Katharine Pooley Works Magic

Heeding Heritage

Katharine Pooley does a resplendent job in transforming the interior of a treasured national building into an immaculate residence.

As one of the most prestigious and important addresses in the most affluent part of London, The Clarence at St James House is indeed an impeccable landmark at a prestigious address. A mere stone’s throw away from Buckingham Palace, with resplendent views overlooking St. James’ Palace and an immediate look of the main entrance to Pall Mall, the Grand II listing building contains the very essence of national eminence.

In a project that has taken five years to complete, Katharine Pooley and her team of architects and contractors were appointed to transform the interior of this magnificent building into an elegant residence, returning it to much of its original splendour. With meticulous dedication on the most intricate process, Katharine and her team utilized their proficiency and expertise to ensure that the very fabric of the building was preserved to create a consistent and harmonious narrative.

To create an interior befitting the exquisite architecture, Katharine integrates exquisite marble, bespoke furnishing, hand-painted wallpapers and fine joinery – a perfect complement to the delicately restored features, such as fireplaces, mouldings, staircases and wall panelling. The result is an avant-garde interior that impeccably reflects the classic English feel, truly an embodiment of the requirements set by its well-travelled owners.

The bathroom design is evidence of Katharine Pooley’s expertise and keen eye for detail in exemplifying a revered European mood. The central feature bath remains a critical and elegant focal point, complemented by the wall-clad Bianco Lasa slab marble; book matched and sourced in Italy, while the nickel and bevelled mirror Deco fittings further contribute to the allure and overall quality. Adorned with the finest grade Thassos marble, the bath also creates a beautiful mirror effect on the marble striate, comparable to a piece of art.

Much significance is given to the colour palette, Katharine gives her undivided attention to paint the tone in a harmonious wave between soft and strong hues.

Placing the spotlight on lifting the charm of mellow femininity, the master suite achieves this with a combination of Rose Gold and a blush of dusky pink; splendid tones to feature a bedroom that is at once soft, warm, inviting and unmistakably elegant. The ivory-tinted accents on the silk hand-painted wallpaper are brought forth on the bed linen and the Carrera Marble insets on the listed fireplace.

In delightful contrast, Katherine also incorporates tactile and warm vibes that are settled with dark rich browns for wall finishes in key spaces; adding to an overall gentleman’s club with a twist feel. The ambience is further accentuated with the hand-painted silk Louis style panelling wallpaper in the octagonal central hallway, with an emphasis on the bronze silk on the boys’ bedrooms walls and a scalloped patterned bitter chocolate grasscloth on the powder room walls.

At the behest of her clients, Katharine carefully curated the collection of large-scale art and photography adorned throughout the property specifically for this project. The KPL Home Dressing Team exclusively commissions and sources for pieces from well-established and promising artists to fit the clients’ personal brief and to perfectly match with the interiors in which they will be placed in. One of the most notable pieces sitting in The Clarence is the huge photographic piece in the gallery style entrance hall and the spectacular large-scale photograph of swimming horses, providing a significant impact on anyone when first entering the property.

After five years of dedication to her project, The Clarence at St James House stands as a testament to Katharine Pooley’s harmonious alignment for a lavish and opulent interior, while staying true to its perennial heritage

About Katharine Pooley

As a proud member of the International Design & Architecture Awards and Society of British and International Interior Design, Katharine Pooley and her studio, Katharine Pooley Ltd, have created mould-breaking interiors worldwide while combining unique visual flairs, appreciation of the best of British craftsmanship and an ever-evolving global design outlook. Overseeing her team of 47 interior designers and architects, Katharine’s personal approach ensures every detail of every project and product is exquisitely realised and impeccably finished.

“Using the finest British craftsmanship, we painstakingly created an interior that is unmatched in style and elegance, and entirely befitting of the glorious building and location.”

Katharine Pooley,
Founder, Katharine Pooley Design Studio.