This serene apartment located in central London, designed by Tom Lawrence-Levy combines Japandi style with Feng Shui principles.
For Josephine Chen and Anthony Ma, finding their new home was first a matter of compromise. “I prefer to live in quiet areas, while Anthony wanted convenience and urban vibrancy,” says Josephine.
Before taking the plunge, the couple defined their budget and created a list of priorities, including the need for at least two bedrooms. “This apartment ticked all the boxes. I really love the living room, which is relatively square and faces a community garden. It makes me feel relaxed,” she adds.
Who Lives Here A couple with a shared Chinese heritage
Home A three-bedroom apartment in Bermondsey, London
Size 1,001 sq ft
Interior Design Natural Asthetik
Located in London’s young and fun Bermondsey neighbourhood, near the Tower Bridge and surrounded by many restaurants, bars and art galleries, the 1,001 sq ft open plan apartment with three bedrooms – one is used as an office – is an oasis of calm in the middle of the vibrant city.
Josephine and Anthony trusted Tom Lawrence-Levy, founder of Natural Asthetik, to bring their ideas to life. “We love his style and obsession with detail, and he cares about what mattered to us and never gave up,” the couple says.
Feng Shui Numerology For Interior Design
One of the key parts of the brief was feng shui. This cultural practice was particularly important to the couple; Anthony is of Hong Kong descent, and Josephine was born and raised in Shanghai.
Throughout the process, they taught Tom several principles, such as the importance of avoiding the number four. “We made sure that all the art, pillows, lighting, and others were set up or styled in two, three or five numbers,” the designer says.
Home Free of Carcinogens & Toxins
Anthony, the global net-zero lead at Accenture, who led the implementation of nature-based carbon removal solutions, naturally wanted a home free of carcinogens and toxins.
This requirement, however, proved to be challenging.
A 750kg Coffee Table
When Tom realised he couldn’t find sustainable furniture that was assembled and created using 100 per cent non-toxic adhesives, he decided to create the pieces himself.
These included the 750kg coffee table in the living room that took six people to install.
Japandi – Japan & Scandinavian Design
For the overall look, the couple chose the Japandi style – characterised by a mix of influences from Japan and Scandinavia.
“We wanted to create as serene an environment as possible while keeping it functional,” says Tom. “We achieved this by having most of the furniture pieces function as storage. This way, we could shape a space that is easy to keep clear of clutter and maintain the calmness of the space.”
An Eco-Friendly Home
Eco-friendly materials, including wood, stone and fabrics with natural fibres, were used, while organic-shaped pieces with curves were incorporated in all the rooms where the importance of flow and energy prevails.
Calm & Serene Colour Palette
The colour palette was also chosen to provide calmness.
“We went with nudes, whites, and natural wood tone, to transport Josephine and Anthony to a different location when they are home while also utilising colours not so different from some of the architecture found throughout the neighbourhood,” says Tom.
Artworks and Calligraphy as Decor
Artworks by Lorenzo Brinati, Richard Zinon, and Tycjan Knut, among others, and a specially commissioned piece by Lana Matsuyama – crafted using original calligraphy by Josephine’s father, artist Zhihao Chen – adorn the apartment.
A Home of Their Own
“We were part of every decision made,” shares the couple. “We could spend two hours with Tom over the phone just choosing indoor plants!”
The highly personal result reflects the homeowners’ values. For them, keeping the environment in mind was at the heart of every step of the project.