A client who shifts the goalposts in the middle of their project might spell trouble for many designers, but not for Britt Ross. The designer, who is based in London and Sydney, revels in the fast and slow pace of her trade, layering her schemes as she goes. ‘What began as a light refurbishment has unfolded over the course of three years,’ she says of the two-bedroom Kensington flat belonging to Ishana Passi, director of the Michelin-starred Mayfair restaurant Tamarind, and her husband.
The initial brief was modest – a new kitchen, updated finishes and a few practical tweaks. ‘Work had begun when we decided to combine the adjoining flat, which had been our office, to create a proper home in the capital,’ explains Ishana. ‘It was all about creating a much more intimate feel.’
Anne Collier’s artwork Woman Crying (Comic) is showcased by a frame painted by Katie Tinkler.
Tim Salisbury
The first flat, which the couple were living in when renovations began, boasted generous proportions and floor-to-ceiling windows framing uninterrupted views across Hyde Park. The second presented a stark contrast: it was noticeably rundown, with a cramped layout. ‘The doubled footprint required a complete rethink of both properties,’ recalls Britt, who cut her teeth working with Martin Brudnizki and Russell Sage. ‘We also had to resolve a few complex structural and circulation concerns to make the two flats feel and function as one.’ A series of strategic openings created a vestibule linking through to the original flat’s entryway and kitchen, while the former office became the main bedroom, with a generous en-suite bathroom and direct access to a private terrace.
Having addressed this, Britt adopted her favourite tool to create a cohesive narrative. ‘It feels natural for me to be quite bold with colour,’ she says. ‘It plays a big role in setting the mood, but it’s also an easy way to fix awkward areas and make them seem intentional.’ Here, jewel tones pay homage to Ishana’s roots in Chandigarh, a city in northern India that is known for its vibrant clothing and lush landscape.