A Calming Retreat in the City: Inside a Refined Thames City Residence

Luxury Apartment Interior Design in London’s Thames City - Designing a Home Away from Home with Vesta

Nestled within the luxurious Thames City development in Nine Elms, this four-bedroom apartment represents a considered balance of elegance, character, and calm. Designed by Vesta’s Senior Interior Designer Tori Antoniou, the project was born from a simple but ambitious brief: to craft a stylish yet understated city retreat - refined, welcoming, and rich with personality.

From the outset, the creative direction was clear. “The client’s vision spoke so beautifully to my own design sensibility,” shares Tori. “Understated luxury, East-meets-West influences, asymmetry, and sculptural silhouettes - it was a dream to bring to life.”

Designing for Place, Purpose and Personality

Though this apartment is a secondary residence, the client was determined it shouldn’t feel like a hotel. The space needed to reflect London’s sophistication while offering a sense of ease and warmth - an antidote to the pace of urban life.

“The location itself really informed the design,” Tori explains. “The panoramic views and waterside calm inspired a mood of natural restraint - earthy tones, tactile materials, characterful forms.”

Thoughtful zoning and tailored details helped bring this ethos to life. In the spacious open-plan living area, a low-slung bespoke sofa and herringbone bordered rug frame the seating zone with subtle flair. Handcrafted joinery and bespoke upholstered beds anchor each bedroom with understated individuality, while natural textures - flocked wallpaper, rattan cane, washed oak - layer richness into every room.

Artisanal Craft Meets Contemporary Living

At the heart of the project lies a deep respect for craftsmanship. From the hand-stained wood beading in the principal bedroom to the concealed dressing mirror in Bedroom Two - created in line with Feng Shui principles - each element was tailored with intention.

The study nook, wrapped in abstract flocked wallpaper and illuminated bespoke shelving, is a sculptural surprise. The media unit, designed in textured neutrals with woven wallpaper and contemporary brass hardware, effortlessly blends functionality with beauty.

And then there’s the tea room - a standout for both client and designer. Rooted in cultural tradition, this serene yet sculptural space features a handmade walnut dining table, paired with cane-backed chairs and pendant lighting from &Tradition. “It’s 100% what I was looking for,” says the client. “Modern, classic, calming - exactly right.”

An Apartment That Tells a Story

For Tori, the most rewarding aspect of the project was the client’s growing trust - allowing Vesta to guide bold yet balanced design decisions. “It was a joy seeing the client embrace bolder creative choices, particularly in spaces like the shelving nook or the layered styling in the living area,” she reflects.

The client agrees. “The team helped me refine my ideas into a real vision. The way they used the setting - the city, the light, the views - as part of the concept made all the difference.”

Rendered decisions were made efficiently thanks to remote collaboration, and the final installation exceeded expectations. “It turned a standard apartment into a home filled with character,” the client says. “It’s more refined and balanced than I imagined.”

Refined, Relaxed, Remarkable

Throughout the apartment, the design balances classic and contemporary, restraint and flair. Whether it’s the Ligne Roset Togo chair in teal, the botanical wallpapers chosen for moments of play, or the concealed details that elevate daily function - this is a home that lives as beautifully as it looks.

In the words of Tori: “We wanted the apartment to feel timeless yet rooted in its context. Something unpretentious, peaceful and unmistakably personal.”

For Vesta, this project is a celebration of collaboration, craftsmanship, and creative direction. It’s not just an interior - it’s a narrative told through materials, form, and feeling.

Essence of the Project: Designing a home away from home: stylish yet understated, refined yet unpretentious.

To see more of this project visit the portfolio here.

And we warmly welcome you to get in touch with the team for a conversation around how we can help you achieve your dream home - or home away from home.

Designer: Tori, Vesta

Photography: Chris Snook