Battersea Playhouse for the rich

Battersea is a playhouse for the rich

Award-winning interior design studio, Black & Milk’s reworking of Pico House, is breathing new life into one of London’s most desirable addresses. Created in collaboration with renowned architect Frank Gehry, the studio references its signature cosy luxury style throughout the refurbishment of the home in London’s newly redeveloped Battersea Power Station.

Demonstrating a characteristic attention to detail across the totality of the site, Black & Milk wanted to create a space that reaped the rewards of living in prime Central London whilst reinterpreting the city’s luxuries into the apartment stylistically. 

Pico House is located next to Battersea Power Station’s Zone 1 London Underground Station, and overlooks a rich mix of restaurants, bars, offices and shops on Electric Boulevard, a pedestrianised high street, putting residents in the heart of the ‘15-minute’ live, work, play neighbourhood.

The three-bedroom residence spread over 1,052 sqft is full of character with fresh, contemporary interiors grounded in high-quality finishes and natural light. Designed for a modern resident, the design is built around flexibility and adaptability and is complete with playful and expressive touches.

Whilst modern buildings have a lot to offer for contemporary design, there are of course, a myriad of challenges to be faced.

Speaking of these, Olga Alekseev, Creative Director at Black & Milk comments, “The spatial configuration of the apartment was one of the fun challenges faced by our team. Due to the room’s interesting layouts and particular angles, an intelligent spatial layout was implemented redefining the living and dining area. We also had to have the apartment follow the sinuous shape of the building’s exterior, creating unique properties with elegant curving walls. Horizontal bands break down the scale and add definition to the building, whilst floor-to-ceiling glazing, orientated to offer the best views of the Power Station, create interiors that are flooded with natural light.”

She continues, “Throughout the space, we wanted to clearly distinguish the retained and restored elements of the original building from contemporary additions. In our approach, we therefore emphasised proposition and enhancement of light, meaning no room is alike, with different design hues enticing the senses.”

The studio takes inspiration from Ghery’s bright, linear architecture with a neutral colour scheme, providing a series of refreshing spaces. Notable design points within the apartment include a well-appointed open-plan living area with a bespoke bar encompassing a rotating door with backlit shelving, creating a place equipped for the regular entertainment of guests. With entertaining at home becoming a weekly staple in winter, this exquisite home-bar has everything necessary for an after-work tipple within arms reach.

Anatoly Alekseev, Co-Founder of Black & Milk, says, “Demand to live at Battersea Power Station is strong and continues to grow. With so much of the neighbourhood now open, including the six-acre Power Station Park and the great mix of shops, bars, restaurants and leisure venues, there is an undeniable energy across the development and it is a very special place to live. 

He continues, At Black & Milk, we love London, we love its culture, history and diversity and the interiors we have created at this particular apartment is designed to stand artfully on its own amongst all of that, whilst also complementing an internationally recognised icon. We’re delighted to see the final stages of this ambitious renovation come to life.”

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