
Inside a modern Mayfair apartment designed for entertaining
Laura Hammett put her award-winning creative nous to good use in this four-bed home in the heart of London’s most glamorous district
Born into a family of artists, Laura Hammett has always had an undeniable and innate creative streak. She’s the first to admit that she didn’t grow up in a grand, stately home furnished like a palace, but instead found an interior spark ignited during a family holiday in a home unlike any she’d ever seen before – think quirky colour palettes, contemporary furnishings and thoughtful room layouts. From then on, Hammett was hooked.
In 2008, Hammett founded her eponymous London-based interior design and architecture studio and soon had a clutch of classic-contemporary projects smattered across the UK, US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Her latest work in the capital has seen Hammett take on the interior and architectural design of a four-bedroom apartment in Mayfair for an owner who loves to entertain.
Having been briefed to create a home that was both inviting and modern, Hammett incorporated classical pieces that were in tune with the history of the building, while contemporary pieces added a contrasting layer of interest. She says: “This home was a joy to design as the space had such elegant proportions, featuring grand three metre ceiling heights throughout. This was the perfect backdrop for some really special bespoke architectural elements and joinery.” Here, Hammett gives us the grand tour.


My signature style is classic-contemporary. Blending old and new is one of my favourite aspects of design – I love the interest that mixing pieces from different historical eras brings and I like not having to stick to one look. The key is to create a balanced mix that feels cohesive rather than disjointed.
Our clients wanted to explore a mixture of classic and contemporary design for the overarching style, but wanted their home to feel inviting, yet curated. This project was transformative, as we started with a stark new build base and added character and interest with joinery, specialist finishes, layered lighting and textural furnishings throughout. As the home was to be used for entertaining and hosting, we focused on beautiful conversation pieces and interesting, unique features. We added curtains to create softness and drama, and then for the other fabric finishes, we used subtle and timeless prints introduced through accent areas such as cushions. Lastly, we designed a spectacular bespoke bar for entertaining and hosting, with its beautiful curved silhouette cutting a striking profile.


The design ethos for this project was to reflect the sophistication and heritage of its iconic surroundings. The neutral colour palette used throughout the home provides a versatile foundation for design, allowing for the incorporation of rich, warm accent colours that add depth and visual interest. With furniture design, I like to combine textural materials, such as velvet, wool, marble, in a tonal colour palette. The cohesive tonality really creates a sense of luxury, while incorporating a variety of finishes adds layers of visual complexity, without overwhelming the design.
I have a few go-to brands that I absolutely love. For timeless and elegant lighting, I recommend Visual Comfort. When it comes to accessories and smaller decor or tableware items, I love shopping at Rebecca Udall and Neptune. Antique markets and boutiques in London are also wonderful places to find unique pieces to add character to any space. Plus, last year, we launched Laura Hammett Living, my luxury homeware brand offering a range of accessories and homewares. We’ve just expanded our offering to include furniture and lighting with two new collections I’ve designed.


We always make sure that the homes we design are as useful as they are beautiful. For us, the ultimate luxury is when every single thing has been considered, so that living is absolutely seamless. The key is getting all of the elements in a room to pull together and feel naturally harmonious visually, while beneath it all, still achieving 100 per cent practicality and ease of use. That’s the real goal.
For me, home is a sanctuary. It’s a place where you can truly be yourself, surrounded by the things and people you love. It’s a space that provides comfort, security, and holds so many memories of family time. Home should reflect your personal style and be your haven where you can relax and recharge.


Prioritise practicality and functionality. Ensure you have ample storage to maintain a clutter-free environment and opt for simpler technologies, like dimmers instead of fully automated smart home systems, for ease of use. However, don’t shy away from modern conveniences like motorised window treatments, which offer both functionality and luxury. Balancing these elements will help you create a beautiful, comfortable, and functional living space. Incorporating existing artwork and artefact collections adds a sense of personal history and character to a space, making it truly feel like home. Additionally, introducing something unique and bespoke to your family really elevates how you’ll experience your home.
Visit laurahammett.com