The Art of Design Issue 43 2020 | Page 46

46 KENSINGTON TOWNHOUSE BY KNOF DESIGN Miami-based KNOF Design, an international The new interior boasts two grand staircase redesigned for them whilst based in practice founded by New Yorker Susan lobbies; a full-service lift; formal open living, London at that time. The clients loved Knof, has just completed a major London lounge and dining rooms with built-in onyx the treatment, but their growing family commission – the unification of two bar; a wine cellar; a black-out cinema room; required more space and so, when the separate townhouses in Kensington to five bedrooms on two upper storeys, with opportunity came up to purchase the create a single, stunning, 7,500 sq ft family en suite bathrooms and dressing areas; a neighbouring property and combine the home. Retaining only the façade and children’s playroom; kitchen, family dining two, they seized it. That new vision allowed demolishing and rebuilding the rest of the room and study area on the lower-ground for an expansive open interior, with a property from scratch, the new super- floor; a newly-excavated utility basement double-height grand entrance area and luxe residence has retained all its original and an increased sunken outdoor area. new skylights, plus a sunken rear garden, external period elements, including both creating and an abundance of natural light.’ original entrances, preserved to maintain ‘Our clients are a London-based the properties’ historic ‘wedding cake’ international family who purchased one To future-proof the new scheme, the frontage, whilst a brand new, spacious original property in 2009’, Susan Knof, intricate interior has been designed and and sophisticated modern home now sits Creative Director and Founder of KNOF detailed to function either separately inside. Design explained, ‘which I completely or as a whole, involving two separate