How Olga Ashby Designed This £9 Million Chelsea Apartment
Luxury interiors are about more than beautiful materials. The best homes balance aesthetics with everyday living, creating spaces that are both elegant and comfortable. In this Chelsea Barracks apartment, interior designer Olga Ashby demonstrates how thoughtful design, natural materials and carefully curated details can transform a contemporary home into something truly personal.
DESIGNER
Olga Ashby
TYPE
Family Residence
LOCATION
London, UK
SERVICES
Full feature on YouTube, IG, FB & TikTok
PRESENTED BY
Olga Ashby
Layering Natural Materials
The open-plan living and dining area introduces Olga's design philosophy through a carefully balanced mix of timber, stone and earthy tones. She built a palette that complements the developer’s finishes.
"I did love the colour of the wood" Olga says. "It is a little bit difficult to work with... so we had to use quite a lot of earthy tones in the colour scheme to pick it up."
Stone appears throughout the space, from the existing quartzite island to travertine and green marble. "I'm a very strong believer in using stone in interiors" she explains. "You will not feel overpowered."
The Beauty of Texture
Texture plays a bigger role than colour throughout the apartment. Leather dining chairs, brushed marble surfaces and handcrafted accessories create warmth while encouraging a tactile experience.
"I'm a big lover of texture" Olga says of the leather-finished marble dining table. "It is a pure pleasure to touch."
The sculptural pendant lights, inspired by Japanese lanterns, perfectly reflect her signature style. "I would call myself a soft brutalist."
Designed With Character
Many of the apartment's finishing touches come from vintage markets, where Olga enjoys searching for one-of-a-kind pieces that bring personality into a home.
"Portobello Road is heaven for an interior designer who needs little bits and pieces to make the place cosier and much more interesting."
From handcrafted sake glasses to a bronze vase, these carefully chosen objects sit comfortably alongside bespoke furniture, proving that memorable interiors come from thoughtful curation rather than simply expensive purchases.
Solving Design Challenges
Practicality is never overlooked. Throughout the apartment, Olga transforms everyday necessities into design features. Ventilation grilles disappear into bespoke travertine cabinetry, while the principal bedroom layout was completely redesigned to create a more functional layout.
"I had to come up with some idea how to make the wall wider" she says, referring to the custom paneling behind the bed. It frames the bed beautifully, creating a warmer and more private retreat.
Colour With Purpose
Although the apartment relies on neutral palette, Olga introduces colour where it has the greatest impact. In the principal bathroom, striking green artwork brings energy to a room that could otherwise feel conventional.
"So many people are saying how beautiful white and grey marble is" she says. "You absolutely have to make it exciting."
It is a simple reminder that luxury should always have personality.
A Home Designed for Living
Luxury and functionality come together throughout the apartment. A third bedroom has been styled as a home office, bespoke storage is integrated throughout, and every room has been designed to prioritise comfort and everyday living.
"I am very big on research" Olga explains. "My clients are enjoying it."
This considerate approach is what defines this Chelsea home. Every material, layout and decorative detail has been well-thought-out, creating interiors that is functional and unmistakably personal.
Discover More
To learn more about Olga Ashby and her latest interior design projects, visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Olga Ashby
Website: olgaashby.com
Instagram: @olgaashby
To find out more about the Chelsea Barracks apartment featured in today's episode, visit:
