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REFINED VISION MEETS
 EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTION

REFINED VISION MEETS
EXTRAORDINARY
EXECUTION

GET IN TOUCH TO START
YOUR CREATIVE ADVENTURE

GET IN TOUCH TO
START YOUR
CREATIVE ADVENTURE

Where BESPOKE FORM meets desert STILLNESS

A Dubai Villa of QUIET GRANDEUR and CRAFTED DETAIL

Explore The World of Elicyon, with interior design insights and press features, sharing luxury design inspiration, interior architecture articles and more.

The World of Elicyon: Insights & Press | Elicyon

Set across 16,835 square feet in Umm Al Sheif, this four-level Dubai villa is a study in scale, softness and considered restraint. Designed for a multi-generational Emirati family, the home includes four principal bedrooms, four guest suites and a series of interconnected family spaces shaped for both formal hosting and quiet retreat. A private cinema, gym, treatment room and pool complete a lifestyle-rich composition of privacy and comfort.

But the true identity of this home lies not in its scale, but in its atmosphere.While layering into elements of the existing contemporary basebuild, Elicyon introduced a refined spatial rhythm softening transitions, creating intimacy within open plan volumes and redefining the balance between grandeur and repose.

At the heart of the villa, an expansive open-plan living space unfolds, delineated not by walls but by light, proportion and the language of surfaces. Laminated washi paper panels filter the space between the formal living and dining zones, their quiet translucency recalling the serenity of Japanese interiors.

Above, a chandelier releases porcelain petal forms across the double-height ceiling, echoing the floral motifs that branch throughout the villa. These details repeat quietly across wall reliefs, textiles, embroidered bedding and painted headboards, creating a consistent yet unforced rhythm.

Chamfered edges, pearlescent finishes and tonal repetition support this sense of calm continuity. Every material is in conversation with the next, from oak underfoot to polished marble accents, forming a visual language that ebbs and flows across the home.

In Gulf and wider Middle Eastern tradition,

 is more than a room. It is a space of welcome, of presence, of shared history. Rooted in the values of hospitality and connection, it remains the emotional anchor of the home.

With the Dubai Family Villa, Elicyon was invited to reimagine the majlis for a contemporary Dubai family. The result is a formal space that honours tradition while introducing a new architectural clarity. Dignified yet warm, grand yet intimately scaled.

The room is divided into two zones, a central setting and a side majlis, allowing the space to flex across different modes of gathering. Natural light moves through the double-height space, settling on a palette of pistachio, celadon green and soft yellow. Silk-textured walls and wave-patterned washi panels lend depth without disruption.

Curved edges and chamfered profiles repeat throughout the architecture and furniture. From the form of the console table to the custom wall panelling, this recurring language brings coherence across adjoining spaces, including the dining and powder rooms.

Underfoot, oak flooring and Calacatta Sponda marble introduce warmth and natural grounding. Each piece of furniture was designed with both comfort and poise in mind.

At the centre of the Dubai Family Villa lies one of our most expansive and considered custom furniture portfolios to date. While the studio has long been familiar with working in Dubai and has completed a number of residences across the city, this project stands apart for the sheer depth and breadth of its tailored design.

An archive of intention. With over 150 individually crafted pieces, the home becomes a living catalogue of how space can be shaped by the people who inhabit it. Each piece is developed not in isolation, but as part of a wider architectural language, where proportion, material and purpose are held in careful balance.

This approach unfolds across every level of the villa. In the cinema, a bespoke single chaise is paired with a custom side table, precisely engineered to sit between the seating and discreetly accommodate wiring for table lamps, allowing light to appear without interruption. In the family TV lounge, bespoke travertine console tables frame the TV unit, made to fit perfectly within the 

 and detailed with concealed apertures so that cabling disappears entirely from view.

In the Formal Side Majlis, custom furniture establishes a dialogue between craft and composure. A bespoke nesting coffee table combines inlaid onyx with veneered finishes, while a tailored sofa side table continues the same language, introducing a green onyx inlay set into a veneered base. These pieces echo one another subtly, reinforcing cohesion through repetition rather than statement.

At the heart of the Formal Central Majlis, a bespoke coffee table becomes a focal point of craftsmanship. Mother-of-pearl ginkgo leaves were free-issued by a specialist supplier, with the layout carefully composed by Elicyon’s design team before being sent to the manufacturer for insetting. The result is a surface that reads as both precise and poetic, where materiality and pattern are guided by hand and intent.

Elsewhere, bespoke elements continue to shape daily rituals. A walnut TV unit inlaid with mother-of-pearl is hand-finished by a specialist artisan in India. The principal ensuite is clad in Opal Blue Marble, its Sakura mosaic flooring offering a delicate reference to falling petals. In the Principal Suite, a crescent bench is custom-built to curve around the circular bath, completing the architecture of the room with quiet assurance.

These are not decorative gestures. These are expressions of everyday life, made permanent through crafted form and artisanship from Dubai and beyond.

While distinctly Emirati in spirit, the Dubai Family Villa is defined by a dialogue of cultures. The villa draws on a constellation of global influences, each connected through a shared reverence for craftsmanship, proportion and restraint. Rather than a fusion, the result is a considered conversation, where memory and material are layered with intent.

Objects and artworks are curated to feel collected rather than installed. Pieces sourced from Maison & Objet in Paris sit alongside expressive forms from Vessel Gallery in London, creating an atmosphere of lived-in elegance.

Walls throughout the home are finished in specialist plasterwork, grounding the interiors in locally rooted technique. The Formal Dining Room features a ceramic installation by Dubai-based craftsman, a piece that introduces material depth while remaining attuned to its architectural surroundings. The staircase, a sculpted spine linking all four levels, is dressed with fluted balustrades and bas relief wall panels that add rhythm and permanence. Suspended at its centre, a glass installation by Czech atelier 

 shifts gently with the changing light, echoing the interplay of shadow and sun across the desert landscape.

In the Principal Bedroom, floral motifs bloom across hand-embroidered wall coverings by 

. The headboard, hand-painted in gold leaf, nods to the Japanese traditions of sansui and sumi-e painting. These references continue subtly through chinoiserie-inspired lines, delicate curves and poetic landscapes that flow across surface and textile.

This is a home composed with care. Grounded in culture, shaped by rhythm and elevated through detail.

Set against the golden intensity of Dubai’s desert light, the interior palette at the Dubai Family Villa offers an intentional contrast. The villa’s palette is purposefully calming, a counterpoint to the desert heat. Ivory, taupe and alabaster provide the base notes, layered with tones of soft sand, dusty grey-blue and deep ink. These colours flow across walls, furniture and textiles in a way that feels harmonious and assured.These tones unfold across walls, furnishings and flooring in a way that feels harmonious and still.

This is a palette that speaks to restraint, but never austerity. Ca’maser oak flooring offers quiet strength underfoot, anchoring each space with natural depth. Marble surfaces and antique brass touches add moments of quiet gleam, while bespoke joinery introduces both rhythm and refinement. 

Throughout, textures are placed with intent. Bespoke joinery offers both rhythm and resolution. Linen and silk, suede and polished wood, each material contributes to a landscape of softness and structure. It is a composition tuned to the region’s rhythm. Cooling but not cold. Still, yet quietly expressive. An interior oasis, crafted to hold calm.

Find out more about the project via. our 

. If you’re planning a project in the Middle East and are interested in working with Elicyon, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about our studio and approach, visit 

. For specific project enquiries, we invite you to contact our Client Relationships Director, Tess Cavendish, directly at tcavendish@elicyon.com.

 for more insights into considered living and interiors that evolve with you. 

REFINED VISION MEETS
EXTRAORDINARY EXECUTION

GET IN TOUCH TO START
YOURCREATIVE ADVENTURE

Go beyond the finished spaces. Explore the insights, inspirations, collaborations, and ideas that shape our world.

 How Elicyon transformed a four-storey villa in Umm Al Sheif into a tailored archive of handcrafted design, drawing on Middle Eastern artistry, materiality, and a reverence for repose.

Dubai Family Villa | Elicyon

As a high-end interior design studio, Elicyon’s approach to Knightsbridge interiors is one shaped by the interplay of setting, history and individuality. While some residences draw on the quiet poetry of the past, others translate personal journeys into spaces of clarity and calm. Together, they reveal the many ways context can inform design, each one a distinct yet harmonious interpretation of Knightsbridge living.

Knightsbridge is one of London’s most storied districts, renowned for its exclusive shopping, cultural institutions and enduring prestige. Its architecture reveals centuries of layered history, from Victorian red-brick mansion blocks and stucco-fronted terraces, to contemporary apartments that introduce a new language of glass and light along its streets. Neighbouring Hyde Park, Belgravia and South Kensington, Knightsbridge is synonymous with some of the city’s most desirable residences, where heritage and modernity sit side by side.

Regent’s Park Apartment: A Sanctuary Within the Spectacle 

Tucked away within the heart of Knightsbridge, Elicyon’s Regent’s Park Apartment offers a calming counterpoint to the city’s unrelenting energy. Conceived as a tranquil retreat for its owner, this London apartment is a considered study in softness and flow. A palette of warm creams, blonde timbers and tactile materials sets a gentle rhythm for everyday life, creating a restorative and grounding environment.

Sun-washed stone, finely textured linens and softly veined timber create an atmosphere of enveloping calm, allowing materiality to speak without imposition. It’s a home that is designed not just to perform, but to comfort. Where Knightsbridge is often rendered in high polish and formality, Elicyon’s response here is instinctive and human.

In the bedroom, timber panelling frames the bed like a canvas, drawing the eye to the tonal headboard and its interplay of materials. Pendant lights hover with purpose, flanking a bed dressed in soft layers, while the living room unfolds as a layered composition of form, texture and tone. Elsewhere, a corner sofa anchors one side of the space, its relaxed geometry counterbalanced by occasional chairs, while the coffee table–elliptical and low-slung–introduces a gentle softness that contrasts the crisp architectural lines behind. Natural light filters through sheer drapery, softening the perimeter and spreading a sense of warmth throughout the apartment. In a London setting as dynamic as Knightsbridge, the apartment achieves something rare: It is not simply a spectacle, but a sanctuary.

Chelsea Townhouse: A Dialogue with Time and Water

Based in a restored 19th-century townhouse, this residence has a deep respect for its architectural setting, allowing the home to be shaped by the rhythms of its past. The Chelsea Townhouse’s design is rooted in Knightsbridge’s history, specifically the Westbourne River–a waterway that was once vital to the surrounding area. Now concealed beneath the city, the river’s legacy is honoured throughout the apartment with references to water both in palette and mood.

Inky blue upholstery appears in the bedroom, its tone echoed in abstract throws and embroidered cushions, while artwork in deep, fluid hues nods to the river’s movement. In the study, a high-gloss blue desk surface reflects light like water, paired with a marble leg that suggests geological weight.

Throughout the home, silvery greens and mineral whites appear in veined marble bathrooms and kitchens, creating a sense of calm continuity. These flowing tones are deliberately contrasted with dark-stained timbers and translucent finishes, bringing both clarity and depth. It is a space shaped as much by history as by the emotional qualities of water: calm, abundant and quietly vital.

This is contextual architecture at its most attuned: a custom residential design shaped by setting rather than imposed upon it. Rooted in history and sensitive to its surroundings, the Chelsea Townhouse doesn’t just inhabit its Knightsbridge context, it embodies it.

Knightsbridge Apartment: A Personal Narrative in a Global City 

Where Elicyon’s Chelsea Townhouse draws from architectural history, the 

 takes a more personal approach. This residence is shaped not by the past of the neighbourhood, but by the lived experience of its owner. Situated in one of London’s most prestigious addresses, the apartment offers an alternative interpretation of Knightsbridge interiors, one that finds balance between context and individuality.

Inspired by British artist Peter Kinley’s bold use of chromatic colour and layered textures, the Knightsbridge interior acts as a dialogue between heritage and innovation. Contextual architectural features and forward-thinking technology are woven into the space’s considered design, enhancing comfort without compromising character. Put simply, the tailored interior pays homage to architectural luminaries while embracing the future with open arms.

But the real beauty lies in the structural detail. From bespoke furniture to expressive materiality, the space is defined by its tactile richness. Panels of glass, timber base features, exposed joints and plaster finishes contribute to a sense of authenticity and personal expression. Expansive glazing opens the rooms to greenery and light, mirroring the easy indoor-outdoor living, while marble surfaces bring a sense of Mediterranean movement, resulting in a refined interior where the ease of European holidays is reimagined through a contemporary London lens.

With this collection, Elicyon continues to shape the future of London interior design, where design is personalised, craftsmanship is paramount, and every home tells a story worth remembering. Elicyon’s commitment goes beyond aesthetics, it’s about creating homes that resonate emotionally. Featuring high-end interior design, these residences offer a sense of timelessness elevated by craftsmanship. Here, elegance is not just an aesthetic, it’s a guiding philosophy.

If you’re interested in working with Elicyon or learning more about our tailored design process, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about our studio and to contact us, visit our 

For specific project enquiries, we invite you to contact our Client Relationships Director, Tess Cavendish, directly at tcavendish@elicyon.com.

london interior design, interior design studio, high-end interior design, contextual architecture, knightsbridge interiors, tailored interiors, considered design, custom residential design, refined interiors, knightsbridge interiors, knightsbridge london, knightsbridge lighting, knightsbridge furniture, knightsbridge penthouse, timber, natural materials, timber features, residential design, lighting and furniture, high-end interior design

Knightsbridge Residences: Crafting Tailored Interiors for London’s Landmark Districts

KNIGHTSBRIDGE RESIDENCIES 

Crafting TAILORED INTERIORS for LONDON'S LANDMARK DISTRICTS

Many people view rental properties as temporary spaces, place holders before buying their forever home, where they cannot fully express their personality. Elicyon’s Founder and Director, Charu Gandhi, has found through personal experience that you don’t have to wait for ownership to create a beautiful home. In fact, the flexibility and the nature of renting can actually allow for more spontaneity and creativity, as you can experiment and hone your tastes, discovering what you do and don’t like. It is always worth investing both emotionally and aesthetically in your space.

One mistake that people often make is assuming that they need to buy everything new when they move. However, if you have pieces that you loved in your previous home that held stories and memories, there’s no reason why you should part with them. Instead, it’s about reimagining items for the new space and design ethos, thinking about how you can use them appropriately. There is ample opportunity to reinvent items through techniques such as upholstery, new paint or hardware, making them a long-term investment.

Alton House has been shaped not by new acquisitions, but by what Charu calls her long loved objects, whether those be already owned pieces, reclaimed pieces, vintage finds or elements from past projects that were once surplus or slightly out of place. For example, when Charu relocated from her Chelsea home of 20 years to her current property, Alton House in East Putney, she had numerous pieces of furniture that she wanted to take with her. Case in point was a dining room table: as it wouldn’t work in the new space, she transformed it into the desk of her study. Another useful tip to consider is where you place your furniture, Charu has placed her desk in the centre of the room away from the walls, to make it feel more spacious and to give interest to the eye. Facing the desk, a sofa from Charu’s previous living room has been given new life, reupholstered in leftover fabrics. The original base, now over ten years old, was kept intact, while the seat cushions were upholstered in caramel-yellow mohair and the back cushions in soft bouclé.

Elsewhere, pieces have been adapted to similar effect. In the dining room, a vintage table was refinished in a deep indigo lacquer, adding depth and a sense of permanence. Just beyond, in the sun room, a favourite sofa belonging to Charu’s husband was reupholstered in patterned burgundy and indigo bouclé, subtly echoing the dining table’s palette and establishing a quiet continuity between the two spaces.

Reimagining and repurposing can extend beyond surface finishes. The marble consoles nestled within the dining room’s fireplace alcoves began life as the base of a single table. Now split into two and topped with off-cut marble salvaged from a marble yard, they reflect a thoughtful approach to reuse, one that values both material and memory. In Alton House, each adjustment reflects a mindset of reinvention, giving familiar pieces new meaning and life through context, composition and careful consideration.

It is important to be realistic about whether your most beloved pieces will suit the new space, and due to size or proportion constraints, some may need to evolve. In Charu’s case, a vintage sofa bought at auction came with too many cushions and felt overstuffed for its new setting. She saw value in the core shape and decided to strip it back to its frame, adjusted its depth and reupholstered select cushions in a rich, fringed fabric, breathing new life into an otherwise unwieldy piece. The result now anchors the living room with both elegance and intent. It’s a reminder that considered design often comes not from starting fresh, but from reworking what you already own into something more aligned with how you live today.

Many who live in rental properties forget that it is often possible to repaint walls, a simple touch that will instantly transform a room. Charu repainted her white sitting room walls in a warm yellow shade from Argile ‘Jaune Indien’, to make the space more inviting and cosy. She really wanted her study to have a strong personality, so she painted the walls in a shade called ‘Indian Terracotta’, which has a lot of versatility and made the room feel warmer. In all of Alton House’s rooms, Charu was intentional about keeping the walls visually clean in colour, allowing artwork, textiles and objects to bring contrast and character. Another tip from her own home is to paint skirting boards, dado rails and other points of contrast in a different colour to give a sense of depth and to elevate the feeling of the room, she kept the dado rail and architrave of her sitting room white for this reason.

Often, the floor is not as straightforward to change, but if you don’t like it then a wonderful way to change how it feels and to ground the room is via a rug. At Alton House, the existing timber flooring of the sitting room wasn’t to Charu’s taste, so she instead commissioned a large bespoke rug to cover the floor and soften it. Designed in collaboration with Holland Cassidy, the rug brings together four distinct weaving techniques, celebrating the artistry and craft of traditional weaving. Its soft geometry and chamfered corners lend rhythm, while the strong burgundy graphic element anchors the furniture arrangement and elevates the room’s material process.

In a rental property, you might also find that you need to work with existing inherited pieces, especially fitted furniture, or soft furnishings that can’t be removed. For example, in Charu’s daughter’s room, the family were left with a pair of blue check curtains. In order to make them feel like a coherent part of the room, Charu picked out several colours from the curtains and found artworks and other items to dress the room to create a conversation between old and new.

Another existing element Charu inherited was the garden, which felt more like a joy than a challenge. In a city like London, such outdoor space is a rare gift. To echo its presence, Charu introduced botanical cushions to the sun room’s sofa, mirroring the foliage beyond the windows. Just inside the threshold, a red acer tree, first discovered at the Chelsea Flower Show years ago, brings the outside in and anchors the room in both memory and nature. The tree has lived with them through different years and different changes in their lives, becoming a quiet constant and a symbol of rootedness within an ever-evolving home.

Charu created richness throughout Alton House through a thoughtful layering of materials and textures. Lucite sits alongside marble, bringing lightness next to density. Timber appears in both lacquered and natural finishes, offering a quiet contrast of sheen and grain. Textiles are treated with the same nuance, from wool and bouclé to more open weaves. Iron and brass provide moments of weight and warmth. This blend of surfaces allows each room to shift in tone throughout the day, catching light differently and inviting touch. Hard and soft elements are placed in quiet conversation, offering a rhythm that feels both structured and intuitive. In places, reflective finishes introduce clarity, while elsewhere, matte and tactile surfaces absorb the mood, grounding the space in calm. The result is a material landscape that feels considered yet effortless, full of subtle variation and quiet depth.

Throughout Alton House, Charu has curated a dialogue between cultures. Furniture and accessories have travelled with her not only through different homes, but across continents. From antique Indian artworks that reflect her heritage to found objects collected in Singapore, Cambodia, Italy and France, each piece contributes to a broader story of place, memory and identity.

One of her most cherished discoveries is the pair of dining room wall lights, crafted by the Indian maker Shailesh Rajput. Charu came across these lights on a visit to India and was immediately drawn to the quiet contrast between their industrial form and the delicacy of the hand-finished texture. Grounded yet refined, the lights offer a subtle and personal nod to her roots. Between them hangs a vintage French mirror, sourced from a trusted dealer. Its bold, geometric frame adds visual depth and rhythm to the room, drawing the eye without overwhelming the space. More than decorative, it reflects the international narrative of the home, where each piece is chosen with intention and meaning.

In the sunroom, a vintage Italian marble table from the 1950s is another of Charu’s favourites, its travertine top defined by an open grain and a base with striking geometry. Charu was drawn to its slim profile, a deliberate choice to maintain a sense of flow between the indoors and the garden beyond. She wanted a piece that complemented the space without commanding it, allowing movement to remain effortless and uninterrupted.

An important finishing touch in any design project is the artwork, which more often than not you might have bought for one home before taking it to another. As a collector, it was important for Charu to bring her favourite pieces with her from Chelsea to Putney, with the process of hanging them in the new space making it feel immediately more like home, as well as more ‘lived’ in. Plan where you are going to position different pieces, and don’t forget sculptures and other artworks too. You can also add complementary flourishes through interesting textiles, like throws and cushions, for example, Charu loves animal print, so she added graphic leopard print cushions into her study for a sense of playfulness.

Charu’s overarching rule is this: if it speaks to you and it speaks to your personality, it will naturally feel right in your home. Do not worry about adhering to a specific time period or style. If you like it, you can mix and match, and it will feel coherent. A rental home can feel more permanently yours, it’s all in how you decorate it.

To see Charu’s philosophy in motion and get a deeper sense of how she’s brought warmth, originality and rhythm to this family home, watch some of her top tips below. From playful vintage finds to layered materials and painterly moments of colour, every room is a reflection of a life being beautifully lived.

For a look inside Charu’s study, please see 

Find out more about where Alton House has featured: 

Paint – Graphenstone: Indian Terracotta

Elicyon Founder and Director Charu Gandhi redefines London rental interiors with curated furniture and creative design. Discover her tips for transforming your rental home.

Elicyon | Journeys | Rethinking Rental Living

A TERRACOTTA toned STUDY

Rethinking RENTAL living: FOUNDER & DIRECTOR CHARU GANDHI’S approach

Refinement meets rhythm along the cliffs of Monaco, where Riviera light casts a distinct character over an architectural and enduring landscape. Elicyon is a London-based design studio specialising in interior design, architecture and project management; a multidisciplinary blend showcased in our latest European project found in the heart of Monaco. The aim for this sea view apartment was to design beyond aesthetics, creating refined interiors rooted in context and guided by lived experience.

Monaco is defined by its global reputation as a setting of confident luxury. Nestled along the Côte d’Azur, Monaco is renowned for its panoramic views of the Mediterranean, its distinctive skyline and a lifestyle shaped by both heritage and modernity. This sovereign city state hosts world class moments such as the 

, yet beyond the spectacle it offers a rhythm of living that is both elevated and timeless. With its unique position between sea and sky, Riviera living embodies an unparalleled sense of sophistication and prestige that continues to draw an international audience.

The Monaco Retreat’s interiors were imagined as an extension of their setting, where the building’s architecture, the rhythm of the sea and the yachting culture all blend to inform a palette of fluid forms, tactile materials and refined detailing.

Inspired by the building’s sculptural form, Elicyon introduced a language of fluid lines to soften and layer the interior. A bespoke rug unfurls across the floor of the main reception, its curved form guiding the eye through the room while easing the geometry of the marble beneath. More than a decorative layer, the rug speaks in quiet dialogue with the bespoke joinery that traces the perimeter of the room. Crafted externally and installed on site, the joinery was particularly selected to achieve the flowing curves, then finished with plasterwork applied in situ.

Blurring the line between structure and design, the joinery forms walls that flow with the same ease as the Riviera itself. Their curves recall the precision of yacht interiors and sit naturally within Monaco’s context.

Not only was this luxury apartment shaped by its architectural setting, but also by the rhythm of the sea beyond. The architectural influence led to a design that prioritised fluid curves throughout, a language that continues in the choice of materials. Surfaces were selected to echo the fluidity of the coastal landscape, with soft veining in marble and stone recalling the movement of water, while high-gloss finishes catch the light much like the Mediterranean itself. Textiles in muted, tonal layers bring a sense of calm, their subtle shifts in texture designed to mirror the changing hues of sea and sky. Together, these elements create an interior that feels intrinsically bound to its horizon, enhancing the views rather than competing with them, and allowing the home to flow in quiet dialogue with its setting.

Behind The Design with Our Creative Director

For Holly Beazley, Elicyon’s Creative Director, the Monaco Retreat design began with one defining element: the view. Framing that view became a guiding principle, informing both the layout and every material choice. Calm interiors were layered with a palette drawn from the surrounding landscape, designed to feel fluid and natural, as if part of the coastline itself.

‘One of the DEFINING ELEMENTS of the apartment was UNDOUBTEDLY the VIEW. The apartment has an INCREDIBLE OUTLOOK OVER the WATER, especially from the reception and dining areas. That became the START POINT FOR EVERYTHING.’

Some of Elicyon’s most meaningful projects grow out of long-standing relationships. The Monaco Retreat is one such story, created for a returning client. When invited to shape their residence in Monte Carlo, the brief was as much about continuity as it was about change. The apartment needed to feel familiar, carrying echoes of their previously designed Elicyon home, yet equally it had to speak to its coastal setting and the rhythm of the Riviera.

The connection between the two properties is subtle yet unmistakable. Both living rooms are anchored by generous sofas layered with tonal cushions, inviting ease and conversation. Each explores symmetry and balance, with palettes rooted in warm neutrals and heightened by texture. In London, this language plays out through a classical frame of columns and architectural detailing, while in Monaco it finds expression in soft curves, sculpted joinery and a palette inspired by sea and sky.

The result is not repetition, but resonance. Two homes that respond to their own contexts yet feel intrinsically linked; a thread of familiarity running between them, shaping a sense of belonging wherever the client happens to be.

Creating Conversation For Our Monaco Moment

Not only does the Monaco Retreat speak to Elicyon’s evolving international story, but it also marks a new approach to how we announce exciting projects. This launch included 

, designed to share the story of the retreat in a more immersive way.

We chose to align the project reveal with Monaco Yacht Week, one of the city’s most anticipated annual events. The city comes alive during this time, with an international audience gathered to celebrate craftsmanship, innovation and lifestyle on the Riviera. It was within this atmosphere that the Monaco Retreat was first shared, featured in both 

. By unveiling the retreat within this cultural moment, the project was introduced against a backdrop of global attention, reinforcing its connection to Monaco’s rhythm and amplifying its resonance with a wider audience.

The project launch continued with a film created as the studio’s introduction to Elicyon’s presence in Monaco. This film was created using AI software that generates imagery through text-based prompts. Rather than revealing the apartment itself, the video was designed to raise awareness and build intrigue around Elicyon’s presence in Monaco. Branding played an essential role, ensuring that even without showing the interiors, the piece felt distinctly Elicyon. As a visual signature for this Monaco moment, Elicyon created a custom blue and white fabric, a pattern drawn from the sinuous rhythms of the coastline. Designed by Creative Director Holly Beazley, it echoes the movement of water, layered with Riviera tones and anchored in the unmistakable Elicyon blue. Framed by our brand identity, the film introduced the retreat as part of a wider story about Riviera living and Elicyon’s evolving international reach.

 were released to further enhance the narrative of the Monaco Retreat. Rather than revealing the interiors directly, these visual moments placed elements of the apartment within the landscape that inspired them. The terrace furniture, for instance, was reimagined on the rocky coastline of Monaco, momentarily unmoored yet deeply at home in its setting. By staging the furniture against this backdrop, the film celebrates the dialogue between the interior and its setting, reminding us that design is not conceived in isolation, but in rhythm with its surroundings.

The way the retreat was shared with the world mirrors the philosophy behind its design. The Monaco Retreat is more than a residence. It is a chapter in Elicyon’s international journey, a testament to how design can interpret setting, create connection and quietly shape the way we live.

Emma Weaver, Elicyon's Marketing Manager explores how “Elicyon takes on a curated number of projects each year, ensuring that every one is a genuine reflection of our values and creative direction. The Monaco Retreat was an opportunity to share the Elicyon story in a way that felt authentic, considered and distinctively ours, both in design and branding.” 

If you’re planning a project in Europe and are interested in working with Elicyon, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about our studio and approach, visit 

. For specific project enquiries, we invite you to contact our Client Relationships Director, Tess Cavendish, directly at tcavendish@elicyon.com.



Explore Elicyon’s latest high-end interior design project in Monaco, where fluid architecture meets Riviera rhythm. A tailored apartment shaped by sea, setting and lived experience.

Monaco Interior Design: A Riviera Retreat Reimagined | Elicyon

A TERRACE SHAPED by CURVE and CALM

MONACO INTERIOR DESIGN: A RIVIERA retreat REIMAGINED

At Elicyon, we believe that a successful career in interior design, architecture or project management is a direct result of where you learn your craft and how supported, inspired and valued you feel there. That’s why we have created a studio culture where our core values – purpose, craft, context and care – are at the forefront of everything we do. 

We believe that creativity is not just fuelled by design, but by working in an inspiring and supportive environment, and we want to foster the next generation of great design talent here, within our own practice. Our culture is integral to this, shaping not only how we work but also how we grow as a team and as individuals. In many ways, it echoes our defining principle, that we approach our global practice with a local mindset.

Together in Practice: A Studio-Centric Design Environment

For us, the best way to do this is to be together, to learn from each other and inspire each other. Design is not a one-person process, and nothing works in a silo. Instead, it’s a collaborative art form, one that requires the sharing of ideas. As a studio-centric business, we work in the office three days a week, spending two at home for a balance of flexibility and face-to-face interaction.




Flexible Working Hours That Reflect Real Life

Every individual within the practice is different, that’s one of the reasons why we work together so well. Recognising this, we offer flexible hours to accommodate individual circumstances, whether related to travel, childcare or lifestyle, while maintaining the structure that supports a productive and cohesive studio environment. While the core hours of the business are from 10 am to 5 pm, you can start from 8 am or finish at 7 pm depending on what best suits you. If you do need help with childcare, then we also have a workplace nursery scheme that you can explore, which will help you to save money on tax and national insurance and significantly reduce the cost.

Alex McCluskey, Senior Project Architect, says: "The balance between flexible working hours and a close-knit team allows us to bring our best selves to work. It’s empowering to know that I can focus on my craft while still managing life outside the studio."

“The BALANCE between FLEXIBLE WORKING hours and a CLOSE-KNIT TEAM allows us to BRING our BEST SELVES to work.”

Balancing Studio Time with Seasonal Rhythms

In June, July and August, we finish at 1.5 hours early on a Friday, to hopefully make the most of the British summertime. While at Christmas, subject to workload, the studio is closed between Christmas and the first working day in the New Year. It’s our Christmas gift to you. We also offer a 21-day holiday allowance, which increases by one extra day a year once you’ve been with us for two years, as a way of saying thank you.

At Elicyon, we believe that we do our best work when we feel comfortable sharing ideas and inspiring one another, so it’s essential to us that we feel bonded as a team. Of course, a lot of this comes from working alongside one another day to day, and from the cross-pollination between our three disciplines, as it’s important these merge and inform one another to create our most considered work. But we also like to spend time together out of the office. From celebrating project completions with lunches, to payday Prosecco (and sodas!) on the last Thursday of the month, there’s more to life at Elicyon than work. Employee well-being is high on our agenda, so we also provide free access to a virtual therapist, as well as complimentary access to a local gym.

Being in a new environment often brings fresh perspectives, and there’s no denying that travel broadens the mind. We know that people like to work remotely from time to time, which is why we allow three days a year for this (keeping to UK business hours). Another way to broaden horizons and renew motivation is through a sabbatical, an option that we recently introduced for employees who have been with us for two years or more. Whether it’s travelling the world, learning a new skill or honing your eye in other ways, there is no denying that the benefits of some time away are invaluable to both the individual and the company. To us, it’s a win-win, a way of supporting long-term growth and avoiding stasis, a lack of inspiration or complacency.

Daisy Rae, Project Manager, said: "At Elicyon, every day brings new opportunities to grow and learn. The leadership’s commitment to our development, paired with the freedom to innovate, is what makes our work so fulfilling."

"The LEADERSHIP'S COMMITMENT to our DEVELOPMENT, paired with the FREEDOM to INNOVATE, is what MAKES our WORK so FULFILLING."

Being rewarded for doing a great job is an important way to feel valued, which is why we operate an annual bonus scheme. We encourage employees to set objectives with their line manager in Annual Reviews each October, so that we can work together towards our shared goals for the success of the studio. Another great incentive? After five years, you’re treated to a trip to Paris, with two Eurostar tickets and two nights in a hotel for two during the week, with no holiday days necessary.

For us, the Studio Culture that we have created at Elicyon is central to why we have been so successful, attracting incredible design talent who are continuously growing and developing alongside each other. Truly great design is a continuous process of collaboration, that’s why nurturing and supporting our own employees is so important to us. Without them, we can’t do our best work.

Emma Weaver, Marketing Manager: "I truly believe that the best work happens when people feel empowered and connected. Elicyon fosters an environment where we are encouraged to grow, explore new ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible."

"ELICYON FOSTERS an ENVIRONMENT where we are ENCOURAGED to GROW, EXPLORE new IDEAS, and PUSH the BOUNDARIES of what’s possible."

If you’re inspired by our approach and see yourself thriving in our collaborative, design-led environment, we’d love to hear from you. Explore our current opportunities, learn more about life at Elicyon and apply via HIYA!

Go beyond the finished spaces. Explore the insights, inspiration, collaborations, and ideas that shape our world.

Studio Perks: Inside Careers and Culture at Elicyon

Elicyon | Insights | Studio Perks: Inside Careers and Culture at Elicyon

OUR TEAM AT THE SUMMER SOCIAL 2025 IN BRIGHTON

STUDIO PERKS: INSIDE CAREERS and CULTURE at ELICYON

Sustainable design continues to take centre stage as we strive to work more harmoniously with architecture and materials, fostering a refined balance between form, function and environmental responsibility. In recognition of World Environment Day, we have curated a considered selection of sustainable luxury design trends that we believe will define 2025. 

From championing antique furniture and objets d’art that honour a building’s architectural heritage, to commissioning master artisans to restore cherished heirlooms, or integrating biophilic principles to bring the tranquillity of nature indoors, sustainable design has never been more sophisticated. Add to this the understated elegance of concealed smart technologies and multi-functional spaces tailored for modern lifestyles, and it becomes clear that sustainability need not come at the expense of high-quality design. Below, we explore the most compelling eco-luxury design directions for the year ahead.

Honouring a building’s architectural language by sourcing antiques from a similar era establishes both continuity and authenticity within a space. This thoughtful approach weaves a coherent narrative, creating a distinct sense of place and permanence. Importantly, selecting antiques negates the need for new production, thereby encouraging a circular design economy. 

A notable example is our recent work at 60 Curzon Street in Mayfair, an Art Deco masterpiece originally designed by the late Thierry W. Despont. Here, we sourced vintage statement pieces that complemented the architecture, such as original walnut side tables for the guest suite, antique planters for the terrace and a monumental 19th-century marble urn weighing over 300 kilograms. These heritage elements served as grounding focal points, imbuing the apartment with craftsmanship and historical gravitas.




Restoring or repurposing existing pieces, particularly those with sentimental value, imbues interiors with a sense of continuity and emotional resonance. Even threadbare or slightly damaged items can be brought back to life by skilled craftspeople. At 60 Curzon Street, we uncovered a 1936 maple wood grand piano in need of careful restoration, as well as a pair of powder-blue armchairs that, once reupholstered, became key elements of the principal bedroom scheme. 

Commissioning artisans to breathe new life into cherished pieces is a deeply sustainable approach, one that adds texture, memory and soul to a space. Another option, often signature to Elicyon, is the creation of bespoke furniture. This allows designers to manage material waste, select environmentally responsible finishes and repurpose off-cuts or surplus from elsewhere in the project.

A sophisticated design solution often lies in embracing a building’s inherent structure and rhythm. This means working in harmony with existing architectural features, such as ceiling heights, natural light sources and structural proportions, rather than imposing radical changes. For example, when working in a traditional Victorian house, one might remove internal walls to achieve an open-plan layout; however, adding unnecessary partitions elsewhere can disrupt the flow and integrity of the space. Staircases, frequently situated in entrance halls, offer another opportunity: rather than concealing or replacing them, they can become sculptural centrepieces. 

In our recent Regent’s Park Apartment project, we retained and enhanced the existing base-build structure, focusing on restoration, strategic repainting and careful staining to maximise light and honour the building’s original character.

Biophilic design continues to shape the future of interiors, forging a meaningful connection between the built environment and the natural world. This is often achieved through the use of natural materials and earthy colour palettes that reflect the outdoors, or through the introduction of greenery and water features inside the home — be it an internal courtyard, a statement olive tree, a living wall or an indoor fountain. 

Such elements do more than beautify a space; they deliver tangible benefits to wellbeing and air quality, especially in densely populated urban environments. Seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces, through terraces, balconies, rooftops or gardens, further reinforce a holistic and sustainable approach to design.

Technological advances are enabling increasingly refined approaches to sustainability in high-end residential design. Whereas earlier iterations of smart systems could be visually intrusive, today’s solutions are discreet, elegant and seamlessly integrated. At Elicyon, we have implemented state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems that pair environmental sensitivity with exceptional design. Lighting is also a key consideration, both in maximising natural daylight through thoughtful spatial planning and in incorporating automated, energy-efficient lighting systems that adapt to time of day, function or mood. These intelligent technologies not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance the atmosphere and usability of each space.

Another tenet of sustainable design is that a luxurious modern home must be both beautiful and agile. As our living environments increasingly serve multiple purpose, functioning as offices, wellness areas, social hubs and sanctuaries, there is a growing demand for rooms that can evolve fluidly throughout the day and across the seasons. 

This versatility need not come at the expense of sophistication. On the contrary, it encourages innovation: bespoke joinery, elegant room dividers and dynamic lighting schemes can be used to adapt a room’s purpose and ambience with ease. The result is a curated, intentional environment that supports contemporary living without compromising on elegance or clarity.

Discover the top sustainable luxury design trends shaping 2025, curated by Elicyon. From eco-conscious materials to timeless craftsmanship, explore how high-end interiors are embracing sustainability without compromising elegance.

Elicyon | Insights | Sustainable Luxury Design Trends for 2025

ANTIQUE WALNUT SIDE TABLE | 60 CURZON APARTMENT

The ELICYON EDIT: SUSTAINABLE LUXURY DESIGN TRENDS for 2025

Elicyon’s first consideration when designing any space is how the client wants to feel within it. In this way we are storytellers, interpreting the architecture of a space and curating the interior design so that it creates a certain atmosphere and ambiance.

Whether that’s a connection to nature, a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the city, or a sense of sophisticated relaxation, no two briefs are the same. Our Founder Charu Gandhi confirms this thought, saying, “Our jobs are as storytellers: we tell the story of the space that they have imagined.”

“Our jobs are as STORYTELLERS: we TELL the STORY of the SPACE that they have IMAGINED.”

To showcase our distinctive approach, in this journal we’re taking you inside two standout Westminster projects from the Elicyon studio: a refined family residence and an elegant penthouse apartment.

The brief for this family home was to create a ‘sanctuary in the sky’. Located in the penthouse of one of London’s most exciting new developments, it was important to us to capitalise on the phenomenal views of some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Westminster Cathedral. 

At the same time, it was also important to the client that there was a serene and inviting ambiance to the interiors, which led us to use a base palette of warm neutrals layered with a harmony of soft blues and greens, accented with pops of yellow.




Curating Calm: Colour, Texture and Movement

In the stairway, we utilised a bespoke ombre runner design, which blends from mid-beige to blue. Reeded panelling was used on the walls from the lower floor all the way upstairs to emphasise the height, and to also create a sense of movement and depth. A custom contemporary chandelier designed to emulate the delicate movement of leaves fluttering in the wind added further interest, as well as giving a sense of integrating the outside in.

There were further references to the natural world in the living room, with its palette of sandy beige, pale sage greens and sky blues, with pops of sunshine yellow. A rug reminiscent of a shoal of fish swimming through the water; a bespoke two-piece coffee table inspired by the flow of water over pebbles and the contour of river banks; an Anka Chandelier inspired by flower buds.

As the home of a young family of five, the client also wanted a special room for the youngest children to play in with their friends and to host sleepovers. The resulting bunk bed room is a magical world with a climbing wall and rope ladder, plus subtle nods to the overarching ocean theme throughout the home, as well as a level of sophistication that will make it suitable as the children grow up.

At Elicyon, we are passionate about the relationship between interior and exterior, particularly when a setting offers views as cinematic as those from this Westminster Penthouse Apartment. Optimising this connection is not simply about framing the view, but about shaping spaces that allow the surrounding landscape to become part of the lived experience. Here, architecture and outlook are treated as equal parts of the composition, each enhancing the other.

Framing the View: Design Aligned with Outlook

The window structure was central to the interior concept, with floor-to-ceiling windows maximising views to the Palace of Westminster, Big Ben and the London Eye. The geometric language of the existing window structure outlines the London landmarks with such bold intent that it transforms them from backdrop to focal point, blurring the lines between the internal and external. In dialogue with the geometric theme, angular silhouettes and graphic patterns were introduced throughout the interior, seen in patterned rugs, artworks, and the detailing of joinery and wall finishes. The focus on geometry anchors the apartment in its unique setting, offering an embodied experience of London’s most iconic silhouettes.


Interior Meets Exterior: Olive Trees and Organic Rhythm

Furthering the interplay between the internal and external, the Westminster Penthouse Apartment brings the outside in through the inclusion of a mature olive tree at the heart of the living space. The organic presence of the olive tree is not merely sculptural, but also aligns with broader well-being considerations: according to Time magazine, indoor plants have the potential to reduce anxiety, increase productivity and boost general happiness.

An Eclectic Palette with Heritage and Harmony

The general aesthetic of the interiors was guided by the first item we sourced for the property, a 20th century Italian scagliola plinth. This set the tone for the earthy hues found in the rest of the apartment, as well as the mix of more modern and vintage pieces. We combined mid-century inspired curves on bespoke items of cabinetry and shelving, with an edit of one-off antiques, chosen to add character and induce a sense of heritage.

The end result was a space that felt eclectic and luxurious rather than prescriptive or predictable. Throughout the four bedrooms, a neutral palette of soft creams, browns and whites work together to establish a calm, restorative foundation, perfectly attuned to the needs of a restful space. Accents of colour, introduced via headboards, cushions and lighting features, each elevate the character of each room. These tonal gestures are joyful yet deliberately restrained, thus enriching the design without disturbing its balance.

Seamless Transitions: From Interior Calm to Panoramic Terrace

Outside, we embraced the expansive 1,300-square-foot wrap-around roof terrace and its 360-degree panoramic views by creating a lavish seating area. U-shaped sofas, tables and an outdoor blanket come together to evoke the comfort of the interior, backed by a trough of ferns and grasses. A series of olive trees line the terrace, standing in quiet dialogue with the singular tree within. This mirrored planting grounds the apartment in a gentle, natural rhythm that softens the boundary between the crafted space and sky.

By bringing the cosiness of the inside out, and the earthiness of the outside in, this project ensures an effortless fluidity between spaces, a quiet continuity that allows each area to feel distinct yet intrinsically connected. Inhabiting the London skyline is a spatial experience shaped as much by atmosphere as by architecture, designed to make London not just visible, but intimately felt.

If you’re interested in working with Elicyon or learning more about our tailored design process, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about our studio and to contact us, visit our Studio page. For specific project enquiries, we invite you to contact our Client Relationships Director, Tess Cavendish, directly at tcavendish@elicyon.com.

Explore how Elicyon shaped two Westminster penthouses with tailored interiors and atmosphere-led design, from skyline views to serene sanctuaries.


Elicyon | Insights | Architecture to Atmosphere: Westminster Luxury Penthouses

BESPOKE OMBRE RUNNER

From ARCHITECTURE to ATMOSPHERE: A LOOK Inside WESTMINSTER’S LUXURY PENTHOUSES

The ancient practice of marble sculpting is one of mastery, elegance and patience – crafting dream-like sculptures in stone to an unparalleled status of expertise and finesse. The contrary states between the permanence of the material and the innate fluidity of the finished sculpture lends an endlessly poetic voice to the craft.

We were honoured to be given the opportunity to commission Helaine, who has created works for the likes of the Tate, the Courtauld Gallery and the Smithsonian, and to visit her workshop and preferred marble quarry in Italy. Forming a pair, the sculptures now gracefully adorn the entrance of our client’s London abode, effortlessly becoming one with the architecture and interior of the building, as if it was forever their fate to do so.

The BESPOKE NATURE of the SCULPTURAL PAIR LENDS a POETIC VOICE to the SPACE THEY NOW CALL HOME.

GET IN TOUCH TO 
START YOUR 
CREATIVE ADVENTURE

Working across metal and stone, the practice of sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld is one of mastery, elegance and patience – crafting dream-like sculptures in marble and bronze to an unparalleled status of expertise and finesse

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