This detailed report explores the remarkable transformation of a historic London mansion, One Palace Green, from a grand single-family residence into five exquisite luxury apartments. It highlights the meticulous restoration efforts, particularly focusing on the dining room's revival, and how modern design sensibilities were integrated while respecting the building's rich Arts and Crafts heritage. The project serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of historical architecture when reimagined for contemporary living.
The Rebirth of One Palace Green: A Fusion of Heritage and Modernity
Situated near London's prestigious Kensington High Street, at the heart of what is colloquially known as 'Billionaire's Row,' stands One Palace Green—a landmark property originally constructed in 1870. This distinguished residence was once the abode of George Howard, the 9th Earl of Carlisle, and his wife, Rosalind Stanley, and served as a vibrant hub for the aristocracy, Pre-Raphaelite artists, and proponents of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Designed by Philip Webb, with interiors shaped by the artistic visions of William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, the house was a personal expression of George Howard's artistic inclinations, eschewing traditional political or estate management paths for a life dedicated to art. Its unconventional use of unadorned red brick and asymmetrical frontages pioneered a new architectural trend for fashionable London homes.
The interiors of One Palace Green were, arguably, even more revolutionary. Unlike the standard Victorian decorative practices of simply adding wallpaper and furniture, the artistic environment here was conceived as a holistic vision, with decoration, furnishings, textiles, and paintings harmonizing to create a singular aesthetic experience. The dining room, in particular, stood out as the home's artistic centerpiece, its original deep green walls and gold gilding complemented by a frieze depicting the legend of Cupid and Psyche, designed by Burne-Jones.
Fast forward to 2021, the Crown Estate presented the Grade II*-listed 1 Palace Green to the market. Despite its preserved exterior, years of subdivision into flats in 1957 had led to the disappearance of many original internal features, including staircases, fireplaces, and decorative elements like Morris wallpapers and textiles. Property developers REDD, led by CEO Russell Smithers, recognized the immense potential of the property. Collaborating with esteemed interior designer Martin Kemp and architects Pilbrow & Partners, they embarked on a ambitious restoration project.
The centerpiece of this refurbishment was the scholarly restoration of the dining room. Historical documents, unearthed by conservation architects Donald Insall Associates, guided the painstaking process. Layers of paint were carefully removed to reveal the original 'Peacock Green' color, mixed by Patrick Baty of Papers & Paints. Although Burne-Jones's frieze had moved to the Birmingham Museums collection, passages from Morris's epic poem, The Earthly Paradise, were inscribed around the room, echoing its original spirit. Detailing on the panelling, arches, and ceiling was inspired by William Morris's Acanthus design, applied in parts over raw gold by specialist decorators Britain & Co. A new fireplace, sourced from Victoria Stone, with Delft blue tiles, replaced the original, while aged brass ceiling lights from Vaughan added a burnished glow, enhancing the room's shimmering ambiance under candlelight.
The restored mansion has been thoughtfully divided into five distinct apartments. The re-envisioned dining room now forms the core of a duplex apartment spanning the ground and lower-ground floors. On the upper levels, George Howard's original studio has been transformed into a majestic living room overlooking Kensington Palace Gardens, boasting an impressive 4.5-meter ceiling height.
The approach to decorating these new spaces carefully balanced reverence for the past with a lighter, contemporary touch. Martin Kemp emphasized drawing inspiration from the original house's principles of craftsmanship and natural materials, rather than a rigid recreation of the Arts and Crafts style. This philosophy is evident in the new wood panelling, painted in soft heritage colors, handcrafted ceramic tiles in bathrooms echoing Morris motifs in modern palettes of black, grey, and cream, and cleverly disguised modern amenities like air conditioning units within oak armoires. A fragment of original wallpaper discovered during the strip-out work inspired a new, Morris-influenced design in neutral tones for the first-floor drawing room.
The communal gardens have also been meticulously redesigned by landscape architect Randle Siddeley, further enhancing the property's allure.
This ambitious undertaking at One Palace Green exemplifies how historical buildings can be sensitively redeveloped for modern living. It demonstrates that the finest heritage projects are not about preserving buildings as static museum pieces, but about respectful adaptation, where architectural integrity is honored while embracing contemporary needs. The result is a vibrant, luxurious dwelling that not only pays homage to its illustrious past but also provides a dynamic and comfortable environment for its new inhabitants, seamlessly blending old-world charm with modern sophistication.