Little Flat, Big Attitude: A Tour Through the Marylebone Micro-Masterpiece
Welcome to a flat that’s the interior designer’s equivalent of a “small but mighty” mixtape — compact, bold, and full of hits. Nestled in Marylebone, this pied-à-terre (designer: Tom Bartlett of Waldo Works) proves that square footage is overrated. Let’s walk through the wit, whimsy, and design savvy packed into every corner.
1. The Opening Act: Doors That Dare You to Enter
Step into the hallway and you’re met with vivid blue walls, deep-blue gloss doors, and fat handles you can’t miss. Bartlett (of Waldo Works) wanted something that felt a little like walking into a nightclub — you’re not quite sure which door is “the right one,” and that’s part of the fun. It’s theatrical without being pretentious.
He flirted with a full-blown leopard-print carpet but instead went for a more elegant Pierre Frey interpretation. Subtle wildness wins.
2. Living + Dining: Drama in the Midst of Coziness
Despite being on the smaller side, the living and dining rooms feel indulgent. The walls are clad in a Hamilton Weston “Plain Brown” paper — neutral enough to let the furniture personalities shine.
Anchor piece? A glossy blue Smalto table by Knoll, surrounded by Mario Bellini’s sleek Cab 413 armchairs. The effect: a striking focal point that says, “Yes, this flat has confidence.”
And efficiency gets flair: a felt-clad folding door on one side of the chimney breast lets you open or close off spaces. On the other side, the wall was partially knocked through to insert a desk span (also closable)—so you get flexibility and discretion.
3. Kitchen: Tiny but Not Tame
If this kitchen were a person, it’d be wearing statement earrings and a sleek jumpsuit: small but with character. The floor is checkered, cupboards are a bold aubergine, and the blind is sunshine yellow. Yes, there’s no oven—but that’s part of the swagger. Why have unnecessary bulk when you can have punch?
The banquette is upholstered in A Rum Fellow’s “Momo” fabric with a leather piped trim, giving the sense that even the smallest seat got the VIP treatment.
4. Bedrooms & Bathroom: Mood + Light
Bedrooms adopt a warmer palette: yellows and dusty pinks that play nicely with London’s bricky exteriors and the honeyed natural light creeping through windows.
The bathroom, though, is the mini-destination. Think electric yellow + green tiles, inspired by a 1930s Havana bathroom Bartlett once saw. When your bathroom is a vibe, you’ve done your job.
5. Why This Flat Works (When Many Don’t)
Intentional contrast: Calm neutrals meet bold accents, giving visual interest without overwhelm.
Flexibility built in: Folding doors, knock-throughs, furniture that acts as partition—all chosen to make small space life livable.
Material drama in the details: The gloss, the textures, the curated upholstery — these are the whispers that turn compact into compelling.
Bartlett himself likens working at this scale to working on a boat: every inch matters, and the little things move the mood.
Final Note
s-Juliette