An elegant balance of industrial texture and contemporary warmth, this London apartment showcases Akiva’s ability to combine architectural detail with everyday comfort. The design reimagines industrial elements — exposed surfaces, black framing, and tactile finishes — into a cohesive, modern home that feels both characterful and inviting.

Every feature was considered with precision: soft lighting offsets the raw materials, bespoke joinery maximises function, and layered tones create visual depth throughout. The result is a calm yet striking interior that celebrates modern city living without losing a sense of intimacy.

The Details

Client: Professional Male in the tech industry

Task: Our design brief for this renovation centred on transforming the apartment into a cohesive, modern home. The scope included designing a new kitchen with dedicated breakfast and dining areas, developing fresh layouts for lighting and electrics, commissioning bespoke furniture, updating wall décor, and connecting our client with one of our trusted contractors.

Akiva delivered a comprehensive, end-to-end interior design service - from initial concept through to completion - covering design coordination, procurement, installation, and all building works carried out by our partner contractors.

Type: Open Plan Renovation, Kitchen & Living Space

The Process

At Akiva, we believe great design should be simple, convenient, and stress-free. That’s why we offer a range of fixed-price online design packages - such as our Open Plan Package and Post design support Package - allowing clients to begin their projects easily from home, without needing to take time off work or wait for appointments.

Our Approach

For this project, our client was close enough to meet in person and chose to work with us through our on-site design service. Using our design coordination expertise alongside our online collaboration tools, we ensured the process remained seamless and transparent from start to finish.

As part of our coordination service, we managed every aspect of the project - from site visits and contractor discussions to design reviews and implementation planning - ensuring everything stayed on track and true to the design vision.

Our virtual collaboration tools made it easy for the client to follow progress remotely, communicate directly with contractors, and stay fully involved throughout the renovation.

The design phase was completed in four weeks, and despite delays caused by the nationwide lockdown, the apartment was beautifully transformed within eight weeks of build time - a true reflection of efficient planning and teamwork.

The kitchen

The kitchen was designed as the heart of the apartment - a sleek, contemporary space offering generous storage, effortless flow, and a strong connection to the surrounding living areas.

Industrial-inspired styling is softened through a refined colour palette and precise detailing. Tall, wall-hung cabinetry, matte base units, and deep drawers conceal clever pull-out storage and hidden utilities, keeping the space beautifully organised and streamlined.

A generous run of worktop space extends towards the river, defining the transition into the living area while maintaining an open, social layout. The BORA hob, positioned centrally within the peninsula, turns the cooking zone into a welcoming hub, perfect for relaxing, cooking, and entertaining while taking in the views.

To balance the cool greys and blue tones, we introduced rustic oak flooring and wooden accents, adding warmth and texture. Integrated lighting, open shelving, and a soft glass splashback in Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray bring brightness and subtle contrast.

The result is a luxurious yet understated kitchen that elevates the entire apartment, modern, inviting, and unmistakably Akiva.

The Living & Dining Area

Flooded with natural light, the open-plan living and dining space was designed to celebrate the apartment’s spectacular riverside views. The original floor-to-ceiling windows were transformed into the room’s defining feature, framing sweeping vistas across the Thames and creating a strong visual connection to the outdoors.

A refined combination of neutral tones, industrial accents, and understated furniture keeps the space bright, welcoming, and timeless. The continuous oak flooring flows effortlessly through the room, while subtle contrasts of blues, greys, and blacks add depth and sophistication.

The Louis Poulsen pendant light becomes the focal point of the dining area, its sculptural, concentric form providing both ambient and accent lighting. This piece introduces a creative flourish to the apartment’s otherwise minimalist aesthetic, bringing warmth and a sense of artistry to the space.

Custom furniture, open shelving, and clever storage solutions maintain a clean, uncluttered look while enhancing functionality. The white brick feature wall, combined with layered lighting and thoughtful detailing, adds texture and rhythm, completing a space that feels modern, spacious, and effortlessly elegant.

Bespoke Storage

Echoing the warmth of the engineered oak flooring, our custom-designed storage unit has become a defining feature of the living space.

Commissioned from one of our trusted furniture makers, the piece combines clean architectural lines with industrial detailing, balancing function and craftsmanship in equal measure.

The dark metal framework contrasts beautifully with the natural oak grain, while a mix of open shelving and concealed storage ensures both practicality and visual lightness. Its thoughtful proportions and subtle angles create rhythm and depth, grounding the room while keeping everyday items elegantly out of sight.

The result is a striking, multifunctional statement piece — one that seamlessly ties the interior together and reflects Akiva’s focus on design precision and timeless materials.

DESIGN PHASE

Seamless Procurement & Trade-Discount Management

Our clients were able to take advantage of our trade discounts when purchasing a large amount of the fixtures, furniture and equipment.

Our in-house Procurement Service sourced each fixture, fabric and finish at preferential “designer only” rates.

Coffee table, shelving & TV stand: Konk - Bar stools: Simply Bar Stools - Dining chairs: Calligaris

Splashback: Farrow and Ball - Hob: BORA - Wood Flooring: V4 Wood Flooring - Wall Tiles: Walls and Floors

Lighting: Astro Lighting (downlights), Anglepoise (wall light), Louis Poulsen (pendant light)

Wall Tiles: Walls and Floors

Fittings & Fixtures: DHC (door handles), Schneider Electric (sockets & switches)

Designed by an Akiva Designer

Kitchen supplied by Akiva Kitchen Specialist

All building works carried out and installed by Akiva Approved Contractor