A Los Angeles-based couple has successfully transformed a spacious art deco apartment in London's prestigious Marylebone neighborhood into an elegant European retreat. Working with renowned interior design firm Maddux Creative, the family created a sophisticated pied-à-terre that seamlessly blends historical charm with contemporary luxury for their visits to Europe with their two daughters.

The two-bedroom apartment, located in one of Marylebone's classic 1920s buildings, presented unique design challenges that required careful balance between preservation and modernization. "The challenge was to respect its art deco origins while introducing modern touches that made the space feel current and lived-in," explained Scott Maddux, co-founder of Maddux Creative alongside Jo leGleud. The firm, which operates offices in both London and New York, specializes in creating spaces that honor architectural heritage while meeting contemporary lifestyle needs.

Maddux Creative's approach focused on preserving the apartment's original character while subtly incorporating modern elements. The designers carefully retained and restored key historical features including ornate moldings, elegant parquetry flooring, and distinctive coffered ceilings. These elements were then complemented by updated functionality and contemporary accents that blur the line between old and new. "We felt it was important to blur the line between being able to tell if something was original or new," Maddux noted. "This allowed us to push boundaries and flex our artistic ideas."

The design team's primary challenge involved creating a space that felt both luxurious and liveable without resembling a sterile gallery. To achieve this balance, they incorporated tactile materials and carefully styled vignettes throughout the interior spaces, offering visual interest that reflects Marylebone's dynamic and fashionable character. The result mirrors the European sophistication found in prestigious Parisian Haussmann or Berlin Altbau apartments.

Color played a crucial role in the apartment's transformation, with designers selecting a soft, muted palette of pale aqua and chalky off-white accented by strategic touches of red and gold. "Our goal was to establish a home that exuded relaxation and freshness, avoiding extremes of overpowering elements or blandness," explained leGleud, whose background in embroidery informed her keen eye for balanced integration of textures and colors. The palette was specifically chosen to create a calming yet sophisticated atmosphere that would complement the owners' contemporary art collection.

The apartment's layout includes two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a powder room, a spacious entrance hallway, a kitchen, and a living room with dining area that opens into a library. Each space was designed to flow seamlessly into the next while maintaining its distinct character and function. Pastel hues and refined wall treatments throughout the apartment create an ideal canvas for displaying the owners' carefully curated contemporary art collection.

The compact kitchen makes a particularly bold statement with its burnished brass cladding and galley-style design. "We opted for a galley-style kitchen, small but perfectly formed," Maddux explained. The designers selected slabs of striking Calacatta Verde marble for countertops, adding subtle color variation, while painting the room in "Sesame" from Paint Library London, described as a "delightfully edible hue." This creates an impressive vignette that's visible through the open door, demonstrating how even small spaces can make significant design impact.

The apartment's largest room, containing both sitting and dining areas, showcases a masterful gradual transition of color through layered shapes and shades applied over existing wall paneling. This sophisticated color treatment continues into the adjoining library, where three different shades of green highlight the original moldings. "The original elements provide a historical context, and are complemented by the contemporary, such as the color-block paint effect and modern furnishings," leGleud explained.

Furnishing the apartment required a careful curation of custom, contemporary, and vintage pieces that would complement the overall design vision. Notable commissioned pieces include a serpentine sofa in the living room based on an antique design, demonstrating the firm's commitment to creating bespoke elements. Standout designer pieces include a Lampert Harper daybed upholstered in rich red leather and striking mirrored artwork by Sabine Marcelis and Brit van Nerven that hangs prominently above the fireplace.

The furniture collection also features carefully selected vintage and contemporary pieces, including a classic Eero Saarinen sofa, a modern Christophe Delcourt sofa, a mid-century Paolo Buffa armchair, and a sleek Villiers cocktail table. These pieces work together to create a cohesive yet eclectic aesthetic that reflects the owners' sophisticated taste and international lifestyle.

Textiles and decorative elements throughout the apartment reflect the homeowners' passion for travel and global culture. Turkish rugs, French antique furniture, Danish dining chairs, and international textiles create a worldly atmosphere that feels both cosmopolitan and personal. "Luxurious materials and sumptuous fabrics in the living and bedroom areas, such as patterned cushions and textured curtains, provide a cohesive, elegant sensibility to the entire apartment," leGleud noted.

The primary bedroom features dark-blue textured wallpaper that provides what designers describe as a "soulful backdrop," allowing for sophisticated layering of textures in bed linens and furniture. The guest bedroom takes a different approach with soft-pink tones and features magical artwork by Lorna Simpson above the bed. The subtle pink theme extends into the ensuite bathroom, balanced with complementary buttery-green accents.

Both ensuite bathrooms showcase unified design elements including intricate Jean Cocteau-inspired mosaic floors and polished plaster walls. Recurring curved arches throughout these spaces evoke 1920s glamour that's intrinsic to the building's original character. "The bespoke metal shower screen we designed completes this stunning vignette and provides elegant function," leGleud explained. The powder room features a specially commissioned playful mural by Isabella Day, inspired by French artist Christian Bérard.

The completed apartment successfully achieves its goal of creating a glamorous yet relaxing atmosphere through the smooth flow of muted shades punctuated by carefully placed accents of red and gold. Set against a backdrop that expertly fuses historical and contemporary elements, every detail contributes to the overall vision. "Every detail, from the carefully selected color palette to the bespoke furniture, was aimed at creating an elegant and personal sanctuary for our clients," Maddux concluded. The project demonstrates how thoughtful interior design can honor architectural heritage while creating spaces that meet the needs of modern international living.