Banda have brought a resonant design sensibility to their most recent project; an 1850s white-stucco terrace overlooking the historic Leinster Square in London. Guided by the building’s heritage bones, raw materiality and organic textures are featured throughout, emphasised by one-off custom pieces and carefully curated antiques. These layers capture the timeless elegance of Notting Hill with Banda’s signature design hallmarks. 

Banda creative director and CEO Edo Mapelli Mozzi says the townhouse’s inherent beauty set the tone for a high level of craftsmanship throughout. “The character of the building inspired much of our design intent which hinges on organic textures and organic materials. By working with such a powerful and historic ‘shell’, we could balance it with more contemporary interior design,” Edo adds.

The townhouse spans three levels; the kitchen, dining room, library, living space and ‘snug’ (a small room designed for relaxation) on the ground level, with three bedrooms on the level below and a lower-level cinema room and wine storage. The Obumex ‘Joseph Dirand’ kitchen is the heart of the townhouse, that, in Edo’s words, balances “old and new, hard and soft.”

Recently appearing in the pages of our latest magazine, Modern Craft, the kitchen features a statement cantilevered island bench in Calacatta Oro marble. “The island bench gives the notion of solidity and quality and symbolises the roots of the home,” Edo says. Antique bronze mirrored cabinetry and brass pendant lights from Allied Maker speak to the handcrafted elements throughout the home.

Recessed double doors from the kitchen lead across the hallway into the formal dining room, painted a deep mahogany red. Handmade dining chairs from Brazil are at home next to the statement Meltingpot dining table by Dirk Van der Kooij, made from reclaimed synthetics. “The dining table adds a beautiful contrasting element and focal point to the space,” Edo says.

Each bedroom honours a singular colour. The primary bedroom takes on a powder blue colour palette, with a complementary scalloped pelmet, mohair-upholstered bedhead and refurbished 1940s Italian nightstands. The guest bedroom plays on warm terracotta tones with a custom wavy headboard with wooden trim, custom fluted burl and oak bedside tables and the Kuvaa dressing table from banda’s own ‘Kwanza’ furniture collection, constructed from Rose Levanto marble.

With a ‘magical safari’ theme, the third bedroom comes alive with animal wallpaper from Creative Lab Amsterdam, pea-green skirting boards and architraves, a bobbin-style bed frame, and complimentary bedside tables custom-designed by Banda. Separate to this room, Banda designed a quaint reading den shrouded by a linen canopy to nuture imagination and play.

Banda’s Leinster Square Townhouse is a celebration of heritage and craftsmanship. In Edo’s words, “Leinster Square Townhouse shows how the modern home can be a place of work, fun, play, relaxation and stylish functionality with the right design.”