A seamless finish
Clerkenwell Penthouse: Handling with care in Clerkenwell
“There was none of the stuff you really dread with builders. Our cream carpets are still cream. Nothing was damaged. I was completely relaxed.” Client, Clerkenwell apartment.
What started as a bathroom became a complete redecoration of this elegant penthouse apartment in Clerkenwell. The clients were abroad, which made communication key as the job evolved, and expanded in scope. “Andrew was so great,” remembers the client. “He sent me lots of pics on Whatsapp, so I was completely relaxed.” The work here was not structural, but it was high spec: with an immaculate finish required on redecoration, and impeccable joinery as well as tiling and installation of bathrooms in a building with a complicated concierge entry: We built a special bin to exactly fit the lift - we had no other way of bringing materials in and out” says Oliver. “We brush off this kind of thing - solving these logistical challenges in super central locations is second nature to us now. But then we speak to builders outside of London and realise it’s not normal.”
The access system in place, the biggest challenge was the bathroom. The designers supplied pieces of marble - with travertine stripes, cut in Italy.
That meant that every element of the plumbing had to fit around the stone. “Normally the stone is tempered to fit the space, not the other way around!” laughs Oliver. But the extra efforts Andrew Penny went to to achieve a seamless finish in this room is what impressed the client so much they increased the scope to the rest of the apartment:
“They did such a beautiful job in the bathroom - the tiling is gorgeous. Then they hand built wardrobes which are incredibly beautiful.”
Like many clients who have to check in with their project from afar, the client had reservations about such an expansive project taking place in a much loved home with many delicate furnishings: “We have these weird white floors that they protected: everything was kept clean and tidy when they left each day. They just went above and beyond - our cream carpets are still cream. Nothing was damaged - I didn’t worry about valuables etc, I was completely relaxed.”
And when it came to signing off the job, she benefitted from the business’s meticulous approach to detail: “It was all done with real care. Even stuff that I would have said ‘just leave it’ - they were scrupulous. They were so nice about coming back. Extra things that I decided later that i wanted done, they came back for. No question.” The result is a space that exudes quality and consideration - where the designer’s vision and the client’s preferences were all accommodated and executed to everyone’s satisfaction, especially the homeowner:
“I do think it's very different to what one is used to. They were so very sincere and polite. It was just a thoroughly positive experience.”
And when it came to signing off the job, she benefitted from the business’s meticulous approach to detail: “It was all done with real care. Even stuff that I would have said ‘just leave it’ - they were scrupulous. They were so nice about coming back. Extra things that I decided later that i wanted done, they came back for. No question.” The result is a space that exudes quality and consideration - where the designer’s vision and the client’s preferences were all accommodated and executed to everyone’s satisfaction, especially the homeowner: