- Interior
In April 2025, international design firm Wendover unveiled their latest project: a spacious and light-filled penthouse on the prestigious Portland Place in the heart of London, a stone’s throw from Marylebone and Regent’s Park. What was once a warren of small rooms and narrow corridors is now a refined 350-square-metre family home that exudes spaciousness and elegance.
Wendover’s design transforms the existing structure with a logical and well-proportioned layout. By introducing new sightlines, streamlining ceiling heights, and enhancing the existing skylights, the scheme emphasises the home’s open character. One of the most striking interventions is the installation of oversized roof lights using special low-iron glazing. These create an almost otherworldly quality of light, inspired by the work of James Turrell, giving occupants the sensation of floating in the sky. The client requested a modern-classical aesthetic—a seemingly paradoxical brief that Wendover brought to life with confidence. Through bold material choices, refined detailing, and a classically structured division of day and night zones, the result strikes a balance between tradition and contemporary comfort. 
By creating new sight lines and streamlining ceilings, the design emphasises the open character of the home
Bespoke elements feature prominently throughout the home. The floors are laid in a custom-designed oak parquet with a cubist motif, into which a travertine “carpet” is inlaid beneath a large skylight in the entrance hall. This central space is a modern reinterpretation of a classical Roman atrium, with a custom round table in red travertine from Almería serving as the focal point. Lighting is provided by hand-sculpted white plaster wall sconces from Garnier & Linker in Paris—a contemporary form with a reassuringly traditional finish. In the bathrooms, light again takes centre stage, with ceramics in playful zigzag textures that catch and reflect the light in dynamic ways. Furniture pieces have been crafted by master joiner Stan Tarver, including an elegant bar in the living room made from open timberwork and Honey Onyx. It subtly zones the space without dividing it, creating a gentle transition into the main salon. 
The master suite features a shared bathroom with two bold slabs of marble—one in blush pink, the other in deep green. The dressing room, conceived as an intimate treasure box, is clad in rich panelling, soft upholstery, and luxurious carpet—offering a personal space with a touch of glamour. Wendover, with studios in London, Rotterdam and New York, is renowned for its timeless yet daring designs. Their projects balance material aesthetics with functionality, ranging from private residences to boutique hotels and culturally driven retail. With an integrated approach that spans concept to completion, Wendover continues to shape the international design landscape as a leading force in architecture and interiors.
Photography by Fred Howarth
Text by Elke Aerts