder at Tala Fustok Studio, and styled by Sania Pell. Neighbouring the picturesque Hyde Park, on the fourth floor of a Victorian mansion block, the south-west facing home is a serene showcase of the owner’s European and North-African travels. This London apartment has all the hallmarks of a high-end boutique hotel, but is warm, inviting, and highly functional.

For the interior design, Tala Fustok were briefed to conceptualise a tranquil residential design that complements the owner’s lifestyle. With a calm and relaxed personality, the client enjoys travelling and socialising and the interiors reflect this character by showcasing their love for vintage furniture and modern art. The apartment exhibits a visual tapestry of organic forms and soft colours that is accentuated by a plethora of textures and abundance of natural light defining this abode—that’s tastefully stylish. Fustok kept the furniture design and accents minimal to make the space feel quiet and serene and to complement the beautiful landscape surrounding the home. While the furnishings and decor accessories are minimal, each room has a few pieces that are unusual and striking, adding drama and intrigue to the home.

Based in West London, Tala Fustok Studio is committed to creating timeless spaces with an innate sense of theatre, and a dash of the unexpected. Fustok’s work oozes opulence, drama, and self-indulgence, through the use of rich materials and is synonymous with bringing back the comfort of the classic while championing contemporary design. Palace Gate London, too, reflects this design aesthetic associated with Tala Fustok Studio. “I was entrusted to design this calm classic residential space in South Kensington… my design of the four-bedroom apartment embraces soft colours that reflect a sunset setting, whilst contrasting stoney textures and earthy coatings of fabric (to) create harmonic tension. The apartment carries an air of savviness and intrigue with layers of juxtaposed texture and light-flooded rooms. For an energetic boost, I played with bold statements to build a backdrop for artwork and vintage furniture. The space oozes excitement and elegance, and was an utter pleasure to design,” mentions Fustok.

Exhibiting understated luxury, the home’s elegant foyer features an old Venetian mirror, a woven chair, an antique mirrored niche housing a metal vide poche, and a singular plinth vase focal point by M.A.H Gallery. This simple yet exquisite space sets the tone for the entire apartment. The foyer leads into the apartment’s dining room, showcasing an unorthodox centrepiece by Vessel Gallery, a London brick ivory-painted fireplace, and a 1970s Italian vintage travertine table alongside a snug sofa for casual dining. Tala opened up the adjacent kitchen space with the introduction of double arched doors; additionally, minimal timber cabinetry and brass elements add contrast while maintaining a relaxed setting. The kitchen comprises a small high-top dining table with bar stools, sleek fixtures and plenty of natural light. The kitchen leads to the dining area in an open floor plan, making it an ideal space for hosting guests.

Large curved walls between the dining and living quarters integrate shelving to nest one-of-a-kind decor accessories. “We executed important structural work to open up the living and dining room arenas, as well as merging two bedrooms to create a large master and dressing room, forming a 252 sqm London pied-à-Terre dusted with a collection of contemporary artwork from around the capital. I must also mention the standout large curved walls between the dining and living quarters, whose softly illuminated shelves effortlessly become a light room divider,” adds Fustok.

As the client loves to socialise, the living room takes centre stage in the apartment. This bright and welcoming space exhibits a timeless elegance. It is an airy, light-filled space with minimalist, distinctive furniture pieces, a muted colour palette and sophisticated details such as textured walls, cosy soft furnishings and organic sculptures. The white sofas add a chic touch to the space and the decor pieces add playfulness to the overall setup. A travertine fireplace echoes that of the dining space with smoky mirroring by The Antique Mirror Company, cloudy patina drapes the walls, sculptural pieces by M.A.H Gallery and Flow Gallery pepper the space, whilst a Tim Page circular shaggy rug of varying pile height brings extra texture. An elegant layer of sheer by Lizzo dresses the space, whilst bespoke bleached plywood, brass, and timber add that rustic nod.

The bedrooms of this London home are minimalist yet elegant. The master bedroom has a neutral palette with subtle yet charming dusty pink undertones and vintage-inspired furnishings. Conceptualised to be a restful space, it boasts all the elements of a tranquil haven. A bespoke 1960s-inspired bed takes centre stage within the master bedroom, entirely upholstered in dusty pink velvet with layers of linen by Larusi and Society Limonta. Above the bed sits a tapestry found in one of Tala’s most treasured London galleries, Schmid McDonagh, whilst a stone fireplace maintains the earthy nature throughout the space, adorned with a bespoke mirror by French creator Christophe Gaignon. As the client loves dressing up, the suite houses a large open dressing area to accommodate all their clothes and accessories. The open dressing area is lit by a PINCH fabric pendant piece hovering over a bespoke leather, plywood island.

Furthermore, the apartment’s primary suite opens into a Moroccan-inspired master bathroom, which houses a bespoke travertine sink with watermark taps, zellige Moroccan tiles in the shower, and a freestanding bathtub. A neighbouring powder room of the same dusty pink houses a matching pink Kast concrete sink and vintage mirror sourced from The Lillie Road London. The home’s bathrooms are reminiscent of an opulent spa wherein you could spend hours.