London is an undeniably captivating city; it’s overflowing with a rich history dating back more than 2,000 years, and a cultural melting pot for people from every corner of the Earth, packed with curiosities, iconic structures and sheer beauty.
The Romans founded London in 49CE, although back then it was known as Londinium, and the city has since become one of the world’s superpowers.
Some of the original city walls still stand to this day laid by Roman hands, simply adding to the intrigue that this glorious city exudes, but one of the key things that makes London so magical is not found at ground level; instead, we look to the skies to fully understand this city.
It’s a skyline that is recognised around the world thanks to daring architectural masterpieces, vast historic icons and megastructures that defy belief, all blending together to culminate in a silhouette that is envied by most other city on the planet; so what is the best way to live life at the top of one of the world’s greatest cities?
Living The High Life
Lofty views and living spaces at the top of towering structures offer a great way to live at the peak of humanity’s endeavours, but you can’t just expect the elevation of your space to do the work for you.
There is an art to turning an abode into a home – and the only way to do justice to a penthouse or high-rise living space, is to make it opulent and luxurious while highlighting the gorgeous views.
This guide will help you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets below by turning your space into a comfortable and luxurious elevated suite that will make you, or your guests feel like they’re living in a cloud, on top of the world.
Let’s redefine modern living, showcasing the finest of London interior designs and luxury penthouse trends, together.
The Power of Elevation
As you probably already know, there is no greater asset in high-rise living than the view; it’s the defining crux of your space, even if you don’t have a wide 360° panorama, at any height your view will always be the focal point of your space.
Embrace this fact and use the view to its fullest extent.
If you’re unsure how to maximise your view then start with the windows themselves. Your blinds or window shutters play a much bigger role than simply blocking light or sight lines; they can allow you to frame your view, adjust which parts of it are visible, and will play a huge part in the overall vibe of the space.
Modern blinds made using industrial materials can offer benefits in adjustment and durability, as well as having a huge impact on how modern and sleek your space can feel, whilst a wooden framed shutter can bring in earth tones and natural materials, working superbly with cosy leathers and warm spaces.
Transform your view from simply being ‘a great view’ and instead capitalise on top-tier London interior designs allowing it to become a seamless part of the interior you have so carefully created.
Intelligent Spaces for Modern Lifestyles
Today’s affluent professionals, particularly in powerhouse locations like London, need more than just beautiful interiors, they need homes and spaces that work for them. A modern luxury penthouse should feature the latest in smart-room technology, allowing the space to go from a beautiful penthouse to a functional, efficient space that also happens to be beautiful.
Smart rooms are the latest trend in the hospitality industry and essentially allow guests unparalleled control over a space, often including smartphone controlled lights, temperature and humidity, electronic shutters, built in surround sound systems, smartphone key-access, voice control options and the ability to save all of your settings to a personal profile for your next visit; it’s a very exciting world.
But none of this has to remain specifically within the hospitality sector; in fact, many more modern buildings in cities around the world are incorporating these systems into newer builds, allowing the occupant incredible control over their environments, all from the palm of their hand.
Use smart technology to elevate your space from mundane to hyper-modern luxury with voice control, ambient lighting and high-tech security.
Creating Elegance at the Top
If you ask any expert, interior design is all about balance; spaces for living need to perfectly blend comfort and utility, luxury and practicality; high-quality design cannot come at the expense of usability, and function should not hinder design.
There are plenty of buildings that spring to mind when you think of luxury interiors; London is packed with them. Places like Buckingham Palace, the V&A and Kensington Palace stand out amongst the crowd, but these aren’t really the kind of vibe you’d want in a modern home.
Crafting a highrise masterpiece is all about paying attention to the finer details; the use of textures both natural and industrial, colour palettes, soft furnishings and electronic fixtures will all inform the final impression of a space.
Many modern spaces make the most of clean, straight lines with minimalist interiors, and we are increasingly seeing this style blended with textured furnishings and cosy lighting to create the perfect blend of modernity and comfort.
This all ties in with the way our main focal point, our stunning panorama, interacts with the space, so the way we dress our windows in a highrise can have a critical impact on the finished product.
Small Penthouses, Big Potential
Owing to London’s millennia-spanning age, many of its buildings have been squeezed into spaces never intended for structures so large, or were rebuilt, refurbished or reassigned from their original form.
This means that, as with many of the world’s largest cities, there are plenty of unconventional spaces now being used as homes where intelligent design is more important than ever.
Some spaces are strange shapes, some are labyrinthine with interconnecting passageways and rooms appearing seemingly from nowhere, while others are simply small.
In fact, many people are opting to live in ‘tiny homes’ that seek to solve problems like overcrowding, environmental impacts and other issues.
What these small spaces prove is that clever interior design can overcome almost any issue, and small spaces can be just as luxurious than their larger counterparts.
If you’re looking to make a city centre space feel larger there are some tips you can use to make your space feel as comfortable and spacious as you need; things like cleverly placed mirrors to reflect light, the way we treat large windows that frame the view and invite the outside in, and reflective surfaces to hide the boundaries of a room.
You can have versatility and superb design in the same space, even if it's small; in this case, size does not matter one bit.
Lighting a Mood for Every Moment
Lighting is a crucial element in any space. It’s particularly important for a high-rise, city centre room.
Due to the nature of a city and the way the earth moves around the sun, you’ll either have direct sunlight flooding your room, or light being blocked partially or fully by the surrounding structures. Each has its pros and cons, but it’s the way we manage this light that will make the difference.
Light plays a huge role in the atmosphere of a space, you can create drama with well-placed shadows, highlight fixtures and architectural features with spotlights, promote cold open feeling spaces and produce cosy corners that are inviting and warm; it’s pretty obvious which ones we want in a home, but you see the point. Lighting is crucial.
Firstly, you need to consider your space; choosing between blinds and shutters can make a huge difference to the light that enters and how much control you have over it. Blazing direct sunlight can make a space overexposed, warm and quite stark, whereas indirect light can seem uninviting and dark.
Think about introducing bespoke lighting solutions that fit into your space so you can have full control over the way light interacts with your overall design, from here you’ll be able to create a lighting system to cover every mood, style and time of day in your own space.
Where Skyline Views Meet Luxury Living
The key to creating the ultimate luxurious living space at the top of one of the world’s greatest cities is thoughtful design. Give yourself the ability to control the space, the lighting, the design and the functionality to cultivate a luxurious and modern living space.
Remember the focal point of any high-rise space will be the views and the elevation, but ensure the interior has what it needs to support such wonderful features by creating a cosy, luxurious space that meets the needs of those inhabiting it.
Create your very own highrise oasis through thoughtful design, intelligent light management and custom fixtures that allow you to draw the very best from your elegant living space among the clouds.
