London-based design practice Banda are renowned for creating intrinsically beautiful spaces that bring together natural materials, contemporary colour palettes and sculptural shapes while demonstrating a reverence for tradition. In an interview with est, Banda’s CEO and creative director Edoardo “Edo” Mapelli Mozzi said, “For myself and the team, it’s all about ‘design for living’; we design spaces that will stand the test of time and are effortlessly functional.” This apartment in one of London’s most chic neighbourhoods embodies this design ethos, manifesting as a harmonious collection of elegant, material-rich spaces.
A sophisticated palette of dark ash veneer and bold Arabescato Corchia marble characterises the kitchen. The Alba Triple wall sconce in blackened brass adds an element of playfulness to the space, as Edo says.
The dining space, situated off the entrance hallway, features a large round table made of black-pepper-stained matt lacquer and anthracite, as well as eight vintage Alfra & Tobia Scarpa Pigreco chairs. The pendant light, which hangs above the table, emulates a halo.
Banda reworked the original, poorly laid out floor plan and transformed it into a three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment with expansive living and entertaining spaces. Original period details, such as the ornamental cornice have been restored and enhanced, while contemporary features reminiscent of that era, including wall panelling and solid oak parquet flooring, have been introduced.
For the palette, Banda opted for their signature soft, neutral tones and paired them with bold textures such as the marble that characterises the kitchen. “The kitchen is a bespoke design where we juxtaposed a very masculine, dark wood with a very feminine Arabescato Corchia marble,” Edo says. “The quirky wall-mounted sconce injects an element of playfulness to the space,” he adds.
The spacious living area is anchored by a striking Calacatta Viola marble fireplace. Featured pieces include a hand-tufted rug from Studio Twenty Seven, a custom-made coffee table by the Egg Collective, a vintage leather sofa with brushed-brass legs, and a custom-made plaster pendant light by Banda. Artwork by Jenny Lundgren.
For furniture and lighting, Banda have chosen a mix of contemporary and vintage pieces, seamlessly blending freshness with nostalgia, as is the Banda signature. Notable pieces include the Alba Triple wall sconce in blackened brass in the kitchen, the Tacchini Pigreco chairs in the dining room and the custom-designed headboard in the primary bedroom, made from dark wood and fine cane.
As demonstrated in this apartment, and with more than 60 ongoing projects spanning various locations in and outside the UK, Banda is solidifying its reputation as one of the most exciting design practices today.
