Inspiration
A Mediterranean escape in the heart of London by Uns Hobbs
Handcrafted details and heritage influences transform this compact bathroom into a joyful jewel-box retreat
When interior designer Uns Hobbs returned to her first love of interiors after a 15-year career in marketing and advertising, she brought with her a refined sensibility for colour, pattern and characterful detail. “I have long been drawn to traditional detailing and handcrafted elements, but with a playful, colour confident twist,” she explains. “Over time my work has become known for balancing classic influences with bold pattern and colour, often reflecting my clients' heritage or personality.” Her recent project in Canada Water is a perfect illustration of this approach.
Escaping the urban canvas
The flat, situated in a 1980s-1990s new build, is surrounded by urban, utilitarian architecture. The client, an Italian who spends much of her time near Lake Garda, wanted the London home to feel personal, joyful and distinct from its surroundings. Hobbs recalls, “She wanted the apartment to feel personal, joyful and full of character, taking inspiration from the layered, colourful approach you often see in Kit Kemp designed hotels.”
The design concept leaned into Mediterranean influences and a love of pattern, creating a compact but layered interior that feels like a “jewel box” rather than simply a functional living space.
A refined mix of colour, texture, and pattern breathes life into this apartment. In the bathroom, our Ornamental Delft corner tiles, painted in Rosalind Blue, frame the walls, adding a sense of vibrancy and tying the space together into a bright, uplifting retreat.
Balancing style with practicality
A key challenge in this compact flat was balancing practicality with design. Hobbs emphasises, “Because the flat is compact, every decision had to work hard. Storage was critical, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom, but we were careful never to let functionality dominate the aesthetic.” Clever, often hidden solutions - like a generously proportioned vanity and carefully planned shower enclosure - ensure the space feels open and effortless.
“Practicality should always feel effortless and beautiful rather than purely functional, especially in smaller homes,” Hobbs adds. This philosophy underpins the bathroom’s design, which manages to be both functional and visually captivating despite its modest footprint.
Crafting the bathroom: colour, pattern and heritage
The final bathroom is a harmonious blend of Mediterranean warmth and classic European charm. “The blue and yellow palette felt like the natural direction, tying into the wider Mediterranean narrative while also nodding to traditional English influences,” Hobbs explains. Drawing inspiration from classic European bathrooms, she aimed for a space that is “warm, decorative and slightly nostalgic, rather than stark or overly contemporary.”
A standout feature is the hand painted Ornamental Delft corner tiles. Hobbs notes, “I have always loved Delft tiles, so they were a very natural choice for this project. What makes these particular hand painted Delft tiles so special is their craftsmanship. The subtle variation brings instant depth and authenticity that you simply cannot achieve with flat printed tiles.” The Antique White background softens the overall look and introduces warmth, while the delicate blue motif adds rhythm without overwhelming the space.
Our vibrant Ornamental Delft Corners, sized at 13×13 cm, offer an extra decorative flourish. Their gently undulating surface and crackle glaze bring a subtle sense of rustic elegance.
Layering for depth and personality
Layering was central to achieving a characterful, timeless feel. Classic shapes, rich colours, patterned tiles and warm brass accents combine to create depth in a compact room. The Lulworth Blue vanity provides a bold splash of colour, while brass fittings introduce subtle warmth.
Attention to proportion and sightlines further enhances the space. The shield mirror bounces light and softens the room with its curves, while the glazed shower screen maintains openness. As Hobbs points out, “The success of the space comes from the mix of the handcrafted with the practical. The aim was always to create a bathroom that feels timeless, warm and full of personality despite its small footprint.”
Many thanks to Uns for sharing the thinking behind her Canada Water project. This London home has been carefully reimagined, blending handcrafted detailing, heritage influences and thoughtful practicality. The result is a space where every element, from the tiles to the lighting, works in harmony - creating a room that feels both playful and refined, personal yet warmly inviting: a true jewel-box escape within the city. Find out more about Uns’ project by visiting her website or Instagram.
Explore our Delft Corners collection
(Project photographs by Dean Hearne)
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