A Private View: Martin Brudnizki opens the door to his masterful mansion flat

Ever since observing his mother exquisitely carve out his childhood home in Stockholm, Martin Brudnizki has deeply understood the power of our environment to shape how we feel. Nowhere is this more apparent than in his London home on the on the top floor of Ranelagh Mansions in Parson’s Green. A harmonious base for Martin and his partner Jonathan Brook for more than a decade, the two-bedroom apartment is an island of tranquility amid the hubbub of the city – every inch layered with art, thoughtful intention and care.

Martin Brudnizki: “I’ve lived in Parson’s Green since the late 1990s. The area has changed massively since then. It has just become better and better. We have everything on our doorstep – a butcher, fishmonger, dry cleaners and an Italian deli filled with delicious things. They all know me very well. It has the feel of an old world neighbourhood – safe, and with all that you need for a comfortable life in London just a few steps away. In the summer, we spend the afternoons in nearby Hurlingham Park, which has a very pretty rose garden and tennis courts, or at The Bishop’s Park, which is home to Fulham Palace with its walled garden and beach.

“When I first moved to the area I lived in a studio on the New King’s Road. It was after meeting Jonathan, and deciding we wanted to live together, that we bought this place in 2013. At the time, I was focusing on building the business – which now employs 110 people across London and New York. Life was busy, and I was travelling a lot, so I didn’t have the energy to upend my life and move to a new area. The agent who sold my studio told me about a place in need of lots of work but filled with potential in Ranelagh Mansions. As soon as I walked in, I was blown away by the incredible view and sense of space. I knew it would be right for us.

“The great thing about this flat is that it’s very elevated on the top floor. It has magnificent views, with a window in every room. At the back, you can see across the rooftops and gardens of Fulham, down towards the Thames. It’s extraordinary – but also a quintessential London vista; very pretty. From the bedrooms, London Plane trees line the far side of the street, creating a verdant sea of green come springtime.

“Aside from some questionable post-war electrical works, the interior had barely been touched since the Victorian block was first built. I decided to do a full number on it – plumbing, electrics, underfloor heating, the works – taking everything back to the skin of the building. We removed the floor in the sitting room and installed sound insulation and reinforcement to allow the use of timber flooring. It now feels very solid – and you never hear any neighbours. We added simple period details such as architrave, skirting and cornices, and joined the kitchen and living room, as well as removing part of the hallway wall. Now, when you come into the lobby it’s flooded with daylight. The sheer amount of light in the flat – even on a grey day – is extraordinary.

“When you work on hospitality projects it’s all about the client. They have a specific point of view that you need to bring to life. Doing it for yourself is a very different thing. In the end, this place is like the best bits from all my other projects at the time. We wanted a space where we could really live. Somewhere for Jonathan to cook, and for us to entertain. So it was important to have a good sized kitchen with lots of counter space and storage.

“When I design for myself, I always make sure I use every single part of the interior. This place works on every level. In our bedroom, there is a big armchair and ottoman in the window, where we sit and read in the afternoon sun. We have breakfast at the counter in the kitchen. Every room has something special. There are different corners and places that we use continually depending on the time of day. If I get up early, I can head straight into the bathroom and kitchen without disturbing anyone. It’s conceived to be incredibly efficient.

“Since completing the flat a decade ago my design mind has continued to evolve. I’m in a different place now. My taste is the same, but I have matured and tried more things. In terms of my aesthetic, I exist between the four pillars of design – modernism and classicism, minimalism and maximalism – playing with different elements of each depending on the period building and location. In London, you need something crisp and clean.

“Aside from layering in more canvases, and recently refreshing the paintwork, I haven’t changed a thing in the flat since it was completed. Once I’m done, I’m done. Everything has longevity – from the Altfield seagrass wallpaper (a favourite of my mother’s) in the sitting room, which lends warmth and atmosphere, to the Amalfi silk wallcovering in the bedroom. Essentially, we have created a great bone structure for whoever takes over as custodian. It’s a turnkey situation. The colours can be changed, but the foundations are all there – it’s immaculate.

“Though this flat has remained my main home, since 2019 we have divided our time between London and Sussex as a trial run for country life. It turns out we love it. I will miss the quietness and convenience of this apartment. It feels utterly removed from the city below, which is why we’ve stayed here for so long. But that search for peace, and the focus it allows on my work, is what will propel us in our next chapter. We’re very excited.”

Martin Brudnizki Design Studio

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