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Q&A with Nupur Tandon from House Of Pemberley
House Of Pemberley’s newest whole-home renovation in South West London is beautifully elevated with touches of Victorian grandeur but remains relaxed and welcoming.
A modern palette of bold, colour-blocked blues and greens with fresh neutrals make a stunning backdrop to some of the more traditional components, such as ornate gilded mirrors, Holophane glass lightshades and polished mahogany furniture.
Founder and Creative Director of the studio Nupur Tandon tells us more about the project and explains why our bespoke cast iron radiators perfectly matched with the refined aesthetic her clients required.
In this project, you’ve beautifully balanced tradition and formality with comfort and character. Can you describe your approach?
I’d describe my design style as soulful and layered, with a strong emphasis on art, antiques, and in the profound power of beauty. This renovation presented a multifaceted challenge to integrate modern conveniences while also conserving the historical nature of the building. The alterations included rewiring, plumbing updates, insulation, bespoke joinery, and the installation of a modern home alarm interface and upgraded internet connectivity.
We paid careful attention to every detail to preserve a timeless feel and enduring elegance. The result is a testament to our dedication to seamlessly blend heritage with modern comfort, providing the homeowners with a sanctuary that celebrates the home’s Victorian legacy while meeting contemporary needs.
You’ve included many brands that we also love – Corston, Pooky, House of Hackney, Colefax and Fowler. What qualities do you look for when deciding to work with a particular supplier?
When choosing a supplier, I focus on quality, reliability, and alignment with my design vision. I seek suppliers who provide high-quality products, meet deadlines, and offer exceptional customer service. Value for money and access to unique or bespoke items are also crucial. I return to suppliers who consistently meet these criteria and demonstrate responsiveness and a collaborative spirit, ensuring the best results for my clients. Ultimately, we are all striving to improve and find better solutions.
You didn’t plan to install bespoke cast iron radiators at the outset of this project, what changed?
The client’s initial brief focused on selecting radiators that complemented their existing décor while providing efficient heating for their space. As the project progressed, the brief evolved to include a more refined aesthetic. We were beginning to explore ornate wallpapers from Colefax and Fowler. I showed my clients some Chinoiserie patterns alongside Castrads cast iron radiators and we started to discuss more specific, Victorian-inspired design elements and colour preferences. This development led us toward more customized solutions. I visited Castrads’ showroom with my clients which really helped us to cement the vision.
Tell us about that initial visit to Castrads Fulham Road – how did we do?
Our experience with Castrads customer service has been outstanding, both during our showroom visit and the on-site consultation. During our visit to the showroom Nathan Danquah guided us through the extensive radiator collection. This also helped us envision how various styles and finishes would look in our space, making the selection process enjoyable and insightful.
The on-site visit was equally impressive, Nathan conducted a thorough assessment of our space, providing tailored recommendations, and offering practical installation and maintenance advice. Overall, Castrads’ commitment to excellence made the entire process smooth and highly satisfying.
Uniquely-Tailored Advice
Consultations allow us to uniquely tailor our offering to the quirks of your space. Our dedicated team can help you to achieve a comfortable temperature with radiators that fit effortlessly into your design brief.
Contact us to book your appointment at one of our showrooms or request a visit to your home.
Why do you choose to incorporate bespoke elements and commissions in your interiors?
I believe that style and substance should work together to nurture a well-lived life. Bespoke elements are often the cornerstones in my room designs because I create environments that are uniquely attuned to the rhythms and rituals of contemporary life, spaces that nourish the mind, body, and soul. Custom making key items is essential to delivering a design that is unique to the client and to the space.
In the dining room on this project we used Darcy, a versatile upholstered bench seat that I designed for ‘The Pemberley Editions’, House of Pemberley’s own line of custom furnishings. The collection is all made in the UK, fully bespoke and can be used in a range of settings. My designs draw inspiration from the past, we delve deeply into archival research, applying traditional building methods and local craft traditions to new construction and furnishings.
Additionally, we are dedicated to supporting contemporary artists and artisans through bespoke commissions tailored to each project. For the loft bedroom we collaborated with a muralist to craft the painted wisteria blossoms which delicately spread across the walls, ceilings and built-in closets.
We’re particularly in love with the loft room, how did that concept develop?
Working very closely with the client and the artist, we began with the idea of a mural that seamlessly merges cultural influences with traditional aesthetics. It continues many of the botanical themes from the wallpapers on the lower floors but with a lighter touch. To complement this airy, more organic aspect, we went more contemporary with the furnishing and lighting. The wood work is also more rustic and we added a wide shelf which spans the wall above the radiator to offer a simple, occasional desk space flooded with natural light.
Can you give us any tips for combining antiques into a room scheme?
Our approach to any residential project is to create a curated, well-lived and layered space that feels as if it has always been part of the house. When sourcing antiques we tend to start with a statement piece to create a focal point in the room – it could be an old chest of drawers that can be repurposed into a vanity, a tapestry that can be framed into an art piece or can be reinvented as a cover for an ottoman, an ornate mirror, décor pieces like table lamps, trays, and antique picture frames also help to add layers and create a cohesive look. We are also mindful of their colour tones, finishes and textures so they blend well with a contemporary interior scheme.
See House of Pemberley’s Instagram for more from Project Victoria including before and after shots, or find more of Nupur’s work via the House of Pemberley homepage.
