This west London apartment seamlessly combines art, nature and design, creating a serene family sanctuary
Joanna’s Chelsea garden flat is a carefully curated blend of art, nature, and thoughtful design. As an art consultant and collector, her home is essentially an extension of her passion for both contemporary art and the natural world. The ground-floor apartment, located in an Edwardian mansion block built around 1902, boasts direct access to a private communal garden, making it a rare find in the area. “We were primarily looking for a flat with outside space,” Joanna explains. “The garden was a big selling point for us, and this property ticked all the boxes. It’s on the ground floor and looks out directly onto an award-winning communal garden, so it really feels as if we’re at one with nature.”
She shares the apartment with her husband and two teenage children, and together, they’ve made this space a home that balances family life with the finer things – art, design, and plenty of room for creativity. “Home is where my family is, a place where you can decompress, but also be noisy, listen to music, have lively discussions, eat and drink… It’s where you find peace and serenity at the end of a long day.”
When Joanna and her family decided to take on the renovation, she naturally turned to her sister Carina for help. Carina Raymond is the founder of interior design firm Studio Raymond, and their shared design sensibility made the collaboration an easy fit. “Growing up, our parents always used fabrics and wallpapers in our houses, so design has always been a part of our family life. Carina knows my taste, what I gravitate towards, but she also pushed me outside of my comfort zone. She encouraged me to explore bolder colours and patterns, and that really was a game-changer for me.”
“Carina encouraged me to explore bolder colours and patterns, and that really was a game-changer”
One of the main goals in the redesign was to enhance natural light throughout the space, particularly in the central hallway, and to integrate the beauty of the surrounding garden into the interiors. Carina and her team reconfigured the layout, introducing glazed double doors between the sitting and dining rooms to create a seamless flow between the two spaces. “It was important that the space felt light, airy, and connected to the outdoors, and this made a huge difference, allowing the natural light to pour through,” Joanna confirms. The result is a home that feels both spacious and inviting, with each room acting as a serene sanctuary.
Colour is key in setting the tone here, and Joanna and her family’s love for blues and greens runs throughout the apartment. “Each room has its own colour scheme,” she explains. “My husband and I love blues and greens, but we also added lively wallpapers, rugs, and cushions to bring a sense of energy and fun to the space.” The colours were chosen with an eye towards creating a calming atmosphere but also something that could grow with Joanna’s brood. Her son’s room is finished in a rich, moody blue wallpaper that adds texture and depth to the space. “The deep blues are really calming, but the colour also works perfectly with the vintage mid-century pieces we’ve added,” Joanna says.
Colour is key in setting the tone here, and Joanna and her family’s love for blues and greens runs throughout the apartment. “Each room has its own colour scheme,” she explains. “My husband and I love blues and greens, but we also added lively wallpapers, rugs, and cushions to bring a sense of energy and fun to the space.” The colours were chosen with an eye towards creating a calming atmosphere but also something that could grow with Joanna’s brood. Her son’s room is finished in a rich, moody blue wallpaper that adds texture and depth to the space. “The deep blues are really calming, but the colour also works perfectly with the vintage mid-century pieces we’ve added,” Joanna says.
Her daughter’s room is a lighter, airier space with subtle hints of pink – and a playful flamingo wallpaper. “She’s now a teenager, and her room is her little sanctuary. She loves spending time there, so we wanted to create a space that would still work for her as she grows. She still loves it. It’s a space that she really connects with.”
The home’s design is also undeniably shaped by Joanna’s impressive art collection, which has been thoughtfully integrated into the décor. “The art collection probably subconsciously shaped the colour scheme of the flat,” she reflects. “I had curated the artworks from the very beginning, so Carina and I worked on the colours around those pieces. The process was extremely fun, and it was so exciting to see everything come together. Carina’s brief was traditional English with a modern twist, and that worked beautifully with my contemporary artworks,” she says. The pieces that fill the apartment are carefully chosen, with some acquired through auctions, others from galleries, and some from her time in Beirut. “I have a special connection to every piece of art,” Joanna says. “I think the collection gives the flat a real sense of personal history.”
Vintage furniture is a recurring feature here, like her beloved mid-century Danish desk, and a 1960s Italian mirrored console. “The desk is so functional but also so beautiful. And the mirrored console adds a touch of glamour to the space. I’ve had it for years! I also had these bespoke rattan pendant lamps made by a Lebanese designer, Nayef Francis. They’re incredibly special to me, I had them flown over from Beirut. Every piece holds so much sentimental value.”
If there’s one spot Joanna loves the most, it’s her bedroom. “It’s definitely my favourite room,” she says. “It’s calm and soothing, with a sense of escape. The palm tree wallpaper transports me to a faraway tropical place, and I just love spending time there. It’s a sanctuary.” The bedroom, like the rest of the flat, is both tranquil and thoughtfully curated. “Each room has a different vibe,” she says. “Studio Raymond really helped shape something that will stand the test of time. For me, that’s the real success – creating a space that feels like home and will continue to feel that way for years to come.”
