WE RECENTLY wrote about Notting Hill and by coincidence, came across this incredible flat for rent in Blenheim Crescent, right on the doorstep of Portobello Road, which means shopping for antiques at Portobello Market and browsing books at the iconic Notting Hill Bookshop. This 2,042 sq ft (189.7 sq m) two-storey penthouse, belonging to an art collector, is a converted artist’s studio with two en suite bedrooms, each with access to a private terrace with views over the Notting Hill rooftops.
The rustic interior design is by Saskia Blyth of London-based Blyth-Collinson Interiors, who worked with the owner and his clear creative direction. Using this direction as a guide, Blyth layered the space, mixing heirlooms and existing art and furniture with the design firm’s carefully sourced pieces. There’s a palpable wabi sabi feel to the space, with inspiration clearly drawn from our favourite Belgian minimalist, Axel Vervoordt. Vaulted ceilings and double-height windows in the reception room are offset by low-slung beams (Blyth sourced reclaimed wood from Belgium and France to create a rustic, lived-in feel), while yellow-toned lime plaster is juxtaposed with inky black walls. The parquet de Versailles wooden flooring sourced from Belgium. The result is dramatic and moody.
Currenly, rents in London are around two times higher than the rest of the country, with the average rent for a two-bedroom flat in this Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea neighbourhood being around £4,924 pcm. This particular flat is on the extreme end, with an asking price of £36,833 pcm. The owner’s own eclectic art and furniture collection (including Pierre Jeanneret chairs, plus two ‘Fauteuil de Salon’ chairs by Jean Prouvé for Vitra) surely have something to do with that.
“When it’s early evening and the fire and the table lamps are on, the apartment is absolutely breath-taking.” ⏤Saskia Blyth
