The bright hue of a Wawa surfboard is echoed by a Vincent Szarek wall sculpture and vintage glassware on an Art Deco trolley. The ‘Brigadier’ sofa is by Cini Boeri for Knoll.
Ingrid Rasmussen
The showroom’s warm, layered decoration is signature Hubert Zandberg, the space conceived in overlapping zones, each expressing a different sensibility. There is a Californian corner – anchored by a low vintage sofa and a South African surfboard – alongside a mid-century-inflected study area. One room channels earthy Moroccan-meets-Mediterranean, while another is pure Notting Hill bohemia, with an ornate bed and mossy wallhanging. The overall effect is dramatic but approachable. ‘People often walk in and say, “I could live here” and, for me, that’s the best compliment.’
He is also keen for it to act as an ideas incubator, with events, collaborations and pop-ups being planned. Hubert’s retail background – he started out at a concept store in South Africa while studying business, and later worked at Heal’s – has informed much of his approach. ‘Retail is like farming,’ he explains. ‘You tend to it constantly. You refresh, you regroup. It can’t stand still.’
A Sergio Bustamente ram wall sculpture presides over a 1960s Franz Xaver Sproll oak sideboard. The artworks are by Pascal Kern.
Ingrid Rasmussen
Chiming with the designer’s high-low style, the items range between ‘£35 and £35,000’. The idea is to offer pieces people can use every day – linens, ceramics, glassware, candles – alongside exceptional antiques and one-off finds. Hubert’s intention is not to create an exclusive retail destination, but rather a welcoming and inspiring place. ‘You don’t need to come here to buy, and things don’t need to be expensive to be valuable. A stone or a shell can be as beautiful as a bronze, if it means something special to you.’
This belief in the emotional resonance of objects is at the heart of Hubert’s design philosophy. ‘Everything here vibrates,’ he asserts. ‘The trick is to tune them to the same frequency, so they form a choir, not a cacophony. I don’t buy pieces for spaces – I find spaces for pieces. The objects tell me what the room is going to be.’
For clients who struggle with layering, his advice is simple: don’t be too literal. ‘Take inspiration from memory, not replication. When you see a space you love, let it sit for a while, then respond to its atmosphere, not the exact details.’ And for those building their own wunderkammer at home? ‘Be curious and selective. It’s like dressing – you already know what feels right. Trust that’ χ
Hubert Zandberg Interiors: hzinteriors.com