Behind the façade of prime central London homes

A Japanese ice maker in the kitchen and a champagne fridge in the bathroom are among the bespoke interior features favoured by high net worth homeowners in prime central London, according to leading estate agents Winkworth.

The latest episode in Winkworth’s Property Exchange podcast also reveals that wealthy buyers looking for a prime London  trophy home for that champagne fridge, the desire for uber-luxurious lateral apartments has been replaced by buyers coveting a traditional period house.

Prime expert  Christian Lock-Necrews, of Winkworth’s Knightsbridge office,  told the podcast that the prime central London market is seeing more domestic buyers than international purchasers:  “We have seen encouraging early improvement this year, with new activity similar to the Boris bounce in 2020, as some of the pent-up demand from 2025 starts to return to the market. We are seeing increased registrations and significant deals being agreed. Around 60 per cent of transactions are by UK-based buyers and 40 per cent by international clients.  Houses are good value compared with apartments and are currently more sought after. Buyers love traditional historic areas such as Egerton Crescent and Pelham Crescent – elegant stucco terraces over four and five floors, with traditional wrought iron railings and communal gardens. Security is of utmost importance, with clients examining every aspect, from the position of windows to the requirement to drive straight into an internal private parking area.”

Wealthy buyers are bringing their own highly individual styles to create  interiors that reflect their own stories, travels and experiences  behind the magnificent  facades of Knightsbridge and Belgravia, according to Freya Godwin-Brown, associate director, Palladian, an award-winning architecture and interior design practice.

Freya Godwin-Brown  told the podcast: “Authenticity over trends,  interiors with a story or soul - high net worth clients want to reflect their personal values in their homes. “Wellness is important. Comfort is the new luxury , with features transitioned to a more everyday setting. We now see infra-red showers in principal bathrooms rather than  as a feature with the pool or sauna.”

She added: “Food is the new status symbol with the design of kitchens are now so much more than joinery. Japanese ice is the best ice available so Japanese ice makers are in demand. My personal favourite feature  was to design in a champagne fridge for the bathroom. “

About Palladian

Palladian is an award-winning architecture and interior design practice based in London, with a team of RIBA chartered architects and professionally qualified interior designers who deliver prime residential projects, including period restoration, new build, and interior design in the UK and worldwide.

Beatle and Hugo Lindsay-Fynn are the studio’s founders and brothers united in their purpose to deliver absolute professionalism at every stage of the process with a balance between design and execution.

The practice has established long-standing relationships with highly respected consultants and technical experts from quantity surveyors, planning advisors and landscape architects to furniture makers and home technology specialists and art consultants. 

 https://palladian.design/