There’s something quietly cinematic about the way the afternoon light spills through the stained-glass windows of Chapel Mews. Once a Catholic Apostolic Church, this mid-19th-century building in Hertfordshire now serves a very different purpose – as both home and creative sanctuary for design duo Jose and Lee. The space they’ve created here is calm yet confident, layered but refined. It’s a masterclass in balance, which makes sense given the pair’s design pedigree – Studio Sixty7 is an international atelier with a focus on transformative, story-driven interiors with projects spanning five-star resorts in the Maldives and luxury villas across Europe. But here, it’s personal.
“We first heard about the chapel through our estate agent, before it even officially came on the market,” reveals Jose. “We’ve always been drawn to homes with character and history, and this one instantly felt special to us.”
“We first heard about the chapel through our estate agent, before it even officially came on the market,” reveals Jose. “We’ve always been drawn to homes with character and history, and this one instantly felt special to us.”
“It wasn’t just a building,” adds Lee. “It felt like a story waiting to continue. The stained-glass windows windows, the volume of space, the quiet presence of its past, all of it drew us in as a place to be both creative and calm.”
Despite its grandeur, the chapel manages to feel deeply lived-in. The original ecclesiastical bones – arched windows, exposed beams, lofty ceilings – remain intact, but the mood here is warm, tactile, and ultimately inviting. Think Restoration Hardware sofa meets vintage market find, oversized sculptural vases set against raw linen and rustic wood… Every element is intentional.
“The vaulted ceilings and natural light were central to our design ethos,” Lee explains. “They inspired us to honour the chapel’s rich history while creating a calm and welcoming home. We focused on a palette of neutral tones, allowing the warm wooden beams and architectural details to take centre stage. The movement of light throughout the day enhances the space’s tranquillity, giving it a timeless, serene quality that feels both elegant and cosy.”
There’s a clear reverence for the building’s past, but also a fearless commitment to bringing it into the now. Modern lighting installations sit happily alongside antique curios and heritage artworks. A bold Kelly Wearstler vase, playfully placed on a vintage plinth from a local market, nods to the pair’s love of high-low styling. “The vase brings a bold sculptural presence that contrasts delicately with the softer textures throughout the space,” says Jose, “and allows Lee to get creative with the floral displays!”
“Striking the balance between old and new is all about respecting the chapel’s original features while introducing modern touches that enhance comfort and functionality,” Jose continues. “We wanted to preserve the character, but we both love modern and mid-century furniture and wanted to showcase those pieces and blend the two together. This mix creates a dialogue between past and present, giving the space warmth and authenticity without feeling dated. It’s about celebrating history while making it liveable for us.”
That notion of liveability is something both designers come back to. While Studio Sixty7’s portfolio is peppered with luxury hotels and sweeping coastal resorts, the common thread is a sense of purpose – interiors that are experienced rather than simply admired. Here at the chapel, texture is key in achieving that.
“For us, design is truly about how a space makes you feel,” says Jose. “Texture plays a crucial role in creating that sensory experience but it’s not just about appearance, but the comfort and warmth that different materials bring to the design. It’s the feeling first, and the look is simply a reflection of that.”
Every corner of the home speaks to this philosophy. There’s softness in the natural fibres – relaxed linen sofas, slubby curtains, oversized cushions – but also strength in the chosen details. Artwork is a particular point of interest, each piece chosen with intention. There’s a strong sense of personal narrative woven through the collection.
“Some of our favourite pieces truly embody the spirit of our design journey and the places that inspire us,” says Lee. The Studio Lenca artwork, with its rich South American heritage, being a case in point. “It’s a nod to Jose’s upbringing and culture, and it introduces vibrant colour and a rich story with it.”
Their love of globetrotting has shaped much of the couple’s design vocabulary, and the chapel carries that imprint, not in a showy way, but through small, evocative details. “Travel has had a huge impact on the way our home looks and feels,” says Jose. “The antiques and treasures we’ve collected, from Asia in particular, bring a rich history and character to the space. These pieces are reminders of the places we’ve visited and the stories we’ve gathered along the way. It’s those experiences that make our home feel truly personal, warm, and full of life.”
But while the chapel is filled with artefacts and inspiration, it’s also a functional home – one shared with the couple’s cat, Sebastian, and designed to support both downtime and bursts of creativity. Their favourite spot? The atelier, unsurprisingly.
“It’s one of the most personal corners of the chapel,” says Lee, “where we keep our collection of design books and where much of our creative work happens. It is a space filled with inspiration and focus, a quiet spot where we can throw ideas out to each other. Sebastian often curls up beside us while we work, making it feel even more like home.”
The chapel might feel a world away from the sun-drenched beaches of Sri Lanka or the barefoot luxury of the Maldives, but it shares something essential with Studio Sixty7’s international projects – a sense of place, of intention, of experience. With five new resorts set to open across the Indian Ocean next year, Jose and Lee’s design calendar is as packed as ever. But home remains their grounding point. A creative base, a place to recharge, and a quiet reminder of what happens when you blend history, texture and a clear design vision – and you let the light in.
